Rating: 
Summary: Off to a very slow start... but improves
Review: Not long before this started shooting, there was a major rift in the rat pack, and because of that, only three members (Martin, Davis, and Sinatra, of course) show up here. The other two roles were filled in, and quite ably, by Peter Falk and Bing Crosby. And if you like rat pack-style music, having ensemble numbers with Frank, Dean, and Bing is something you're gonna love.The last half of this movie is good. It ain't Oceans Eleven, but it's good. Too bad the first half moves slower than a snail on ludes. Crosby doesn't show up until an hour into the film, and the action starts right there; before that, what the movie needs most is an editor who isn't afraid of Sinatra. It does, however, have some fine music (Sinatra debuted "My Kind of Town" here), and once it picks up, it's a lot of fun. Watch it when it comes on AMC, but spend the first half hour or so going to the store to get munchies.
Rating: 
Summary: Robin and the Seven Hoods a Classic
Review: Robin and the Seven Hoods is a great story, with Bing Crosby upstaging both Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Frank's singing of "Chicago My Kind of Town" at the movie's end is a tribute to mob boss Sam Giancanna, and the entire movie shows that crime CAN pay if you share the proceeds with the less fortunate. It's campy, but good viewing and the music brings back feelings of the good old days.
Rating:
Summary: A great vehicle for Frank an' his boys to ham it up onscreen
Review: Sadly, Frank, Dean and Sammy's great big showbiz cocktail party that had been the focus of America since the late '50s was dwindling in popularity at the time this light-hearted gangster spoof was released in 1964, but that doesn't make it any less entertaining. If you a true fan who jus' loves to see the guys do their thang on the big screen, then there is no doubt you will LOVE this movie. Me being a longtime Rat Pack afficianado, I ate this up; the sarcasm, the witty retorts, the humor, the friendly ribbing, it has everything that made them so charismatic and entertaining at their live shows. The story takes place in Chicago in the early 1930's, the last years of Prohibition and finds Sinatra in the role of Robbo, a high-level gangster on the North Side whose good friend Big Jim, the boss of the family, is rubbed out by the power-hungry Guy Gisbourne (Peter Falk in a hilariously hammy performance). The two factions of the Chicago mob, Robbo's and Gisbourne's, both run nightclubs that specialize in gambling, crap tables, bootleg gin, and beautiful dancing girls. Gisbourne tries desperately to get his club hoppin' by using threats and intimidation, there is even a hilarious scene when both crews decide to ransack the other's club on the same night. They spot each other at an intersection and both say to themselves "I wonder where he's going? Well, wherever it is, he's in for a big surprise when he gets back." That was priceless. Anyways, as the rivalry grows, Robbo ends up becoming a local hero when he hides fifty thousand ill gotten and very hot dollars by donating the loot to the Blessed Shelter Orpans home. He decides to take advantage of his newfound fame by opening up soup kitchens an' such all over town, and, suddenly, the newspapers are proclaiming him a modern-day Robin Hood. What they don't know is that the shelters are all a front, and that he's skimming quite a percentage off the top. Well, that may sound like a lot to take in, but when you watch the movie it's really not at all. The film moves along at a quick pace with some great tunes here an' there including Frank's classic Windy City ode 'My Kind of Town' an' there's also some incredibly snappy one-liners ("Y'see, Robbo, I'm kinda like George Washington." "Stay outta the North Side. You come over like George Washington an' I'll send ya back like Abe Lincoln.") Frank is in his cool and calculated tough guy mode, and basically plays the role in his sleep, Dean adds his dry wit and laid-back charm as a card hustler named Little John, Bing Crosby has a small role as Allen A. Dale, who joins Robbo's crew late as the financial handler, and Sammy plays Robbo's right-hand man Will, a man with a warm smile an' an itchy trigger finger. You've seen it all before, but rarely with this kind of charm and appeal. This is not a great film by any means, but it is definitely entertaining especially for fans of the Rat Pack. Sinatra himself said in retrospect that the films they made together were not meant to be masterpieces, but merely entertainment, and this one's no exception. The DVD's audio commentary from Frank Sinatra Jnr. is especially interesting, because this movie was filming around the time he was kidnapped, and he actually talks in detail about the incident. If you are a new fan, and you want to see a movie that will really give you a look at the heyday of Frank and the boys, then 'Ocean's 11' is the one to see. It is the best of the movies they made together and the most quintessential, 'cause not only does it feature the FULL Rat Pack (Lawford an' Bishop are missing from this one), but it has everything from the Vegas setting to the cocktails to the hitting on broads and the genuine camaraderie you'd expect. This may'a been the end of the Rat Pack's heyday, but they sure as hell went out with a bang an' not a whimper.
Rating:
Summary: The Rat Pack's best
Review: Since the most important members of the Rat Pack were, first and foremost, singers, it's not surprising that their best film (and final one, as well) is this musical. Frank, Dean, and Sammy all get their turns in the spotlight, and even Der Bingle has a piece of the action. Throw in an amusing pre-Columbo Peter Falk, and even an appearance by Edward G. Robinson, and you have a lively and very entertaining spoof of gangster films.
Rating:
Summary: The Rat Pack's best
Review: Since the most important members of the Rat Pack were, first and foremost, singers, it's not surprising that their best film (and final one, as well) is this musical. Frank, Dean, and Sammy all get their turns in the spotlight, and even Der Bingle has a piece of the action. Throw in an amusing pre-Columbo Peter Falk, and even an appearance by Edward G. Robinson, and you have a lively and very entertaining spoof of gangster films.
Rating: 
Summary: Swingin'
Review: The epitome of cool, Frank and his gang dominate the dark side of Chicago in the twenties. Gambling, drinking, counterfeiting, and shooting are the norm for the Rat Pack, so if you's squeamish--leave. Sammy Davis Junior has a wonderful "Bang Bang" number that will leave you reeling and Bing Crosby leads one of the most entertaining AA meetings ever. Very loosely based on the tale of Robin Hood-Sinatra plays Robin, a hood with a heart, while Dean Martin and Sammy round out the merry men. Friar Tuck becomes Bing Crosby who has a problem with his "troat," and Marion is not exactly your average dame. It is a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it--that is if you're swingin' enough to catch it.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Movie
Review: The Rat Pack at it's best. A great movie for any fans of all ages
Rating:
Summary: Best of the "Pack"
Review: They were legends in their best venue. Sinatra, Martin and Davis. Singing, dancing and vamping up a storm. Throw in Crosby and great character performances by Falk, Buono and Rush, and you have great entertainment value! On the few occasions when the film bogs down, a Sammy Cahn tune is there to save the day. Each of the stars gets a fine solo shot. Sinatra's MY KIND OF TOWN is best known but Davis" BANG BANG is reminiscent of the best of Astaire and Dino's ANY MAN WHO LOVES HIS MOTHER should have become a Mother's day classic standard. (it's not too late either if the public would just get to hear the soundtrack version without the films comedy gimmick that accompanies it.) A little long, but that is the only drawback. Terrific entertainment and easily the best of the "Rat Pack" films.
Rating:
Summary: Easily the BEST Of Rat Pack Movies!!!!
Review: This flick is among the funniest, most amusing ever made! Odd that it is not better known, given that it stars the 2 biggest songsters ever (Frank and Bing), and 2 others close in the running (Sam and Dean)..Peter Falk is terrific in pre-Columbo days doing a similar role, this time as a head Mafioso. He's terrific and absolutely hilarious. The plot's excellent, but the show stopping tunes are real blow-outs! The 2 funniest are "Mr Booze", done in a relgious revival scene during a police raid, and "Style", both which must be seen and heard to be believed! Frank's "My Kind of Town" is also among his best solos ever! And the 1920's costumes, scenery, cars, etc. are also great! So, don't miss this one! More fun here than in a baker's dozen of similar films!
Rating: 
Summary: DON'T LET THIS UNMEMORABLE MUSICAL HOOD WINK YOU
Review: This musical mix of murder and misadventures between rival crime gangs is agreeable and serviceable. And not very memorable. Frankie isn't acting (give Peter Falk that credit), and
it's nice to see the Rat Pack teeming (or is that "teaming"?) again. Even Der Bingle makes a welcome appearance. The highlight is as vulgar as it is mind-numbing: Sammy Davis Jr.'s rat-a-tat-tatting number in which he dances with various guns, blowing away this and that and offering Sammy Cahn-Jimmy Van Heusen's genius as proof that musical numbers can sometimes silence an audience, if only until their jaws lock back in place. There's a different Chicago that's my kind of town .. and all that jazz!
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