Luck Be a Lady Tonight :: Warner Releases New Five-Film Frank Sinatra Collection

Reprise Records

It’s hard to believe Frank Sinatra would have been 100 years old this year. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has just released a nice five-film collection commemorating the occasion that is likely to make any serious or casual Sinatra fan swoon. The set includes three newly remastered Sinatra classics that have never been seen on Blu-ray before (Anchors Aweigh, On the Town and Robin and the 7 Hoods) two familiar fan favorites (Ocean’s 11 and Guys and Dolls), loads of bonus features and a beautiful 32-page photo book illustrating a candid, behind-the-scenes look at Sinatra’s illustrious film career.

Born Dec. 12, 1915, Ol’ Blue Eyes is one of the most enduring bona fide super stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. It’s astounding when one analyzes his accomplishments by the numbers: Sinatra was awarded 31 gold, nine platinum, three double platinum and one triple platinum album during his career, which spanned an impressive six decades. He also appeared in more than 60 films and produced eight motion pictures (many of which were also praised by critics, garnering various awards and nominations).

When I think of early musical legends that have inspired and influenced multiple generations, a few names quickly come to mind such as Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. What is it about Sinatra that allows him to remain so much in the forefront of popular culture nearly two decades after his death? Why is he remembered more fondly and more often than other successful crooners of his day, such as Bing Crosby or even the rest of the Rat Pack? Simply put, Sinatra had a sophisticated coolness about him. To quote ZZ Top, “Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp-dressed man.” Despite his lanky frame, he could fill a pinstriped suit admirably. Quite frankly, I wish more men in my generation shopped at his haberdasher for the right hats, ties and accessories. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. But the occasional night on the town in fancy clothes is the key to a woman’s heart. Whatever happened to the notion of wooing a woman? Take a tip from Sinatra and add more flair to your style every now and then — you may take the object of your affection pleasantly by surprise.

I’ve had a crush on Sinatra since I was a kid because of his beautiful eyes, mellifluous voice and because of some of the characters he portrayed on the silver screen. I’m a lifetime admirer of classic Hollywood leading men, which were never in short supply during that era. Clark Gable was stoic and dignified, while Cary Grant oozed gentlemanly charisma from every pore. Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire were affable and light on their feet. Jimmy Stewart was your average “boy next door” who had an earnest sincerity about him not often seen that made him adorable, while Marlon Brando could melt your heart with his untamed spirit and impressive acting prowess. Sinatra always struck me as cool in a subtle, not-at-first glance kind of way. I tend to fall for fictional characters who are slightly shy, awkward or misunderstood. Sinatra was a master at setting up that type of character.

MGM

In Anchors Aweigh, Sinatra plays a shy sailor on leave in Hollywood who wants to find himself a girl worth writing to and returning home to, so he enlists the help of the more outgoing “wolf of the Navy” sailor played by Gene Kelly. The two perfectly complement each other, and I really enjoyed this film. When Sinatra belts out, “I Fall in Love Too Easily,” I was right there with him, picking up the fragments of my heart off the floor. This is also the film in which you see Gene Kelly dance with the animated Jerry from Tom & Jerry — a feat nothing short of spectacular for 1945. In the bonus features, you’ll discover that originally Walt Disney was approached because they wanted Gene to dance with Mickey Mouse. Bonus features on this disc include the Hanna & Barbera making of “The Worry Song” from MGM: When the Lion Roars, the 1945 MGM short “Football Thrills of 1944,” the 1945 MGM short “Jerky Turkey,” and the original theatrical trailer for Anchors Aweigh. You’ll also find an interesting disclaimer describing how “Jerky Turkey” is a politically incorrect cartoon by today’s standards with stereotypes that were wrong then and today. And yet, it’s preserved in all of its politically incorrect glory for you to ponder.

MGM

1949’s On the Town finds Sinatra once more paired with Kelly, but this is not as successful as the first film. Overall, I felt Anchors Aweigh was a delightful piece from the era, capturing what it was like to be in the Navy just after World War II. It had a beautifully sad romantic triangle that had me rooting for both guys to get the girl. On the Town has a weaker love story. Once again, it’s about sailors on leave, but this time they run rampant in New York City (“New York, New York – the Bronx is up and the Battery’s down.”) Kelly falls in love at first sight with Miss Turnstiles (Vera-Ellen) after seeing her picture on the subway, while Sinatra romances a cabbie (Laverne & Shirley‘s Betty Garrett) and Jules Munshin romances a pretty anthropologist (Ann Miller) who thinks he bears a striking resemblance to a caveman in one of the museums the group tours while sightseeing. If you can get past the hokiness of the love stories, it really is wondrous to see Vera-Ellen dance with Kelly. Also look for Bewitched‘s nosy neighbor Gladys (Alice Pearce) as an unwanted blind date for Kelly when Vera-Ellen skips out on him. Among the bonus features on this disc were a 1949 MGM short titled “Mr. Whitney Had a Notion” featuring a young, handsome Lloyd Bridges, the 1949 MGM cartoon “Doggone Tired,” and the original theatrical trailer for On the Town.

MGM

However, the real gem in this collection is the beloved 1955 musical Guys & Dolls, starring Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine. Sinatra sizzles as “good, old reliable” Nathan Detroit — a gambler who’s responsible for managing “The Oldest Established Permanent Floating Craps Game in New York.” You never would have known how much Brando and Sinatra were said to have disliked each other due to their different acting methods from watching this musical perfection. I know it must have been hard for Sinatra to watch and listen to Brando sing one of his signature songs (“Luck Be a Lady”), but honestly I thought Brando’s voice was very distinct and he was capable of conveying so much raw emotion in his performance as Sky Masterson that perhaps Ol’ Blue Eyes was a tad jealous. That’s not to discredit Sinatra though. “Adelaide” is a poignant touch that was written for the film just to showcase his wonderful talent in an era when big stars could make such demands without the fear of being replaced. This disc had more bonus features on it than the rest, ranging from a documentary on “The Goldwyn Touch” to a vignette titled “From Stage to Screen” and Guys & Dolls stories as told from those who were behind the scenes.

Warner Brothers

The final two discs in the set represent Sinatra’s Rat Pack era in all of its heyday, with Ocean’s 11 and Robin and the 7 Hoods (which is such a great title!). Bonus features include Warner Bros. cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and crew, as well as special commentaries, a retro look at Las Vegas, a clip from The Tonight Show in which Sinatra and Angie Dickinson discuss the shocking ending of Ocean’s 11 (which I must confess I had never actually seen before now) and the original theatrical trailers for both films. When Sinatra is with his pals Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., the stars have never been more properly aligned.

All in all, Frank Sinatra: 5 Film Collection is a solid set to add to your personal home collection because I felt like they pulled out all the stops with the bonus features. I wish they had included From Here to Eternity or Young at Heart in this collection, for those are two of my favorite Sinatra film performances, but I understand their choices. There is something to appeal to the youngest or oldest Sinatra fan at heart. And if you’re left yearning for more because Sinatra is “just under your skin,” you can also download a digital bundle of 15 titles in Frank Sinatra: Ultimate Film Collection (also courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment).