SINATRA – TO BE FRANK
US, 2015, 80 minutes, Colour/black and white.
Directed by Simon Napier-Bell.
A popular documentary, produced in England and directed by the boss of Wham, Simon Napier-Bell, this nicely-entitled film was released for the hundredth anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s birth.
An enthusiastic opening with Sinatra’s fandom in the 1940s, then a journey through the decades, named, highlighting his career and, the background of his life. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, the film shows his Italian family background, only son, early talent, working in a group, the Hoboken Four, record contract, early indications of Sinatra controlling his life and career, taken up by Harry James and Tommy Dorsey (learning from him the importance of timing and breathing).
It is interesting in retrospect to see the “bobbysoxsers” of the 1940s, thousands of girls lining up in adulation of Frank Sinatra (20 years before the Beatles). A successful singing career with bands, radio, records, inaugurating albums when LPs were developed in 1948, later developing thematic albums, his popularity for half a century, records, radio, television – and, from the 1940s, the movies. Social media, one of the best ways to be known was to appear in the movies.
There were the MGM musicals, an award from Louis B Mayer, then his being fired when he made a costing remark about Mayer and this was reported back to Mayer. 1950 and his being a little old hat in terms of song, not getting good parts, and then fighting for his role as Maggio in From Here to Eternity, success, Oscar, a range of strong films like The Man with the Golden Arm, musicals like Guys and Dolls, with Bing Crosby in High Society… Then the change for the 60s, the Rat Pack and his friendship with Sammy Davis Jr (and race issues), a further film career.
There was his marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Nancy Barbato, their two children. Then there was his relationship with Ava Gardner, too similar people noted, a short marriage. Then, there was a surprise of his marriage to Mia Farrow, brief, but, finally his marriage to Barbara Marx and some serenity in his old age.
The film highlights that he was critical of Elvis Presley but there was some kind of television reconciliation and singing together, and his realisation that he had to adapt to changing times, changing popularity in musical styles – which he did, culminating, of course, in My Way.
There are discussions about his relationship with mobsters, from his father working in bootlegging, to friendships with a range of the Mafia types.
Considered one of the greatest if not the greatest popular singers of the 20th century, he identified with the lyrics and the emotions of his singing and reached out to a very wide audience over quite a long time.
A more comprehensive documentary about Frank Sinatra was released also for his centenary, a two-part television series, two hours each, directed by the celebrated