ROBIN AND THE SEVEN HOODS

US, 1964, 117 minutes, Colour.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Falk, Barbara Rush, Victor Buono, Bing Crosby, Edward G. Robinson.
Directed by Gordon Douglas.

Robin And The Seven Hoods is one of several films made by the so-called 'Rat Pack' in the early '60s: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., along with their friends. Other films include Oceans 11, Sergeants Three, Four For Texas. This is a humorous gangster parody based on the story of Robin Hood - even taking the well known names. The setting is Chicago and a humorous look at the divisions in the city, gangster methods. Frank Sinatra seems at home in this kind of role as Robbo. However, Dean Martin seems much more relaxed as Little John. The surprise of the film is the casting of Bing Crosby as Allen A. Dale - it is one of his better comic performances - and also one of his last film roles. He seems to enjoy it thoroughly.

The film offers the opportunity for audiences to see Sinatra, Martin and Crosby singing together. There is also an opportunity for these three singers to work with Sammy Davis Jr. The songs, which punctuate the film rather oddly, are by Sammy Cahn and James van Heusen. Peter Falk - acting as he always does -is the villain. There is a guest role by Edward G. Robinson. The film is rather long, scattered in its comedy but always genial. Director is Cordon Douglas, maker of quite a range of films from musicals to gangster films and westerns. He directed Sinatra in such thrillers as The Detective, Tony Rome and Lady In Cement.

1. An entertaining comedy, parody?

2. The use of the Robin Hood story - its parallels with the historical detail, names? The humour of transferring it to the gangsters of Chicago? The conventions of the gangster film, the gangster parody? The genial gangsters, the pious man who wants to be a gangster? The wealthy woman? The oddball villain? How well did they blend?

3. The colour photography, Panavision? The humour of the credits? The recreation of Chicago in the '20s? The set of the speakeasy which could turn into a revival centre? The wealthy homes? The song and dance routines - the songs and their punctuating the film e.g. Peter Falk leading the tough looking gangsters, the Mister Booze revival sequence, the stars and their song about dressing smartly ( Style ), Sammy Davis Jr. and his gun song? The cast and their genial working together, the old competitiveness between Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby? The three crooners singing together etc.? The enjoyment of an 'in' film?

4. The enjoyment of the gangster plot: the opening with the birthday party for Big Jim, Edward G. Robinson and his speech, the humour of his being shot? Guy Gisborne taking over - and Peter Falk's characteristics. his running the meeting, the build-up to the confrontation with Robbo? His henchmen? The attack on Robbo, the attack back? The murder of the sheriff and his being planted in the concrete slab? The use of the deputy sheriff? The possibility of the deal with Marian and her trying to avoid him? The attack on the speakeasy and its becoming a revival centre? The come-uppance of Guy Gisborne and his being planted in cement as well? The comic portrait of the villain, the assistant sheriff and his size, cocoa, attempted deal with Marian?

5. Frank Sinatra as hero - his tough stances, the confrontation with Guy Gisborne, the pool game with Little John, the arrangements with Allen A. Dale and his accounting? The story to the papers about his Robin Hood generosity? The build-up of the empire? Robbo and the court case with Guy Gisborne's testimony? The rivalry with Little John? The success and the confrontation with Marian? Their losing out - and the final Santa Claus sequence? Frank Sinatra and the possibility of comedy role, satire, the songs with martin, Crosby, Davis?

6. Dean Martin's easygoing style as Little John? His pool song? Romance with Marian? Supporting the main stars? Sammy Davis Jr. as Will? The verve of his songs, the enthusiasm he put into the role?

7. Bing Crosby as Allen A. Dale - his piety, his wanting to be a hood, his interview, the song about his clothes, his song with the children, Mister Booze? His double dealings and success with Marian? An enjoyable comic performance?

8. Marian and her style, wealth, brains? The long table and her attempts to win over Robbo, John? Her encounter with Guy, with the deputy sheriff? Her winning out at the end - the reversal of the Maid Marian role?

9. The popularity of this kind of Americana - good-natured gangsters, the spoofing of conventions, the use of such a number of celebrities?