Frank Sinatra Signed B&W Photo

Did you know? The members of the original Rat Pack were a group of close-knit friends, namely Errol Flynn, Nat King Cole, Mickey Rooney, Jerry Lewis and Caesar Romero with their leader being none other than Humphrey Bogart! The origin of the moniker, Rat Pack, is something of a mystery but most are convinced it can be attributed to Lauren Bacall. Bogie and Lauren lived in a neighborhood called Holmby Hills and their group of celebrity friends were often referred to as the Holmby Hills Rat Pack. Later the name stuck to the group we traditionally call the Rat Pack; Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. Opened in 1952, the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip was considered the Rat Pack’s clubhouse and home. When a member would do a show the other loyal members would show up and do an impromptu performance! It was no surprise that once audiences caught on to this possible ‘WOW’ event, they began packing the casino. The Sands marquee often read: Tonight Dean Martin, Maybe Frank, Maybe Sammy. The ‘Pack’ recorded five live albums together, including the hugely popular 1960 “The Rat Pack Live at the Sands”. The movie “Oceans Eleven”, released in 1960, was the first movie all five members appeared in together.