nothing The problem of such films is that the authors try to fit everything under the scandalous topic - facts, conjectures, rumors, anecdotes, forgetting about logic. Frank Sinatra was a unique person, he had amazing talent, magnetism, charisma and a sensual voice that drove women crazy. He was “the greatest phenomenon of the century.” At the same time, it is alleged that the mafia allegedly influenced the rise of Sinatra’s career. In what way? Nobody explains that. But it doesn't make sense. Why would such an incredibly talented singer and actor help the mafia? How could they help him? He would have been noticed anyway. Harry James, Tommy Dorsey took Sinatra as vocalist because they liked the way he sang.
Suppose Lucky Luciano actually controlled all the nightclubs. But in these clubs performed not only Sinatra, and all singers. It should be understood that nightclubs, cabaret - it was almost the only place for performances of artists of that time. It is illogical to accuse Sinatra of working for the mafia just because he performed in nightclubs like everyone else. And because his father was born in Sicily.
Journalist Anthony Summers, who wrote a controversial biography of Sinatra, is replaying the story that Sinatra allegedly transported $2 million in cash to Cuba for Lucky Luciano. 2 million dollars in small bills weighs almost 2 tons. How could Sinatra carry such a bag with its fragile build? He flew to Havana with a small briefcase carrying personal belongings to perform at a benefit concert for the cancer center. Not to meet gangsters.
The authors correctly reproduced the fact that the media mogul, who became rich on gossip and scandals, William Randolph Hearst hated and feared Sinatra. Republican Hearst considered the singer a communist because Sinatra fought against racism, racial segregation, donated large sums to the poor. Hearst's empire began a war against Sinatra, led primarily by his nephew Lee Mortimer. He wrote stories about Sinatra, humiliated him, provoked him until Sinatra hit him. This was the reason for the open harassment of Sinatra in the press, which led to the complete destruction of his career. For five years, Sinatra was in a desperate situation, he was broke, tried to kill himself several times. Where was the mafia at the time? Why didn't she help him at least with money? The authors did not provide any explanation.
The authors try to explain the decline of Sinatra’s popularity by the fact that he began to sing terribly. But that's basically refuted. Columbia Records has released a complete catalogue of all of Frank Sinatra's recordings over the years. It is enough to listen to the records of the late 40s - early 50s to understand that the authors are very far from the truth. At this point, Sinatra’s voice sounded as good as it had been in other years, and the manner of his performance almost came close to his mature manner, which would become classic when he switched to Capitol and recorded his best albums there. And they'll make him number one singer in the '50s by Billboard. When fame returned to Sinatra, Columbia Records re-released these records with great success.
The authors of the film again repeat the famous story invented by Mario Puzo in the novel “The Godfather” that Sinatra got a role in the film “From Now and Forever” thanks to the pressure of the mafia. But all the real witnesses of this event deny the intervention of the mafia – director Fred Zinneman, producer Buddy Adler, actors. Allegedly the widow of the head of the studio Harry Cohn confirmed the pressure from the gangsters. But she doesn't say that in the movie. And still alive is the main participant in this story, who suffered the most because he did not get the role. This is a talented actor Eli Wallach, with whom he has already signed a contract for the role of Maggio. Wallach in his book not only denies, but ridicules all Mafia versions. It would be profitable for him now to write that he lost his starring role, Oscar, due to mob pressure. But he quite honestly wrote that he wanted to play Elia Kazan and refused the role voluntarily.
Yes, Sinatra owned part of the shares in the hotel and casino "The Sands" in Las Vegas. But he received these shares long before fame returned to him. Therefore, at the time of the acquisition of these shares, the name of Sinatra could not bring any income to the mafia. Sinatra received a package of these shares and a contract to perform in Las Vegas thanks to his friend, one of the few who did not leave him in a difficult moment.
Obviously, the gangsters loved Sinatra, and he knew them. It flattered him. He did know Chicago mob boss Sam Jancana, who came to Sinatra’s set, and Giancana really played a decisive role in the election of John F. Kennedy. I think Sinatra knew perfectly well who the mafia boss Carlo Gambino was when he took pictures with him and his henchmen. He was photographed with them as with exotic animals - a bear, a panther or a boa constrictor. It satisfied his vanity. Of course, this relationship with the mafia does not adorn Sinatra. But no one says he was a saint, an angel or a martyr. The main thing is that the filmmakers tried, but could not prove, that Sinatra conducted some criminal cases with gangsters. He was heavily influenced by the FBI, and they couldn't find anything criminal. The authors of the film do not deny that the patronage of the mafia must pay an exorbitant price. To carry out their orders without question, otherwise you can pay with your life. But all the people who knew Sinatra said that he was completely independent. Never obeyed anyone. No one could tell him to “do it.” He was known for his unpredictable character and behavior. Such a person would be more a danger to the mafia than a benefit.
I didn’t see anything new in this movie. The authors were unable to find a single fact, evidence, document that would confirm that the mafia had any positive impact on the career of Sinatra. He was one of the highest paid singers and actors in the country and the world. He became a multimillionaire not because of the patronage of the mafia, but because his records sold millions of copies, he received high royalties in movies, on TV, radio, for his performances. And not because the mafia put pressure on the studios, but because Frank Sinatra's name provided a big box office. And he did it all on his own. The Mafia needed him, but he didn't need him.
3 out of 10