A largely forgotten gem is Meet Danny Wilson, a musical drama with Frank Sinatra. He's an aspiring singer with a partner who plays the piano. But there's a story there, as to how the partner's health is failing. Through a new acquaintance they make in costar Shelley Winters, they get a break and audition for a nightclub, owned by Raymond Burr, who's, of course, on the shady side. Ray knows a good thing when he hears it and only agrees to let him perform in his club if they agree to let him have a percentage for all future income, all future income. His partner doesn't like it, but Frank doesn't care. He doesn't know what he's doing when he makes a promise to Raymond Burr. (There's no signed contract, because Ray doesn't need one; he holds people to their word.) Shelley Winters is Ray's girl, but Frank takes a liking to her and she to Frank's partner. Oh boy! Such is the dramatic content of the picture, with Ray being possessive of his part of Frank and the love triangle, which is almost superfluous to the music. Every song sung here is a highlight, a bluesy one in jail, a duet between Frank and Shelley, and others. There were no new songs written for this film, but the standards sung are worth the price of admission themselves. Miss Frank Sinatra as Danny Wilson and you miss one of the best crooners ever in action and being chased by Raymond Burr!

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.

Most enjoyable film with Sinatra and Shelley Winters in a love triangle and messy criminal goings on. Specifically interesting is the part of Raymond Burr, who is a real meany, and cameo roles abound including Tony Curtis and Jeff Chandler, among others who look like they're waiting for something to happen! It does! The music and singing is great! The acting is great! Be ready to enjoy! 7/10

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.