When illegal card dealer and recovering heroin addict Frankie Machine gets out of prison, he decides to straighten up. Armed with nothing but an old drum set, Frankie tries to get honest work as a drummer. But when his former employer and his old drug dealer re-enter his life, Frankie finds it hard to stay clean and eventually finds himself succumbing to his old habits.
Frank Sinatra
as Frankie Machine
Eleanor Parker
as Zosch Machine
Kim Novak
as Molly
Arnold Stang
as Sparrow
Darren McGavin
as Louie
Robert Strauss
as Schwiefka
John Conte
as Drunky
Doro Merande
as Vi
George E. Stone
as Sam Markette
George Mathews
as Williams
Leonid Kinskey
as Dominiwski
Emile Meyer
as Detective Bednar
