Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) User Reviews

Rat Packers spoof the Robin Hood legend, in Chicago!.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 21 December 2008]

After Chicago mob boss Big Jim is gunned down on his birthday, shifty Guy Gisborne takes control of operations. But Big Jim's favourite man, Robbo, is having none of it, and along with his loyal North Side Crew and a drifter known as Little John, set about stopping Gisbourne and his corrupt government pals in their tracks.

Easily the best of the Rat Pack pictures, Robin And The 7 Hoods is a piece that is more befitting their respective talents. Containing great songs courtesy of Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, and boasting big time stars seemingly enjoying their respective roles, it is however a picture that possibly should be far far better. Perhaps it buckles under the weight of expectation with the names on show? Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr and Peter Falk, now that is some roll call in star appeal, or maybe it called for a better director other than safe and steady, Gordon Douglas? But what we get is a mostly enjoyable experience that almost comes dangerously close to outstaying its welcome.

Personally to me it's a film that I rate higher than it deserves because I get such a kick out of watching these great entertainers enjoy themselves so much, Crosby and Falk in particular are having the time of their lives, with Crosby walking in and stealing the film from under the other's noses. There is also something special to me in a sequence as the gang ham it up gospel style for "Mr Booze", check out the looks on some of the guys faces, priceless cinema, whilst watching Old Blue Eyes sing "My Kind Of Town" will forever be a cherishable moment to me. There is a fair bit of interesting trivia attached to the picture which is readily available on this and many other internet sites, so I'll just move on a quickly surmise that Robin And The 7 Hoods should have been a classic, but for me personally I'll settle for hugely enjoyable. 7/10

Sinatra sings "My Kind of Town," and Sammy Davis Jr. interprets the peculiar 'Machine Gun' dance scene

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 7/10 · 26 April 2008]

After an emotional rendition of 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow' number one gangster, Big Jim, is shot dead at his own birthday party, and Guy Gisborne (Peter Falk) takes over the mob…

Robbo (Frank Sinatra), a rival gangster, warns Gisborne to stay out of the North Side… John (Dean Martin), a minor hood from Indiana, joins Robbo's gang just before Robbo and Gisborne destroy each other's nightclubs… Robbo rebuilds, outfitting his new gambling hall so that it becomes a new little modern casino at the touch of a button…

Marian (Barbara Rush), Big Jim's daughter, gives Robbo $50 grand to kill her father's murderers, but he orders Will (Sammy Davis, Jr.), his aide, to donate the money to an orphanage… Allan A. Dale (Bing Crosby), who runs the institution, crowns Robbo as a modern-day Robin Hood…

The action takes place in the gangland Chicago of 1928 instead of Sherwood Forest… Amusing ideas abounded… The best being a brief appearance by Edward G. Robinson as the chief hood who is shot by the mob just few seconds in the film…

Don't miss the formidable dance number "Style" performed and sung by Sinatra, Martin, and Crosby

ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS (Gordon Douglas, 1964) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 25 May 2008]

To begin with, I recall catching the opening sequence of this one as a kid on a now-defunct Sicilian TV channel Considered the best of the Rat Pack films, this is a slick, likable and witty transposition of the Robin Hood legend to gangland Chicago. A generally bright outing, it loses steam towards the end, emerging as being decidedly overlong.

The stars are in their element – Frank Sinatra is Robin (called Robbo and clearly relishing the role, it’s hard not to be reminded of the star’s real-life mob connections), Dean Martin is Little John (their famous initial confrontation takes place over a game of pool!), Sammy Davis Jr. (who does a fair imitation of James Cagney) is Will Scarlett and Bing Crosby turns up half-way through as Allen A. Dale (this proved to be his last musical role). As for the villains, Peter Falk is wonderful as Guy Gisbourne (though he seemed stuck in gangster types during this time in his career) and heavy-set cocoa-drinking Victor Buono is the new Sheriff. However, I think it was a mistake to present Marian (Barbara Rush) as a femme fatale; appropriately, then, Edward G. Robinson (an icon of the gangster genre) cameos as Big Jim – the Richard the Lionheart figure. There are also notable bits by Hans Conried (as Robbo’s put-upon architect), Allen Jenkins (as a disgruntled partner of Falk’s) and Sig Ruman (as a leading citizen).

Though OCEAN’S 11 (1960) did provide a title tune sung by Davis, this is the only Rat Pack musical of the lot. Sinatra’s “My Kind Of Town” was nominated for an Oscar – but other songs are actually more memorably presented: Davis’ own energetic destruction (at the rhythm of a tap dance) of Falk’s gambling joint; “Style”, a momentous collaboration between Sinatra, Martin and Crosby (three of the best-loved crooners ever); and Crosby’s show-stopping “Mr. Booze” (at one point, to divert a police raid organized by rival Falk, Robin’s gang turns the joint into an impromptu temperance meeting!). With this in mind, the film has definite black comedy touches – particularly in the cornerstone-laying motif. However, the Christmasy finale in which the tables are once again turned in favor of Robbo and Rush is reformed (off-screen) by Crosby feels rushed.

Some trivia connected to the film: a kidnapping scene was dropped for hitting too close to home – Sinatra’s own kid had just been abducted and eventually ransomed for $250,000!; on the day JFK was shot dead, the scene of Robinson’s funeral was being filmed!; apparently, Sinatra’s old musical pal Gene Kelly was originally involved in the production as a dance director but left during its early stages after disagreeing with Sinatra (who also served here as producer) over the number of dance routines to be incorporated into the film.

Tuneful, Light-hearted Prohibition-Era Robin Hood Spoof...

[cariart · 31 May 2004]

ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS, last of the 'official' Rat Pack trilogy, was undeniably the best of the series (OCEAN'S ELEVEN, a glossy but ultimately standard 'B' movie about a Las Vegas casino heist had been filmed, between the Pack's nightclub appearances, in 1960, and SERGEANTS 3, a so-so comic Western cavalry remake of GUNGA DIN, appeared in 1963), and with tunes by the legendary Jimmy Van Heusen, it was the only film that gave it's legendary stars a chance to perform in the format best suited to them...an old-fashioned movie musical.

Set in Prohibition Chicago, the spoof of the Robin Hood legends offered Frank Sinatra as Robbo, favorite 'lieutenant' of murdered crime boss 'Big Jim' (unbilled Edward G. Robinson), who 'takes on' successor Guy Gisborne (a very funny Peter Falk) and his 'right-hand' man, Sheriff Alvin Potts (Victor Buono, also excellent), for control of the city. A likable gangster with a code of ethics, Robbo, and his pal, Will (Sammy Davis, Jr), are soon joined by 'new-in-town' grifter, Little John (Dean Martin), who easily beats Robbo in a game of pool (while harmonizing about being faithful to one's mother!). Meanwhile, a beautiful, mysterious woman (Barbara Rush) appears, introducing herself as Marian Stevens, with links to Big Jim, and an agenda of her own...

The arrival of milquetoast accountant Allen A. Dale (Bing Crosby, having a ball playing 'against type') with a scheme to turn public sentiment against Guy Gisborne and the Sheriff, through charity and 'good works', quickly brands Robbo as a hero who would steal from the rich to give to the poor, and Chicago adores him, driving Gisborne NUTS! As plots are hatched to discredit Robbo, body counts rise, and Marian proves the most duplicitous of all, in her quest to gain power.

While the plot summary doesn't sound particularly amusing, the film, with it's 'tongue-in-cheek' tone, is much closer in spirit to GUYS AND DOLLS than GOODFELLAS. With Sinatra, Crosby, Martin, and Davis crooning a rousing "Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat"-style mission number, "Mr. Booze", Davis singing and dancing to machine-gun volleys, and Sinatra performing what would become one of his 'signature' tunes, "Chicago (My Kind of Town)", the music is all first-rate, with the dramatic elements all played for laughs.

As Marian ends up with a surprising new 'mob boss', and Frank, Dino, and Sammy are reduced to pan-handling (but happy) "Santa Clauses", ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS leaves viewers with a smile, and the Rat Pack with a film finally worthy of their considerable talents.

Not a bad legacy, at all!

Fun Nonsense

[JasparLamarCrabb · 6/10 · 26 April 2007]

Fun nonsense that manages to spin together the Robin Hood legend with a gangster musical. Frank Sinatra leads a band of hoodlums in a gang war against nasty Peter Falk. His merry men include Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bing Crosby. It's much brighter than the other Rat Pack offerings and features some really great songs including the landmark "My Kind of Town." Sinatra's terrific and as smooth as silk. He also has a lot more chemistry with Barbara Rush than he did with Angie Dickinson in OCEAN'S 11. It's also heartening to see him share the screen not only with Martin and Davis, but Crosby as well. Gordon Douglas, Sinatra's go-to hack during the '60s is credited as director, but it's unlikely he had much input in the company of this much talent. Edward G. Robinson makes a brief, and unlucky, appearance.

A major highlight: the great "Mr. Booze" number. A major NON-highlight: Peter Falk singing!

solid entertainment

[rupie · 7/10 · 12 September 2000]

I was expecting less, as I once saw this referred to somewhere as a "self-indulgent" effort from The Chairman of the Board. I found it, au contraire, to be a solidly entertaining, well-made comedic effort with high production values, beautifully shot (the film really needs letterbox to show it off; catch it on American Movie Classics). Good work from all the leads, Peter Falk in particular, as well as the many familiar charcter actors. It is interesting how Frank's outfit never seems to quite fit into the 1928 setting - he always seems ready to step off the screen into 1964 Las Vegas. The nostagically vaudevillian number "Style", sung by Frank, Dean, and Bing, is worth the whole movie. Well worth a see.

Bing steals it!

[jbsalmonnc · 7/10 · 8 December 2002]

Take the Rat Pack (an expression Sinatra hated, by the way), add some great songs, a decent story, AND Bing Crosby, and what do you get?

Well, less than you might expect-I've rated this a "7", because despite the above, Sinatra much of the time looks like he'd rather be someplace else, and Peter Falk's performance is cliche'-ridden.

The reason to see this one is Bing Crosby. He has several great songs, delivered in his inimitable style, such as "Mr. Booze". And his comedy bits, especially as a preacher to a Salvation Army-like meeting, are hilarious.

Rat Pack vehicle in which the trio Sinatra-Davis-Martin battle evil gangsters

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 11 July 2011]

Like we've taken the Robin Hood legend and changed the bows and arrows to machine guns! ... Like with songs yet! ... Like WILD! . In prohibition-era from 1920s Chicago, the racketeer marshal (Victor Buono) along with a mobster named Guy Gisborne , a corrupt(Peter Falk) who controls the south side , knock off the ringleader Big Jim (Edward G Robinson). Everyone falls in line behind Guy except the do-good gangster Robbo (Frank Sinatra) who rules north side in his last go-round . Robbo wishes to keep his own territory with a ¨Robbo project foundation¨ and his particular business . A pool-playing man from Indiana named Little John (Dean Martin)and the director of a boys' orphanage named Alen Dale (Bing Crosby) unite forces with Robbo and Will (Sammy Davis Jr). When he gives some money to the orphanage, he turns the toast of the town as a hood like Robin Hood and people shout ¨Chicago loves Robin¨. As Robbo along with his friends creates the ¨Robin Hood foundation¨ and a ¨Free soup kitchen¨ . Meanwhile, Guy schemes to get rid of Robbo, and Big Jim's heretofore unknown daughter named Marian (Barbara Rush) turns up and goes after from dudes attempting to encounter an ally in her quest to run the whole show. Later on , Robbo is detained and newspapers publicize : Robbo held for sheriff murder¨ .

This is an amusing musical comedy with some Hollywood major stars reunited by Frank ¨Robbo¨ Sinatra and incarnating Robin and his merry men in modern times , including usual names as Little John , Will Scarlett , Marian and Guy Gisborne . It's a ¨Rat Pack¨ version of 1920's Chicago with Frank Sinatra and his boys as do-good mobsters in their last outing . Fine musical numbers with beautiful songs by Nelson Riddle as ¨Bang, Bang¨ , ¨Mister Booze¨, ¨Don't be a do-baddler¨ and ¨My kind of town¨ with Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra singing and dancing and dressed in smoking , besides another sensational show including Crosby dancing with children . This is a typical Rat Pack vehicle such as ¨ Ocean's eleven(1960) ¨, ¨ Four for Texas (63)¨ and finally ¨Cannoball run II (1984)¨ with the sympathetic trio Frank Sinatra-Sammy Davis Jr-Dean Martin . The motion picture is professionally constructed by Gordon Douglas. This is one of various and mediocre works of his long career as filmmaker. He was a Hollywood veteran director, directing early movies (Little rascals, Spanky), expert on Western (Chuka,Rio Conchos, Yellowstone Kelly, Only the valiant ), and usually worked for Frank Sinatra in various films (Lady in Cement, Tony Rome,The detective, Robin and the 7 Hoods). Rating : Passable and acceptable , 5,5 . This is a nice musical entertainment and to be liked for Frank Sinatra fans.

The Robbing Hood of Chicago

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 5 September 2004]

I consider this the best of all the Clan movies that Frank Sinatra did with his pallies. By the time Robin and the 7 Hoods was made, Sinatra's movie career consisted of a lot of sleep walking roles. But Frank still took his singing quite seriously and he's at the top of his game in this one.

Since he produced and starred in it naturally Frankie reserved for himself the best song in the Jimmy Van Heusen-Sammy Cahn score. My Kind of Town did for Chicago what New York, New York did for the Big Apple and was nominated for best song that year. Sinatra delivers it in grand style.

He gave a little something for everyone in the cast. Peter Falk who plays Guy Gisborne gets one of those once in a lifetime chances to overact with abandon and gusto. He looks like he's having a ball, especially singing All For One And One For All as he's electing himself numero uno of the Chicago gangs.

Sammy Davis, Jr. other than in Porgy and Bess and here got very little opportunity to show off his amazing multi-talents in film. His Bang Bang number as Frankie's crew is busting up Falk's speakeasy, displays those talents of singing, dancing and mimicry. Listen close and you'll Davis do some good imitations of Al Jolson and Jerry Lewis.

Bing Crosby in his last musical role plays Alan-A-Dale and he replaced Peter Lawford when he and Sinatra came to an abrupt parting of the ways. He's the secretary of an orphans home where Sinatra donates some hot money to launder it. Crosby's one solo number in this is Don't Be A Do-Badder which is vintage philosophical Bing and I'm sure Van Heusen and Cahn wrote it after the casting change was made.

Dean Martin got short changed here. I wish he'd been given something better as a solo than Any Man Who Loves His Mother.

There's a song on the cast album that is heard in the background called I Like To Lead When I Dance. It got cut from the film. It also appeared on other Sinatra albums and Old Blue Eyes does really well by it. I wish it had been left in.

You can't possibly go wrong with all the talent that Sinatra gathered for this film. It was his last musical role as well.

Should have been MUCH better... but still extremely entertaining

[aciolino · 7/10 · 14 May 2009]

When you combine talent such as Crosby, Davis, Sinatra and Martin, plus the great songs of Kahn and Van Heusen... but what's to complain about? This is enough for an evening's treat! Add to that the wonderful (should have been better, but still wonderful) "Mr. Booze" number, the fabulous Peter Falk (much under-rated in this role) and Bang! you've got memorable stuff, such as, in no particular order: Sammy's "Bang! Bang!" not only allows us to see/hear all of Sammy's performing skills, but is a very clever "gangster number." (If they ever make "The Godfather" into a musical, I hope they include this!) Then, there is the tongue-in-cheek "Style," employing the three biggest stars in show business at the time, two of them veritable legends; thirdly, the aforementioned, "Mr. Booze," is a brilliant piece of musical/theatrical chicanery.

Catch it, and keep an open mind. This ain't Shakespeare.

Lightweight...and after a while a bit tedious.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 28 February 2017]

One of the more pleasant surprises I had watching movies was watching "Oceans Eleven" with the Rat Pack plus several others. I had just assumed it was a vanity project and nothing more. To my surprise, it was a heck of a good film with a heck of a good story. Because of this, I was much more inclined to watch a film by these folks in the future...and sadly, I saw "Robin and the 7 Hoods" next...a rather dull little film that seemed to go on and on and on!

One of the big reasons I wasn't so taken by "Robin" was that it was a musical and never at all took itself seriously...very much unlike "Oceans Eleven". To me, "Oceans Eleven" was entertaining to the audience..."Robin and the 7 Hoods" was mostly entertaining to Robin and his 7 hoods! In other words, these old friends may have enjoyed getting back together but that alone isn't the reason to make a film.

Perhaps some of my boredom with this movie is that I am not a huge Rat Pack fan. I don't have an overwhelming need to see Dean, Frank and Sammy...so to get my attention they need a film that would excite anyone, not just devoted fans. And, sadly, it's just for the devoted fans...period.

While I must admit some of the songs were nice, the story just seemed very lightweight and skippable. And, many times the film seemed to come to a dramatic climax...yet it then continued. I call this poor writing and these actors deserved better.

Well worth a watch

[bl-63974 · 10/10 · 2 September 2021]

Can't believe the negative reviews. The final gathering of the Rat Pack in one movie, and they played it to the hilt. Sure it's silly and unreal but these are legends we'll not see the like of again . Adding Peter Falk to the mix just made it even better.

Okay as Spoofs Go

[LeonardKniffel · 6/10 · 29 April 2020]

Frank Sinatra introduced the world to "My Kind of Town" in this testosterone-infused Prohibition-era gangster spoof, also starring Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr., and Peter Falk.

For Rat Pack Fans Only

[nomoons11 · 5/10 · 11 August 2010]

I'll be honest in saying that I was really looking forward to seeing this one. I guess I was expecting another Ocean's 11 type of film and boy, I didn't get it. Basically U get half Ocean's 11 and half a musical. I think their train of thought on this one was to try 1 last time to bring back the musical into the 60's (w/ Bing singing and sammy and frank and deano) and it just wasn't very interesting. I though Peter Falk stole the whole show. If U want vintage Rat Pack stuff, see either Sergeants 3 or Ocean's 11 cause this one is from a bygone day of musical comedy/crime, and those just never worked. Let's just say it's 2 hours of my life I'll never get back...dammit.

The Rat Pack Rules in this Riotous, Rousing, Romp!

[BobLib · 6 August 1999]

Of all the five films they did together, the legendary Rat Pack never had a better cinematic vehicle for their talents than right here! You get the feeling, right from the start, that Frankie, Dino, Sammy, Bing, and Peter Falk weren't really acting. They were cutting loose, having a ball, and loving every minute of it. And you will, too! Not only are there the great Cahn - Van Heusen songs, including the Oscar-nominated "My Kind of Town," but there's the legendary William Daniels' excellent color photography, and Don Feld's period costumes. And, in addition to the aforementioned Rats, the performances of Barbara Rush as Marian (The script implies that her maidenly status was long since spoken for!), the underrated Robert Foulk as the corrupt Sheriff Glick, the always-funny Victor Buono as his even more nefarious Deputy, Alvin Potts, and the always funny veterans Hank Henry, Richard Bakalyan, and Phil Arnold as various lovable lowlifes.

A couple of sad footnotes connected with this film, though: The funeral scene for Edward G. Robinson's character was filmed in an actual cemetery. While there, Sinatra, whose tumultuous relations with the Kennedys were well known, came across an actual gravestone for a "John F. Kennedy, 1800 - 1878." They joked about it the rest of the day, and drew a lot of disapproving looks, until someone turned on a car radio on the afternoon of November 22, 1963! Another scene, which was never used in the finished film, was a kidnapping scene, filmed the same day as Frank Jr. was kidnapped. For a film to be entertaining and funny under these circumstances is nothing short of amazing, but "Robin and the Seven Hoods" manages to be, in the last of the Rat Pack films, and the best one of all of them!

A Lighter Rat-Pack....

[tim-764-291856 · 7/10 · 11 June 2012]

I have to admit that I'm not always a fan of the "Rat-Pack". Frank Sinatra, as an actor often seems dry and just doesn't appeal to me and Dean Martin likewise.

However, Robin and the 7 Hoods is lightened enormously by both the very funny script but mainly by Peter Falk. He is excellent. As wise-guy, wise-cracking new gangster-on-the-block Guy Gisborne, his characterful face eschews wit and confidence and brings back fond memories of this 'Columbo' legend.

Yes, it's that old chestnut - Prohibition-era Chicago - done in spectacular style - witness Sammy Davis Jnr singing and tap-dancing on the saloon bar and then sprays machine-gun bullets into everything in time with the big-band music. For song & dance fanciers, it's pretty good, though none of the songs are classics.

Not really having seen too much of other Rat-Pack films, I cannot really give more advice; the 60s when they were made is before my time. But, I would suggest that 7 Hoods is more family friendly than their others and of course, if you're a fan of any of the film's chief players, then you'll enjoy it, too.

I saw it on BBC2, a highlight on terrestrial TV but not one that I like enough to buy on DVD.

Not an Oscar winner, But a good show

[justintime122189 · 7/10 · 24 March 2006]

The same people that brought you Ocean's Eleven are back with Robin & The Seven Hoods. It's the modern version of Robin Hood who is played by none other than Frank Sinatra. He has his sidekicks as well and guess none other than Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and ol' Bing. I'm not a fan of musicals but this is one I overlooked. THe songs are catchy and how they turned it more into a "gangster" flick was entertaining. As you can see when it takes place in Chicago and no longer Nottingham. Plus with it's twist at the end that'll have you thinking.. as much as a musical can go. It's a good flick worth watching and if you enjoy the Rat Pack then you won't be disappointed.

Really good take-off on the Robin Hood theme with Crosby and Martin eclipsing Sinatra

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 19 July 2012]

Those who don't like this film (and that's okay), don't really "get" the film (and that's okay, too). It's a spoof. It's all tongue in cheek. And it stars 4 tremendous stars -- Frank, Dean, Bing, and Sammy. No, it's not Shakespeare. Nor is it supposed to be. It's just supposed to be fun with some cool songs thrown in for good measure. Nothing more. Nothing less. And, if you don't like the stars, this wouldn't have been a movie for you to go see. But for the fans of those four big time operators, this film is a ball.

Attention to detail sometimes makes a movie, and starting out a film about Prohibition Era gangsters with a cameo of Edward G. Robinson...well, that's paying attention to detail. The first musical number ("All for One and One for All") is a hoot as sung by that man with the velvet voice -- Peter Falk. Of course he's a lousy singer; that's the point. I don't even like Peter Falk, but he's perfect for his role in this film.

Dean Martin's primary solo ("Any Man Who Loves His Mother") is hokey...and it's supposed to be...I'm not particularly enamored of it...but it does show off his mellow voice nicely. It's also interesting to watch Dean's subtle facial expressions in some of the scenes, and you'll notice that he is often focusing all his attention on Bing Crosby.

Sammy Davis' primary number ("Bang Bang") shows off his vocal and tap dancing abilities very well, although Sammy got a bit short-changed in this film...and you'll note that he's the only main character without a love episode.

But the best role of all -- though he doesn't appear until just about halfway through the film -- belongs to Bing Crosby...a "do-gooder" with some intentions that may be less than honorable. Crosby has 2 notable numbers, one with some kids and the other the lead in "Mister Booze". One can still see the old pro excelling even late in his life, and it's a pleasure.

Of course, Frank Sinatra's big number here is "My Kind Of Town", one of his signature songs.

Additional cast members do their jobs. I especially liked Robert Foulk as the original sheriff. But the cameo appearance of all time -- short lived though it was, was Edward G. Robinson -- a classic touch.

You need to watch for little touches in the dialog that are quite clever. For example, the telephone number at one point is Garfield...", in homage to John Garfield. Lots of little thing like that.

If there's one criticism I have is that the boys (Dean, Frank, Bing, and Sammy) didn't take enough care in lip-syncing the songs, and even some of the dialog. It's really quite noticeable and distracting.

This is a good film. Not one of the great musicals of the 40s or 50s, but a rather pleasant romp with the Rat Pack. Have fun watching it.

The Warner Brothers Blu-Ray disc I purchased was an excellent transfer.

not enough fun

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 6 February 2015]

It's the prohibition era in Chicago. Guy Gisborne (Peter Falk) with the help of the Sheriff takes over after assassinating Big Jim. Robbo (Frank Sinatra) was Big Jim's friend and refuses to go along. Will (Sammy Davis Jr.) is Robbo's right hand man in the north side. Pool hustler John (Dean Martin) is new in town and Allen A. Dale (Bing Crosby) is the director of an orphanage for boys. Gisborne starts a war with Robbo. Marian (Barbara Rush) is Big Jim's secret daughter and tries to hire Robbo to avenge his father's murder.

This film is more notable for what happened behind the scenes. The music is old fashion Rat Pack. It's great for fans of their style but none of it is really catchy. There is little energy and considering the circumstances, it's perfectly understandable. The camera style is rather pedestrian and the whole movie lacks pace.

sunshine on my heart

[lasswegas · 9/10 · 25 May 2004]

I don't want to comment on the quality of the movie, but there are only two movies in my life, that ALWAYS succeed to lighten my mood, when I am sad and down. One is "Robin and the 7 Hoods". (the other is Disney's "Junglebook"). There are much better movies on this planet, but the songs and humor in this one don't let me down. On "Mr. Booze" I show my qualification as a "Seat-Dancer". Hans Conried as the architect makes me laugh my head off, every time. I am a little disappointed that none of the other commentators featured the pool-billiard scene with Dino singing "Any Man who loves his Mother...". Any man who loves this movie is man enough for me...

funny characters brought to life

[willrams · 7/10 · 20 September 2002]

What an enormous gang of talent!! The Rat Pack is here; Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Der Bingle does a great job with Sinatra in da song "Der Boose", Sammy dances his feet off, and Peter Falk gives a lot of comedy; well, it just a souped up musical based on Damon Runyon characters; very enjoyable!

Not Even Modestly Entertaining, Overall Unbalanced Schtick Trying to Recapture the Success of "Guys and Dolls"

[classicalsteve · 5/10 · 31 December 2017]

Robbo a.k.a. Robin (Frank Sinatra) is a 1920's era Chicago mob rival of Guy Gisborne (Peter Falk). They operate speakeasy casinos which serve booze via broads along with the little vice machines: slots, roulette, etc. Sinatra's mentor Big Jim (Edward G. Robinson, uncredited; we see his portrait in Robbo's office) has just been snatched from Chicago to go that big speakeasy in the sky thanks to a new sheriff in town. The film begins with a rather "entertaining" outdoor funeral/send off where Big Jim's fellas give him a last goodbye with some singing, throwing hats, and some pistol shots, Just like they used to do when Capone was pulling Chicago's underworld strings.

Now that Big Jim is gone, Guy Gisborne wants his operation to join with Robbo's so they can clean up the town, i.e. monopolize the gambling and the booze. Guy even says it would be better to be "the best of friends rather than the worst enemies." Robbo replies "finish your drink", meaning he's declined the offer. A new pool hustler, Little John, has come into town and wants to help Robbo with his operation. Sammy Davis Jr, has a role as one of Robbo's lackeys but, like Martin, contributes little to the actual story.

Turns out Guy is a sore loser and ransacks Robbo's speakeasy. Robbo then returns the favor. Okay, it's about a rivalry between two mob bosses. But then it gets cheesy. Interspersed with this mostly harmless but absolutely fantasized scenario of the 1920's gang wars are a lot of songs, mostly forgettable. "All for One and One for All" is sung by Falk and company at the funeral of Big Jim. "Any Man Who Loves His Mother" is sung by Dean Martin. Of course Davis has a song and dance routine where he shoots up booze bottles in "Bang Bang", and when Crosby enters the story, it's not long before he sings as well. A song which should be fast-forwarded is "Don't be a Do-Badder" in which he and the orphan boys don green Robin Hood hats and sing and dance.

Then Frankie, I mean Robbo, meets a beautiful blonde, Marian Stevens (Barbara Rush) who wants to see Robbo in private. Turns out she doesn't want a night out with Frankie. She's the daughter of Big Jim, willing to pay good money to hit whoever offed her father. The hit is carried out, but Robbo claims he had no part of it but ends with $50 G's (that's $50,000). He wants to return the money, which ends up in a charitable organization helping disadvantaged orphans run by none other than Bing Crosby as Minister Alan A. Dale. Robbo becomes an instant celebrity and labeled as the "Robin Hood" of Chicago for his charitable contributions.

It starts to ring of "Guys and Dolls" meets "Going My Way" and/or "The Bells of St. Mary's" (where Crosby played a catholic priest, Father O'Malley). "My Kind of Town", Sinatra's big solo, was nominated for "Best Song" but there's not a lot here to cheer about. The scenario didn't take itself seriously about midway.

The real standout is Peter Falk as Guy Gisborne but his role as the rival mob boss seems to have been cut in favor of endless and seemingly pointless song and dance routines. At one point Sinatra, Martin and Crosby do a song and dance routine, replete with hats and canes, as if they've been rehearsing for the latest Vaudeville show.

Not a bad premise wasted on an unbalanced if not occasionally annoying script. The musical idea essentially ruined the seriousness of the story. It still could have been a comedy-drama fantasy but adding the musical numbers clouded and crowded what could have been a decent story,

One of The Best of the Classics

[kimmandera · 10/10 · 15 December 2020]

I was Extremely satisfied. The film was shot beautifully. The one liners were great, as the comedic value was a solid 10 as well for this era. Love seeing & hearing the Rat-Pack. The familiar songs were good as always, and the made for movie songs had that "toe-tapping", "head-bobbing", " Finger Snappin'" Effect that the Gang always seems to bring out, even in the least rythmic people. This is a good movie to watch for us that are oldies fans, but also for a more recent generation. As a CHCAGOAN, born & bred..... I gotta tell ya- the "My Kind of Town" (aka Chicago) scene when Robbo's found innocent was my favorite bit of the movie The Chi-Town references were good and accurate. Definitely one of the Greatest of the Greats.

Some Excellent Moments, Drags A Bit

[jayraskin1 · 7/10 · 11 February 2011]

This is a mixed bag. At times it seems a Chicago version of "Guys and Dolls" and at times it seems to be channeling "Some Like it Hot." Yet, only about 1/3rd of the scenes match the quality of those two films. Too much of the time, we seem to be watching a gangster movie skit from a 1960's television variety show.

Frank Sinatra could be very good in movies (e.g. "Man With a Golden Arm,") but he could also sleepwalk through a role, which he does here. He does wake up long enough to do a great number "Chicago: My Kind of Town," which was nominated for an Academy Award and should have won, "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from "Mary Poppins" won.

Fortunately, the comedy is provided in small, but delicious doses by Peter Falk, Sammy Davis Jr., Victor Buono, and Dean Martin. Martin's singing of "A Man Who Loves His Mother" is one of the softest and funniest ballads in any movie and Martin does it delightfully. Coincidentally, all of them would find their major successes in television in the 60's and 70's.

This was Bing Crosby's penultimate movie. He did do a remake of "Stagecoach" and continued on television for seven more years. While he is charming as usual and does a wonderful number with Martin and Sinatra, the movie changes mood with him. He's involved in a subplot with orphans and it suddenly seems as if twenty minutes of "Going My Way" was inserted.

Barbara Rush starred in a lot of big movies in the 1950's with top stars like Rock Hudson, Montgomery Cliff and Paul Newman. By 1960, she switched to doing mostly television and continued steadily in television for the next 47 years. She does her best with a poorly written part, but comes across a bit too serious for a light musical like this one.

This is not as good as "Ocean's 11," but much better than "Marriage on the Rocks," which Martin and Sinatra did the following year.

It is a must for Sinatra and Martin fans. Movie fans will find about an hour quite amusing and an hour tolerable.

The Rat Pack in Sherwood Forest?

[moonspinner55 · 3/10 · 27 April 2009]

No, but that might've made a more interesting picture than this false merriment set in Prohibition-era Chicago. Frank Sinatra coasts indifferently through his role as a gangster in 1928 trying to stay one step ahead of the law, aided by his faithful cronies. Sappy semi-musical doesn't even look good as photographed by William H. Daniels. It's a poor excuse to get the gang together: Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. Joined by Bing Crosby, Edward G. Robinson (uncredited), Victor Buono and--in the proverbial pretty girl role--Barbara Rush. A nice assemblage, true, but everyone here seems to be either distracted or suffering from a bad case of the blues (particularly Ol' Blue Eyes, who looks wrung-out). The film's only kick comes in seeing Crosby and Sinatra reunited from "High Society", and by Peter Falk doing lively work in a dim part. *1/2 from ****