Some Came Running (1958)

Some Came Running
Directed by Vincente Minnelli
Written by John Patrick and Arthur Sheekman from a novel by James Jones
1958/USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant
#352 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Dawn Hirsh: Bumming around, doing all sorts of jobs – didn’t that help to make you a better writer?
Dave Hirsh: Dawn honey, bumming around can only help to make you a bum.

Despite its fine acting and production values, I cannot get behind the story of this movie or its portrayal of women.

Hard-drinking writer Dave Hirsh (Frank Sinatra) arrives in his provincial home town by bus almost against his will.  He has recently been discharged from the service and is still in uniform.  On the bus with him is ditzy bimbo Ginnie Moorehead (Shirley MacLaine) who is madly in love with the soldier despite his insulting treatment of her.  Hot on her heels will be the Chicago thug that is in love with her.

Early on, Dave meets professional gambler Bama  Dillert (Dean Martin).  Since he plays a mean game of poker himself, the two partner up together and become roommates.  Dave has an even dimmer view of Ginnie (whom he calls a “pig”) than Dave does.

Dave does everything possible to be an embarrassment to his social climbing brother Frank (Arthur Kennedy).  He seems willing to get out of town, though, until he casts his eyes on creative writing teacher Gwen French (Martha Hyer).  The repressed, possibly frigid, schoolmarm is a big fan of Dave’s writing but less so of the man’s lifestyle.

Dave falls instantaneously in love with Gwen and cuts out the booze in an attempt to win her.  Will he succeed and what will happen to poor, lovesick Ginnie?

I have never liked this critically acclaimed movie and it took me until this viewing to figure out why.  All the female characters are stereotypes and all their lives revolve around men, specifically Dave.  MacLaine’s character with her stupid stuffed dog purse is the worst.

On the positive side, I really, really like Dean Martin in this one.  Minnelli demonstrates a mastery of both color and the wide screen.  The tracking camera in the final carnival scene is pretty marvelous.

Some Came Running was nominated for Academy Awards in the categories of Best Actress (MacLaine); Best Supporting Actor (Kennedy); Best Supporting Actress (Hyer); Best Costume Design; and Best Music, Original Song (“To Love and Be Loved”).

Trailer