In 1960, Frank Sinatras production company, Dorchester Productions agreed to produce a comedy heist film called Oceans Eleven. It was to star Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Angie Dickinson. Helmed by veteran director, Lewis Milestone, the story involved a group of World War II buddies robbing five Las Vegas Hotels on New Years Eve. Sinatra suggested filming on location in Las Vegas. Thus, the Sands became the base camp for the cast and crew of the hotel. For three weeks, from January 26th until February 16th, the Rat Pack as they were known, filmed their scenes during the day, retired to the Steam Room for a few hours and then took the stage in the Copa Room for two shows nightly. It was known as The Summit at the Sands and it quickly became the hottest ticket in town. Audiences were never sure just who would be taking the stage each night and if the rest of the Rat Pack would be there as well. This only added to the excitement. The Dinner Show at 8:00 pm was the tamer of the two nightly performances. Though it seemed as if the boys were ad-libbing their way through the evening, in reality, Joey Bishop was writing most of the material. The bar cart was wheeled on stage and for the next two hours, you were never sure of what would happen next. Film footage shows the five men at the top of their game. Sinatra had recently recorded Songs for Young Lovers and those songs became the soundtrack for the era. Martin proved that he was more than just a crooner and funnier than his reputation as a straight man for former partner Jerry Lewis had led people to believe. Davis provided the double whammy of singer and dancer. After the Dinner Show, they would have a break and then take the stage for the more raucous Late Show. Shirley MacLaine had agreed to do a small role in the film just so she could hang out with the Pack in Las Vegas. Celebrities poured into town to see the free-wheeling, seltzer-spraying shows. It was one of those defining moments in pop culture and the combination of Las Vegas and the Rat Pack was fused into the countrys psyche. They would all play the Copa Room through-out the 1960s as single acts but the memory remains of all of them onstage during the Summit. After the Late Show, the Pack would retire to the lounge where they would continue drinking and watch the entertainment such as comedian Dave Burton. They would often take the stage and clown with him. Then they would retire, catch some sleep and film the next day. The publicity the Summit provided the Sands was priceless. When Oceans Eleven was released later that year, the Sands figured prominently in the movie.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:03:22 +0000
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