ShangLuda
Admirable film.
Fairaher
The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
Marva
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
writers_reign
This, the last of the so-called 'Clan/Rat Pack' movies was also marginally the best; the first entry, Ocean's Eleven, was a stylish caper movie with laffs, the second, Sergeants Three, and third, Four For Texas, were strictly for die-hard fans but Robin And The Seven Hoods has the style and polish of Ocean's and a much larger score by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen which is also far superior to the two numbers they wrote for Ocean's Eleven. This is an integrated score in the sense that the songs aren't meant to stand alone but to support and/or advance the plot which they do to a fare-thee-well but nevertheless one of them, the last, My Kind Of Town, performed by Sinatra to celebrate his being exonerated on trumped-up charges went on to become one of his signature songs, performed in his live concerts ever after. There's a great cameo from Eddie Robinson that kickstarts the plot and fine ensemble playing throughout. Recommended.
moonspinner55
...no, but that might have made a more interesting picture than this. It's Prohibition-era Chicago, and Frank Sinatra coasts indifferently through his role as a gangster in 1928 trying to stay one step ahead of the law, aided by his faithful cronies. Sappy semi-musical doesn't even look good! It's a poor excuse to get the gang together. Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. are joined this time by Bing Crosby, Edward G. Robinson (uncredited), Victor Buono and--in the proverbial pretty girl role--Barbara Rush. Yet everyone here seems to be either distracted or suffering from a bad case of the blues, particularly Ol' Blue Eyes, who looks wrung-out. The film's only kick comes in seeing Crosby and Sinatra reunited from "High Society", and by Peter Falk doing lively work in a dim part. *1/2 from ****
Spikeopath
After Chicago mob boss Big Jim is gunned down on his birthday, shifty Guy Gisborne takes control of operations. But Big Jim's favourite man, Robbo, is having none of it, and along with his loyal North Side Crew and a drifter known as Little John, set about stopping Gisbourne and his corrupt government pals in their tracks.Easily the best of the Rat Pack pictures, Robin And The 7 Hoods is a piece that is more befitting their respective talents. Containing great songs courtesy of Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, and boasting big time stars seemingly enjoying their respective roles, it is however a picture that possibly should be far far better. Perhaps it buckles under the weight of expectation with the names on show? Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr and Peter Falk, now that is some roll call in star appeal, or maybe it called for a better director other than safe and steady, Gordon Douglas? But what we get is a mostly enjoyable experience that almost comes dangerously close to outstaying its welcome.Personally to me it's a film that I rate higher than it deserves because I get such a kick out of watching these great entertainers enjoy themselves so much, Crosby and Falk in particular are having the time of their lives, with Crosby walking in and stealing the film from under the other's noses. There is also something special to me in a sequence as the gang ham it up gospel style for "Mr Booze", check out the looks on some of the guys faces, priceless cinema, whilst watching Old Blue Eyes sing "My Kind Of Town" will forever be a cherishable moment to me. There is a fair bit of interesting trivia attached to the picture which is readily available on this and many other internet sites, so I'll just move on a quickly surmise that Robin And The 7 Hoods should have been a classic, but for me personally I'll settle for hugely enjoyable. 7/10
CheshireCatsGrin
My grandfather grew up in Chicago during the time period represented in this film. As a child, I remember him singing My Kind of Town(Chicago is). I saw it once as a teen and loved it, so when it came out on DVD I went out and bought it. I was wondering if it was as good as I remember. It was actually better.The fact it is a B-movie speaks of the quality of films back in the 60s, not the lack of quality of this film.I'm not a Rat Pack fan, but I love Robin and Seven Hoods. It has just the right touch of comedy, music, and great ending.I knocked it down one point for the lengthy Bang...Bang! but yet I always find myself singing along with Sammy Davis Jr.Just try to get this on DVD, as they often cut a couple of the better numbers on TV(such as Don't be a Do-Badder) that add to the plot.
