MovieChat Forums > Some Came Running (1958) Discussion > Why did his sister in law hate him so mu...

Why did his sister in law hate him so much, and vice versa?

posted 13 years ago by thecallalilies
5 replies | jump to latest

There was so much hatred between him and his sister in law. I know he wrote something is his book about her. Or at least SHE thought it was about her.But did they ever make it clear what it was?

When he was little, his newly married big brother put him a home for charity cases rather than let him stay with them. Did he allege that she abused him, or was she simply too selfish to bother with him.

... are in bloom again

[–] Bishop_of_Battle 13 years ago

It could be one of those instances where close relations just want nothing to do with their in-laws. I've seen the same thing within my own family and I still can't figure out why the animosity exists. In the movie's case, it might be his hard drinking lifestyle that puts her off.

[–] gbennett5 12 years ago

To me, it's obvious. Sinatra's character is blantantly honest. He
says it like it is. A real iconoclast who makes no effort to spare
people's feelings. "Agnes" (the great, underrated Leora Dana)
subscribes to the phony, masked way of living that was so prominent
amongst the late '40s-1950s upper class. I even suspect she was
jealous of him, as she was, in truth, a weak person.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

thecallalilies says > There was so much hatred between him and his sister in law. I know he wrote something is his book about her. Or at least SHE thought it was about her.But did they ever make it clear what it was?

I think you answered the question in your comments. The sister-in-law felt he had embarrassed her in one of his books. She took offense to it and also didn't like his lifestyle. He was going around drinking, associating with the wrong elements, getting into brawls, getting arrested, and now he was in town and would be dragging their good name down with his.

He didn't think much of her because, as you said, his brother threw him over when he married her. She was clearly also very pushy and seemed a bit snobby as well. I don't think she was completely wrong. The problem should have been between the brothers. If he'd written about her in an unfavorable light, she could have taken action. It's more likely he changed names and identifiable characteristics but had written about her. Also, she had a young daughter who she did not want influenced by her uncle. As we see, the girl was affected by her father's bad behavior.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] london777 8 years ago

I think there was another issue. I think at one time, and maybe still, she had the hots for Dave, feelings which she had suppressed and negated. I cannot remember the exact lines and context (can someone help me out?), but at one point Frank says something like "Good thing you married me and not him (Dave)" and there is a momentary look of anguish on her face.

[–] FabricGal 8 years ago

Yes, I saw it too.
It was a subtle moment...Agnes is embroidering, sitting on the couch; Frank is pacing behind her. He says the line "Good thing you married me and not him" and her look/pause/hesitation says she probably disagrees. Frank then goes out and hooks up with Edith.