John F. Kennedy, the Rat Pack and Oceans 11 - JFK Signature, Photos, and Home Movies. American history and show business cou...

Description

John F. Kennedy, the Rat Pack and Oceans 11 - JFK Signature, Photos, and Home Movies. American history and show business coupled colorfully, dynamically and unforgettably in 1960 when John F. Kennedy, in his ultimately victorious bid for the Presidency, joined social forces for a time with Hollywood's "Rat Pack." The glamorous dignity of the handsome young senator who would be President comes together with the showmanly sizzle of the Frank Sinatra gang in this truly fascinating lot. All of the items date from Las Vegas in the spring of 1960, during the shooting of the original Oceans 11.

First of all are seven snapshots, taken by the consignors, a Canadian husband and wife on holiday who indulged their irresistible urge to hang around the Vegas strip site where the dashing Senator Kennedy (around the time of his 43rd birthday) was watching the shooting of the movie. The snapshots include two pictures of a relaxed JFK with Peter Lawford (then married to Kennedy's sister Patricia), as well as shots of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop. Then there's a color home movie taken by the Canadian couple, showing the Rat Pack between scenes, including amazing shots of the modest 1960 Vegas skyline - and terrific footage of Davis going into an impromptu dance just for our vacationers from north of the border! (Kennedy does not appear in the footage.)

Director Lewis Milestone finally offered the determined couple a chance to party with the group that night if they would stay out of their way during the shooting. Although they managed to get snapshots and home movies anyway, they later joined the evening festivities, and took Peter Lawford's table place card as yet another souvenir - with the autographs of Lawford and Kennedy. Additionaly, they had Dean, Frank, Sammy, and Joey sign an additional card! The signed cards are included in this lot, as are the snapshots, the original eight millimeter film, its canister, and a DVD copy of the footage.

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