The First Deadly Sin is a book written by Lawrence Sanders in 1973; in 1980 Frank Sinatra produced the American film produced starring Frank Sinatra, along with Faye Dunaway, David Dukes, Brenda Vaccaro, James Whitmore, Martin Gabel in his final acting role, and Bruce Willis in his film debut. The First Deadly Sin was based on the novel of the same name, first of a series of popular novels by Lawrence Sanders, and was originally slated to be directed by Roman Polanski, who was dropped by Columbia Pictures after statutory rape charges were brought against him. Director Brian G. Hutton took... over the production after Polanski fled to France. The last of nine films produced by Sinatra and his final starring performance, he plays a troubled New York City homicide cop, Detective Sergeant Edward X. Delaney. Dunaway has a small role as the detective's ailing wife, hospitalized during the entire story with a rare kidney affliction. A then-unknown Willis has a bit part, virtually unrecognizable as a hat covers most of his face. The First Deadly Sin was the third production by Sinatra's Artanis production company and was shot on location in New York City.
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