INTRODUCTION
In 1957, following the death of Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra assumed the leadership of the Holmby Hills Rat Pack. This group initially was composed of Bogart,
Lauren Bacall, Judy Garland and Peter Lawford, in addition to non-entertainers such as restaurateur Mike Romanoff and literary agent
Swifty Lazar. Over the next few years, as Frank's closest personal friends joined its ranks - Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop - it became one of the greatest group
of performers ever to take the stage. Although the Rat Pack included many people, this site will focus on the five members known collectively as "The Summit" - Frank, Sammy, Dean, Peter, and Joey.
This website will briefly chronicle the five main members, the movies they made as a group, as well as some important highlights of their time in the Rat Pack.
RAT BACK MEMBERS
Frank Sinatra
Singer, film actor; born Francis Albert Sinatra,
in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 12, 1915,
the only child of Dolly and Anthony Martin Sinatra.
Sinatra is considered by many to be the greatest
entertainer of the twentieth century. His
recordings came to epitomize American popular
singing at its finest,
with a style that maintained fidelity to
a song's lyric and mood while imbuing it with
subtle elements of jazz beat and phrasing. Sinatra was the unofficial leader
of the pack, which he preferred to refer to as "The Summit."
Sammy Davis Jr.
Singer, actor, dancer. Born in Harlem, New York to black vaudeville star Sammy Davis, Sr., and the Puerto Rican dancer, Elvera "Baby" Sanchez. When he was two, Davis's parents divorced, and he was raised by his father.
A multi-talented performer, Davis recorded forty albums and made countless film, television and Las Vegas appearances in his lifetime.
Davis began his career in vaudeville, tap dancing and singing at the age of four with his adopted uncle in an act they called "Will Mastin's Gang, featuring Little Sammy." When authorities threatened to close down the act due to child labor laws, Mastin gave the tiny Davis a cigar to hold and billed him as "Silent Sam, the Dancing Midget."
In 1954, he made headlines when he lost his left eye in a near-fatal car crash while driving back to Los Angeles from Las Vegas. During his recovery in the hospital, he converted to Judaism, which was a source of controversy to the press. Davis continued treading on socially-controversial ground by carrying on a series of interracial romances, most notably with actress Kim Novak, and with the Swedish actress May Britt, whom he married in 1960.
Dean Martin
Actor, singer; born Dino Paul Crocetti, in Steubenville, Ohio on June 7, 1917, the younger of two sons born of Italian immigrants. Had one brother, Bill.
Martin attended Grant Elementary School in Steubenville, Ohio, and took up the drums as a hobby as a teenager. After dropping out of Steubenville High School in the tenth grade, he worked odd jobs, including part-time as an amateur welterweight boxer under the name "Kid Crochet." Martin also dabbled in illegal activities, including driving liquor across state lines during prohibition, selling lottery tickets, acting as a bookie, and working as a card dealer and croupier in local gambling joints.
Martin began a successful club act with Jerry Lewis which lasted for several years, with Dean playing the straight man to Lewis' clown. When he joined the pack he fit right in as a hard-partying type, yet his image as a heavy drinker was an act - his glass on stage at the Sands was always filled with apple juice.
Peter Lawford Actor, born Peter Sidney Lawford, on September 7, 1923 in London, England.
Best known as the husband of Patricia Kennedy, the sister of president John F. Kennedy; and as a member of the Rat Pack. Lawford's father was a knighted World War I veteran who became an actor after he retired. Lawford's film debut was at age eight in the British film Poor Old Bill (1931) followed by a role in Lord Jeff (1938). Lawford grew to be a handsome and suave young man, who was being groomed for stardom by MGM in the 1940s. Lawford was the first actor to kiss Elizabeth Taylor on camera,
and the last to speak to Marilyn Monroe before she died. The debonair Lawford enjoyed a reputation as a jet-setting playboy and was a heavy drinker. Lawford and Sinatra had a falling out in 1961 over brother-in-law Robert Kennedy's objections to Sinatra's alleged Mafia connections, and the two men never spoke again.
Joey Bishop Comedian, actor, born Joseph Abraham Gottlieb, on February 3, 1918, in the Bronx, New York.
Bishop grew up in South Philadelphia. After high school, he enjoyed a modest career as a stand-up comic prior to serving in the Army in World War II. In 1941 Bishop married Sylvia Ruzga.
Although Bishop's celebrity profile is far lower than that of Sinatra, Davis or Martin, Sinatra called Bishop "the Hub of the Big Wheel," citing him as the originator of most of the group's comic material and the one who anchored their stage presence. He and Dean Martin were also said to be the only members who could tell jokes at Sinatra's expense. By 1959 Joe was the emcee for The Rat Pack and was starring in the Summit shows in Vegas at the Sands Hotel. In 1960 Frank got him a part in Oceans 11 and Joey continued to open for The Rat Pack. Yet he shunned the party scene the others loved and thrived upon.
THE SUMMIT
It was their time - the time of Pallys in formal wear, who played in public and in private and stoked the dreams of those who wished to be one of them. Or just to be near them. The time officially began in January 1960, in Las Vegas, at the Sands Hotel and also in front of movie cameras around town capturing their heist caper, Ocean’s Eleven. The sounds they made live and swing forever.
Starting in January, 1960, the Rat Pack made their home at the Copa Room in Jackie Entratter's Sands Hotel and Casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Sadly, the Sands (and the Copa Room along with it) no longer exists. It was a casualty of Las Vegas' expansion and the trend toward family entertainment. For a period of time in the early-to-mid sixties, though, it was the coolest spot in the Universe.
Surely these "Summit" meetings were the ultimate night club acts ever assembled. Frank, Dean, and Sammy carried the bulk of the show, singing, telling jokes, doing impressions, and cutting up. Fortunately, some of these routines have survived and they're a riot to watch and listen to.
The Rat Pack also made a few films together during this period that you can watch and share along in the obvious fun that they had. "Ocean's Eleven", "Sergeant's 3", and "Robin and the Seven Hoods" are the three that feature the entire Pack (except for the absence of Lawford and Bishop in "Hoods" - the reasons for which are explained below). The cover charge at the Sands was $5.95, which included dinner, but getting a seat was tough unless you were well connected or dropping a lot of cash at the casino. Fortunately, some of these routines have survived and they're great to watch and listen to.
The Pack first gained national prominence with their work for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. Sinatra and the others were visible supporters of the campaign, doing publicity and photo ops. Frank even recorded a new version of "High Hopes" that became Kennedy's campaign song. ("So, if you vote for Kennedy, vote for Kennedy, we will come out on top...").
As Kennedy campaigned, the Pack made "Ocean's 11" in Las Vegas. They filmed during the day and held court on stage at the Sands at night. Kennedy could sometimes be spotted at ringside, enjoying the spectacle of his new celebrity friends. At the opening of the Democratic National Convention that summer in Los Angeles, Frank, Sammy, Peter, and Shirley MacLaine sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." Thus, the bond between politics, entertainment, and celebrity was born, a trend that has continued in subsequent elections.
RAT PACK MOVIES
- OCEAN'S ELEVEN (1960)
- SERGEANT'S 3 (1962)
- ROBIN AND THE SEVEN HOODS (1964)
OCEAN'S ELEVEN
Ocean's Eleven is by far the best movie the Pack made together. The story is centered on a daring plot to rob five Vegas casinos on New Year's Eve.
Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) gathers ten of his former Army Air Force buddies for one last try to recapture their former glory, and make millions in the process.
It should also be noted that the original is by far better than the more recent version, which is quite bad. The newer version fails to capture the essence of comraderie or the grandiose nature of the original plot in that it is poorly written and centers on the robbery of only one casino.
SERGEANT'S 3
Sergeant's 3 is honestly the worst of the movies made by the Pack. Set in the Indian territory of Utah in 1873, the western is a remake of Gunga Din. The plot centers around a group of cavalry Sergeants - Sinatra, Martin, and Lawford - who meet up with a recently freed slave, Sammy Davis Jr., and the group tries to track down a tribe of Sioux Indians.
In the end, they manage to foil a planned Indian massacre as Sammy's bugle blowing alerts the U.S. Cavalry of an impending attack. Subsequently, all three sergeant's are decorated for bravery.
ROBIN AND THE SEVEN HOODS
Robin and the Seven Hoods is not quite as good as Ocean's Eleven, yet it is still a very enjoyable movie. The film features Frank, Dean, and Sammy, but Peter and Joey are noticeably absent (the reasons for this will be explained later). In this flick, Sinatra plays Rabbo, a Chicago gangster in the 1920's who faces off in a battle for turf against Guy Gisborne (Peter Falk - and yes that's Colombo). Sinatra turns his illegal enterprise into a latter day Robin Hood venture, giving aid to the poor and destitute. Eventually, his organization fails, and the close of the film depicts Frank, Sammy, and Dean reduced to poverty. Sinatra sings "Chicago-My Kind of Town", "Style", "Mr. Booze", and "Don't be a Do-Badder." Bing Crosby also makes a noteworthy appearance.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
INTRODUCTION
RAT BACK MEMBERS
|
|
Frank Sinatra | Singer, film actor; born Francis Albert Sinatra, in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 12, 1915, the only child of Dolly and Anthony Martin Sinatra. Sinatra is considered by many to be the greatest entertainer of the twentieth century. His recordings came to epitomize American popular singing at its finest, with a style that maintained fidelity to a song's lyric and mood while imbuing it with subtle elements of jazz beat and phrasing. Sinatra was the unofficial leader of the pack, which he preferred to refer to as "The Summit." |
| Sammy Davis Jr. | Singer, actor, dancer. Born in Harlem, New York to black vaudeville star Sammy Davis, Sr., and the Puerto Rican dancer, Elvera "Baby" Sanchez. When he was two, Davis's parents divorced, and he was raised by his father. A multi-talented performer, Davis recorded forty albums and made countless film, television and Las Vegas appearances in his lifetime. Davis began his career in vaudeville, tap dancing and singing at the age of four with his adopted uncle in an act they called "Will Mastin's Gang, featuring Little Sammy." When authorities threatened to close down the act due to child labor laws, Mastin gave the tiny Davis a cigar to hold and billed him as "Silent Sam, the Dancing Midget." In 1954, he made headlines when he lost his left eye in a near-fatal car crash while driving back to Los Angeles from Las Vegas. During his recovery in the hospital, he converted to Judaism, which was a source of controversy to the press. Davis continued treading on socially-controversial ground by carrying on a series of interracial romances, most notably with actress Kim Novak, and with the Swedish actress May Britt, whom he married in 1960. |
| Dean Martin | Actor, singer; born Dino Paul Crocetti, in Steubenville, Ohio on June 7, 1917, the younger of two sons born of Italian immigrants. Had one brother, Bill. Martin attended Grant Elementary School in Steubenville, Ohio, and took up the drums as a hobby as a teenager. After dropping out of Steubenville High School in the tenth grade, he worked odd jobs, including part-time as an amateur welterweight boxer under the name "Kid Crochet." Martin also dabbled in illegal activities, including driving liquor across state lines during prohibition, selling lottery tickets, acting as a bookie, and working as a card dealer and croupier in local gambling joints. Martin began a successful club act with Jerry Lewis which lasted for several years, with Dean playing the straight man to Lewis' clown. When he joined the pack he fit right in as a hard-partying type, yet his image as a heavy drinker was an act - his glass on stage at the Sands was always filled with apple juice. |
| Peter Lawford | Actor, born Peter Sidney Lawford, on September 7, 1923 in London, England. Best known as the husband of Patricia Kennedy, the sister of president John F. Kennedy; and as a member of the Rat Pack. Lawford's father was a knighted World War I veteran who became an actor after he retired. Lawford's film debut was at age eight in the British film Poor Old Bill (1931) followed by a role in Lord Jeff (1938). Lawford grew to be a handsome and suave young man, who was being groomed for stardom by MGM in the 1940s. Lawford was the first actor to kiss Elizabeth Taylor on camera, and the last to speak to Marilyn Monroe before she died. The debonair Lawford enjoyed a reputation as a jet-setting playboy and was a heavy drinker. Lawford and Sinatra had a falling out in 1961 over brother-in-law Robert Kennedy's objections to Sinatra's alleged Mafia connections, and the two men never spoke again. |
| Joey Bishop | Comedian, actor, born Joseph Abraham Gottlieb, on February 3, 1918, in the Bronx, New York. Bishop grew up in South Philadelphia. After high school, he enjoyed a modest career as a stand-up comic prior to serving in the Army in World War II. In 1941 Bishop married Sylvia Ruzga. Although Bishop's celebrity profile is far lower than that of Sinatra, Davis or Martin, Sinatra called Bishop "the Hub of the Big Wheel," citing him as the originator of most of the group's comic material and the one who anchored their stage presence. He and Dean Martin were also said to be the only members who could tell jokes at Sinatra's expense. By 1959 Joe was the emcee for The Rat Pack and was starring in the Summit shows in Vegas at the Sands Hotel. In 1960 Frank got him a part in Oceans 11 and Joey continued to open for The Rat Pack. Yet he shunned the party scene the others loved and thrived upon. |
THE SUMMIT
It was their time - the time of Pallys in formal wear, who played in public and in private and stoked the dreams of those who wished to be one of them. Or just to be near them. The time officially began in January 1960, in Las Vegas, at the Sands Hotel and also in front of movie cameras around town capturing their heist caper, Ocean’s Eleven. The sounds they made live and swing forever.
Starting in January, 1960, the Rat Pack made their home at the Copa Room in Jackie Entratter's Sands Hotel and Casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Sadly, the Sands (and the Copa Room along with it) no longer exists. It was a casualty of Las Vegas' expansion and the trend toward family entertainment. For a period of time in the early-to-mid sixties, though, it was the coolest spot in the Universe. Surely these "Summit" meetings were the ultimate night club acts ever assembled. Frank, Dean, and Sammy carried the bulk of the show, singing, telling jokes, doing impressions, and cutting up. Fortunately, some of these routines have survived and they're a riot to watch and listen to. The Rat Pack also made a few films together during this period that you can watch and share along in the obvious fun that they had. "Ocean's Eleven", "Sergeant's 3", and "Robin and the Seven Hoods" are the three that feature the entire Pack (except for the absence of Lawford and Bishop in "Hoods" - the reasons for which are explained below). The cover charge at the Sands was $5.95, which included dinner, but getting a seat was tough unless you were well connected or dropping a lot of cash at the casino. Fortunately, some of these routines have survived and they're great to watch and listen to. The Pack first gained national prominence with their work for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. Sinatra and the others were visible supporters of the campaign, doing publicity and photo ops. Frank even recorded a new version of "High Hopes" that became Kennedy's campaign song. ("So, if you vote for Kennedy, vote for Kennedy, we will come out on top...").
As Kennedy campaigned, the Pack made "Ocean's 11" in Las Vegas. They filmed during the day and held court on stage at the Sands at night. Kennedy could sometimes be spotted at ringside, enjoying the spectacle of his new celebrity friends. At the opening of the Democratic National Convention that summer in Los Angeles, Frank, Sammy, Peter, and Shirley MacLaine sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." Thus, the bond between politics, entertainment, and celebrity was born, a trend that has continued in subsequent elections.
RAT PACK MOVIES
- OCEAN'S ELEVEN (1960)
- SERGEANT'S 3 (1962)
- ROBIN AND THE SEVEN HOODS (1964)
OCEAN'S ELEVEN
Ocean's Eleven is by far the best movie the Pack made together. The story is centered on a daring plot to rob five Vegas casinos on New Year's Eve. Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) gathers ten of his former Army Air Force buddies for one last try to recapture their former glory, and make millions in the process. It should also be noted that the original is by far better than the more recent version, which is quite bad. The newer version fails to capture the essence of comraderie or the grandiose nature of the original plot in that it is poorly written and centers on the robbery of only one casino.
SERGEANT'S 3
Sergeant's 3 is honestly the worst of the movies made by the Pack. Set in the Indian territory of Utah in 1873, the western is a remake of Gunga Din. The plot centers around a group of cavalry Sergeants - Sinatra, Martin, and Lawford - who meet up with a recently freed slave, Sammy Davis Jr., and the group tries to track down a tribe of Sioux Indians. In the end, they manage to foil a planned Indian massacre as Sammy's bugle blowing alerts the U.S. Cavalry of an impending attack. Subsequently, all three sergeant's are decorated for bravery.
ROBIN AND THE SEVEN HOODS
Robin and the Seven Hoods is not quite as good as Ocean's Eleven, yet it is still a very enjoyable movie. The film features Frank, Dean, and Sammy, but Peter and Joey are noticeably absent (the reasons for this will be explained later). In this flick, Sinatra plays Rabbo, a Chicago gangster in the 1920's who faces off in a battle for turf against Guy Gisborne (Peter Falk - and yes that's Colombo). Sinatra turns his illegal enterprise into a latter day Robin Hood venture, giving aid to the poor and destitute. Eventually, his organization fails, and the close of the film depicts Frank, Sammy, and Dean reduced to poverty. Sinatra sings "Chicago-My Kind of Town", "Style", "Mr. Booze", and "Don't be a Do-Badder." Bing Crosby also makes a noteworthy appearance.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
- Frank - "We're not setting out to make Hamlet or Gone with the Wind. The idea is to hang out together, find fun with broads, and have a great time. We gotta make pictures people enjoy."
- Sammy - "Between us we knew everyone in show business."
- Dean - " The satisfaction I get out of working with these bums is that we have more laughs than the audience."
- Peter - "We would do two shows a night, get to bed around 5, get up again at 7 or 8, and go to work on a movie. We'd come back, go to a steam room, get something to eat and start all over again - two shows a night. They were taking bets we'd all end up in a box."
- Dean - "Frank and I are brothers. We cut the top of our thumbs and became blood brothers. He wanted to cut the wrist. But I said, 'What are you, crazy?'"
THE END OF THE RAT PACK
Like all great things, the carefree days of the Rat Pack could not last forever. Although there are always many contributing factors to the demise of a group as grand as the Pack, there was one main reason. Following President Kennedy's election (which Frank helped him win not only with his campaign song, but also with his mob connections - legend has it that in certain districts dead men could vote - some twice!) he promised to visit Frank at his home in Florida. However, Jack's brother Bobby, who was now Attorney General, thought that the President should not be seen with someone with alleged mob ties.
Unfortanately, the job of informing Frank that Kennedy would not visit fell to Jack's brother-in-law, Peter Lawford. Indeed, this was the beginning of the end. When Peter told Frank that Kennedy would be staying with Bing Crosby (who was even a republican!), Frank lost it completely. He banished Peter from his presence, chasing him off his propety yelling at him, "no more movies, no more shows, it's over." Sadly, it was. Legend holds that Frank then proceeded to dismantle (with a sledgehammer) the helipad he had constructed for the President. He then turned his wrath on the completely new living quarters he had spent tens of thousands of dollars upon to house Kennedy and his entourage.
After this incident, things would never be the same - the magic was gone. Peter fell into depression and addiction and ended up being divorced by his wife Patricia Kennedy. He and Frank never spoke again. Around this time, Frank and Joey had a falling out of their own, and the Pack was no more.
In the late 1980s, Frank, Dean, and Sammy tried to rekindle the magic with a much-hyped tour, but it wasn't the same. Dean was forced to drop out due to illness and apathy after only a few dates. The years of fun-loving and high living had taken their toll. Sammy died in 1990 and Frank and Dean had little contact before the latter's death in 1995. The Leader himself died in 1998.
In today's abstemious, politically correct times, the Pack's very existence seems hopelessly anachronistic to most. For a brief, but memorable time, though, they were the very essence of cool.
LINKS
Biography.com/ratpack - A great site with individual bios, trivia, and links
theratpack.org.uk - a cool site with info on the Pack
ratpack.htm - This site has links to buy Rat Pack movies, posters, and merchandise. It also has a great link that offers a dictionary of Pack lingo
MAFREER@HOTMAIL.COM
Please feel free to e-mail me with any comments, corrections, interpretations, or just to discuss the Pack. I will try to answer all e-mails - Matt
- Frank - "We're not setting out to make Hamlet or Gone with the Wind. The idea is to hang out together, find fun with broads, and have a great time. We gotta make pictures people enjoy."
- Sammy - "Between us we knew everyone in show business."
- Dean - " The satisfaction I get out of working with these bums is that we have more laughs than the audience."
- Peter - "We would do two shows a night, get to bed around 5, get up again at 7 or 8, and go to work on a movie. We'd come back, go to a steam room, get something to eat and start all over again - two shows a night. They were taking bets we'd all end up in a box."
- Dean - "Frank and I are brothers. We cut the top of our thumbs and became blood brothers. He wanted to cut the wrist. But I said, 'What are you, crazy?'"
THE END OF THE RAT PACK
Like all great things, the carefree days of the Rat Pack could not last forever. Although there are always many contributing factors to the demise of a group as grand as the Pack, there was one main reason. Following President Kennedy's election (which Frank helped him win not only with his campaign song, but also with his mob connections - legend has it that in certain districts dead men could vote - some twice!) he promised to visit Frank at his home in Florida. However, Jack's brother Bobby, who was now Attorney General, thought that the President should not be seen with someone with alleged mob ties. Unfortanately, the job of informing Frank that Kennedy would not visit fell to Jack's brother-in-law, Peter Lawford. Indeed, this was the beginning of the end. When Peter told Frank that Kennedy would be staying with Bing Crosby (who was even a republican!), Frank lost it completely. He banished Peter from his presence, chasing him off his propety yelling at him, "no more movies, no more shows, it's over." Sadly, it was. Legend holds that Frank then proceeded to dismantle (with a sledgehammer) the helipad he had constructed for the President. He then turned his wrath on the completely new living quarters he had spent tens of thousands of dollars upon to house Kennedy and his entourage. After this incident, things would never be the same - the magic was gone. Peter fell into depression and addiction and ended up being divorced by his wife Patricia Kennedy. He and Frank never spoke again. Around this time, Frank and Joey had a falling out of their own, and the Pack was no more.In the late 1980s, Frank, Dean, and Sammy tried to rekindle the magic with a much-hyped tour, but it wasn't the same. Dean was forced to drop out due to illness and apathy after only a few dates. The years of fun-loving and high living had taken their toll. Sammy died in 1990 and Frank and Dean had little contact before the latter's death in 1995. The Leader himself died in 1998. In today's abstemious, politically correct times, the Pack's very existence seems hopelessly anachronistic to most. For a brief, but memorable time, though, they were the very essence of cool.
LINKS
LINKS
Biography.com/ratpack - A great site with individual bios, trivia, and links