The Man with the Golden Arm

The Man with the Golden Arm is a 1955 film which tells the story of a heroin addict who got clean while in prison but tries to stay straight in the outside world. It stars Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak, Arnold Stang and Darren McGavin.

The movie was adapted by Walter Newman, Lewis Meltzer and Ben Hecht (uncredited) from the novel by Nelson Algren. It was directed by Otto Preminger.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Frank Sinatra), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.

The Motion Picture Association of America refused to certify the film because it shows drug addiction. The next year the production code was changed to allow movies to deal with drugs, kidnapping, abortion and prostitution.