AUDIO – NO COMEDIES –
April 21, 2026 – 1955 brought the two-hour film “The Man with the Golden Arm” starring the notable Frank Sinatra. This highly controversial film focuses on the story of a heroin-addict named Frankie who struggles to stay off drugs after leaving prison. The film points out the immense struggle of curbing addiction, but also reflects societal ideas of that era that stopping addiction could come from sheer willpower.
Like all movies, before it could be released it had to be reviewed by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which gives movies a seal of approval to be played in larger theaters. Unfortunately, during the ‘50s, the MPAA enforced the Hays Code, a set of rules for movie-makers that hoped to censor the American public from depictions of unacceptable behaviors. This code deemed depictions of drug addiction and drug trafficking to be against the public good. Because of this, “The Man with the Golden Arm” wouldn’t be approved until 1961.
