Review of Some Came Running (1958) by Tonypolito — 15 Aug 2010

Overly soapy/melodramatic but, in the end, emotionally rewards the viewer with an appreciation of what is (and isn't) shallow in human nature and romance.

Director Vincent Minnelli makes exceptionally strong use of Cinemascope. Every single shot/scene is specifically and cleverly composed to take full advantage of it, something few films can claim. It drapes the actors well in rich, fully-displayed backgrounds and set pieces that enhance their deliveries. When Sinatra hits town in a Greyhound, the viewer sees so much of its interior, it feels like he/she is riding just across the aisle from Frank. When the viewer first meets the jeweler (far-screen-right) speaking to his secretary, isolated at the other side of the room (far-screen-left), the shot implies they're much closer, that something's unspoken between them. When actors are panned as they walk across a set, the viewer takes in so much set, he/she becomes immersed within it.

Another viewer treat is Shirley MacLaine, here in her first of five best-actress Oscar nods. MacLaine's basically delivering here her 'ditzy-party-girl with a heart-of-gold' character, which she perfected into another Oscar nod five years later in 'Irma La Douce' - and later delivered to Broadway/film in "Sweet Charity.".

Colors here are almost as crisp as mid-Century comes; this is MetroColor - Kodachrome one-strip cooked in the MGM labs - and cooked quite well.

The plotline's a dated indictment of small-town hypocrisy, who it hurts and how it hurts them. Frank's returned home to little MidwestBurg after decades and, being both successful writer and drifting boozer, he just can't figure out on which side of the tracks he belongs.

Don't miss when Dino packs for a trip - and ever-so-subtly decides that six bottles of booze belong in his suitcase rather than his shoes.

RECOMMENDATION: Decent investment of viewing time, mostly due to the cinematography and MacLaine.