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Oscar-winning actor, acclaimed director, and recipient of the Golden Globe Award for lifetime achievement in film, Frank Sinatra carved out one of the biggest careers in the history of Hollywood, yet his screen legacy has often been overshadowed by his achievements as a recording artist. Remembered for his contributions as one of America’s most beloved singers and an icon of a golden era, many forget that Sinatra was one of the greatest stars of the silver screen. But now, in SINATRA IN HOLLYWOOD, Tom Santopietro, acclaimed author of Considering Doris Day and The Importance of Being Barbara, focuses on this often overlooked part of Sinatra’s career in meticulous detail and touching depth.
SINATRA IN HOLLYWOOD examines two crucial questions about Sinatra’s career: First, was Sinatra a good actor? Says Santopietro, “The answer is no—because he actually was a great actor who, when given the right material, proved himself an artist capable of elucidating the human condition with a depth and range every bit the equal of his work in the recording studio.” Second, just how seriously did Frank Sinatra take his film career? According to Santopietro, he took it very seriously. “Yes, he was the first to joke about cringe-worthy films like Double Dynamite, but contrary to popular, and knee-jerk, reaction, he cared, and cared big time.”
Santopietro writes vividly about Sinatra’s sixty-year career and over 60 films. Drawing on the observations of Sinatra’s contemporaries and the actor’s own self-criticism, Santopietro constructs the history of Sinatra’s musical films (such as Anchors Aweigh), his failures (The Kissing Bandit), and his Oscar-winning triumph in From Here to Eternity. He also explores Sinatra’s personal life. From his early family history in Hoboken to rumors of Mafia involvement in his career, Santopietro looks honestly and fairly at Sinatra’s rise to the top, his struggle to stay afloat, his ultimate triumph, his marriages to Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow, and what his success cost Sinatra in his personal life.
Although Santopietro touches on Sinatra’s singing career, which was inextricably linked to his acting career and destined to overshadow it, the focus remains on Sinatra, the man and the actor. SINATRA IN HOLLYWOOD is the story of a man with extraordinary talent, drive and savvy who became an idol in his own time and a lasting legend in show business. I hope you will bring this fascinating new book to your readers’ attention.
Hardcover
320 pages
ISBN: 0-312-36226-9
Publication: November 2008
Thomas Dunne Books
SINATRA IN HOLLYWOOD examines two crucial questions about Sinatra’s career: First, was Sinatra a good actor? Says Santopietro, “The answer is no—because he actually was a great actor who, when given the right material, proved himself an artist capable of elucidating the human condition with a depth and range every bit the equal of his work in the recording studio.” Second, just how seriously did Frank Sinatra take his film career? According to Santopietro, he took it very seriously. “Yes, he was the first to joke about cringe-worthy films like Double Dynamite, but contrary to popular, and knee-jerk, reaction, he cared, and cared big time.”
Santopietro writes vividly about Sinatra’s sixty-year career and over 60 films. Drawing on the observations of Sinatra’s contemporaries and the actor’s own self-criticism, Santopietro constructs the history of Sinatra’s musical films (such as Anchors Aweigh), his failures (The Kissing Bandit), and his Oscar-winning triumph in From Here to Eternity. He also explores Sinatra’s personal life. From his early family history in Hoboken to rumors of Mafia involvement in his career, Santopietro looks honestly and fairly at Sinatra’s rise to the top, his struggle to stay afloat, his ultimate triumph, his marriages to Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow, and what his success cost Sinatra in his personal life.
Although Santopietro touches on Sinatra’s singing career, which was inextricably linked to his acting career and destined to overshadow it, the focus remains on Sinatra, the man and the actor. SINATRA IN HOLLYWOOD is the story of a man with extraordinary talent, drive and savvy who became an idol in his own time and a lasting legend in show business. I hope you will bring this fascinating new book to your readers’ attention.
Hardcover
320 pages
ISBN: 0-312-36226-9
Publication: November 2008
Thomas Dunne Books
