The Rat Pack (1998)

My Review

“The Rat Pack” is a very interesting and well researched made-for-television movie about Frank Sinatra’s group of friends that included President John F. Kennedy. Producer Neal H. Mortiz, director Rob Cohen (“Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story” 1993), and teleplay writer Kario Salem put together a smooth and fast moving film that lasted two hours.

The diverse cast came up with some good performances. They include Ray Liotta as Frank Sinatra, Joe Mantegna as Dean Martin, Don Cheadle as Sammy Davis Jr., Angus Macfadyen as Peter Lawford, and Bobby Slayton as Joey Bishop. All seemed to capture the essence of these well-known celebrities’ personalities.

Others include William L. Petersen as President Kennedy, Zeljko Ivanek as Robert Kennedy, Dan O’Herlihy as Joseph Kennedy, Barbara Niven as Marilyn Monroe, John Diehl as Joe DiMaggio, Megan Dodds as May Britt, Veronica Cartwright as Rocky Cooper (Mrs. Gary Cooper), Kara Unger as Ava Gardner, and Robert Miranda as Sam Giancana. Those who lent their singing voices include Michael Dees as Sinatra, Warren Weibe as Martin, and Gunnar Madsen as Davis. Mark Adler was the very capable music director.

“The Rat Pack” was first broadcast on HBO on August 22, 1998. It was nominated for eleven Primetime Emmy Awards, winning three: Outstanding Art Direction, Outstanding Music Direction, and Outstanding Sound Mixing. It was filmed in and around Los Angeles, California.