Robin and the 7 Hoods
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| Robin and the 7 Hoods | |
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 DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Gordon Douglas |
| Produced by | Frank Sinatra |
| Written by | David R. Schwartz |
| Starring | Frank Sinatra Dean Martin Sammy Davis, Jr. Bing Crosby Peter Falk Edward G. Robinson |
| Music by | Nelson Riddle |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
| Editing by | Sam O'Steen |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | June 24, 1964 (U.S. release) |
| Running time | 123 min. |
| Language | English |
Robin and the 7 Hoods is a 1964 American musical film that transplants the Robin Hood legend to a 1930s Chicago gangster setting. Directed by Gordon Douglas and produced by Frank Sinatra, with a screenplay by David R. Schwartz, the movie stars members of the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr.) as well as Bing Crosby, Peter Falk, Edward G. Robinson, and Barbara Rush.
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[edit] Plot
"Big" Jim Stevens (Edward G. Robinson), undisputed boss of the Chicago underworld, gets an unexpected birthday present from his ambitious lieutenant, Guy Gisborne (Peter Falk). Instead of a stripper popping out of the cake, he gets shot by all the guests. With Big Jim out of the way, Gisborne takes over. The news does not sit well with Big Jim's friend and fellow gangster, Robbo (Frank Sinatra), and a gangland war breaks out.
Even after recruiting pool hustler Little John (Dean Martin), quick-draw artist Will (Sammy Davis, Jr.) and the rest of his seven hoods, Robbo's band is greatly outnumbered. In addition, the corrupt Sheriff, Octavius Glick (Robert Foulk), is on Gisbourne's payroll.
The lovely Marian (Barbara Rush), Big Jim's refined, well-educated daughter, asks Robbo to avenge her father's death (wrongfully attributed to the sheriff). She gives him $50,000 when the sheriff disappears (killed by Gisborne), thinking that Robbo did as she had asked.
Disdaining money he did not earn, Robbo donates it to a boys' orphanage. Its director, Alan A. Dale (Bing Crosby), notifies the newspapers and a media star is born: a gangster who robs from the rich and gives to the poor. Robbo finds it useful to have the public on his side. He invites the delighted Dale to join his gang.
Marian appears to have her own agenda. She first tries to ally herself with Robbo, only to be rebuffed. Then she attempts to seduce Little John into turning on his boss, but he's not buying what she's selling. She finds a willing partner in Gisborne, only to have Robbo dispose of him. The new sheriff, Potts (Victor Buono), proves useless as well. In the end, Marian finds a most unexpected accomplice in Alan A. Dale.
Between them, they are too smart for Robbo and his old-fashioned tactics. They turn public opinion against Robbo by framing him. When the dust settles, they end up in control of the city, while Robbo and his merry men are reduced to dressing up as Santa Claus to solicit charitable donations.
[edit] Cast
- Frank Sinatra as Robbo
- Dean Martin as Little John
- Sammy Davis, Jr. as Will
- Bing Crosby as Allen A. Dale
- Peter Falk as Guy Gisborne
- Barbara Rush as Marian Stevens
- Victor Buono as Deputy Sheriff Alvin Potts
- Robert Foulk as Sheriff Octavius Glick
- Edward G. Robinson as Big Jim (uncredited)
- Chet Allen as one of the Hoods
Peter Lawford was originally cast as Alan A. Dale, but when Lawford's brothers-in-law, John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, opted to stay at Lawford's house during a West Coast trip instead of at Sinatra's as originally planned -- Sinatra had built a helipad and made countless other arrangements for the eagerly awaited presidential visit -- a furious Sinatra ostracized Lawford from the Rat Pack. Crosby ended up cast in Lawford's role.
[edit] Music
Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the score. Crosby, still a major movie star at the time, wound up singing more songs than Sinatra. The memorable rendition of "Style" by Sinatra, Crosby, and Martin consists of the three singing about a hat not being a hat 'til it's tilted, but at the conclusion of each verse, Martin untilts his hat and wears it straight across his forehead!
"My Kind of Town" is the centerpiece number of the film. Orchestral versions of the song are the primary element of the opening and closing credits. A dance band also plays the song in Robbo's speakeasy. Sinatra sings the song to the citizens outside the courthouse after having been framed for, and acquitted of, murdering the sheriff.
[edit] Songs
- "My Kind of Town", performed by Frank Sinatra
- "Mr. Booze", Bing Crosby and others
- "All for One and One for All", Peter Falk and others
- "Don't be a Do-Badder", Crosby and the Mitchell Boy Singers
- "Any Man Who Loves His Mother", Dean Martin
- "Style", Sinatra, Crosby, Martin
- "Bang! Bang!", Sammy Davis, Jr.
[edit] External links
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