Ultimately of course the boys are victorious, the Native Americans are subdued, and there are laurels and acclaim for all. Along the way there is a subplot where Peter Lawford (being the oldest of the bunch), wants to retire after his enlistment runs out after their initial pursuit of the Native Americans. He does in fact retire, but Frank Sinatra tricks him into rejoining the ranks when it is learned that Dean Martin has been captured by them.
And if it sounds a bit disjointed, no worries. Because the film is disjointed as well. This could have been a really good picture as all the elements were there. The Rat Pack were never short on talent and here they even have a quality director but the ingredients never really come together.
At heart is, as mentioned before, the true inability to decide if they want to make a classic western or a comedy. Sadly, they chose a middling ground which truly doesn’t work. If you want to see a western comedy, try Blazing Saddles, which can’t really be beat in this area. If you want a western, there are countless better examples.
But again, the Rat Pack made their movies as an excuse to get paid to be together. The movies themselves were really an afterthought. From that perspective, if you are a fan of either the Rat Pack or any of it’s individual members, this is one you will want to check out; if for no other reason than that it does have the entire Rat Pack. If you are a passing fan, perhaps skip it.
No review copy provided.