The Rat Pack (1998)

The public and private lives of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford.

Director:

Rob Cohen

Writer:

Kario Salem

Stars:

Ray Liotta, Joe Mantegna, Don Cheadle

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Liotta	...	Frank Sinatra
Joe Mantegna	...	Dean Martin
Don Cheadle	...	Sammy Davis, Jr.
Angus Macfadyen	...	Peter Lawford
William Petersen	...	John F. Kennedy
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Bobby Kennedy
Bobby Slayton	...	Joey Bishop
Megan Dodds	...	May Britt
Deborah Kara Unger	...	Ava Gardner
Veronica Cartwright	...	Rocky Cooper
Dan O'Herlihy	...	Joe Kennedy
Robert Miranda	...	Momo Giancana
Barbara Niven	...	Marilyn Monroe
Michelle Grace	...	Judy Campbell
Tyrees Allen	...	George Jacobs

Storyline

In the 1950s and 1960s Frank Sinatra was the head of the infamous "Rat Pack". He, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop worked and played together. This film dramatizes their volatile relationships with each other and the Kennedys, Marilyn Monroe, mobster Sam Giancana, Judith Campbell Exner and the FBI. Sinatra helps John F. Kennedy get elected in 1960 with a little help from Giancana. Lawford, married to a Kennedy, is an unhappy go-between. Davis is fighting racism and insecurity. Campbell is sleeping with both Giancana and JFK who is also sleeping with Monroe.

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Plot Keywords:

fbi federal bureau of investigation | rat pack | president | racism | organized crime | 

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Taglines:

They never let the rules get in the way of having fun.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Don Cheadle only had a couple of weeks to prepare for the role of Sammy Davis Jr.. He learned to sing, tap dance, play drums, play trumpet and twirl six-shooter pistols like Davis did. He took tap dance lessons from Savion Glover.

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Goofs

In the "Ocean's 11" filming scene, "Sinatra" can be seen wearing a two-button gray jacket. In reality, the original jacket was a three-button and was given by Frank to his son Frank, Jr., after the filming.

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Quotes

Frank Sinatra: There's a reason why we're all here tonight...
Dean Martin: You threatened us.
[laughter]
Dean Martin: Did he threaten you too Sammy?
Sammy Davis, Jr.: Um, I refuse to answer that on the grounds that it might incinerate me baby.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Episode #8.54 (2009)

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Soundtracks

I've Got You Under My Skin
Written by Cole Porter
Performed by Gunnar Madsen

User Reviews

HBO Does Another Good Job

The HBO movie, "The Rat Pack" chronicles the high-living times of the famous Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Peter Lawford) during the years 1958-1962. Supposedly based on fact, the story centers on the collision of personalities between the Rat Pack's leader, Frank Sinatra, and the Kennedy clan. In the story, Frank Sinatra so admires Senator Jack Kennedy that he'll do anything to help him be elected President. When it involves the dirty and unethical dealings of Joe Sr., Frank's reluctant, but game. Frank manipulates friends, brings in the Mafiosi, dumps on the downtrodden. So when Kennedy is elected what's Frank get? The shaft.

How much of the story is true? Who knows? But it does make for good entertainment, bringing along Marilyn Monroe, Bobby Kennedy, Joe DiMaggio and other period luminaries. The story is moved along by some excellent acting especially Don Cheadle as the tortured Sammy Davis Jr, Ray Liotta as Frank Sinatra and Joe Montegna as Dean Martin. It may twist the truth, but it's decent entertainment.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Rat Pack

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Original Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1