Rat Pack movie magic

Those suited and booted Rat Packers didn't just make beautiful music together — they also sizzled on the silver screen, too. From heist capers to tongue-in-cheek action adventures, the films made by these cool chums are classic views...

Oceans Eleven (1960)
Probably only worth seeing as a salutory lesson in what happens when you have too much money and power, and not enough people telling you 'no', this uber-Rat Pack movie is a bit of a damp squib. Starring the whole gang of them as (guess what!) a gang of friends from World War 2, the plot focuses on their plans to rob a string of Vegas casinos in one night. Updated with far more style and panache by George Clooney et al in 2001, this version is stocked with sexist and racist jokes, as well as some truly appalling acting. But hey, sometimes you want to see some great actors in some real dross, doncha?

The Rat Pack
Not a movie, but an essential purchase for anyone pining after the golden era of 50's swingers. Comprising four separate documentaries produced by American network A&E, they traverse the well-documented history of the high-living Rat Packers, from their original roots as a group trying to break the tyranny of the movie studios, to their glorious days of stardom and finally through the feuds, women, booze and links to organised crime that ended it all. Deliciously dishy and chock-full of heady gossip.

Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)
Despite being filmed when the Rat Pack itself was in freefall (and Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop don't even feature in this movie), the 7 Hoods is a dose of silly good fun. Based on the Robin Hood tale, but updated to Prohibition-era Chicago (of course, Frankie in green tights wouldn't be cool enough), this spoofy yarn features Sinatra as Robbo, a likeable gangster, who along with his pal Will (Sammy Davis Jr), takes on the nasty Guy Gisburne (Peter Falk). Add in a fistful of rousing musical numbers and a freewheeling tone, this is widely considered the best of the pals' films.

Sergeants 3 (1962)
A remake of the Gunga-Din story, but this time set in the Old West, plucky ol' Blue Eyes and his friends attempt to supress an Indian uprising in this rollicking flick. However, this film disappeared into the Sinatra vaults some time ago, and fans have long been maligning its unavailability on DVD or VHS...boo!