Sammy and Dino Episode 6: The Rat Pack /
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
In the early 40s, both Dean and Sammy idolized Frank Sinatra. 20 years later, they became Sinatra’s cohorts in the Rat Pack, and, through Vegas gigs and increasingly disposable movies, the trio set a standard for grown men behaving badly that’s still influential today. In this episode, we’ll reveal what the Rat Pack’s Vegas shows were really like -- racist, homophobic, misogynist warts and all. We’ll also discuss the web of corruption linking these performers to the Mafia and the Kennedys, culminating in the death of an actress, and the death of the pretense that the Rat Pack racket was all innocent fun.
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Peter Lawford in Ocean's 11 , 1960
Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra onstage, c. 1960s
Music:
The music used in this episode, with the exception of the intro, was sourced from royalty-free music libraries and licensed music collections. The intro includes a clip from the film Casablanca.
Excerpts from the following songs were used throughout the episode:
Everybody Loves Somebody - Dean Martin
Eee-O-Eleven - Sammy Davis Jr
Chai Belltini - Vermouth
Ranch Hand - Truck Stop
Gin Boheme - Vermouth
Entrance Shaft 11 - The Depot
Lowball - Vermouth
Flaked Paint - The Depot
Gibraltar - Unheard Music Concepts
Two Dollar Token - Warmbody
Laser Focus (Piano Improv) - TinyTiny Trio
Cab Ride - Pacha Faro
Guild Rat - El Baul
Alum Drum Solo - Azalai
JFK and Frank Sinatra, c. 1961
Credits:
This episode was written, narrated, and produced by Karina Longworth.
Our editor this season is Evan Viola.
Research and production assistant: Lindsey D. Schoenholtz.
Social media assistant: Brendan Whalen.
Logo design: Teddy Blanks.
