Simply A Masterpiece

Fresh and Exciting

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Fun to see early Sinatra in what may or may not be thinly-veiled version of his own reputed Mob-driven rise to fame, especially when miscast Shelley Winters is along for ride as female love interest (of sorts). But story just doesn't hang together: A singer who's lucky to land third- rate club bookings readily agrees to give shrewd promoter half of all his future earnings in perpetuity (huh?)--then, when he becomes wildly successful almost overnight, attempts to welsh on the deal. (So who's the real bad guy in this deal?) Then, when singer refuses to play ball, promoter tries to murder him. (Again, where's the logic? Why kill the goose laying golden eggs, if all you've really got to do is threaten to break his wings?)If this starred anyone but Sinatra (who sings a handful of standards), nobody would give this a second look. . .except maybe B movie insomniacs and fans of Shelley Winters' brand of Honey Baked histrionics.

Anyone who saw this on its initial release in 1952 would not have been surprised when Sinatra unveiled his considerable 'acting' chops in his very next movie, From Here To Eternity for Meet Danny Wilson is a perfect Halfway House between the gauche Clarence in Anchors Aweigh (typical of all Sinatra's roles in the 40s,with the possible exception of Miracle Of The Bells which extended his range only to the extent of putting him in a dog-collar) and Maggio in Eternity. Here is the Sinatra the real fans knew and admired, primarily a great singer but also a flawed human being, volatile, arrogant, brash. Don McGuire weighs in with a tasty script with some great zingers and uses just enough material from Sinatra's real life to please the cognoscenti. A rare title today but one central to the Sinatra collection and unmissable.

Others have captured the story line of this film. The most interesting character is Nick Driscoll, played by tough guy Raymond Burr. Until the green-eyed monster gets him, there is some hope that he will turn out to be a smooth talking gangster with a heart of gold. And, if the truth be told, I was secretly hoping he'd get the girl. Alas, he turns out to be a greedy sob with a patented Burr streak of nastiness. Sinatra gives an all too believable portrayal of a one-dimensional, rags to riches prima dona. Keep a sharp eye out for Tony Curtis and Jeff Chandler at the Damon Runyon fund raiser. They both looked like they wanted to temporarily step out of their cameo suits and take Danny Wilson backstage and clean his clock for being such an ill-mannered buffoon. Now, that would have been a movie.

At the time of its release "Meet Danny Wilson" was never considered to be one of Frank Sinatra's better roles and the film received poor reviews in most of the Press. However, in my opinion it was the perfect part for Sinatra (almost a fictionalised biography of his life in fact) - he gave a most impressive performance and put over all his songs with superb style and confidence. This was Sinatra's last film before his celebrated "comeback" role in "From Here to Eternity" (1953) for which he deservedly won the Best Supporting Actor "Oscar". "Meet Danny Wilson" is one of Sinatra's lesser known films made during the shaky period when his career was in serious decline. Everyone remembers "Pal Joey", "The Joker Is Wild", "Man With the Golden Arm", "High Society", "Guys and Dolls", "The Manchurian Candidate", "Oceans 11" and the other Rat Pack films but how many can actually recall "Meet Danny Wilson"? Just a few dedicated fans I'll wager!Although "Meet Danny Wilson" was only a small budget black and white production (from Universal International) it was competently directed by Joseph Pevney and had a talented supporting cast including Shelley Winters, Alex Nicol and Raymond Burr, with cameo appearances from Tony Curtis and Jeff Chandler. The film contains a wonderful range of Sinatra standards such as "She's Funny That Way", "That Old Black Magic", "When You're Smiling", "All of Me", "I've Got a Crush on You", "How Deep is the Ocean?" and others.Sinatra played quick tempered up and coming bar singer Danny Wilson hoping to break into big time show business. Alex Nicol was his friend/pianist/manager Mike Ryan always there to get him out of trouble and Shelley Winters as Joy Carroll provided the love interest (although it has been rumoured that in reality Winters did not get on at all well with Sinatra during the filming!). Raymond Burr (in an early role long before his popular "Perry Mason" TV series) was corrupt club owner and gangster Nick Driscoll who could foresee the star potential in Danny and therefore gave him a singing engagement at his club to get him started (and gain control) in return for 50% of all Danny's future earnings. This arrangement naturally caused much bitterness and many problems later when Danny became famous!!Raymond Burr: "Personally, I'm a Crosby fan". Sinatra: "That should make Bing very happy"."Meet Danny Wilson" is one of Sinatra's more obscure films but has an interesting storyline with good performances by its stars. The songs alone make it all worthwhile. Be sure to see it if you get the chance. 10/10. Clive Roberts.