Frank, Dean, and Sammy: Rat Pack Holiday Treats

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Martin, Davis and Sinatra in 1964’s Robin and the 7 Hoods

It wouldn’t be a holiday season without some classic Christmas songs from the three leading members of the Rat Pack, namely Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.

First up is the Chairman of the Board, with an animated clip of his recording of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and first introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 musical film, Meet Me in St. Louis. When Sinatra was getting ready to record it in 1957, he asked Martin, the lyricist, to revise the line “Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow.” He told Martin, “The name of my album is A Jolly Christmas. Do you think you could jolly up that line for me?” The new line became “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.”

Dean Martin is recruited by Santa and Mrs. Claus to handle Christmas duties while they sneak off for a tropical vacation in a 2021 video for “I’ve Got My Love To Keep You Warm,” which features Dean-o brought to life through a mix of photo collages and ‘60s-era animation.

Although the Irving Berlin composition from 1937 makes no mention of Christmas, it’s been associated with the holiday for decades.

Sammy, born Dec. 8, 1945, and the consummate triple threat (acting, singing and dancing), is represented here with “Christmastime All Over the World,” also written by Hugh Martin.

The three legends shared plenty of screen time together in movies and television, as well as onstage and on recordings.

Watch them close their 1964 gangster picture, Robin and the 7 Hoods, with a brief reprise of “Don’t Be a Do-Badder,” with an appearance by Bing Crosby