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OCEAN'S 11 - BACKGROUND INFO ON ORIGINAL 1960 MOVIE

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Ocean's 11 is, to this day, regarded as the definitive (and almost certainly the best) of the "Rat Pack" movies. The Rat Pack, for the few that don't already know, was in the late 50's and early 60's a group of actors who also sung (or singers who also acted) comprising Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. The movie was made in Las Vegas during the day and the stars performed gigs at night at casino's which conveniently also featured in the film. The Vegas part of the shoot (according to Shaun Levy's book "Rat Pack Confidential"), took 25 days, of which Sinatra was around for 9. He owned a 9% stake in the Sands Hotel/Casino at the time and was more than happy with the extra publicity it got as a result of the movie

The Rat Pack movies that followed ("Assault On A Queen", "Robin And The 7 Hoods") were viewed as attempts to cash in in O-11's formula, namely Frank Sinatra and his pals generally living it up and having a laugh. It basically involved a group of ex-army buddies getting together to simultaneously rob 5 Vegas casino's (The Flamingo, Sands, Desert Inn, Riviera, and Sahara) on New Years Eve. I won't spoil it for you but let's just say that everything does not go entirely to plan.

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.

The first 50 minutes of the movie are, unfortunately, viewed widely as being a bit long-winded as the gang group up to plan the multiple heist, but the actual robbery itself and the aftermath is what makes this movie worthwhile. It has notably influenced some later movies as well. In particular it was "homaged" by Quentin Tarantino in Reservoir Dogs whereby the "rat pack" gang walk down the street in suits and sunglasses generally looking as cool as they can. In Ocean's 11 this happens over the novel end credits when Sinatra et al walk past the marquee of the "Sands" hotel which features their real names. Overall, a large pool of acting talent was used making the movie with Martin and Davis Jr also contributing songs ("Ain't That A Kick In The Head" and "E-O Eleven" respectively). The veteran director, Lewis Milestone, was notable for making the classic "All Quiet on the Western Front" thirty years earlier. The novel opening title credits were by the famous graphic designer Saul Bass (whose last credit sequence was for Martin Scorsese's "Casino", also set in Vegas). The movie also featured numerous cameo appearances by the day's big stars including Red Skelton, George Raft, and Shirley MacLaine.

US 27"x41" one-sheet poster for the original 1960 movie

Click here to see more images from the 1960 movie

This all adds up to a movie which has, to an extent, developed a cult following worldwide. Once you see it you'll know why as it really epitomises Vegas at a time when it was a lot less clinical and the mob ran the show. It was only a matter of time before someone got around to remaking it, namely Steven Soderbergh who is on a bit of a roll at the moment with his recent titles "Out Of Sight", "Erin Brockovich", and "Traffic" all highly acclaimed. He's also using 3 of the main stars of the above movies in the remake, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle.

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