JAZZIZ Magazine - Frank Sinatra in "From Here to Eternity"

The most significant of these, however, was his supporting turn in the 1953 film From Here to Eternity, which is arguably discussed more for his turn in the film than anything else, despite being a top quality film from the Golden Age of the Hollywood Studio System.

 

At the time of production, Sinatra had suffered a career setback. Having reached somewhat unprecedented peaks of popularity that led him to being a precursor to Beatlemania as the king of the bobby soxers, young audiences so called because at dances in school gymnasiums they would have to take off their socks in order not to spoil the floor, at the start of the fifties he found himself without a recording contract or movie contract.

 

Then, From Here to Eternity came along. Not without a price for his ego. He, in fact, is relegated to a supporting role in the film, while the main narrative is dominated by the great Burt Lancaster and Montgomery Clift. But he was so impressive in his very first non singing and dramatic cinematic turn that he instantly won acceptance from the vast majority of critics and humanised his cocky persona that had contributed to his downfall in popularity. For his role as Maggio in the Pearl Harbor set drama, he won great acclaim and even an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.