Has an actor taken a major pay cut to be in a film where he loved the book?

Everyone who read the James Jones book “From Here To Eternity” knew that the part of tragic Pvt. Angelo Maggio was Academy Award material.

Frank Sinatra recognized that as well.

In 1953, his career was in a slump. His reputation had taken a severe beating by his affair with Ava Gardner.

He developed nodes on his vocal chords that affected his singing.

Sinatra saw the role of Maggio as a career savior. He wasn’t known for playing dramatic parts. Better known as a singer playing, soft comedic parts.

Lucky for “Old Blue Eyes” that Eli Wallach, who was originally cast in the role, had a scheduling conflict.

Sinatra campaigned hard for the role. Harry Cohn, the chief honcho at Columbia, did not receive a horse’s head from The Godfather

Frank got the role by sending Harry “King” Cohn a blizzard of telegrams begging for a screen test. Ava entreated Cohn to give Frank a chance.

Frank Sinatra agreed to play Angelo Maggio in “From Here To Eternity”/1953 for $8,000. A big cut in salary from his $150K glory days at MGM.

Pvt. Maggio went on to win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Frank Sinatra…reviving his career…..The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of