If you discovered a sealed box full of undeveloped films with the warning ‘Do not print’ emblazoned across it, what would you do with it? The obvious temptation would be to ignore the message. Especially if you knew the rolls contained never-before-seen pictures of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr in their prime.
So, in the ‘do whatever they wanted to’ spirit of the Rat Pack, when film historian Tony Nourmand unearthed such a box, that’s exactly what he did. New book, The Rat Pack, is the result.
The collection, which includes unseen snaps by various photographers, shows the iconic gang behind closed doors, partying at Vegas casinos and Miami restaurants, and laughing at antics such as Sinatra whipping a tablecloth off a table, launching crockery into the air in the mid-Sixties.
The book is published in a limited run of 2,250 copies, retailing at £400 apiece. That’s a decent profit margin based on the price of developing some old films.
The Rat Pack is out on November 11, www.reelartpress.com
Frank and Jack
Sinatra supported John F. Kennedy for many years, but was ultimately snubbed by the President because of his links to organised crime, specifically his friendship with Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana.
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Frank and Marilyn
Frank and Marilyn became close following her divorce with writer Arthur Miller. Sinatra bought her a poodle to replace the one she lost in the divorce. She named it 'Maf', short for 'mafia'.
© 1978 Bernie Abramson/mptvimages.com
Frank, Deano, Joey and Sammy
The Rat Pack (L to R Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Sinatra and Joey Bishop) at play on the set of Ocean's 11. Missing is Peter Lawford, the man who gave Sinatra access to the Kennedy clan thanks to his marriage to Patricia Kennedy.
© 1978 Sid Avery/mptvimages.com
Frank and Jerry
Frank gets some friendly harassment from Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin's partner in crime.
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Frank and Deano
Frank and the rest of the Rat Pack never referred to themselves by that name. They always called themselves either 'The Clan' or 'The Summit'.
© 1978 Bob Willoughby/ mptvimages.com
Frank and the tablecloth
Frank whips a tablecloth in a Florida hotel in 1964.
John Dominis/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Frank and the chair
Frank collapses in hysterics following his tablecloth trick. It must have been a good one.
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Frank and Dean
Though Frank and Dean Martin were great friends, Deano often shied away from the antics of the rest of the Rat Pack. When on stage doing his boozy crooner schtick, legend has it he would often be drinking apple juice rather than whiskey.
John Dominis/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
