tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36097717096810790242024-03-12T19:20:06.223-07:00Rat Pack ImpersonatorsRat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-54231518682304815412011-10-08T10:05:00.001-07:002011-10-08T10:36:01.498-07:00The Cannonball Run II<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxVZWeugv6tZftf68k2sWSeDQuCG_d36qbOFN40hxumPpU1JwBpu8RoWBl4hYwJhlv3lhe531cbWRLO12VkVmSANaPeVmJBQ8aiR5ETzf_U43IIlXm_y4WOaeqoBNgmah5FHRJGUgdQz5/s1600/CannonballRun2_72.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661168943886569138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxVZWeugv6tZftf68k2sWSeDQuCG_d36qbOFN40hxumPpU1JwBpu8RoWBl4hYwJhlv3lhe531cbWRLO12VkVmSANaPeVmJBQ8aiR5ETzf_U43IIlXm_y4WOaeqoBNgmah5FHRJGUgdQz5/s400/CannonballRun2_72.jpg" /></a> Rat Pack stars Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. appeared on the big screen in 1984, featured in a film called <em>The Cannonball Run II</em>. It was a sequel to the original Cannonball Run from 1981 which also starred Dean and Sammy, but this time they were joined in the cast by the Rat Pack's leader Frank Sinatra.<br /><br />The movie starred Burt Reynolds and featured stars including Dom DeLuise, Jackie Chan, Jamie Farr and Mel Tillis reprising their roles from the first Cannonball Run film. Also appearing were Ricardo Montalban, Telly Savalas, Marilu Henner, Tim Conway, Don Knotts, and Rack Pack friend Shirley MacLaine. Even Frank Sinatra's close friend, restaurant owner and Sinatra bodyguard Jilly Rizzo had a part.<br /><br />It's a broad action comedy like the original Cannonball Run, about a cross-country auto race based on a real race held in the 70's. The sequel brought in $28 million in box office receipts, falling well short of the original, but it is noteworthy as it represented Frank and Dean's final feature film appearances. <br /><br />For more information on the film, visit Wikipedia or IMDB, and for information on a contemporary tribute to the Rat Pack, visit <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat-pack.html">The Rat Pack Impersonators page </a>on the Web.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-36347429838695068232011-06-02T12:58:00.001-07:002011-06-02T13:12:21.636-07:00The Cannonball Run<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BT96rGj_jtu2DCe9u-7Jfl3pgG3soGncgigETv8S0lgm1xMUpkrt3Tgn_vcSi0xECyjRwdx34uX0M5c1JYKKEnfh9rdGWbaKlce53y8O8ijJs1mkz_JfkJl3SP2TXOyUkdNYY4y0BkVR/s1600/CannonballRun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613715183796390898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BT96rGj_jtu2DCe9u-7Jfl3pgG3soGncgigETv8S0lgm1xMUpkrt3Tgn_vcSi0xECyjRwdx34uX0M5c1JYKKEnfh9rdGWbaKlce53y8O8ijJs1mkz_JfkJl3SP2TXOyUkdNYY4y0BkVR/s400/CannonballRun.jpg" border="0" /></a>In 1981, the sixth highest-grossing movie of the year was an action comedy with a cast of many big name stars. It was the story of a cross-country road race based on a real race held in the 70's, and the film brought in 72 million dollars. It was called <em>The Cannonball Run</em>, and it starred Burt Reynolds, Dom Deluise and Farrah Fawcett. Directed by Hal Needham of <em>Smokey and the Bandit</em> fame, The Cannonball Run also featured Rat Pack stars Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., Dean as a former race car driver and Sammy as a scam artist, both disguised as priests who drive a red Ferrari.<br /><br />One unique part is played by Roger Moore, who spoofs himself, playing a character who seems to think he's Roger Moore, and who behaves like James Bond, even driving a silver Aston Martin like agent 007.<br /><br />There were still more stars in the film, including Jackie Chan, Terry Bradshaw, Mel Tillis and Peter Fonda, but in many reviews, viewers say Dean and Sammy steal the show. Three years later, Dean and Sammy returned for <em>The Cannonball Run II</em>, and this time, they were joined in the cast by an old friend named Frank Sinatra. <br /><br />From the Rat Pack Impersonators blog and the cast of a <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators show </a>seen in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and across America.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-85809626441415033482010-12-10T08:43:00.001-08:002010-12-10T08:55:38.383-08:00Johnny Carson and The Rat Pack<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl2nxbTJgEPB4LAMAXgwEQ72v6H0YC6IOxmWXWoSdWgfPpTZMtiOV9vhmCEDE_8jSeDQEBH1D-BRAhIPHCVpUV85smbi5CJOOgku9pGQb7b1di6OqnKh-z9DDid17n83kBWTaIELrlZXn/s1600/Johnny+Rat+Pack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549095459423775730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl2nxbTJgEPB4LAMAXgwEQ72v6H0YC6IOxmWXWoSdWgfPpTZMtiOV9vhmCEDE_8jSeDQEBH1D-BRAhIPHCVpUV85smbi5CJOOgku9pGQb7b1di6OqnKh-z9DDid17n83kBWTaIELrlZXn/s400/Johnny+Rat+Pack.jpg" border="0" /></a> Although he wasn't considered a Rat Pack member, Johnny Carson was definitely associated with all of the Rat Pack stars. Frank, Dean and Sammy were all repeated guests on The Tonight Show, and Dean's variety show was produced at NBC, very close to Johnny's Tonight Show studio. One classic Tonight Show episode features a mischievous Dean as a guest along with Bob Hope and comedian George Gobel. <br /><br />Johnny was also a guest on Dean's show, and was roasted on The Dean Martin Roasts. And Joey Bishop, who competed with Johnny at one point with his own late night talk show, was also a frequent guest host for Johnny. Frank guest hosted for Johnny one time as well.<br /><br />But the closest association of Johnny with The Rat Pack was when he filled in for an ailing Joey Bishop at a charity benefit in St. Louis for an organization called Dismas House, a halfway house for ex-convicts. The event, which took place on June 20th, 1965, was filmed and later released on video, featuring Johnny emceeing, and joining in during the musical finale. . .with some surprisingly good singing. <br /><br />The rundown of that show, featuring Dean opening, followed by Sammy and then Frank is often re-created by today's <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack Tribute shows</a>.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-73449772144949225742010-09-09T15:58:00.001-07:002010-09-09T16:18:51.992-07:00Four For Texas<p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlM0dFvwVRlwjXWlRRw3Zs1skhJUbCDqap4pdBDBKtG43opBEYxEpHDpAya6I0RVGnTbpR21jsJoHuFZC4pzkdRDsr2dH-iIo3owhgWeI03KiepklSlL0ggMPI0IWO0ew6CCFqtZo6uW9/s1600/4ForTex+DVD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515052321915067426" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlM0dFvwVRlwjXWlRRw3Zs1skhJUbCDqap4pdBDBKtG43opBEYxEpHDpAya6I0RVGnTbpR21jsJoHuFZC4pzkdRDsr2dH-iIo3owhgWeI03KiepklSlL0ggMPI0IWO0ew6CCFqtZo6uW9/s400/4ForTex+DVD.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br />It's considered the third of four Rat Pack movies produced in the sixties, but in this one, only Frank and Dean represent the group, which is missing Sammy, not to mention Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. Released in 1963, Four For Texas also featured romantic interests Anita Ekberg and Ursula Andress, and villain Charles Bronson, plus The Three Stooges.<br /><br />Frank and Dean play rival rogue types who join forces against a bad guy played by Bronson, and a corrupt banker played by Victor Buono, who also appeared in the final Rat Pack film, <em>Robin and the Seven Hoods</em>.<br /><br />Other cast members in small roles are some actors known to movie and TV fans. They include Yaphet Kotto, who starred as a James Bond villain in <em>Live and Let Die</em>, Richard Jaeckel of <em>The Dirty Dozen</em>, and Ellen Corby, who played the grandma on <em>The Waltons</em>.<br /><br />One more credit of note involved the Four For Texas music score, which was created by Frank's favorite arranger, the great Nelson Riddle.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-83136914343085733322010-07-26T11:36:00.001-07:002010-07-26T11:50:41.477-07:00Rat Pack Impressions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2rtbsuW2t0I4BDGrFJV18Dcfpys-KQU-SV7SyK84CKHRgFF9bX2Oueac4jxpG2AhK3r-bwUrIP9_xU8EHjAyMihk9sakl0Q8G0TJrCPl_qkMUBDTrgrZognwn1fgiHYi9uCHn3wj3l21/s1600/FDSOnStge.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498286245915436594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2rtbsuW2t0I4BDGrFJV18Dcfpys-KQU-SV7SyK84CKHRgFF9bX2Oueac4jxpG2AhK3r-bwUrIP9_xU8EHjAyMihk9sakl0Q8G0TJrCPl_qkMUBDTrgrZognwn1fgiHYi9uCHn3wj3l21/s400/FDSOnStge.jpg" border="0" /></a> When the Rat Pack performed, in addition to songs and jokes, there were often some celebrity impressions thrown into the mix. Dean did pretty good impressions of Clark Gable and Cary Grant, and Frank played around as James Cagney. But the real impressionist in the group was Sammy, who did some spot-on imitations, both talking and singing.<br /><br />But when it was time for the impressions, Frank and Dean pretended to make it hard for Sammy, by inviting him to the microphone and then cutting him off. They're seen needling Sammy this way during the Rat Pack benefit show filmed in St. Louis that's available on DVD.<br /><br />When Sammy did his impressions, they included great imitations of singers like Tony Bennett, Vaughn Monroe and Nat King Cole, with the crowning touch being his singing impressions of both Dean and Frank as they looked on.<br /><br />Today, you'll see impressions of Frank, Dean and Sammy performed by <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators</a>.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-8613728356892713102010-05-26T09:28:00.000-07:002010-09-05T21:44:32.455-07:00Rat Pack Impersonators keep Mr. Bojangles alive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA3eFKim3Ne_awiHNkVlRMzg1_Ac6KSWoaGckFlcyOV2xjYpVQHlXssGK2utpLJfRXuQiutDpfPes1z5OKZVmoThs0695ZJ8Vq0_vRAENTxO8OUbPjfnstEYhKVAp-rg69VdpfUyhMhIG/s1600/Sammy+Pk+BG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475616488028402930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA3eFKim3Ne_awiHNkVlRMzg1_Ac6KSWoaGckFlcyOV2xjYpVQHlXssGK2utpLJfRXuQiutDpfPes1z5OKZVmoThs0695ZJ8Vq0_vRAENTxO8OUbPjfnstEYhKVAp-rg69VdpfUyhMhIG/s400/Sammy+Pk+BG.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the most popular songs in a Rat Pack Tribute show is Mr. Bojangles, as it was performed by Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy's poignant treatment of the tune is captured by many of <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">today's</a><br /><a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators</a>. Sammy had an album titled Mr. Bojangles, and after his death, his wife Altovise launched a live stage show about Sammy's musical career, named after the song.<br /><br />But Mr. Bojangles, so associated with Sammy, was recorded by many diverse artists, including Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, John Denver, Chet Atkins, Elton John, Jim Croce, and Harry Belafonte, among others. In 1971, a version by a group called The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band reached number 9 on the Billboard pop chart.<br /><br />These days, you're most likely to hear Mr. Bojangles performed in Sammy's style during a <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat-pack.html">Rat Pack Tribute</a>, where a performer will put on white gloves and a derby and offer a vocal, whistling, some tap dancing, and a lot of emotion. . .the way Sammy did it.<br /><br />To see Sammy performing Mr. Bojangles, visit this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/ratpackremembered">Rat Pack Tribute Page at YouTube</a>.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-66771200573115276382009-12-26T17:40:00.001-08:002009-12-26T17:52:03.938-08:00A Frank and Bing Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ3-0nVsm3Fq-X4pOX8OE-K_2CeTcLVs6MWWgLsAUL9rLrKV3ECiPcZYaTb3T_h5fzZNzYzgXcX8ZnECqZR9VrC7zvaDD-JmD7iyufXwQzrPxBCXSYX59vypFcB_9B9EzChKdR2uluvMX/s1600-h/Frank+Bing+Orig.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419725033407619202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQ3-0nVsm3Fq-X4pOX8OE-K_2CeTcLVs6MWWgLsAUL9rLrKV3ECiPcZYaTb3T_h5fzZNzYzgXcX8ZnECqZR9VrC7zvaDD-JmD7iyufXwQzrPxBCXSYX59vypFcB_9B9EzChKdR2uluvMX/s400/Frank+Bing+Orig.jpg" border="0" /></a> Rat Pack stars Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were both influenced by Bing Crosby. And Bing had another Rat Pack connection as one of the stars of the Rat Pack film <em>Robin & The Seven Hoods</em>. So Frank and Bing were well matched for a Christmas TV special in 1957 called <em>Happy Holidays With Bing and Frank</em>. It has Bing dropping in on Frank for some banter and songs, which also includes scenes of the two stars in England, and a duet of Bing's signature song, <em>White Christmas</em>.<br /><br />The show is available on DVD and includes interviews with Frank's daughters Nancy and Tina. Plus, there's a photo gallery bonus of never-before-seen Christmas cards that show some of Frank's original paintings.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack Tribute shows </a>often include songs from this Frank and Bing special, performed by <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat-pack.html">Frank, Dean and Sammy Impersonators</a>.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-67723748602271747502009-11-17T14:51:00.000-08:002009-11-17T15:52:40.095-08:00Celebrating a Rat Pack Member's Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6cBODASGLCc3soqDuNNLe-Uyle-Ozx_zcFTWO-RnR_Zz5TU-QbkYCZhyphenhyphenmHLnZr-_OUxz66-eQxWP_1rFYcr0cCiTeXzmAMVzDGxptgqeRthooFADgRmDrS-QqipPvU0-A7t0go_wmBnF/s1600/Dean+Festival400.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405209302294443170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 335px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6cBODASGLCc3soqDuNNLe-Uyle-Ozx_zcFTWO-RnR_Zz5TU-QbkYCZhyphenhyphenmHLnZr-_OUxz66-eQxWP_1rFYcr0cCiTeXzmAMVzDGxptgqeRthooFADgRmDrS-QqipPvU0-A7t0go_wmBnF/s400/Dean+Festival400.jpg" border="0" /></a> Every year, Ohio is the site of a celebration of the life of Dean Martin in the city of Steubenville, where he was born and spent his early years. The event goes on for four days each June, the month in which Dean was born (birthday: June 7th) During the festival, locals and visitors take in parades, contests, Italian food, and plenty of entertainment including performances by <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat-pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators</a>. And of course, there are many fond reminiscences of Dean from people who knew him. It's an upbeat, fun event, with festivities including a meatball eating competition.<br /><br />The star of the Festival is Dean's daughter Deana who presides over the celebration and sings for the visitors. Deana happens to be a fine singer who does concerts around the country and has also hosted her own nationally syndicated radio show.<br /><br />To learn more about the Dean Martin Festival, visit the festival's official <a href="http://www.deanmartinsteubenville.com/">website</a>, and for a show re-creating Frank, Dean and Sammy, visit this tribute to the <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack</a>.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-48499282264443643312009-08-10T16:07:00.000-07:002009-11-17T15:09:48.718-08:00The Original Rat Pack around Bogart and Bacall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRjFrZMz-dM_FxtJw1gu5kcCM6EsxQRMmIasZ7ogOY-aMQuGRcAve-j33C03kmOaDoQMaUHK26Pwgun795U0SxnfcMTubtvlDNithbPFBhf2xnV1QcURQ9Nw2dbK80Lec8Jr_Ow8oo_jj/s1600-h/Bogart+Bacall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368475727932669218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRjFrZMz-dM_FxtJw1gu5kcCM6EsxQRMmIasZ7ogOY-aMQuGRcAve-j33C03kmOaDoQMaUHK26Pwgun795U0SxnfcMTubtvlDNithbPFBhf2xnV1QcURQ9Nw2dbK80Lec8Jr_Ow8oo_jj/s400/Bogart+Bacall.jpg" border="0" /></a> Before Frank Sinatra assembled his Las Vegas Rat Pack of the 60's, he was part of an earlier Rat Pack group of the 50's set in Holmby Hills California, near Beverly Hills. It centered around Humphrey Bogart and his wife Lauren Bacall, who is believed to have come up with the name, not necessarily as a compliment.<br /><br />There were even titles for the key members, with Bogart as rat in charge of public relations, Bacall as den mother, Judy Garland as first vice-president, her husband Sid Luft as cage master, and agent Swifty Lazar as recording secretary and treasurer, plus of course, Frank Sinatra as pack master.<br /><br />Other members of the original Rat Pack were actors David Niven, Katharine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy, director George Cukor, restaurateur Michael Romanoff, and Sinatra friend and songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen.<br /><br />Someone in the group even created a coat of arms -- a rat gnawing on a human hand, and a motto: "Never rat on a rat". But in spite of those refinements, and those official titles, the members' only real responsibilities were to show up and drink together.<br /><br />Today, it's Frank's 60's group that's re-created in theaters and casinos presenting tributes to the <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack</a>, featuring performers known as <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat-pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators</a>.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-59994950247004782862009-07-24T15:29:00.001-07:002009-11-17T15:09:30.516-08:00A Photographer In The Rat Pack<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfBfG3JKOIPHJb2qEuANSydoLfTObn2wJ7L567peGnZkN2hn32zf549Akiexlun3pBnYWdfrqsrepfbq0IsdVUw10ruRfShhDy3LLZYbii4-lUiuBko3Byi0XrmTY1Bbh9sNwmSuvB2W4/s1600-h/Sam+Pht+Bk.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion99JTDXdcNRtiM0Rm6ASxlOw7I1ZuR2DboqQ7dPdNILkxhIT-MGp3YRf8K7yaVO3gjHskeF2P8R-JcG635QO3HGRtPXSRilYNBYfdctudUpz9M7Y05kbD4CrU4HYX_W9f8ZXdzGiNBME/s1600-h/Sam+Pht+Bk.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362157608810354130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 373px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 338px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW-EYOfRtd_qVL31y2RQGv8EQUJD_NqcbC-xiyPyc1JNTssINgAbPPaOFk3-NAmS-1xEzlot5Q6dE2N2hGyYoXR6DKF8t7Hgx1E_X-8Y1TGPs-9GwXKefxPas7AyagCg575UlwtA3K6Dm/s400/Sam+Self+Port.jpg" border="0" />Besides singing and dancing, Rat Pack star Sammy Davis Jr. had another passion: Photography. He always had a camera on hand and took photos that often included his Rat Pack co-stars Frank and Dean, and other celebrities including Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, and James Dean.<br /><br />Sammy also captured up-close images of famous figures like Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. And he documented his everyday life as well as his participation in events like the 1963 Civil Rights march on Washington.<br /><br />Sammy's camera work is featured in a book called <em>Photo by Sammy Davis Jr.</em> which also features recollections by Sammy's friend and associate Burt Boyar, who also collaborated with Sammy on two autobiographies of this versatile performer who's so important to any tribute to <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">The Rat Pack.</a>Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-2236814181659677672009-07-18T11:16:00.000-07:002009-11-17T15:09:14.185-08:00A Rat Pack Party at Dean's House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M823vN3yv8UI3hnhQKHANDyHm9ZG5e2Vus1UWLeSJe1bkbhi3Bm0Pyd4ee4IX1FNfGmYAlgagurIWU6CcvVF7sMVEq7yfNNY1DLVfjaD3TP_jwKOAs7TWnFaRU_b9Y-uy5P72uUpqTMR/s1600-h/DF+Golf+cart.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359866750604751618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 343px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M823vN3yv8UI3hnhQKHANDyHm9ZG5e2Vus1UWLeSJe1bkbhi3Bm0Pyd4ee4IX1FNfGmYAlgagurIWU6CcvVF7sMVEq7yfNNY1DLVfjaD3TP_jwKOAs7TWnFaRU_b9Y-uy5P72uUpqTMR/s400/DF+Golf+cart.jpg" border="0" /></a> According to Frank Sinatra's longest running opening act, comedian Tom Dreesen who related this story to the <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators Group</a>, a party one night at Dean Martin's house took an unexpected turn. The guys were all there, along with some other guests, as a trio played and people joked and drank. About 11:00 PM the doorbell rang and when Dean's wife answered it, she saw the police standing there. They told her that there were complaints about the noise. Jeannie was surprised, because she had alerted the neighbors that there was going to be a get-together, and they were all fine with it.<br /><br />Then Frank noticed that Dean was nowhere to be found. He went to Dean's bedroom where he found Dean on the bed. It soon became clear who blew the whistle. Dean, who had a passion for golf, explained that he wanted to get a good night's sleep and get up early to play, thus becoming possibly the first person ever to call the police on <em>his own party.<br /></em><div></div>Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-39432619086879979242009-07-12T11:01:00.000-07:002009-11-17T15:08:48.097-08:00Me And My Shadow & The Rat Pack<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a60_fXU1_g7l5nhqGmxIQHvSR8B0A22MhsSHIy53Mm8GFSF0gNPMcFBaSydv8_T3fWh4WMBSVDSWi6Z81N1eP76_7rAz3CCUCpG5JEMBBipdCWzstE4nyVXkWuFeo9GHfczjlyt8ZRtb/s1600-h/Frank+Sammy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357636176403041506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7a60_fXU1_g7l5nhqGmxIQHvSR8B0A22MhsSHIy53Mm8GFSF0gNPMcFBaSydv8_T3fWh4WMBSVDSWi6Z81N1eP76_7rAz3CCUCpG5JEMBBipdCWzstE4nyVXkWuFeo9GHfczjlyt8ZRtb/s400/Frank+Sammy.jpg" border="0" /></a>Rat Pack stars Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. performed many solo hits during their Rat Pack years. But one song, <em>Me And My Shadow,</em> teamed up Frank and Sammy for some playful singing and dancing. And the lyrics about closeness between two friends fit them well. They even had a version with special lyrics making reference to things like the Kennedys with Frank and Sammy singing "we're closer than Bobby is to JFK". Their special lyrics also referred to Frank's restaurateur friend Toots Shor and Frank's best friend Jilly Rizzo, also a restaurant owner and regular Sinatra companion.<br /><br />Rat Pack fans might think the song originated with Frank and Sammy because it was so appropriate, but it had history long before they performed it. It goes back to 1927 and was written by Billy Rose and Dave Dreyer, with a credit also for Al Jolson, whose name often appeared with the writers.<br /><br /><em>Me And My Shadow</em> was performed by many singers over the years, including Perry Como, Judy Garland, Vic Damone and Peggy Lee. Today, the song is performed more than ever, as a regular number during <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">shows by Rat Pack Impersonators</a>. A performance of <em>Me And My Shadow</em> by Frank and Sammy appears on the DVD titled <em>Sinatra: The Classic Duets</em>.Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-82120906209188279212009-06-27T10:34:00.000-07:002009-11-17T15:08:23.495-08:00Michael Jackson ImpersonatorsThe legendary stars with the most impersonators paying tribute to them would be Elvis and Marilyn Monroe of course, and there are also several <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat-pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators</a>, not to mention Cher and Neil Diamond acts. But right up there with that group would be impersonators of Michael Jackson. There are many accomplished performers who transform themselves into MJ, even creating the look of his much modified nose. Some even do a remarkable job of moving on stage like Michael did.<br /><br />They will probably enjoy a resurgence of interest with audiences who will want to re-live Michael's legacy, at least in a tribute.<br /><br />Most of them are in the U.S. like the most prominent performers E'Casanova and Joby Rogers, both of whom could claim the support and encouragement of Michael. But MJ impersonators have even turned up in far away locations like the People's Republic of China where you'll find someone named Wu Di, the performer seen here in Beijing.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352065789968074578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmtH56908r3NCqTHvr9kLFIMQ-UHXrpwkKQ-Ym6LOCez3w27yHrPQ5pyhkDRPb4Tnap7nuTl822qGioTULx-Ym_t3G4aGafzzIlqbE0hqEsov7yK8zAO_XtZ3KGG2d3D7P8q9fpXIQPvS/s400/MJChina.jpg" border="0" />Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3609771709681079024.post-87708906058140308022009-06-14T12:24:00.000-07:002009-11-17T15:07:37.754-08:00Rat Pack Impersonators Songs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqorr9JESWJZ6e2OIllHili2JDBQBkgxODmM7f7h1gPRsjefxNgdAoyY5zdCFA4GC5WHuxcCEaWfsWSK-y1QGVvDDCcJSIhBPMWGajh0gBU0jqXIMsuJqQC8quI6U-JXawyibpF4ejdjg2/s1600-h/Rat+Pack+Impersonators.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347272183179567074" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqorr9JESWJZ6e2OIllHili2JDBQBkgxODmM7f7h1gPRsjefxNgdAoyY5zdCFA4GC5WHuxcCEaWfsWSK-y1QGVvDDCcJSIhBPMWGajh0gBU0jqXIMsuJqQC8quI6U-JXawyibpF4ejdjg2/s320/Rat+Pack+Impersonators.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Some <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/rat_pack.html">Rat Pack Impersonators groups </a>start their show with their Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. tribute artists taking the stage all at once for an opening song. It might be <em>Where Or When</em> or <em>The Lady Is A Tramp</em>. After that, one of the performers usually remains on stage for some solo songs, after which the others also take their turns for solos. </div><br /><div></div><div>There are almost always duets of <em>Me And My Shadow</em> featuring the Sammy Davis and <a href="http://www.franktribute.com/">Frank Sinatra impersonators</a>, and <em>Sam's Song</em> with the Dean and Sammy acts. </div><br /><div></div><div>Popular songs for all three to perform include <em>Luck Be A Lady</em>, <em>Birth Of The Blues</em> and <em>Mack The Knife</em>. </div><br /><div></div><div>And finally, the show often includes two Frank Sinatra titles that aren't really Rat Pack era songs, but are crowd pleasers. And those would be <em>My Way</em> and <em>New York, New York</em>. </div>Rat Pack Impersonatorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207109186621204866noreply@blogger.com