Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Kind of Movie, September 1, 2003
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.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sinatra and his Hoods, January 17, 2007
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
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best of the "Pack", June 16, 2000
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.
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