Post #100114 by Satan's Sin on Tue, Jul 6, 2004 4:46 PM

Yes, saw "The Rat Pack," lots of good stuff, but as is always (bizarrely!) the case, when I do research into an historical story that I've seen on movie or TV, the "real" story is invariably more outrageous/lively/scandalous/dramatic that the screen story.

Yes, Sinatra had to eat a lot of s*%$ in order to stay close to the Kennedys, mostly from Joe Sr. -- the "ambassador" -- in a perfect example of my opening para, Joe Sr. came to visit Sinatra at his Palm Springs hideaway on business, and after biz was done Joe demanded booze and a prostitute. Said prostitute was quickly provided but soon thereafter she screamed and ran from Joe's room, and after she quieted down she told Sinatra that Joe wanted her to hold still while he stubbed her with his lit cigar, but she just couldn't take it. Sinatra paid her off and she went on her way.

(above story is from "Mr. S," by Sinatra's former valet -- very interesting reading. You'll also find out some interesting details about Yul Brener, too.)

On Sammy Davis, Jr. -- it was Joe who demanded that Sammy stay away from the inaugural events, and yes, it was because he'd married a white woman.

Joe was a tyrant to his family, too, and during one tirade told his (almost) grown children that they were spending too much money and they had to cut back or they'd be ruined.

Afterwards, JFK comforted his weeping sister by saying "there, there -- it'll be all right -- we'll just ask dad to work harder."