Ocean’s 11 (1960)

In Ocean’s 11, a gang of former Army buddies plan a massive heist, stealing from a Las Vegas casino. But the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray …

Ocean’s 11 (1960) starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop, Angie Dickinson

Josh Howard: They way I figure it is like this: the eleven of us cats against this one city…? 

Review

Ocean’s 11 is a classic heist film. It’s well planned, and well executed. Despite being done by a bunch of “amateurs”. But the saying that Murphy’s Law — “anything that can go wrong, will” — is in full effect. As is O’Toole’s Corollary: Murphy was an optimist.

The heist goes seriously wrong when a “retired” professional thief, well-played by Cesar Romero, figures out who is behind the Casino robbery. And he arranges with the casino to return the stolen money, in exchange for 30% “finders fee”. And offers the gang — the Ocean’s 11 of the title — the same, for “only” 50%. So, they decide they need to hide the money. And, use a casket of a deceased member of the gang.

And Murphy’s Law comes into full play at the end of the story, as the widow arranges for the funeral. I won’t spoil the ending, other than to say that it’s both fitting and hilarious!

Title Card: [Closing scene, the Sands hotel performers sign reads: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop]

Product Description

Ocean’s 11 (1960) (Sinatra Tribute) (DVD)

New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Roulette wheels spin, cards snap, slots chime, champagne fizzes, shows go on… and the lights go out. It’s the perfect time to steal a kiss or a $25 chip. But for Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) and 10 partners in crime, it’s the ideal moment to steal millions. Sinatra and offscreen pals Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop and more play army buddies who scheme to knock out power to the Vegas strip, electronically rig five big casino vaults and raid them all at the same instant. Packed with location-lensed glamour, sweaty suspense, swinging comedy and a stunning twist ending now in gorgeous hi-def, Ocean’s 11 is your entertainment best bet.

Special Features:

• Commentary by Frank Sinatra Jr. and Angie Dickinson
• Interactive Las Vegas Then and Now Map
• Casino Vignettes
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Excerpt Featuring Guest Host Frank Sinatra and Guest Angie Dickinson
• Theatrical Trailer

Cast of characters

• Frank Sinatra (High Society; The Manchurian Candidate) … Danny Ocean
• Dean Martin (Scared Stiff; Rio Bravo) … Sam Harmon
• Sammy Davis Jr. (Robin And The 7 Hoods; Salt and Pepper) … Josh Howard
• Peter Lawford (The Picture of Dorian Gray; Hook, Line and Sinker) … Jimmy Foster
• Angie Dickinson (Rio Bravo; Police Woman) … Beatrice Ocean
• Richard Conte (Call Northside 777; I’ll Cry Tomorrow) … Anthony Bergdorf
• Cesar Romero (Springtime in the Rockies; Two on a Guillotine) … Duke Santos. The not-quite-reformed criminal, who wants to cut himself in for 50% of the heist!
• Patrice Wymore (Chamber of Horrors; I’ll See You in my Dreams) … Adele Ekstrom
• Joey Bishop (Joey Bishop Show; Who’s Minding The Mint?) … ‘Mushy’ O’Connors
• Akim Tamiroff (Black Magic; Anastasia) … Spyros Acebos
• Henry Silva (Cinderfella; The Secret Invasion) … Roger Corneal
• Ilka Chase (Now, Voyager) … Mrs. Restes. Jimmy’s mother, who happens to be engaged to Duke. And spoils everything for Ocean’s 11.
• Buddy Lester (The Ladies Man) … Vince Massler
• Richard Benedict (The Juggler; It! The Terror from Beyond Space) … ‘Curly’ Steffans
• Jean Willes (The FBI Story; No Time for Sergeants) … Mrs. Bergdorf
• Norman Fell (Fitzwilly) … Peter Rheimer
• Clem Harvey (State Fair) … Louis Jackson
• Hank Henry (Robin And The 7 Hoods) … Mr. Kelly – Mortician
• Lew Gallo (Soldier in the Rain) … Adele’s Date
• Robert Foulk (The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm) … Sheriff Wimmer
• Red Skelton (The Red Skelton Hour) … Red Skelton
• George Raft (Black Widow (1954)) … Jack Strager

Songs

• Ain’t That a Kick in the Head
  • Performed byDean Martin
  • Written by Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen
• Eee-O-11
  • Performed bySammy Davis Jr.
  • Written by Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen
• The Tender Trap
  • by Sammy Cahn & Jimmy Van Heusen
• Learnin’ the Blues
  • by Delores Silvers
• Auld Lang Syne
  • Lyrics by Robert Burns
• Mother Machree
  • Music by Chauncey Olcott and Ernest Ball (1910)
  • Lyrics by Rida Johnson Young
  • Parody version sung by Dean Martin about Ilka Chase.
• I’m Gonna Live Until I Die (1954)
  • Words by Al Hoffman
  • Music by Walter Kent and Husband Curtis
  • Performed by Louis Prima and Keely Smith