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 The Cannonball Run, and it starred Burt Reynolds, Dom Deluise and Farrah Fawcett. Directed by Hal Needham of Smokey and the Bandit 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.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.
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 The Cannonball Run II, and this time, they were joined in the cast by an old friend named Frank Sinatra.
From the Rat Pack Impersonators blog and the cast of a Rat Pack Impersonators show seen in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and across America.
