Contract on Cherry Street

*Contract on Cherry Street*
Contract on Cherry Street
	Publicity photo of Frank Sinatra
Genre	Crime; Drama; Thriller
Based on	novel; by Philip Rosenberg (as Phillip Rosenberg)
Screenplay by	Edward Anhalt
Directed by	William A. Graham
Starring	Frank Sinatra; Martin Balsam; Jay Black
Theme music composer	Jerry Goldsmith
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Renée Valente
Producer	Hugh Benson
Production locations	New York City; Hackensack, New Jersey
Cinematography	Jack Priestley
Editor	Eric Albertson
Running time	145 min.
Production companies	Artanis Productions Inc.; Columbia Pictures Television
Original release
Network	NBC
Release	November 19, 1977

Contract on Cherry Street is a 1977 American made-for-television crime film adaptation of a novel written by Phillip Rosenberg about a New York City police detective, produced by Frank Sinatra's production company Artanis for Columbia Pictures Television and starring Sinatra.

Directed by William A. Graham and produced by Hugh Benson, Renee Valente and Sinatra, Contract on Cherry Street was trumpeted as a major event that garnered positive reviews and strong ratings when it premiered on NBC on November 19, 1977.

The role of Detective Inspector Frank Hovannes was Sinatra's first acting role in seven years. The film was shot on location in New York City and New Jersey over a period of three months. The book on which the film was based was said to be a favorite of Sinatra's mother Dolly, who had been recently killed in an airplane crash near Palm Springs. This was the only television film in which Sinatra played the lead.^[2]

Plot

When his partner is gunned down by the mob, Frank Hovannes, a detective inspector with the New York City Police Department, wants to lead his organized-crime unit against those responsible. Legal and departmental restrictions inhibit him, so Hovannes decides to take the matter into his own hands.

A vigilante act, a contract hit against one of the crime syndicate's members, is designed to stir the mob into action so that Hovannes and his men can catch them in the act. He runs into strong objections from his superiors, and trouble from his own team, along the way.

Cast

Frank Sinatra as Inspector Frank Hovannes
Martin Balsam as Captain Weinberg
Martin Gabel as Waldman
Verna Bloom as Emily Hovannes
Harry Guardino as Polito
Marco St. John as Marzano
Henry Silva as Obregon
Joe De Santis as Seruto
Jay Black as Sindardos
Addison Powell as Halloran
Michael Nouri as Lou Savage
Richard Ward as Kittens
Johnny Barnes as Washington
Lenny Montana as Phil Lombardi
Robert Davi as Mickey Sinardos
Phil Rubenstein as Deli Clark
Murray Moston as Richie Saint

Critical reception

Sinatra made the cover of TV Guide as press for a special that would air over two consecutive nights on NBC gathered steam. After airing, renowned critic Leonard Maltin would comment: "Sinatra's first TV movie has him well cast as a NYC police officer who takes on organized crime in his own fashion after his partner is gunned down. Aces to this fine thriller." Judith Crist, however, would question why Sinatra was starring in a "mealy-mouthed morality tale", although most reviews were positive.

Contract on Cherry Street was nominated for Best TV Feature/Miniseries at the 1978 Edgar Awards.

References

^ Burlingame, Jon (May 10, 2017). "Jerry Goldsmith Day Declared in L.A." The Film Music Society. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
^ Roberts, Jerry (June 5, 2009). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-0810863781. Retrieved 10 July 2017.

External links

Contract on Cherry Street at IMDb

[1] Burlingame, Jon (May 10, 2017). "Jerry Goldsmith Day Declared in L.A." The Film Music Society. Retrieved 10 July 2017.

[2] Roberts, Jerry (June 5, 2009). Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors. Scarecrow Press. p. 208. ISBN 978-0810863781. Retrieved 10 July 2017.

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