the man with a golden arm be one of a trio of great film around that same time that dealt with drug addiction . the other two be monkey on my back and a hatful of rain . but i think of the three this one be the best . maybe if otto preminger have shoot the thing in the real chicago instead of those obvious studio set the film might have be good yet . who know and maybe preminger couldn not get enough money to pay for the location . it the only flaw i find in the film . frank sinatra be a heroin addict card dealer who be bust for cover for his bos robert strauss when the game be raid . he take the cure while in jail and want a new life a a jazz drummer . but a whole lot of people be conspire against him . first bob strauss who want him back deal and especially because a couple of heavyweight gambler be in town . he use a few underhanded method to get sinatra service back . secondly darren mcgavin be the local dope dealer who want sinatra good and hook a a customer again . and finally eleanor parker his cling wife who work a con game to beat all and just to keep him around . frank sinatra get a nomination for best actor for this film and but lose to ernest borgnine in marty . sinatra might have win for this one if he hadn not win for from here to eternity in the support actor category a few year back and that marty be such an acclaimed film in that year . his scene go through withdrawal lock up in kim novak apartment will leave you shake . eleanor parker do not get enough credit for her role . she really something a the crazy scheme wife who want sinatra tie to her no matter what the cost . if she have not be nominate that same year for interrupted melody and she might have be nominate for this . 1955 mark the high point of her career . darren mcgavin get his first real notice a the very serpentine drug peddler . his performance be guarantee to make your flesh crawl . elmer bernstein contribute a great jazz score to accentuate the general dinginess of the bleak chicago neighborhood the character live in . not a place you would want to bring up your family .