Customer Reviews

Robin and the Seven Hoods

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Dismissed by many as overly-long, poorly-scripted Rat Pack self-indulgence with inferior musical material, "Robin and the 7 Hoods" is a wacky mafia musical in the fun-loving style of pre-Hammerstein Broadway variety shows, and with a pretty snappy collection of Cahn-Van Heusen tunes. Remember, it's this musical, not "Chicago," that gave the Windy City its proudest anthem. But as solid as the Chairman's performance is, it can't match Crosby's, in the venerable crooner's next-to-last film appearance.

Once Bing appears mid-way through the film, the rest of the picture--with the exception of the"My Kind of Town" gala number--belongs to Crosby. His acting, singing, and dancing not only outshine his on-screen companions but in many respects make the Rat Pack appear like a coherent musical comedy team. At five foot seven inches, Bing was usually the shortest member on the set, but in both this film and "High Society" his crisp, economical body movements and quick, graceful feet make him "play" taller than his actual height.

The dubbing is, as others have observed, pretty unconvincing. On the other hand, most of the dance and music scenes are shot continuously in a single take or two, like an Astaire film. Others may prefer the frenetic and manipulative MTV editing style of films like "Chicago," which permit the filmmaker to "construct" a reality while transforming bozos into Baryshnikovs. I'll take these bozos just as they are.

In early 1960's, Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack were asked to do a musical, after the hit film Ocean's 11 (note for those unfamilar, this is NOT the Clooney version). Frank, Dean and Sammy did their version of Robin Hood. Supporting them in this film were Barbara Rush, a pre-Columbo-ed Peter Falk and Bing (White Christmas) Crosby. This film reminds me of Sinatra's Guys and Dolls

The story is a gangstered 1920's ish, Chicago mob story with music. The Rats are minus Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, but you wont miss them in the romp. Crosby does a sendup on his image in a trio song with Sinatra and Martin. Sammy solos in Bang! Bang!, showing tap dancing and GUNS can go together in the hand of a master showman. Falk steals every scene he is in with such aplomb, you wonder why he did not do many more comedy.

the Sammy Cahn score, orchestered by Nelson Riddle is first rate and pure Sinatra with songs like My Kinda Town Chicago.

Extras include Frank Sinatra jr audio commentary, which gives great insights into the film itself and its making

Worth every minute!

Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD

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.

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!

Robin And The Seven Hoods mirhfully gives the Robin Hood legend a depression-era , Mobtown Chicago settings .There , North side boss Robbo (Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) hopes to get a leg in his power struggle with rival Racketeer Guy Gisborn ( Peter Falk 1927 - ) . Robbo sets himself up as a latter-day Robin Hood with Philanthropic front enabling him to scam the rich , take his cut and then give to the people . Dean Martin (1917-1995) , Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990) , Bing Crosby (1903-1977) , and Barabara Rush (1927 - ) , join in the giddy , gansterish fun . And the jazzy Sammy Cahn (1913-1993) / James Van Heusen (1913-1990) score (including Sinatras classic : My kind of Town) is the perfect match for this all star cast , when you share the music and merriment of Robin and The 7 hoods . A Funny and Cherish movie ! . Recommended

Without question one of the greatest movies made by ' The Clan'.
The story is very good covering the prohibition in America and the clash between two gangs. One headed by Robbo (Frank Sinatra),
and the other by Guy (Peter Falk)- The difference between these two leaders is that one can sing and the other can't (have you heard Peter Falk sing ??? )The DVD covers additional material which is very interesting , The service from AMAZON . COM was as great as the movie. Defineatly for fans of Davis, Crosby, Martin and Ol' Blue Eyes....

Frank, Dean and Sammy go gangster in the Rat Pack's most satisfying film. Breezily directed by Gordon Douglas, "Robin and the 7 Hoods" (1964) features a colorful supporting cast and the Sinatra standard "My Kind of Town." The musical-comedy is notable for the only cinematic collaboration between Sinatra, Martin and Bing Crosby - who memorably croon their way through "Style." Meanwhile, Davis gets to strut his stuff with the incredible "Bang! Bang!" number. Despite its overlength and disappointingly abrupt conclusion, the Rat Pack's final big-screen epic remains preferable to the self-indulgence of "Ocean's 11" and "Sergeants 3."

With a cast like this, how can you miss. There is gangsters randomly bursting out in song and so much irony in the whole movie between the charaters and the actors who play them which just adds to the entertainment. Where else are you going to find Bing Crosby being lectured on how to dress by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Overall, this is a must see for anyone who loves the rat pack or just great entertainment!

1964, the barbarians are at the door and the Rat Pack wises up fast to what they do best. Sing, that is, and that they do. Except for Falk's warbly little intro number, all the musical selections are incredible. (Falk adds a lot to the movie as dry comic support it should be noted.) Martin's "Any Man Who Loves His Mother" is made sweetly perverse by it's accompanying business, namely pool hustling, and Davis Jr.'s amazing machine gun dance routine on "Bang Bang" especially shines. It's a hoot when Crosby, Martin and Sinatra all harmonize on "Style" and, of course, even the boss belts one out all by hisself ("My Kind of Town"), his last musical performance on screen. Crosby, nearing the finish line of a very long career, gets one-and-a-half turns singing and they is all swell. He's a such a swell. These guys are cool in a way that cool can't ever be cool again. Rock and roll, yeh yeh yeh, may endure another half century or more, who cares, but this kind of song and dance can never be resurrected. It's too cool for a white hot world gone hard of hearing. So behold it here, summer of '64. Before the hippies and the draft and the riots and the burning bras. There's loads of chuckles, decent pacing, pretty sets (with an amusing gimmick trick), wacky male bonding, symmetry with the female lead, silliness, sure, and even a wicked little spin on the old morality at the end. This film is a good time all around, maybe a touch stronger in the first hour, but, whatever, pallie, don't sweat it, bet on it.

This was a fabulous movie, and deserves much more credit than it is usually given. It's hilarious and smart, and besides the given that the Rat Pack was great in it, Peter Falk was also very funny. The movie is full of great one-liners ("Anybody got beef with that, I got a special complaint box 6 feet long, 3 feet wide."), as well as great songs, sung by the greatest singers who ever lived. Isn't that in itself reason enough to buy this?