Why a 1958 Hollywood drama about a cynical writer became a cult cinematic masterpiece
In short: Vincente Minnelli’s Some Came Running was a high-budget gamble for MGM, featuring Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine. Despite mixed critical reception and a financial loss at the box office, the film’s expressive use of CinemaScope and its raw, melodramatic conclusion have earned it enduring admiration from legendary directors like Martin Scorsese.
Released in 1958, Some Came Running is based on the novel by James Jones. The story follows Dave Hirsh, a cynical Army veteran and former writer who returns to his Indiana hometown after 16 years. His arrival disrupts the social standing of his wealthy brother, Frank, while Dave becomes entangled with a local woman named Ginny and a gambler named Bama Dillert. The film explores themes of social status, unrequited love, and the search for genuine connection in a judgmental Midwestern setting.
The production was a massive undertaking for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which sought to replicate the success of their adaptation of Jones' earlier work, From Here to Eternity. The studio secured the screen rights in early 1957 for a sum significantly higher than the $82,500 paid for the previous film. Despite the star power of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Shirley MacLaine, the film’s high production costs resulted in a $207,000 loss for the studio, even though it was the 10th highest-earning film of 1958.
Critical reaction at the time was polarized. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times criticized the film for being "oddly garbled," while others, like Stanley Kauffmann, dismissed the long runtime as not worth the effort. However, the film has since gained a reputation for its visual ambition. Martin Scorsese specifically praised the final carnival scene as one of the most expressive uses of CinemaScope in history, and directors like Richard Linklater and Peter Bogdanovich have cited it as a significant influence on their own work.
The film remains a complex study of character, featuring a standout performance by Shirley MacLaine, who earned the first of five Oscar nominations for her role. While contemporary critics struggled with its mix of melodrama and naturalistic design, the film’s legacy has shifted. It is now viewed as a bold, if messy, experiment in color and composition, capturing a specific, troubled American spirit that continues to resonate with modern filmmakers.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Some Came Running (film)
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