Trivia / The Man with the Golden Arm

• The Danza: Frank Sinatra as Frankie Machine. A coincidence, since that's the character's name in the novel.
• Disowned Adaptation: Nelson Algren was initially hired to do the screenplay adaptation of his novel, but had Creative Differences with Otto Preminger and was let go. Algren hated the film, in part because of how much it differed from the novel.
• Method Acting: To prepare for his role, Frank Sinatra spent time at drug rehabilitation clinics observing addicts going cold turkey. He also learned to play drums from drummer Shelly Manne.
• Playing Against Type: A rare case of Darren McGavin playing a villain. It's especially unsettling for those who know him best as The Old Man.
• What Could Have Been: Nelson Algren's novel was initially optioned for John Garfield to star as Frankie, but Garfield's death led to a change of plans. Marlon Brando was offered the role of Frankie Machine, but Frank Sinatra jumped at the opportunity and was signed before Brando could accept. Otto Preminger was interested in Montgomery Clift, but the actor was either unavailable or uninterested. William Holden was also considered.

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