[QUOTE]Originally posted by big al:
[QB]The Vatican conspiracy is the one that comes to mind for me. Johnny Fontane as Frank Sinatra, i would not bet the farm on this, because I don`t think Frank would cry to the Don for a part in a movie, I think Frank would have kicked the Director`s butt himself to get the part!!
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The reason that the Johnny Fontaine character was claimed to be based on Frank Sinatra was for the following reasons:
1st - Just like Fontaine, Sinatra was into a long term contract with Tommy Dorsey, a big time "band leader",and at first Dorsey would NOT let Sinatra out of his contract. Then just like that, he " Changed His Mind" and let Sinatra out of the contract.
2nd- The Fontaine Character wanted a part in a "War MOvie" that was "perfect" for him and would probably bring him back on top. In real life Sinatra's popularity had been on a decline, and a "War Movie" titled From Here To Eternity was being made and there was a character named Maggio that was a perfect part for Sinatra to play. The story Goes that Actually Ava Gardner, who was big time in Hollywood at that time, "convinced" the movie producers to give Sinatra a shot at the part. Sinatra won an academy award for that part and his career took off big time!
These are the main two reasons that many people believe that Johnny Fontaine was based on Frank Sinatra. The similarities of events that happened in the book/movie and in real life with Sinatra.

Don Cardi