E! True Hollywood Story Season 6 Episode 10 The Rat Pack
- December 5, 2001
The E! True Hollywood Story delves into the glamorous lives of legendary performers known as The Rat Pack in season 6 episode 10. Comprised of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, The Rat Pack was the ultimate Hollywood supergroup of the 1960s.
The episode begins by chronicling how the charismatic and talented Sinatra, who had been a solo artist for years, began to assemble his group of friends and fellow performers. Over the course of many nights, they would congregate at the famous Cal Neva Lodge in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, where they would enjoy each other's company and put on impromptu shows for the other guests.
Through a mix of archival footage and interviews with experts and those close to the group, the episode explores how The Rat Pack became the ultimate symbol of cool in 1960s America. The group's members were known for their sharp suits, smooth tunes, and devil-may-care attitudes, and they quickly became icons of the era.
Viewers learn about the individual members of The Rat Pack, including their relationships with each other and their offstage lives. For example, Sinatra was known for his tumultuous relationships with women, including his marriages to Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow. Dean Martin, on the other hand, was known for his laid-back attitude and his role as the group's resident drunkard (although, as the episode reveals, his reputation may have been overstated).
The episode also explores the group's relationship with President John F. Kennedy. Sinatra, who was a friend of JFK's, campaigned heavily for him during the 1960 election, and The Rat Pack was often seen as part of the president's inner circle. However, as the episode reveals, the relationship between the president and the performers was not always smooth, and there were tensions between them.
As the episode progresses, it explores The Rat Pack's rise to fame and their impact on American culture. Viewers learn about the group's famous performances, including their shows at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, which became legendary for their combination of music, comedy, and general debauchery.
However, as the episode reveals, The Rat Pack's success was not without its downsides. The performers were often criticized for their behavior, which was seen as both sexist and racist at times. Their association with organized crime figures also led to controversy, with some accusing the group of being in league with the mob.
Towards the end of the episode, the focus shifts to the group's eventual breakup. While The Rat Pack remained friends for many years, their heyday ended with the death of President Kennedy in 1963. As the episode reveals, the group's members began to go their separate ways, with Sinatra returning to his solo career and the others pursuing their own projects.
Overall, the E! True Hollywood Story's episode on The Rat Pack is a fascinating look at one of the most iconic groups in American history. Through a mix of interviews, archival footage, and insightful commentary, the episode provides viewers with a comprehensive overview of the group's rise to fame, their impact on popular culture, and their eventual breakup.