◆ SpookStack

FROM HERE 10 ETERNITY Sinatra is a voracious reader. He reads a wide range of subject matter, he reads quickly but com- prehensively. When James Jones’ best-selling novel was published, Frank read the powerful story of pre-World War Ii soldiers and soldiering. Immedi- ately, he felt that Maggio was a close friend. His first reaction was, “I know the guy. Why, I went to school with him!” The tough little Italian-Amer- ican, violent, funny and sour, belligerent, combative and sensitive .. . yes, it could have been Francis Albert Sinatra, lately of Hoboken, son of a fire- man who boxed, son of Italians. Even before the announcement was made that Hollywood would film the dramatic story, Sinatra began a persistent campaign to bring himself, as a potential Maggio, to the attention of ail possible producers. They either laughed at him, talked with fatherly firmness about the utter impossibility of his playing such a role, or dismissed the suggestion as a not-too-funny joke. His personal promotion campaign paid off in the ‘end, His consummate faith in himself was well re- warded. When producer Buddy Adler began cast- ing, Frank heard about it, even though he was at the time in Africa, where his wife was on location ‘for a picture. At his own expense, he flew to Holly- ~ wood, demanded a test for the part of Maggio — and “ then, without a word of promise, flew back to “Africa. Everything was in the hands of his agents. Frank asked that they keep in close touch with him about the progress of the casting and let him know immediately when they wanted him to come to work! The first telegram that arrived said his chances for getting the part looked good. The second one said they looked bad. The third one said it was almost certain another actor had been as- signed. The fourth said the issue was in doubt. And then the fifth one, almost two months after the test was made, arrived with the startling (to everyone but Sinatra) news that he had the part. The movie was a smash, an artistic and financial success. The finest artists, artisans and craftsmen combined their talents to produce an outstanding motion picture. It would have been a good picture without Sinatra, but his performance was so good so right, so effective, that it would be hard to imagine any other actor in the role. And when the lg