Robin and the 7 Hoods [Repackaged]

Director: Gordon Douglas Gordon Douglas

Overview

Promptly after being the recipient of a gangster rendition of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," mafioso Big Jim is gunned down at his birthday party. Immediately Guy Gisborne (Peter Faulk) claims new reign of Jim's territory. Robbo (Frank Sinatra) quickly warns Guy to keep his nose out of Chicago's north side, but the two gangsters are by no means cooperative. Amidst gang wars and police raids, Big Jim's daughter Marian (Barbara Rush) offers Robbo $50,000 to avenge her father's death. Though the culprit is no longer living, Marian sends Robbo the cash anyway. Robbo orders his goon Will (Sammy Davis, Jr.) to dispose of the money. Will offers the sum to the Blessed Shelter Orphans Home run by Allen A. Dale (Bing Crosby)--in Robbo's name. Delighted, Father Dale informs the Chicago press and soon Robbo is regarded as the modern-day Robin Hood. Robbo soon begins to fall for Marian, but eventually learns that she, too, knows how to play the criminal game--and with, of all people, Robbo's pal John (Dean Martin). With such a cast of famous songsters, Robin and the Seven Hoods is full of musical performances including the popular tune at the time, "Style," sung by Martin, Crosby and Sinatra. Nelson Riddle contributes his musical abilities, as well.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/13/2008
UPC:	0883929007578
Original Release:	1964
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	2:03:00
Sales rank:	25,961

Special Features

Commentary by Frank Sinatra, Jr.; Vintage featurette What They Did to Robin Hood; Cast/filmmaker profiles; Theatrical trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Frank Sinatra	Robbo,Gisborne's Hood
Dean Martin	John
Sammy Davis Jr.	Will
Bing Crosby	Allen A. Dale,Robbo's Hood
Edward G. Robinson	Big Jim
Peter Falk	Guy Gisborne
Barbara Rush	Marian
Victor Buono	Sheriff Potts
Barry Kelley	Police Chief
Hank Henry	Six Seconds
Robert Carricart	Blue Jaw
Allen Jenkins	Vermin
Jack LaRue	Tomatoes
Hans Conried	Mr. Ricks
Sig Rumann	Hammacher
Robert Foulk	Sheriff Glick
Sonny King	Robbo's Hood
Richard Bakalyan	Robbo's Hood
Phil Arnold	Hatrack
Harry Swoger	Soup Meat
Joseph Ruskin	Tick
Bernard Fein	Charlie Bananas
Carol Hill	Cocktail Waitress
Diane Sayer	`Booze' Witness
William Zuckert	Prosecutor
Richard Simmons	Prosecutor,Prosecutor
Milton Rudin	Judge
Maurice Manson	Dignitary
Chris Hughes	Jud
Harry Wilson	Gisborne's Hood
Joe Brooks	Gisborne's Hood
Roger Creed	Gisborne's Hood
Carolyn Morin	House Guard
Aldo Silvani	Guard,Robbo's hood
Joe Gray	Hood
John Delgado	Hood
Boyd 'Red' Morgan	Hood,Actor
John Pedrini	Hood
Al Wyatt	Hood
Tony Randall	Hood
Eddie Ness	Lawyer
Frank Scannell	Lawyer
Thom Conroy	Butler
Joey Jackson	Butler
Linda Brent	Woman Derelict
Jerry Davis	Boy,Actor
Manuel Padilla Jr.	Boy
Mark Sherwood	Boy
Ronnie Dayton	Man
Larry D. Mann	Workman
Manuel Padilla	Actor
Mickey Finn	Barkeeper
Sammy Cahn	Composer
Nelson Riddle	Composer
Jimmy Van Heusen	Composer

Technical Credits

David R. Schwartz

John Murray

Gordon Douglas	Director
David R. Schwartz	Screenwriter
Frank Sinatra	Producer
Howard W. Koch	Executive Producer
John Murray	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

"Breezy" isn't the first word that always comes to mind when dealing with gangster films, but it's applicable to Robin and the Seven Hoods, a decidedly lighthearted little excursion into gang territory. "Bizarre" also applies, but the film is so innocuous that the oddness doesn't get in the way. Rat Pack fans will be the most delighted by Robin, but while it certainly helps to like the kind of in-jokes that permeate the film, even those "not in the know" will find it enjoyable, if awkwardly structured and a bit long. The Sammy Cahn/Jimmy Van Heusen score has some truly atrocious lyrics, but composer Van Heusen knew how to write for this cast, and the songs fit very well with their voices and styles. Frank Sinatra is in his full mid-'60s mode, tossing off lines carelessly and giving an effortless, relaxed performance -- as do Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, leaving the field clear for Sammy Davis Jr. to supply pep and vitality. Fortunately, the relaxed nature of so much of the cast comes across as sheer ease, and the leads all seem to just be having fun. All of this allows Peter Falk to practically walk away with the film with his wonderful Gisborne, and walk he does. Robin runs out of steam before its finish and could easily have stood to lose 15 minutes, but it's a genial and amusing little time capsule.