Search - Tony Rome on DVD

Pleasing 60's mystery thriller

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 05/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first in two films featuring Sinatra as the title detective, "Tony Rome" is about as hardboiled as the 60's would allow with witty dialog and strong performances from a veteran cast. Sinatra's delightfully cynical performance as Rome and a couple of twisted performances by Gena Rowlands and Simon Oakland keep this film interesting. Rome is called in by his ex-partner to return the daughter of a wealthy businessman (Simon Oakland) found passed out in a seedy hotel room. When Rome's ex-partner is found dead and the girl's diamond pin is found missing, Rome finds himself hip deep in the middle of a new unwelcome mystery to solve. Rome meets and romances the wealthy and cynical Anne Archer (Jill St. John) and he must figure out if she figures in the mystery as well.

I detected no digital flaws. A very sharp, nice transfer "Tony Rome" looks really good on DVD with some minor analog flaws that crop up from time to time in the form of film splotches found, no doubt, on the original negative. The mono sound comes across with nice presence and the dialog is crisp and clear throughout.

We get trailers for a variety of Fox films from the 1960's. My favorite is for one horror of the 60's "Fathom" and a interesting formula western "Bandolero!" both featuring Raquel Welch. The latter film is memorable for Jimmy Stewart and Dean Martin who appear as brothers(!) in the film. There's also Raquel Welch in the "Fantastic Voyage" and other interesting trailers.

A solid, fun mystery with a memorable cynical performance by Sinatra, "Tony Rome" still packs a punch. It's a great 60's detective flick and overcomes its dated trappings with a smart, witty script.



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A Republic B with a dashing good script

John R. Bridell | Minneapolis, MN USA | 06/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"TONY ROME, if you had noticed, is not a Republic Pictures B detective movie. It's up a grade or two with a dashing good script and . . . WHAT a cast! Sinatra joins a well known crowd of movie detectives; the Marlowes, etal. as he sleuths for assorted clients. Well, maybe not in Charlie Chan's class, a gumshoe who never laid a bookie bet as Tony Rome often does. The suspect end of the plot is loaded with decoys, but at the end everyting is sorted out, the crime is resolved and the criminals are either dead or . . . well, best to see TONY ROME to find out. You just can't help enjoying Sinatra's laid back style. Yeh! I think younger folks could handle this film. The language is unsmutty. The sex is rather subtle and nothing naughty goes on in the back seat of Sinatra's Ford-bulls-eye-tail-lites convertible The violence is certainly minimal by today's standards. For example, my wife at the finish asked, "Has he killed only three people?" Actually, I counted about five. TONY ROME is an excellent B+++++ movie that doesn't lag a moment . . . even in the mushy scenes and there ain't that much smoochin' anyway."

Miami Vice...

trebe | 01/19/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Frank Sinatra is Tony Rome, an ex-cop turned private eye, who makes his home aboard a boat, in sunny Miami. Cynical, semi-tough, and a wise cracking gambler, a call from his ex-partner, draws him into a case revolving around the troubled family affairs of influential businessman Rudy Kosterman (Simon Oakland). His daughter Diana, (Sue Lyon) has a habit of passing out in strange places. Rome's search for Diana's missing diamond pin, leads to a twisting tale of intrigue, deception and death.We get a glimpse at the dark side of Miami, as we follow Rome on the case. Sinatra pulls it off pretty well, without being too cute. The plot is not predictable, and requires that you pay attention. Violent at times, but not gratuitously so. Gena Rowlands appears as Klosterman's wife. Jill St. John looks good, but her performance never rings true. Ex-boxer Rocky Graziano makes a cameo, and Deanna Lund, from TV's Land of the Giants, also briefly appears. Billy May's musical score sounds like it was lifted from the 60's TV series, Batman. And Frank's daughter Nancy, sings Lee Hazelwood's corny title song to the movie. A good piece from the period, that doesn't stray too far from reality or sink into excess. Worth seeing for the story. Sinatra would reprise his role as Tony Rome for a sequel, "Lady In Cement"."

Tony Rome'll Getcha Ya

Mycroft | Charleston, Oregon | 05/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not as bright and crisp as Lady In Cement but a delight all the same. Frank Sinatra plays Tony Rome with a touch of down at the heels class. Jill St John takes lines that would be cheesy in the hands of a less capable actress and makes them ring with humor and mirth. It's a toss up who gets the best line: Sinatra's "Oh I'll have some of that." or St John's "Slut?" It won't educate you or lift your moral fiber but it's a great popcorn movie. (Home viewers may find that some other sort of diversion comes to mind after the fifth or sixth "Malcom . . .")
Thirty years and counting and this one hasn't lost any of its appeal."