Shoot the Ferris Wheel!

Some Came Running was written by James Jones, who also authored From Here to Eternity.  Both From Here to Eternity and Some Came Running were turned into successful films, starring Frank Sinatra.  From Here to Eternity was directed by Fred Zinnermann, who Frank Sinatra admired.  Some Came Running was directed by Vincente Minnelli, who Frank did not admire.  Fred Zinnermann was a more dictatorial director, which made Frank feel very secure, while Vincente Minnelli encouraged his actors to find their own characters, with minimal intervention from him, which made Frank feel very insecure.

Frank Sinatra also found Vincente Minnelli’s need for the perfect shot, too artsy and pretentious for Frank’s need for structured time.  Matters came to a head at the end of very long night of filming.  This particular scene was set in a fairground, with a killer seeking the hero and his girl, played by Shirley MacLaine.  As soon as darkness ended, so did the ability to shoot anymore of the scene until the next night.  It was almost dawn. Vincente had been taking his time trying to figure out the perfect shot involving a Ferris Wheel.  Frank’s temper was simmering.  Eventually Vincente Minnelli made his decision – he would not move the camera to get the right effect, he would move the entire Ferris Wheel! 

Frank Sinatra’s temper snapped and he left the set, the town and the state, returning to Los Angels.  It took two weeks, the producer’s persuasion and Vincente Minnelli’s promise to move cameras instead of Ferris Wheels, before Frank would return to filming.
 

 
Chairman Of The Board
Micarelli, Clement
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