ilovedinomartin

Yul's Dino-pose

2012-01-27T07:29:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes many many famous entertainers are also great photographers. Today's Dino-devotion comes from the blog pad of the BBC News - Entertainment and Art, and features a stunnin' pix of our King of Cool shot by the King of Siam, Mr. Yul Brynner, whose most famous role was as the King in Rogers and Hammerstein's classic musical, "The King And I."

The liner notes, which unfortunately I was unable to copy, note that this amazin' pose of our Dino, behind the bar and on the telephone, was snapped at the home of none other then Mr. Frank Sinatra. The notes further elaborate that an exhibition of Mr. Brynner's photography is due to open in London's Little Black Gallery.

ilovedinomartin expresses our thanks to the pallies at the BBC News for puttin' this news on the web, 'specially this awesome Dino-pose! To view this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this Dino-prose. Dino-diggin', DMP

In pictures: Yul Brynner's celebrity photographs

Giving the Gift of Dean Martin

2012-01-26T07:22:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes what better way of expressin' your appreciato for 'nother pallie then to gift 'em with a stunnin' piece of Dino-treasure. And, likes dudes that is exactly what today's Dino-devotion is likes all 'bout. From the pen of Mr. Anthony Amore, at his self-tagged blog pad, "ANTHONY AMORE," comes the 'citin' news that one of Mr. Amore's most devoted pallies has presented unto him a stellar Dino-gift.

Mr. Anthony Amore, by profession is "an expert in security matters, especially those related to homeland security and cultural property protection." Usually Amore posts on security issues, but as you will read below, Anthony was simply compelled to let his readership know of the wonderful Dino-surprise that awaited him when he recently
checked his post office box.

When he discovered between bills was a notice that he had a parcel waitin' for him at the PO desk. When Amore opened the package, low and behold it contained a "stunning Dean Martin box set"....to my estimation perhaps the coveted "Dean Martin cool then, cool now" boxed set.

Obviously Mr. Amore is a amorer of our Dino...and so must be his Dino-gift-givin' pallie! Simply warms my Dino-heart to read Amore's retellin' of his experience. Certainly this oughta gets more of us pallies to a thinkin' 'bout who we might share some Dino-love with as well.

Hats offs to Mr. Anthony Amore for lettin' us all in on his new Dino-treasure. As usual, to read this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. How amazin' to keeps readin' more and more Dino-devotion in so many different Dino-ways all over the 'net. Dino-awed, DMP

Giving the Gift of Dean Martin

This posting has nothing to do with security. But I had to write it.

The other day, I went to my PO Box for the first time in far too long. Stuffed between a lot of bills was a notice that I had a package. At the customer service counter, the clerk handed me an amazon package. I wasn’t expecting anything.

When I got back to my office, I tore open the box and inside was an stunning Dean Martin box set. Only one person on earth could have sent it to me: the inestimable Danno Carpenter.

Danno, you are the greatest baby. I’m having a scotch in honor of Dino and you!

Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis star in Stults's version of The Hangover

2012-01-25T07:18:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes as I have often said before, likes you just never know where our Dino willa turns up next. Today's Dino-grams gonna brings a big Dino-buddha-grin to your face when youse sees the Dino-poster below. From the Brit pad, Mirror.co.uk.'s
"The Ticket, The Ultimate Entertainment Blog," comes news of a very creative poster project created by illustrator Mr. Sean Hartter.

Hartter's "Altermative Universe Movie Poster" project asks artistic pallies to create some "reimagining" of classic flick pixs." One such illustration comes from Mr. Peter Stults, a NY illustrator and designer, who features our most beloved Dino with his partner Mr. Jerry Lewis, and Mr. Jack Lemmon in the wanna-be big screen epic "The Hangover."

Likes pallies, I am sure that our great man woulda loved to played in said flick with such a Dino-inspired theme! Woulda be so so fun to have creative Dino-holics write their thoughts 'bout how the plot might likes go for this reimaged classic.
Likes I coulda see our Dino and Mr. Jack as great pallies who enjoys themselves some liquid refreshments with Jerry tryin' to bring 'em to sobriety. Your thoughts pallies?

Just loves to find the many and varied ways that our Dino continues to be manifested all over the 'net....helpin' more and more pallies to come to know, love, and honor our most delightful Dino. Hats off to the pallies at Mirror.co-uk for bringin' this Dino-creativity to our attentinado! Thanks also to our great pallie Danny G. who first put me on to this Dino-poster. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-proclaimin', DMP

Illustrator Sean Hartter, 38, has been reimagining classic film posters but with retro casts since 2009.

And his Alternate Universe Movie Poster project encourages other artists to come up with their own designs.

Among them are works by New York illustrator and designer Peter Stults who has also cast Al Pacino as Wolverine, along with Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Jack Lemmon in The Hangover.

Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis star in Stults's version of The Hangover

★Dean Martin and friends

2012-01-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes just discovered some new Dino-action on this here blogger. A dude tagged Brian has sired the new blog pad, "★Dean Martin and friends," where you can see a constant Dino-stream of fabulous pixs of our great man and his pallies, and currently some vid clips of our Dino havin' fun with other fab celebs.

Below are a couple of examples of the Dino-treasure available at this new Dino-place....a groovy pix of our most beloved Dino taken from a Dino-roast, and what appears to be the whole roast vid for Miss Lucille Ball (which it looks like you needs to join a 'net pad tagged Vettle TV to be able to view well).

In doin' a bit of researchin' on Bri, discovered that he has been busy with 'nother blog of a couple of years, "★Film Noir Classic Channel," and is now spreadin' his win's by providin' some Dino-devotion for all us Dino-philes. A few details 'bout Bri are that he is a iron worker in the construction biz and is located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Hats off to our pallie Bri for addin' to the Dino-passion springin' up all over the web. Likes true Dino-holics likes us can never ever gets ourselves 'nough Dino, so ilovedinomartin is pleased as punch to introduce this new Dino-channel to all the Dino-devoted pallies here. To checks this out, just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Keeps lovin' our Dino and growin' in deep, pure, and true Dino-devotion!
Dino-gized, DMP

★Dean Martin and friends

Dean Martin 7th.June 1917 - 25th.December 1995. Actor singer who rose to fame and went into films as a straight actor with great success. His solo singing career spanned many years and produced many classic songs, one of which is inscribed on his marker - "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime". Became great friends with Frank Sinatra and became a member of the famous Rat Pack A true legend who's films and records will always be remembered.

"As a damn good entertainer, nothing spectacular. A good entertainer who made people enjoy themselves and made them laugh a little. He was a nice guy.

2012-01-23T07:14:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes there are sites created all over the 'net to promote products and services of all sorts, likes with the hopes that the blogger will strike it rich through their bloggin' efforts. Today's Dino-devotion comes from such a web pad, "Read Biography Books."

The unknown proprietor of said space has put the accent on biographies of famous folks from all walks of life. So, likes it oughta comes likes as no surprise that our most beloved Dino is featured on one of dem pages (clicks on tag of this Dino-message to goes there.)

Well, besides listin' book cover pixs of Dino-bios and links to buy 'em at the largest web seller (btw, as often happens they are some tomes listed that have nothin' to do with our Dino), the creator of this blog has created a mini-bio Dino-tribute as well.

Below, you will find said Dino-devotion, which ilovedinomartin has taken and broken into paragraphs for easier Dino-digestion, as well as scatterin' images of many of the Dino-volumes available for our Dino-readin' pleasure. Likes the thin' 'bout this Dino-essay is that it musta been written by someone for whom English in not their native tongue. The structure and verbage is very very interestin'...makin' for some Dino-delightful readin'.

It woulda appear that the websiter musta perused several of the Dino-bios to gather the Dino-details for their Dino-prose. Gotta say that some of the info is a bit off, but loves so much the passion with which this auther has crafted their Dino-efforts. Most enjoyed the quotation that appears as the tag of this Dino-message....likes I believe it is meant to be a direct quotation by our Dino 'bout he most wanted to be remembered...as it appeared, I believe, in Nick Tosches absolutely fabulous Dino-read, "DINO: Living High In The Dirty Business Of Dreams."

Anywho pallies, likes ilovedinomartin deems this a worthy Dino-read, and will be likes most interested in your Dino-reflections on this Dino-history. Hats off to the pallie at "Read Biography Books" for their efforts for liftin' up the life, times, and teachin' of our Dino! Dino-gized, DMP

Dean Martin Biography Book

Dino Paul Crocetti was born on 7 June 1917 born in Steubenville (Ohio), the son of Italian immigrants in 1913 Gaetano Crocetti and his coming of Ohio Angela Barra. He spoke up to the age of five Italian and only afterwards did in school with his broken English very hard.

He therefore left the high school prior to graduation and tried his hand at various jobs, under the name "Kid Crocette" he earned as a boxer in the welterweight ten dollars per fight. At the time of Prohibition (1920 to 1933) he was found alcohol smugglers and even as a croupier at the casino in his hometown.
In the casino, he sang on Croupiertisch often aloud and has been discovered by a music agent.

End of the 1950s tried to place the Dean Martin Comedy image and ended his professional relationship with Jerry Lewis. He turned to more serious roles and played convincingly by the side of acting icons such as Marlon Brando, John Wayne, James Stewart, Burt Lancaster and Montgomery Clift. Highlight would be the box-office hits like "Rio Bravo", "Bandolero," "The Sons of Katie Elder" (The Sons of Katie Elder) and "Kiss Me, Stupid" (Kiss Me Stupid).

Dean Martin's acquaintance with Frank Sinatra handed back to the year 1944, when Martin in New York music club "Rio Bamba" stepped in for him. 1948 dean martin biography book covert the first time the year before and from that written for Sinatra at Columbia (and again in 1957 with Capitol) brought out song "Everybody Loves Somebody, with should succeed him in 1964 a worldwide success.

Your professional and personal friendship deepened in the early 1950s, several times as Sinatra guest on TV shows of dean martin biography book and Lewis, 1957, dean martin biography book was then many times a guest in Sinatra's television shows (and vice versa Sinatra at him). In October 1958 both took to Capitol on the joint album Sleep Warm for which Sinatra himself took over the orchestra management.

End of January 1959, the two were the first time for a concert engagement in Las Vegas on the stage, having previously been condemned for the film they are all (Some Came Running, 1958) also stood for the first time together before the film camera. 1961 dean martin biography book moved in the wake of Sinatra's Capitol to its newly established record label Reprise, were also more common for the recordings.

From January 1960, Martin and Sinatra regularly with Sammy Davis Jr. , Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, thus earning the name "The Rat Pack" in reference to the "Rat Pack" said Friends of the fifties to Humphrey Bogart, had heard of the Five, but the only Sinatra.

The artist himself called their joint appearances The Summit and dominated the next half decade, with its many programs, the American show business and in particular the stages of Las Vegas. Parallel to the concerts were common films such as Ocean's Eleven (Ocean's Eleven, 1960), The winning three (Seargent 3, 1962), Four for Texas (Four for Texas, 1963) and the Seven Hoods (Robin and The Seven Hoods, 1964). Mid-1960s, heard the regular appearances of the "Rat Pack" on, but Martin, Davis and Sinatra were in the 1970s and 1980s, sometimes together on the concert stage.

1965 NBC launched the "Dean Martin Show", which developed immediately to the broadcast with the best ratings and could be sold worldwide. Unfortunately, NBC had completed only a one year contract with Martin. In order to induce him to continue, they increased the fee per shipment of 40,000 to $ 283,000 with a contract for three years. The crash, the parent company RCA almost into financial ruin, but dean martin biography book was record-holder in television fees.

The Dean Martin biography, "King of the Road" by Michael Freedland takes Martin with the Mafia. Asked that the Mafia have allegedly helped him decisively at the start of his solo career, so he sang in the clubs of the "Mobster" for the Mafia bosses. When Dean Martin was a star long ago, he performed in numerous shows and lower-paid, funded by Mafia bosses.

Biographer called it a degree of loyalty and sympathy Martins against the Mafia. dean martin biography book himself said, prepare for him not guilty and not inconvenience him do these people only a "small favor". Allegedly wanted by the FBI detained one-Mafioso-Martin injure or even kill, because he had not shown solidarity with the Mafia.

The author John L. Smith outlined in his book "The Animal in Hollywood" Dean Martin's longtime friendship with Johnny Roselli and Anthony Fiato Mobsters. Fiato, aka "The Animal", Martin proved many favors, so he bought back money that was stolen two crooks Dean Martin's ex-wife Betty Martin.

In March 1988, dean martin biography book started with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. once again a joint concert tour ("Together Again"), but retired after just one week, for health reasons. In April, he was already back on stage at the Bally's Las Vegas. There he was on 29 July 1991 his last concert. Dean Martin died on 25 December 1995 aged 78 from lung cancer. He was buried at Pierce Bros. Westwood Memorial Park, on which other film and music personalities such as Burt Lancaster, Walter Matthau, Marilyn Monroe and Roy Orbison were laid to rest.

"As a damn good entertainer, nothing spectacular. A good entertainer who made people enjoy themselves and made them laugh a little. He was a nice guy. He did pretty good and we loved him, that's all. " "As a damn good entertainer, nothing special. A good entertainer who entertained the people well and a little laugh. He was a nice guy.
He's done very well and we loved him, that's all. ".

Dean Martin was married three times and had eight children, being brought daughter Sasha by Cathy Hawn into the marriage and adopted by Dean Martin was. Dean Martin had three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6519 Hollywood Blvd. in the category of film, at 6655 Hollywood Blvd. in the television category and at 1615 Vine Street in the category of music recordings. In addition, his hand-and footprints, and his autograph since 21 March 1964 in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd. ) Immortalized in cement. . .

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Rue de Mon Amour"

2012-01-22T09:38:00.001-08:00

Bon Jour Pallies! I am so so excited bout' this week's Sunday Serenade! It is simply oozin' with French flair & is alledgedly one of the very few songs that our great Dean actually wrote himself!!!

It comes from a 1966 compilation al-b-um entitled "Happy In Love". ""Rue de mon Amour (Street of my Love)", is nother' bea-u-ti-ful tune bout' findin' romance in good ol' Pa ree! (That's Paris to those of you who don't follow my weak attempt at soundin' French;)

Anyways pals, I want you to pay close atten cione (French attempt again) to Dean's wonderful lyrics on this number. He truly is a man of so many talents, no one in the entertainment business today could even come close! A TRUE original. Sit back & enjoy! Au revoir pallies!

Rue de Mon Amour

You can stroll along the avenues
Choose whichever one you care to choose
But your heart's a song when you stroll along
Rue de Mon Amour

All the lovers there you chance to meet
Seem to make this street their favorite street
Love gave it its name that's how it became
Rue de Mon Amour

I was just a stranger to Pareee
Maybe she was just a stranger too
As I walked along she walked with me
And we fell in love as strangers do

You may say that I am quite naive
But I must believe what I believe
Cupid led my feet to that lovely street
Rue de Mon Amour

You may say that I am quite naive
But I must believe what I believe
Cupid led my feet to that lovely street
Rue de Mon Amour

MASTERS OF DISASTER: DEAN MARTIN in AIRPORT

2012-01-21T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes Winston Churchill was once quoted as sayin' "All good things come to those who stand and wait." Well, likes I gotta say those words of wisdom have become likes the Dino-truth with today's helpin' of Dino-devotion. Likes I have been waitin' for years to read a smart----a cool, hip, and ever randy Dino-centered review of his big screen epic performance in Alex Haley's "Airport."

Well, pallies, that long-anticipated day has arrived courtesy of the blog pad, "Ruthless Reviews" where in-the-Dino--know coolster Mr. Matt Cale has sribed a truly truly stunnin' Dino-focused review tagged, "MASTERS OF DISASTER: DEAN MARTIN in AIRPORT." Our most beloved Dino received like 7 mil to headline the all star cast of this disaster classic, and finally finally Matt Cale has given our Dino his due in this good as gold Dino-prose.

There is likes so much that I coulda share from Cale's thoughtful and very very Dino-reflective analysis of our King of Cool as the King of the Pilot's Seat. But, likes I don't wanna takes anythin' away from your Dino-read. Suffice it to say that Mr. Matt Cale knows oh so well how to turn a Dino-phrase and intergrate our Dino's persona with the character he places likes to the max, Captain Vernon Demerest.

So likes sits back and soak in every glorious Dino-detail as crafted by Cale. ilovedinomartin sends out our greatest of great Dino-appreciato to Mr. Matt Cale and all the pallies at "Ruthless Reviews." Gotta say that waitin' for such a Dino-honorin' review of "Airport" has likes been oh, so well worth the wait! To view this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-psyched, DMP

MASTERS OF DISASTER: DEAN MARTIN in AIRPORT

By Matt Cale: January 19, 2012

What sight, save the whiskered visage of Captain Sully Sullenberger himself, could ever hope to assuage our fear of flying as the steady (albeit leathery) hand of Dino Paul Crocetti, known to the faithful as Mr. Dean Martin? I know, I know – steady hand, Dean Martin – four words slammed unexpectedly together in defiance of reason, good sense, and an endless history of teeming cocktails clanging about with frozen dice loaded to bear for a life lived on the edge of accountability. But here, as Captain Vernon Demerest, a name so marble-certain that it begs the gods to challenge its fortitude mid-flight, Martin leaves behind the stumbling absurdity of Jerry Lewis, the unlimited, yet untested arrogance of Frank Sinatra, and the pious hypocrisy of John Wayne — all fanatically American men having shared stage and screen alike with our Dino – to soar solo, yet ever-strong, into a future bought wholesale with but a wink, a smile, and fountains of steady nerve. He alone among his ilk could guide this bird to its blissful rest, and any one glimpse of this legend at the controls that snow-filled, bomb-bursting night would be enough to at last put the bed the idea that this is not the age of heroes.

Sure, Dean is one of Hollywood’s chosen few who drank to drive away the drink; the sort for whom sobriety was a relationship best left estranged. How delightfully ironic, then, that for his best role since Rio Bravo, a performance that played sadly to elbow-bending expectation, Martin would not stand aside as duty called other, more hardened men to a cockpit unaffected by temptation or sin. As such, Dean would not be the blitzed and blinded passenger-in-peril, or the overwhelmed man on the ground who met his responsibility with the predictable evasions. No, Martin – Demerest, now and forever – would be clear of mind, hard of heart, and ready for anything the skies saw fit to throw his way. And at the end of Airport’s damn near 2 ½ hour running time, we would bow our heads in shame for having doubted him at all. No jumbo jet – no means of human transport, mind you – would ever come to harm with Dean Martin at the helm, not only because, for all the hysteria on display, he’s always the sanest man in the vicinity, but because he’s in love, dammit, and while he might bend this precious airplane, he’ll pull it into port for the pregnant mistress sprawled out near the rear, her eyesight, unborn child, and perfect hairdo all hanging precariously in the balance.

She is Gwen Meighen (Jacqueline Bisset), beautiful and 26 to Vernon’s fine wine 53, and while she knows she’s not quite enough to split apart his marriage, she does in fact carry his legacy. Thankfully, and matter-of-factly, his first suggestion is not the sentimental silliness that fairy tales will come true, but rather an abortion, preferably not in some back alley, but a snuffing of the fetal candle nonetheless. He’s heard rumors about Sweden, what with the United States still wandering about in a pre-Roe haze, and he’s offering his wallet as well as his decisiveness. This entire conversation – frank, adult, and defiantly cheerless – takes place before the big ship has set sail, making Vernon’s subsequent courage under fire ever the more the work of a master aviator. Lesser men might drop the damn thing into the drink to save their honor (and the likelihood of a messy divorce and/or child support), but Vernon owns up to his responsibilities. He might not drive the young lady to the very door of the Stockholm clinic, but he’ll pick up all reasonable expenses like a gentleman. So yes, Vernon is greeting this new, liberated age with but a shrug of caution, but like so few before him, he’ll assign his conquest her rightful humanity, rather than notching his belt like some coxswain caveman.

As if the heavens above saw fit to challenge Vernon’s commitment to choice, the pregnancy revelation was but the first crisis to be met with unflappable masculine resolve. There’s a man with a suitcase bomb aboard, his gutless inhumanity a perfect contrast to Vernon’s cocksure muscularity. The bomber, Van Heflin at his most simpering, is jobless, hopeless, and relentlessly henpecked; his only course remains the murder of hundreds to provide his dead-end spouse with a bit of comfort in her final, reckless days. In his way stands the Captain, but rather than resort to fists and hammer blows, he uses trickery and negotiation to end the madman’s quest. Vernon’s plea is stunningly absent the slur of hesitation, and Dino again becomes the only man on planet earth capable of reaching that rare reservoir of reasoned restraint. Some dopey, bitchy passenger – telegraphed as worthless throughout the film’s opening – interferes with the rescue, and for that moment, Vernon’s world is turned ass-over-end by the terrorist’s blast. Gwen may die, but so might they all, and that rush of feeling of losing the hottest ass in the Trans Global fleet is cast aside in favor of the cause. They’ve got to land for her, yes, but also the weak and timid and unworthy. Vernon is damn near God himself, but he’s not about to sort them out.

No, Vernon doesn’t simply put on that uniform as if shuffling off to the salt mines; he inhabits the damn thing like a second skin, polishing those wings like the Purple Heart of a D-Day survivor. And that blizzard socking in the runway? Or that massive hole in the plane’s lavatory? Parted, Moses-like, and sealed tight like the lips of a disobedient child meeting the backhand of justice. One glare, one arched eyebrow on a face browned under sun and heat lamp alike for the better part of the 20th century, and despair turns to a hope unknown but minutes before. And those glass shards that threatened to turn his amour into a sightless, tin cup beggar? Nowhere to be found, as if danger ran to the hills, tail between its legs, once a real man strode into town. Curiously, Vernon would fail to appear in any of the Airport sequels (only George Kennedy’s Patroni would chomp cigars throughout), leading one to the inescapable conclusion that he hung up his wings, made an honest woman of Gwen, and moved to destinations unknown, forever the keeper of her kingdom. And like Sully, he went out on top – a Clemente at 3,000 – a man of yesteryear we haven’t quite encountered again.

Dean Smelled Great

2012-01-20T07:15:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes often when you uncover one bit of Dino-devotion at a blog pad, there is likes often more Dino-gold to be mined there. Case in point, after discoverin' yesterday's Dino-thoughts from Mr. Jack Pendarvis at this blog, "The Place Where Jack Pendarvis has a 'Blog,'" likes I decided to roam all over Jack's pad to see if my change he had shared more cool Dino-reflections.

Likes without much effort (our Dino woulda loves that part) I came 'cross 'nother great postin' on our most beloved Dino's scent of choice, Woodhue! As you see by the tag of the post, it proclaims the Dino-truth..."Dean Smelled Great." And, likes as you will read below, it's a very short sharin' from Mr. Jerry Lewis's amore to our Dino, "Dean And Me: A Love Story."

Loves readin' this cool retellin' of our Dino's after-shower routine with his Woodhue! How privileged Mr. Jerry Lewis was to be so close to our great man....and for 10 years of his life!

Kudos to Mr. Jack Pendarvis for sharin' this Dino-vignette at his outstandin' blog. To read this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-diggin', DMP

Friday, September 03, 2010

Dean Smelled Great

"I began paying close attention to Dean's postshower ritual: He would take his bottle of Woodhue, pour some into his cupped palm, then put the bottle down and slap his palms together. Then he'd rub the cologne all over his body - as far as I could see, anyway. At this point he was always in the bathroom, the door just slightly ajar to let out the steam. After a couple of minutes, he'd emerge in his robe, smiling with complete satisfaction: He looked, felt, and smelled great!" (from DEAN & ME by Jerry Lewis)

Thanks, Dean Martin!

2012-01-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes the tag of today's Dino-gram immediate caught my eye...."Thanks, Dean Martin!" Indeed, every single Dino-day I am thankful to our Dino for so so many different reasons. So, likes I just had to goes over to Jack Pendarvis' self tagged blog, "The Place Where Jack Pendarvis has a 'Blog'" to sees his personal reason for givin' thanks to our most beloved Dino.

Likes as you will read below a pallie of Jack's, Drew, bought himself "a vintage bottle of Dean Martin's favorite cologne on the 'internet.' That fav cologue woulda have to be "Woodhue." Seems that since Drew has worn the Dino-scent, his wife Jill is goin' makes Drew a daddy-o by havin' a baby!

How cool of Mr. Jack to so so fully understand the power of Dino...in this case the Dino-cologue, to simply simply work it's Dino-magic! Hats off to Jack Pendarvis for sharin' this Dino-testimony and helpin' others to become believers in the power of Dino! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-powered, DMP

Thanks, Dean Martin!

Drew is married to Jill. Several months ago, Drew purchased a vintage bottle of Dean Martin's favorite cologne on the "internet." Now Jill is going to have a baby. YOU DO THE MATH. I keep trying to smell Drew whenever I see him but he claims that the cologne "evaporates quickly because it has orange in it." I think that's what he says. Is that a real scientific fact? Maybe he just doesn't want me sniffing him.

Dean Martin: The Life and Times of the "Coolest Man Who Ever Lived"

2012-01-18T07:14:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes you just never know what will turn up next when you goes out on a Dino-hunt via the 'net. While searchin' yesterday lookin' for possible more info on the arrest of Dino Martin Jr on January 17, 1974, I was directed by our Dino to this very very recent piece of Dino-devotion written by long-term professional free-lance writer Mr. James R. Coffey.

From the info blog pad, "factoidz," comes a superiorly scribed piece of Dino-prose by Mr. Coffey tagged "Dean Martin: The Life and Times of the "Coolest Man Who Ever Lived." Coffery had me hooked by that tag....referrin' to that awesome Dino-article from Playboy. While these Dino-reflections contain the usual Dino-facts and Dino-figures, James has a knack for takin' the tried and true and weavin' them magically into likes very very profound Dino-poetry!

Mr. Coffey has also added a couple of stunnin' Dino-pixs and a parcel of delightful Dino-vids to enhance his written words. My fav line in this whole piece of Dino-adulation is this glorious description of our most beloved Dino..."A phenomenally charismatic stage entertainer, a crooner extraordinaire, and one of the most beloved personalities ever to grace both the big and little screens....." Likes truly truly pallies Mr. James R. Coffey "gets Martin" big time!

ilovedinomartin salutes profressional writer Mr. James R. Coffey for writin' a very very professional Dino-entry...sure to have many many more come to know, love, and honor our Dino. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram to goes over to the "factoidz" blog pad. Dino-awed, DMP

Dean Martin: The Life and Times of the "Coolest Man Who Ever Lived"

by James R. Coffey

Voted “the coolest man who ever lived” by Playboy magazine and known as a founding member of the famous--and often infamous--Rat Pack, Dean Martin was born in Steubenville, Ohio on June 7, 1917, to Italian immigrants.

Christened Dino Paul Crocetti, Dean was initially interested in becoming a drummer when he dropped out of Steubenville High School in the tenth grade at the age of fifteen.

After working at numerous odd jobs including becoming a part-time amateur welterweight boxer using the name "Kid Crochet" (a job that contributed to his distinctive nose), Dean flirted with criminal activity for a time, working as a bookie and card dealer at local gambling joints and “running” liquor across state lines during the prohibition. Then at seventeen he began his show business career as a singer in nightclubs near Steubenville; clubs owned by the criminal element with whom he'd become acquainted.

While singing with the Ernie McKay band, Dean caught the attention of Sammy Watkins, a Cleveland, Ohio bandleader who immediately hired him to front his popular orchestra. From 1938 to 1940 Dean toured with Watkins, changing his name to the more commercial (and less ethnic) Dean Martin. Then in September of 1943, Dean was “discovered” by the MCA talent agency and signed an exclusive contract to sing at the popular Riobamba Room in New York City. (He famously flopped at the Riobamba Room after being booked to follow Frank Sinatra, but the incident established a friendship between the two that would endure to their final days.)

The following year Dean was given his own fifteen-minute radio program called, “Songs by Dean Martin,” but was drafted into the United States Army that same year, serving a year stint in Akron, Ohio before being reclassified as 4-F and subsequently discharged (at least in part due to a double hernia). In 1946 he recorded four songs for Diamond Records including, "Which Way Did My Heart Go" which made his smooth and soulful voice known to listeners all across America.

While working the club circuit in New York City, Dean met comedian/actor Jerry Lewis, the two subsequently deciding to create a doubles act. The partnership resulted in a ten-year professional relationship that extended from stage to radio, television to film.

Parting ways with Lewis in 1956 due to “creative differences,” Dean then hooked up with buddy Frank Sinatra, forming the "Rat Pack" in Las Vegas with fellow performers Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford, while releasing a long list of hit songs including "Memories Are Made of This,” "That's Amore,” "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You,” "Volare," and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" while also working the stage (often with Rat Pack buddies). His good looks and irresistable charm also led him to the silver screen where he co-starred in a long line of feature films including The Young Lions (with Marlon Brando) and Rio Bravo (with John Wayne), and a starring role in a series of spy spoof cult classics where he played the suave and invincible US government counter-agent, Matt Helm.

These were followed by the Rat Pack ensemble cast starring in the original caper film, Ocean's Eleven in 1960, and then Sergeants Three in 1962, and Robin and the Seven Hoods in 1964. (In total, Dean would appear in fifty-one films including Some Came Running in 1958 with Shirley MacLaine and Frank Sinatra, Bells Are Ringing in 1960 with Judy Holliday, Toys in the Attic in 1963, Airport in 1970, and Cannonball Run I and II in 1981 and 1984.)

In 1962, Dean left Capitol Records for Sinatra’s label, Reprise, where he recorded his trademark anthem "Everybody Loves Somebody" in 1964--an enormous hit that actually knocked the seemingly unstoppable Beatles from the #1 hit spot in America for one week.

This phenomenal classic became the theme song for his television variety series, The Dean Martin Show, which ran on the NBC television Network for eight years starting in 1965 and featured such film and TV greats as Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Frank Sinatra, George Burns, Lucille Ball, and Milton Berle. This was followed from 1973 to 1974 by The Dean Martin Comedy Hour where each week he could be seen playing up his playboy, Rat Pack image of a hip, jet-setter lush--never seen out of his tux or without a high-ball glass in his hand (which Dean would say in later years was little more than an act).

Dean's Christmas specials were among the highest rated specials of the holiday season, with his Christmas albums selling neck and neck with Elvis Presley, and his popular tune, "But, Baby it's Cold Outside" a standard to this very day.

In all, Dean released thirty-two studio albums, three live albums, twenty compilation albums, and eighty-three singles, with twenty singles reaching the Billboard top ten.

Married three times (and linked to numerous Hollywood and entertainment industry starlets), Dean retired from show business after his 1988-89 concert tour with fellow Rat-Packers Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra, falling into a deep depression after the tragic loss of his son Dino Jr. in 1987, who was killed in a plane crash during a routine military training exercise. Dean Martin died of acute respiratory failure (lung cancer) on Christmas Day, 1995, in Beverly Hills, California, having spent his final moments in mourning.

A phenomenally charismatic stage entertainer, a crooner extraordinaire, and one of the most beloved personalities ever to grace both the big and little screens, Dean was nominated numerous times for various entertainment awards, winning the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Best Actor in a Television Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture award in 1966, and a Golden Globe for Best Actor--TV in 1966.

About James R. Coffey James is founder and head writer for James R. Coffey Writing Services and Resource Center @ http://james-r-coffey-writing-services.blogspot.com/ where he offers a variety of writing and research services including article composition, ghostwriting, editing, proofing, research, and transcription.

Dino Martin ARRESTED

2012-01-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes just remembered that in January 0f '09, ilovedinomartin ran a feature on our most beloved Dino's most beloved boypallie Dino Jr.'s arrest, so am sharin' that again, givin' you a couple of fan mag articles that were published givin' all the details of what supposedly happened. Keeps lovin' and honorin' our most beloved Dino! Dino-rememberin', DMP

On This Day In Dino-history: January 17, 1974 Dino Jr. Arrested

2012-01-17T07:23:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes it's been quite a few since ilovedinomartin posted a historical Dino-remembrance, but likes through the kind efforts of google Dino-lerts, it was brought to my attention that it was on this very day, January 17 in the year of 1974 that our beloved Dino's most beloved boypallie Dino Jr. was arrested for tryin' "to sell an undercover cop an AK-47 machine gun."

You can read all 'bout it below through the efforts of scriber Mr. Andrew Vaughan and the pallies at Gibson.com. The press certainly had a field day with this Dino-event, but as you will note below, that Dino Jr. "was arrested, arraigned and baled out the next day. He’d end up with probation and a small fine."

I'm sure this was a very sad sad day in the life of family Martin, 'specially for our Dino and Dino Jr.s mother, Jeanne. Of course, the saddest day of all for the fam was in 1987 when our Dino's namesake was killed pilotin' that "National Guard F-4Phantom fighter jet when it crashed in the mountains of San Bernadino.

Thanks to the pallies at Gibson, and in particular Mr. Andrew Vaughan for creatin' this Dino Jr. remembrance. To read this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-rememberin', DMP

This Day in Music Spotlight: Dino Martin’s Action-Packed Life

January 17, 1974

Andrew Vaughan|01.17.2011

Special thanks to ThisDayinMusic.com.

January 17, 1974 was not aparticularly good day in the eventful and erratic life of Dean Paul Martin (aka Dino), son of the legendary all-around entertainer Dean Martin. Kids of celebrities more often than not struggle to find any kind of normal in their own lives and Dino was not especially good at normal.

In the early ’70s he was on a roll. He’d fallen for movie star Olivia Hussey, tracked her down, wooed and married her and they had a son, Alex. Dino was a Hollywood golden boy and Olivia Hussey, star of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet, was the Hollywood darling of the day.

Dino had a hobby that would cause a dramatic arrest to be made at his Beverly Hills home. Since he was young, Dino had rare unusual weapons and engaged a in a bit of buying, selling and trading. On this particular occasion he tried to sell an undercover cop an AK-47 machine gun. It was strictly illegal and Martin was arrested, arraigned and baled out the next day. He’d end up with probation and a small fine.

Always looking for adventure and excitement, Martin found it hard to settle and he and Hussey split up in 1978. By then he’d become a pretty good tennis player and starred alongside Ali McGraw as a pro in the 1979 film Players, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award as Best New Star of the Year.

But acting didn’t really do it for him and he took to flying. He’d had his pilot's license since he was 16 but, in 1981, he qualified to fly with the National Guard. Sadly, he died in 1987, when his National Guard F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed in the San Bernadino Mountains.

Of course, growing up as Dean Martin’ son must have been easy in some ways. There were some highlights in Dino’s short, but action-packed life. As a kid he was briefly a pop star with the Dino, Desi and Billy act alongside Desi Arnaz Jr., and William “Billy” Hinsche. A teenybopper outfit, they had two Top 30 hits, “I’m a Fool” and “Not the Lovin’ Kind” in the mid-’60s. But it was the way the trio got their record deal that gives most insight into what it was really like growing up celebrity royalty in Hollywood in the 1960.

Hinsche, talking to ClassicBands.com, told a great story about that day: “[Frank] Sinatra and Dean [Martin] were together at the bar at the Martin’s house. We met Mr. Sinatra, set up and played. After we did our little set, he came over with Dean and said, ‘How would you boys like to have a contract with my label, Reprise?’ ‘Sure, Mr. Sinatra,’ and that was that.”

"The Stupidest Case of Mistaken Identity, Rat Pack Members and Insurance Salesman subdivision"

2012-01-16T07:16:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes thin's have been a bit heavy 'round these Dino-parts of late, so let's enjoys a bit of Dino-levity this very Dino-day! Today's Dino-devotion comes from a new to ilovedinomartin blog tagged STUPIDEST.COM likes where Team Stupidest, a bro and sis (see pix 'bove, share ...the stupidest things ever said, done, manufactured, written, broadcast, produced, invented...."

This here edition tagged, "The Stupidest Case of Mistaken Identity, Rat Pack Members and Insurance Salesman subdivision" features what appears to be a real newpaper ad for Littman Insurance in Michigan where the pallies there are claimin' that Mr. Tim Littman is a Dino-look-a-like.

Likes does wonder if Mr. Tim bears any resemblance to our great man...but likes knows just seein' the ad has brought such a huge Dino-buddha-grin to this Dino-holic's face! Hats off to the Littman Insurance Agency and Mr. Tim Littman for such a unique way of honorin' our Dino, and to boy and girl pallie of Team Stupidest for findin' it and sharin' it with all their readership. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-delightedly, DMP

The Stupidest Case of Mistaken Identity, Rat Pack Members and Insurance Salesman subdivision

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Team Stupidest

Well, they do say everyone has an identical twin somewhere in the world …

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Magic In The Moonlight"

2012-01-15T10:37:00.001-08:00

Hey pals, are youse ready for a little Dino Latino? Well I hope so, cuz this week's Serenade comes from that 1963 al-b-um and is one of the absolutely mostest prettiest tunes this totally sold out pallie has ever heard in his whole completely Dino-ized life!!!

Man, when I listen to "Magic Is The Moonlight", I think of a warm summer's night... Walkin' hand in hand with some beau-ti-ful young lady... Sky so big and jam packed with twinklin' little stars!

That Dino-aura is just oozin' through my pores!!! What a romantic place it brings me to pals o mine! Well, let's sit back and let Dean weave his magic and bring us on are very own little moonlit journey! Enjoy pals!

Magic is the moonlight
On this lover's June night
As I see the moonlight
Shining in your eyes.

And this is the power
In this moonlit hour
Love begin to flower
This is paradise.

Living in the splendor
Of your kiss so tender
Make my heart surrender
To your love divine.

Magic is the moonlight
More than any June night
Magic is the moonlight
For it made you mine...

I once found myself feeling sorry for Dean Martin.

2012-01-14T07:13:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes hot on the heels of yesterday's Dino-post comes 'nother first-hand Dino-sitin'. From the pen of Mr. Bill Birnbaum, from his self-tagged blog pad, "Adventures With Bill Birnbaum," comes his post "Retirement Sayings."

Birnbaum quotes our ever wise Dino sayin', "If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt," and immediately sez, "Yeah, I know. This saying isn’t exactly about retirement." But, likes he add that he has a Dino-tale to relate.

Likes seems that Bill once found himself at the ol' Sands Hotel casino and caught a gander of our most beloved Dino playin' blackjack with his second wife, Jeanne. And, Birnbaum relates why he found himself "feeling sorry for Dean Martin."

Youse can read his reason why below...and likes yesterday, there is always two sides to every Dino-story. Who can blame the hoard of passionate Dino-philes eager to be ever close to our great man...and likes who coulda not understand our amazin' man wantin' to spend some alone time with his cards...and his wife.

Will again look forward to you sharin' of your Dino-reflections on this Dino-situation. Thanks to Mr. Bill Birnbaum for sharin' 'nother true-to-life Dino-experience...just wishes that I coulda seen our Dino up close and personal. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report.
Dino-devotedly, DMP

If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt. ~Dean Martin

Yeah, I know. This saying isn’t exactly about retirement. But I wanted to tell you something about Dean Martin, so I “snuck it in.” Old Dino sure played up his role as a big drinker. I’ve heard though that it was mainly an act. That he really didn’t drink all that much. How knows? Interestingly, I once found myself feeling sorry for Dean Martin. In the casino of the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, he and his wife were playing blackjack. Surrounding them were some 300 admirers. I remember thinking, “The poor guy can’t go anywhere and be alone.”

There was a buzz in the air that was purely the result of Dino's presence

2012-01-13T07:13:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today's post is gonna be one of the most, indeed, if not the most, provocative posts ever shared at ilovedinomartin. And, 'cause of the extremely provocative nature of this Dino-piece, I am likes sure that it oughta provide some very very evocative comments from the ilovedinomartin faithful. So, likes know in advance that we are expectin' your cards and letters comin' in on this very revealin' Dino-tale.

Today's Dino-prose originated as a comment to the MOG Dino-post by Masoo, " random friday, 1964 edition: dean martin, "everybody loves somebody" that was published here on Monday of this very Dino-week under the tag, "my dad watched Dean Martin's TV show religiously." Masoo's Dino-reflections generated a bunch of comments when it was first posted, includin' the one we are sharin' this day at ilovedinomartin.

A dude tagged Jonh Ingham, shares a first-person report of a Dino-encounter he observed at one of our most beloved Dino's fav hangouts, Hamburger Hamlet. It is sometime in the year 1984 and our Dino, perhaps somewhat stoned, is makin' the scene with his latest blond amore, when a Dino-devotee spots his idol and heads to Dino's table, pen in hand, to ask our amazin' man to sign his name. And, likes as you read below, you will find out what happens when fan and our King of Cool meet.

As I soaks in this story, likes I find myself havin' likes a ton of feelin's evoked. Likes who can blame the adorin' fan for seekin' even the briefest of brief moments with our Dino? Likes who can blame our Dino for bein' upset havin' his amorin' interfered with? So, as I turn this Dino-tale over and over...I simply can't take one side or the other. So, likes I am wonderin' pallies likes what are your takes on this very very evocative Dino-prose? Will so be lookin' forward to your Dino-reflections.

ilovedinomartin expresses our very very deep Dino-appreciato to Mr. Jonh Ingham, for sharin' his Dino-report with the world through Masoo's blog post. I simply loves to read every single true Dino-encounter that I can gets my hands on! To view this in it's original format, just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-psyched, DMP

Jonh Ingham says

This is a fascinating story. It's always been a casual mystery for me as to why Dino was so popular and I can remember being a bit stunned when I saw that Nick Tosches had written a biography - why spend all that time summing up such a lightweight?? Obviously he had deeper currents within, as you make clear.

Towards the end of his life the public drunk ceased to be a myth. I know I'm always coming with the stories and I do try to stop, but I can't help myself on this one.

In 1984 I saw one of the most amazing vignettes on fame and its consequences. I was in the Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset, a very upscale hamburger restaurant about 100 yards outside the Beverly Hills city limits. They made a fantastic Bloody Mary - and probably still do. The very cool stars of the Dino era all lived in the streets above this place, so it was common to see the likes of Andy Williams, Don Rickles et al in there. On this night, Dino was sitting about 30 feet away, chatting up a very pneumatic blonde with her hair piled up in the style popular in the mid-60s. They're sitting with their back to the wall and it's clear even from my distance that Dean was really, really smashed. There was a buzz in the air that was purely the result of Dino's presence - you just could not help being aware of the man. So he's leaning in close to her face and hustling her and she's pulling on the cigarette and then from the left a guy starts approaching them. He was so obviously a fan - his face was radiant with joy at seeing Dean and he was moving with reasonable speed, pen out and going to ask for an autograph. What special nervous system does a star have that even when he is so drunk he probably has no peripheral vision he can sense a fan coming at him from 20 paces? Dino's head jerked away from the girl and turned to the fan. The guy was still some distance away and Dean just lit up with an amazing flow of invective - brutally swearing at the guy, telling him to fuck off and who the hell did he think he was - in a voice so filled with rage and a face of pure anger. How many times had he been bothered by guys like this, wanting a piece of his soul? The fan's face was amazing to see - from a big grin to absolute shock in a millisecond. He actually faltered in his step. Then he stopped, stared at Dino, unable to assimilate the reality in front of him to the guy in his mind, then turned and kind of sloped away. Dino just turned back to the woman and resumed the conversation.

I can remember feeling quite sad for Dean. Not just for the state of him, but for the rage within him. It really made me reevaluate the meaning of fame.

I think Dean Martin steals the movie as the alcoholic deputy.

2012-01-12T07:17:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes by the tag of this Dino-gram likes y'all knows that today's Dino-devotion is 'bout our great man starrin' in the greatest classic western of all times, "Rio Bravo." From the pen of our great Dino-hearted pallie, Mr. David Lobosco, at his amazin'ly entertainin' blog, "Great Entertainers Archive," comes a very very fine review of "Rio Bravo."

Likes it appears that Lobosco and I are two dudes in a pod 'cause likes our pallie, I ain't much one for viewin' westerns...but, likes of course, I always always makes an acception when it comes to our Dino's westerns...'cause anythin' with our Dino in it is so so worthy of our Dino-viewin'!

David and I are likes also on the very very same Dino-page when he makes the most brilliant of brilliant of Dino-observations..." but in this movie I think Dean Martin steals the movie as the alcoholic deputy." Always and ever, I have held the total total Dino-belief that our most beloved Dino as the Dude is truly the center-piece of this classic western. Truly, truly our Dino's performace is the greatest achievement of his actin' career...and our Dino was so so robbed by not even gettin' an Oscar nod for his awesome performance.

ilovedinomartin is very very grateful for the many and varied ways that our Dino-invested pallie Mr. David Lobosco continues to keep the Dino-light glowin' Dino-bright at his blogs...hugely helpin' the Dino-cause of liftin' up the life and times of our amazin' Dino. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Dino-ever, DMP

MOVIE REVIEW: RIO BRAVO

Of all the genres of classic film, probably westerns are my least favorite. I was born after all of those television westerns like Bonanza and Gunsmoke, so I never really go an appreciation for the movie western. However, I have been trying to watch a few from time to time, and one western that has really caught my eye was the classic Rio Bravo. Made in 1959, Rio Bravo was directed by Howard Hawks. The script was written by Jules Furthman and Leigh Brackett, based on a short story by B.H. McCampbell. The film is considered one of the masterpieces of American Cinema. The movie stars John Wayne, Dean Martin, and Ricky Nelson, with Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan, and Ward Bond. I have always been a huge John Wayne fan, but in this movie I think Dean Martin steals the movie as the alcoholic deputy.

In the town of Rio Bravo, Texas, sheriff's deputy Dude (Dean Martin), who has acquired the contemptuous nickname "Borrachón", enters a saloon to get a drink. Joe Burdette (Claude Akins), brother of rancher Nathan Burdette, tosses a silver dollar into a spittoon at Dude's feet. As Dude reaches for the spittoon, Presidio County, Texas Sheriff John T. Chance (John Wayne) appears and kicks the spittoon away, looking at Dude with pity. Dude whacks Chance with a piece of wood, knocking the sheriff out cold. Joe begins punching Dude as two men hold Dude, then shoots an unarmed bystander dead when he tries to intervene.

Joe leaves the saloon and heads to his brother's saloon, where a bloody Chance arrests Joe for the murder of the bystander. When another patron draws his gun on Chance, causing a stalemate, Dude shoots the gun out of the patron's hand, Chance slugs Joe with his rifle, and the sheriff and his deputy drag Joe off to jail.

While the funeral for the unarmed man is being held, Chance's friend Pat Wheeler (Ward Bond) and his supply train arrive, with him is a young gunslinger, Colorado Ryan (Rick Nelson), riding guard. Wheeler informs Chance that Nathan Burdette's men stopped him before entering the town, meaning that the town is "bottled up" to prevent Chance from getting Joe to Presidio or any assistance in. Inside the jail, Stumpy (Walter Brennan), Chance's other deputy, keeps watch over the jail and Joe. Chance takes a package to the proprietor of the hotel, Carlos Robante (red lingerie for his wife, Consuelo (Estelita Rodriguez). A mysterious woman, Feathers (Angie Dickinson) arrives for a night. Chance tries to help her leave town the next day but the stage wheel is busted (possibly by Burdette men) and cannot leave.

Dude and Chance patrol the town, Dude trying to get off the bottle, when Carlos stops the sheriff, saying Wheeler was talking too much about Chance needing help. Chance implores Wheeler to stop, as it will draw attention from the wrong people. Wheeler and Chance discuss Dude; about three years earlier Dude was a top-notch gunman until he "met a girl on the stage", who was no good (Chance was nearly killed when he tried to tell Dude) and they left together. Six months later Dude came back without her, drunk (hence his name, "Borrachón"), but Dude has stopped drinking due to the crisis. Wheeler offers Colorado for assistance but Colorado politely declines, saying he wants to "mind his own business". Wheeler plans to leave town. Feathers leaves a poker game a winner, Chance follows her up to her room and confronts her as a card cheat, with his evidence four missing aces from the cards being used, and a handbill indicating she was wanted for card cheating. Feathers confesses she is the girl in the poster but denies cheating, and challenges Chance to search her for the missing cards. Colorado arrives saying another participant in the game is the real cheater and plans to confront him, with Chance's acquiesence. Colorado is proven right, and the real card cheat is sent out on the next stage. Chance admits he was wrong but refuses to apologize, saying Feathers is still wanted and wants her out of town. Wheeler is walking toward his room but is shot dead by a Burdette man hiding in the stable. Colorado offers to help but is angrily turned away by Chance, saying "you had a chance to get in this and you didn't want it".

Chance and Dude flush out the shooter, who escapes into Nathan's saloon. Dude noticed the man had muddy boots, but everyone in the bar had clean boots, making them think Dude's drinking had clouded his mind, prompting one patron to throw another silver dollar into a spittoon. Dude notices blood dripping into a drink on the bar and takes one shot into the loft, killing Wheeler's murderer. Dude then gets retribution on the patron who threw the dollar in the spittoon by making him go get it.

Chance goes to the hotel to sleep, insisting Carlos wake him up, unbeknown to him, Feathers stands guard at the door to keep him safe, then runs into her room when he awakens. Chance sees Feathers and asks why she did that but she wouldn't say, then Chance tries to get her on the stage. Meanwhile, Nathan (John Russell) arrives in town with his men, intent on seeing Joe. After one of his men tries to get past Dude, who was confiscating all guns before entering, Dude shoots one of his horses's reins and Nathan agrees to turn in their guns until they leave. Nathan sees Joe, and after a few angry words between the land baron and Chance, is told in no uncertain terms if he attempts to overrun the jail his brother would be shot before they reached him. Nathan then leaves to visit his bar, instructing the band there to play the Deguello (the "cut-throat" song) non-stop.

Carlos says Feathers still will not get on the stage, and when Chance goes to see her she tells the sheriff that she does not want to leave, then gives Chance a kiss. After Colorado visits the jail to tell Chance the meaning of the song Nathan is playing, Chance gives Dude his guns back (the ones he had before he left town, sold by Dude but bought by Chance) as well as some clothes he left behind. Dude gets a bath and a shave, then returns to the jail while Chance and Feathers get better acquainted. Suddenly a shot rings out and Chance races to the jail, only to find Stumpy had shot at a shadow (Dude) in front of the jail. Dude and Stumpy exchange angry words, then Chance tells Dude they've been "pampering him too much" and to get some sleep.

The next morning, Dude is standing guard when four Burdette men stick his head in a water trough, then tie him up in a stable. Approaching Chance on the street in front of the hotel with a fake injury, they draw guns and corner him (Chance's rifle is out of reach), and demand that he release Joe. Inside the hotel, acting on Colorado's instructions, Feathers throws a flowerpot through a window a moment after Colorado steps out on the porch, distracting the Burdette men. Colorado throws Chance's rifle to him and the two men shoot the four Burdette hands.

Chance races down the street, finds Dude tied up in the stable and frees him. Dude, frustrated by his performance and recovering from his extended drunkeness, resigns as deputy, then slaps Chance when he tells Dude he will have to get his own silver dollars out of the spittoon the next time. Colorado agrees to join Chance as deputy and then Dude reconsiders quitting after hearing the Deguello song, reminding him why he was there. The group decides to hole up in the jail, as it will take six days for the United States Marshal to arrive to take Joe to Presidio. Dude and Chance go to the hotel to round up the supplies, but Carlos and Consuelo are captured by Burdette men, and trick Chance into charging down the stairs, falling over a trip-wire, knocking out the sheriff. Dude and Feathers are also captured. Chance is given a choice--take the men to the jail to let Joe out, or the men will arrange a trade with Stumpy for Dude and Chance. Dude implores Chance to let Joe out, saying that Stumpy has no food or water to hold out very long. Chance agrees, and three men go to the jail. Dude's story was a ruse, as Colorado is with Stumpy and the three of them shoot the three Burdette men.

The remaining Burdette men at the hotel take Dude and offer to trade him for Joe. Chance agrees, and the trade is made at a warehouse. But Dude bum-rushes Joe and they fight while a gunfight erupts; Dude takes Joe out and Stumpy (who followed them over after being told to stay behind) finds some dynamite in one of Wheeler's wagons, and throws it at the building Burdette's men are in, eventually exploding the front of the building and forcing Burdette to surrender. With the Burdette men in jail, Chance goes to see Feathers, who is working at the hotel and wearing black tights. Chance objects to the tights, saying that only he should see her in them, and as they kiss Feathers throws the tights out the window, at the feet of Dude and Stumpy, who say nothing...

my rating: 8 out of 10

Posted by Lobosco at 5:18 AM

Beyond Our Wildest Dreams, book by the Alberici Sisters

2012-01-11T07:15:00.001-08:00

Beyond Our Wildest Dreams, book by the Alberici Sisters: Maria Lauren and Linda Eichberg are entertainers formerly of the Dean Martin Golddiggers and the Rat Pack tour... etc.

Beyond Our Wildest Dreams took over two years to write and research along with our producer, Billy Ingram. Dozens of entertainers were interviewed for this book. We think you'll enjoy this historical journey through show business during the Variety TV Show era of the groovy 70's and glamorous Las Vegas! Our book has over 300 picture, many of them with our hero, Dean Martin! Of course, we talk about the memorable times we spent with the Rat Pack too. We were so blessed to learn our craft of performing from the best in the business. Our book starts with the story of two sisters, the oldest of nine children, who were raised to know the importance of healthy living in a quirky family of "health nuts!" I guess going into "nutty" show business was a natural transition for us. :-)

We could go on about our book but I think our reviews for Beyond Our Wildest Dreams selling on-line at Barnes and Noble & Amazon speaks for us better. We invite you to check our book page for updated information and videos: www.BeyondOurWildestDreams.com

Kudos to the "I Love Dino Martin" Blog for helping to keep this legendary entertainer alive!

Sincerely, The Alberici Sisters
Maria Lauren and Linda Eichberg

"Beyond Our Wildest Dreams provides a backstage pass at entertainment life in the 1970s, with great stories about Maria and Linda’s work with such legends as Louis Prima, Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Jerry Vale, Jonathan Winters, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Frank Sinatra and, of course, Dean Martin. Then again... to most of us, they’re legends. To the Alberici Sisters, they’re people. And that’s the way you’ll see them, too, by the time you finish their book."
- Ed Robertson, Host TV CONFIDENTIAL

What readers are saying on-line at Amazon and Barnes and Noble about our book, Beyond Our Wildest Dreams:

"Beyond Our Wildest Dreams put a smile on my face from beginning to end, filled with beautiful pictures and amazing stories. Some so outrageous, I can see why the Alberici Sisters had their stories corroborated by so many other show business notables. Hearing different perspectives about the stars during this great era in show business is done in a down to earth way, like a conversation, making Maria Lauren and Linda Eichberg very likeable. The larger than life icons they performed with became very endearing to me. I also enjoyed the back story of the sisters growing up in a family of eleven. The road stories were very funny. These Sister's, Maria and Linda were so inspiring! Follow your Dreams....Dreams Do Come True! I couldn't put this book down it was so interesting. A Great read! Highly recommended!" - by TopshelfAJD

"This is a great story on many levels. There is all of the flash and glamour of the proverbial story of the small town girls that make it big, traveling and performing with Dean, Frank, and the gang... It is also about impressionable girls (Alberici Sisters) remaining true to themselves and their roots, the strong family ties that seemed to keep them from going off course, and an inside glimpse of the dreams and the character of couple of Dean's infamous showgirls aka the Golddiggers!..." - by UDE

"... Oh the old Las Vegas , such great stories. This book is a great read for ages 15 to 103! Thanks you both for this wonderful book. Waiting for Volume II......... :)" - by Pat

"BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS"

2012-01-10T07:23:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes a few ago ilovedinomartin received a comment to one of our Dino-grams. Nows, likes this is normally no big deal 'cause devoted Dino-holics are often offerin' their Dino-reflections on features here. But, this comment was on a post from almost a year ago, and it came from one of those closest to our great man....Miss Linda Eichberg....one of our Dino's Golddiggers!

Linda wrote us to provide some informatio on a Dino-pose posted here back in January of '11 of our Dino with his ever-present smoke surrounds by the Golddiggers. Likes you can view the pix below with Miss Eichberg's remembrances.

You will note in addition to givin' all us pallies some Dino-details on the pix, Linda is promotin' that she and her sister, fellow Golddigger Maria Lauren, have compiled a new book of their life and times with our amazin' Dino. The book is tagged, "Beyond Our Wildest Dreams." I have just ordered my copy from a local book purveyor and look forward to readin' 'bout their Dino-experiences, and viewin' the Dino-pixs offered.

Linda and Maria will be offerin' a special edition of ilovedinomartin tomorrow to let you all know more 'bout this new Dino-resource. To view the blog pad that is promotin' the sisters' new tome, just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-only, DMP

Hi, we just stumbled upon your blog... cool... as in the "King of Cool" Dean Martin. I thought you or your readers might like to know a little info on this blog's photo. This pic was taken during Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin's tour they did together in 1977. Dean brought the Golddiggers group along for that tour. We were part of that singing & dancing troupe(the Alberici sisters, Maria Lauren & Linda Eichberg). Dean was very dear to us. We worked with him for about 16 years and wrote a book about our times together with him and many other entertainment icons of that era. The book is called BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS. Dino, thanks for the memories!

my dad watched Dean Martin's TV show religiously

2012-01-09T07:07:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today we checks in at the MOG pad, where a dude tagged "Masoo" waxes eloquently 'bout his daddy-o's Dino-devotion. It appears that a regular feature of Masoo's MOG pad is a "random friday" musical focus. In the post below Masoo has put the accent on the year 1964 and our most beloved Dino's hugest of hugest croonin'-a-tune successes...."Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime."

Masoo uses a variety of vid clips to outline our Dino's amazin' career...includin' clips from the Martin and Lewis Colgate Comedy Hour, that classical moment between our Dino and Ricky Nelson singin' in "Rio Bravo," a stellar comedy sketch between our Dino and Miss Goldie Hawn on the Dino-show, and, of course our great man singin' his great song, "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime."

Likes am totally thrilled to find a son sharin' the passion of his daddy-o for our amazin' Dino...what a great trib to his old man, and, of course, to our Dino. ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to Mr. Masoo for sharin' this great Dino-feature with his readers...certain to help many grow in their Dino-devotion! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-prose. Dino-delightedly, DMP

random friday, 1964 edition: dean martin, "everybody loves somebody"

Posted almost 2 years ago

When I think of Dean Martin, two things in particular come to mind. One, obviously, is Rio Bravo. The other is my father, who was a big fan of Dino. I've been considering this in the context of today's random track. Sinatra ruled the roost for my parents when I was growing up, but now I wonder if that was more my mom's doing. Not to say my dad didn't like Frank, too, but it was my mom who loved Only the Lonely. And while my dad watched Dean Martin's TV show religiously, I don't remember if my mom even stayed up for it (memories are tenuous, of course). I think I'm at least right that my dad liked Dean Martin more than my mom did.

The basics of Martin's career: a mildly-popular crooner teams up with Jerry Lewis, they become the most popular act of the pre-rock and roll era, radio and movies follow.

They split, Martin's career stumbles a bit, then he hits his stride in movies and on record. (Yes, I posted this on the Ricky Nelson one, as well.)

In 1965, Martin's own TV series begins … it ran for nine seasons, and spawned celebrity roast specials that ran for another decade.

The thing I find most interesting is how Martin was able to maintain his popularity long past the time rock and roll had taken over popular music. He made the Top Ten in 1949, and hit #1 in 1955 with "Memories Are Made of This." By 1964, while Martin was still well-known as an actor, he hadn't made the Top Ten for years, and the Beatles and the rest of the British Invasion would seem to have made Martin's music irrelevant. Even his own son played in a rock and roll band, Dino, Desi & Billy, which apparently didn't impress Dad very much. One day, the story goes, Dad told Son that he was tired of hearing about the Beatles, and he was going knock them off the charts. "Everybody Loves Somebody" did exactly that, pushing "A Hard Day's Night" aside. (Wikipedia notes, "Dean Martin became the only person in history to ever predict he'd knock the Beatles off the charts, and actually succeed.") Martin made the Top Ten twice more over the next year.

Why did my dad love this guy so much? The answer, I think, has something to do with the music, of course … Martin developed into a talented crooner over the years. But more than that, it was the Dean Martin persona. Not the amiable drunk (which was largely a myth), but the guy was so cool, he even out-cooled the other members of the Rat Pack. On his TV series, Martin perfected an aura of casualness that was extremely appealing. Men of my father's age might have used Sinatra to get their wives in the mood for love, but they wanted to BE Dean Martin. (And yes, I know I'm making a huge leap here, but hey, it's my blog, and my dad's no longer with us to set me straight.)

Dean Martin, forever cool. In fact, in 2007, one of those technological marvels whereby dead people sing duets with living people was released under Dean's name. It was called Forever Cool, and his duet with Martina McBride on "Baby, It's Cold Outside" made it to #7 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

A MOG playlist: http://mog.com/playlists/96830

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "It's Magic"

2012-01-08T11:18:00.001-08:00

Hey pals, how's the new year treatin' youse so far? Let's hope 2012 brings all us Dino-holics some great luck and brings us even closer to lovin' & learnin' from our great great man!

This week's Serenade comes from Dean's 1974 al-b-um "Once In A While". It's such a bea-u-ti-ful song that I really couldn't say it any better than "It's Magic"!

Imagine the joy some lucky young lady would have felt to hear our Dino croonin' these cool romantic type phrases to her...man o man pals o mine...I betcha she'd melt in his hands like butter! These words definitely are so so pretty and only Dean could sing them so so bea-u-ti-fully! What can I say...It's magic! Enjoy!

It's Magic

You sigh, the song begins, you speak and I hear violins
It's magic
The stars desert the skies and rush to nestle in your eyes
It's magic

Without a golden wand or mystic charms
Fantastic things begin when I am in your arms

When we walk hand-in-hand, the world becomes a wonderland
It's magic
How else can I explain those rainbows when there isn't rain?
It's magic

Why do I tell me myself these things that happen are all really true
When in my heart I know the magic is my love for you?

It's magic
It's magic

Why do I tell me myself these things that happen are all really true
When in my heart I know the magic is my love for you?

Homagin' our Dino as Matt Helm in "Murders' Row"

2012-01-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today's Dino-treasure comes via our hugely Dino-devoted down under pallies Kylie and Levi. A few ago Aussie Miss Ky shared this vid with all the pallies at the ilovedinomartin yahoo Dino-dialogue pad tellin' us that our "Levi`s crazy about this clip."

Likes me, our Deanager Levi is totally totally sold out to our Dino as spyster Matt Helm, and in particular to Helmer numero duo, "Murders' Row." And, this clever Dino-montage of clips from said flick is likes totally totally rad dudes! And, likes the montage has our great man croonin' the great tune from MR.."I'm Not The Marryin' Kind." Gotta say that our pallie Levi has likes simply the bestest of bestest Dino-taste!

So, Deanager Levi, this Dino-gram is for you dude....keeps diggin' our Dino as Matt Helm, and likes, of course, keeps lovin' our most beloved Dino! And, thanks ever so much Miss Ky for puttin' us on to this so so groovy Dino-homagin' Dino-swingin', DMP

btw, likes if you are interested in joinin' the Dino-discussin' at ilovedinomartin, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram!

Dean Martin: An American Icon

2012-01-06T07:17:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes there is simply no end to the Dino-devotion to be found all over the web, and if likes I am willin' to spend the time searchin', new Dino-treasure is always a click or two away!

Case in point, a couple of days ago I spend just a bit of time searchin' blogs for Dino-adulation, and likes I came up with 'nough Dino-devotion to share with all youse Dino-holics for the next few. Today's Dino-appreciato comes from a blog tagged, "Article Downpour - raining articles," one of those sites that has a plethora of informatio on a plethora of topics.

Likes it's so so easy to miss the Dino-action when it is buried between information on soup to nuts, but with just a bit of patience, google blog search took me directly to freelance writer, Art Gib's stunnin' bit of Dino-prose tagged, "Dean Martin: An American Icon."

With a tag likes that, you simply knows that you have struck Dino-gold, 'cause indeed Mr. Gib is a true devotee of our most beloved Dino and his Dino-reflections simply is a deep and dense downpour of impressive Dino-devotion. In one simple set of words, Gib sets the Dino-tone is a most excellent Dino-way, sayin'...."This enormously talented man was a Jack of all trades who crossed all kinds of genres and mediums during his long career."

Well, likes I coulda go on and on quotin' Art Gib's amazin' Dino-truths, but then likes you woulda not needs to read the article, just like our Dino often said that he didn't want to sing a whole song 'cause then you woulda never buy the al-b-um!
So takes the time to soak in all the Dino-truths found in "Dean Martin: An American Icon."

ilovedinomartin sends out mucho Dino-appreciato to Mr. Art Gib and the pallies at
"Article Downpour - raining articles," for such an outpourin' of deep, pure, and true Dino-devotion! Sure to help many pallies grow deep in their Dino-addiction! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Drinkin' Dino-deeply, DMP

Dean Martin: An American Icon

Dean Martin was an iconic figure in American entertainment, even when he was still living. This enormously talented man was a Jack of all trades who crossed all kinds of genres and mediums during his long career. Here is a short synopsis of his life and times.

Dino Paul Crocetti was born of Italian-American parents in Steubenville, Ohio in 1917. He grew up in a working class family and times were tough during the Depression years, as they were for so many others. Young Dino survived as best he could after dropping out of high school: he delivered bootleg liquor, worked in a steel mill, and even tried his hand as a black-jack dealer. He was strong and athletic, and by 15 he was trying to make it as a boxer called Kid Crochet. That career was short-lived, however, and while working odd-jobs he began to exercise his natural vocal talents by singing with local bands.

In the early 1940's, his crooning style began to get noticed and while singing for bandleader Sammy Watkins, he changed his name to Dean Martin. As his career progressed, he became as well known for his good looks, charm, and charisma as he was for his singing talents. He found a modicum of success singing in local clubs in the East, both before and after WWII, but he was still waiting for that big break.

That turning point came when he met another nightclub performer named Jerry Lewis. The two formed a music and comedy act which at first was very poorly received. When they added what would become their trademark slapstick routines, the pair's popularity soared and they gained the attention of the movie industry. Theirs was one of the hottest acts in the country during the 1950's, and Martin played straight man opposite Lewis's zany antics.

After Lewis and Martin broke up in 1956, Lewis began to concentrate on his acting career in earnest; during the 1960's he became one of the most versatile stars around, specializing in Westerns while maintaining a recording and nightclub performance career as well. As a member of the legendary "Rat Pack," Martin continued to cultivate his reputation as a hard-drinking, high living womanizer, and it was on this reputation that he based his next endeavor: The Dean Martin Show.

The Dean Martin Show marked the entertainer's leap to the television medium and the enterprise was a wildly successful one. Largely improvisational, the show was a nightmare for censors but the audiences lapped up its raucous and often bawdy humor. When Martin began producing Celebrity Roast specials during the 1970's and 80's, audiences were able to enjoy a side of celebrities they rarely got to see.

Dean Martin officially retired from show business in 1991, just four years prior to his death from lung cancer. But he left behind a breathtaking portfolio of songs, movies, and television performances that continue to perpetuate his legendary status even today.

Dean Martin is in my head

2012-01-05T07:04:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes all you dudes know that I simply loves searchin' the net for Dino-devotion whenever and wherever it may be found. Recently on Dino-patrol I was guided to 'nother new-to-ilovedinomartin blog pad tagged, "You Must Begin" where lady blogger "FunnyLadyInRed" holds forth. Miss FLIR sez 'bout herself, that she is "a brilliant, quirky woman, with a lot to do yet before the final dirt nap sets in."

Well besides bein' "brilliant" and "quirky", this funny lady in red is also a chick who just happens to be likes totally totally sold out to our Dino. The tag of her post, "Dean Martin is in my head' immediately caught my Dino-attention and loves how she proceeds to say, "And he can stay there, too! All day (and night) if'n he wants to."

How brilliantly refreshin' to pop in on 'nother lover of our Dino and hear 'em proclaim their unabashed Dino-devotion with such amazin' candor! Am addin' a clip where our Dino sings 'bout the tune this lady in red speaketh 'bout, "Baby It's Cold Outside" as well as a stunnin' pix of our most beloved Dino.

Thanks "funnyladyinred" for sharin' your Dino-passion with your readership..knows you will keeps lovin' our Dino. Let's all keep our great man in our heads..and in our hearts each and every Dino-day! Dino-devotedly, DMP

Dean Martin is in my head

And he can stay there, too! All day (and night) if'n he wants to. ;^)
Funny thing. I had a Freudian slip as I typed the headline. I wrote: "Dream" instead of 'Dean' - no wonder there, though, I do adore the man and his music.

Yesterday, I was in a retro sort of mood while I quilted and I guess I must still be in the zone, for after I came in from running Karl's thank you notes out to the mailbox, I can't stop humming "...baby, it's cold outside."

It is finally nippy and more winter-like out there. Bright and sunny, but c-o-l-d! I've made myself a bracing cup of tea and am heading back to the quilting in a heartbeat, just wanted to pop in and say "hello."

It's about Martin coming back to him after all those years.

2012-01-04T07:09:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes his tag is Andrew Cohen and his credentials include servin' as " chief legal analyst and legal editor for CBS News" and the winnin' of a "Murrow Award as one of the nation's leading legal analysts and commentators," and he is a dude who really gets Martin!

A couple of days before the new year, Mr. Cohen scribed a stunnin' piece of Dino-prose for the on-line presence of "The Alantic," tagged "Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis: 35 Years Ago, the Reunion, and you can clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram to checks it out there.

Cohen, havin' viewed the new Encore network Jerry Lewis documentary, "Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis," makes a stellar case for the importance of rememberin' and honorin' the 35th anniverary of the reunitin' of our most beloved Dino and Mr. Lewis on the 1976 Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

I am thrilled to read such a honored news correspondant as Mr. Andrew Cohen puttin' such an honorin' accent on our great man. It's simply wonderful to have someone with Cohen's credentials encouragin' others to keeps honorin' our honorable Dino!

Hats off to the staff of "The Alantic" and particularly Mr. Andrew Cohen for scribin' these thoughtful and thought provokin' Dino-reflections. Wants to also gives a special nod of thanks to our pallie Danny G. who likes put me on to this very special Dino-feature! Dino-delightedly, DMP

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis: 35 Years Ago, the Reunion

By Andrew Cohen

Dec 29 2011, 11:50 AM ET

Remembering an event that meant an awful lot then—and no doubt means something still—to tens of millions of Americans

When these guys were on the television screen it was more than just a show—it was an event.

AP Images

So I'm watching "Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis," the documentary of a sort now premiering on Encore about the life and art of the polarizing entertainer, and it dawns on me that America largely missed the 35th anniversary of one of the most famous moments in television history: the live reunion between Jerry Lewis, who was doing his 11th Muscular Dystrophy Telethon that year, and Dean Martin, who had left Lewis's side 20 years earlier.

For those of you under 50, stay with me for just a few more moments. The Martin-Lewis reunion may mean nothing to you—especially if aren't a fan of either man or a student of Hollywood or Vegas history. But I'll bet you a bag of donuts that the reunion, orchestrated by Frank Sinatra himself on September 5, 1976, was a big deal to your parents, or to your grandparents, or to your great-grandparents. Go ahead and ask them, you'll see.

It's understandable why America wasn't in the mood to celebrate this anniversary a few months ago. On September 5, 2011, after all, we are all gearing up for a much more grim remembrance. But I think it would be a shame if the entire year passed without so much as a brief tribute to the grand moment at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, on a Sunday, when Dean Martin first walked back onto Jerry Lewis's stage.

And I say all this as a kid too young either to remember Lewis and Martin as a team (they broke up in 1956 after a glorious run) or to link them to the Rat Pack. But in 1976 they were still both a big draw in our house. My father was just a few years younger than Lewis, and was said to look a bit like him, and I remember the feeling back then that when these guys were on the television screen it was more than just a show—it was an event.

I acknowledge that Lewis is a divisive figure, although, like this recent reviewer at The New York Times, I'm not quite sure exactly why. And I know what the other reviewers say about "Method to the Madness." I hope one day that a stronger documentary of Lewis is made, one which answers the many questions this one has left behind. But now is not the time for a debate over Jerry Lewis, his foibles, and his legacy. Now is about September 5, 1976.

Here is the video. Trust me when I tell you that it meant an awful lot then —and no doubt means something still—to tens of millions of Americans who loved laughing to Martin and Lewis and who then were saddened by their long split. Whether you love Lewis, or loathe him, and I sadly concede that there are reasonable people on both side of that divide, you have to concede that this was great television.

Even in this brief clip you can see and feel examples of why Lewis got into so much trouble later and why the dialogue of the Rat Pack did not age well (to put it kindly). But this clip isn't only about Lewis. It's about Martin coming back to him after all those years. It's about all the stunned people in the audience. It's about the Chairman of the Board interceding—everyone acknowledging later, of course, that only Sinatra himself could have pulled it off.

This is what tens of millions of Americans—most now senior citizens—were paying attention to in the late summer of 1976, the year the country turned 200. This is why it is still important to remember these cultural moments as they fade from personal memory. Do yourself a favor this holiday weekend. Put aside your apathy (or worse) toward Lewis. Ask your folks, or your grandparents, about Lewis and Martin and the reunion. And then just sit back and listen.

Our Dino and Mr. Foster Brooks

2012-01-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes gonna continue to share some all time fav recorded moments with our Dino. Today's Dino-vid is that classic of classic drunkie comedy sketch from the Dino-show featurin' our most beloved Dino and Mr. Foster Brooks as the drunk airline pilot.

Likes I think this is the most posted Dino-vid at youtube with tons and tons of pallies puttin' this up. And, indeed this simply musta be the most viewed Dino-clip in all of youtube history. For years now this particular Dino-sketch keeps appearin' on blogs all over the net, helpin' more and more pallies gettin' turned on to the Dino-difference and becomin' truly truly Dino-addicted.

'Cause this Dino-vid is so so popular, haven't shared it here for a very very long Dino-time...but today seems a great Dino-day to share it will all youse pallies. Simply grooves how how much fun our Dino and Foster have in doin' this...loves, loves, loves watchin' our great man cracks up to the point of tears! In deep, pure, and true Dino-adulation, DMP

Our Dino and the Sam Man

2012-01-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes while we are still in the New Dino-year celebratin' mood..'though certainly every day is a day to party hearty with our most beloved Dino, likes I have decided to endulge in sharin' with you 'nother of my most fav of fav Dino-vids.

This time 'round it's our great man with the great Sam man , singin' a medley of their fav tunes. I just loves the chemistry between our Dino and his Rat Pack pallie Sammy Davis Jr. You can likes totally see the heart-felt love, deep admiration, and likes total respect that these two pallies have for each other.

Loves how these most talented men effortlessly play off of each other and how they simply simply groove on makin' music together. As we march boldly into this new Dino-year of 2012, likes sit back and enjoy a bit over 6 minutes of our Dino makin' magic with Mr. Sam. Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies! Dino-indulgin', DMP

Happy New Dino-year....Since I Met You Dino...I'm A Different Dude!

2012-01-01T12:24:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes Happy New Dino-year pallies. Didn't know if I woulda gets to make it on the 'puter on this first day of a brand new Dino-year, but likes since I have, do wanna gives you some Dino-encouragement as we welcome in 2012. Likes as I was ponderin' what I wanna share with all you dudes as we begin 'nother year of groovin' on our most beloved Dino together, likes I keep comin' back to my all time fav Dino-vid...."Since I Met You Baby," that randiest of randy, one and only MTV music video starrin' our great man and created by our Dino's youngest boypallie Ricci.

From our Dino's last al-b-um, "The Nashville Sessions," released by Warner Bros. in 1983, "Since I Met You Baby" was a hit for our Dino on that disc and when the tune was turned into the music video, our great man rocked MTV with his ubber coolness.

Likes I loves to watch this vid over and over and over 'cause I never ever tire of seein' our quintessential Dino croonin' his swingin' version of this swingin' song of amore. And, likes indeed pallies, the song sez it all...when dudes likes us encounter our Dino...we are never never ever the same again. Likes I thinks I was likes 9 or 10 when I first "met" our Dino, and I can testify that indeed my life changed the very day I first experienced the King of Cool!

So pallies, as we enter into 'nother swingin' year of groovin' on our great man...enjoys with me the Dino-difference...enjoys viewin' "Since I Met You Baby."
Devoted only to Dino, DMP

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Party Dolls & Wine"

2011-12-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

Editor's Note: Hey pallies, likes 'cause I may not be in shape to do any postin' on the morrow, am gonna shares our pallie Danny G.'s special New Year's Edition of his Dino-serenade a wee bit early to makes sure youse gets it. Hats off to our swingin' pallie Danny G. for faithfully sharin' his huge Dino-passion through his regular Dino-serenade Dino-reflections. Dino-yearnin', DMP

Hey pals...Happy New Year!!! What a great time it truly is my friends! 2011 was such a Dino-blast! Dean was all over the place! We got new dvd's, new cd's, the "Cool Then, Cool Now" book & all kinds of Dino-patter! I simply cannot wait to see what 2012 brings our way!

I know...you're thinkin'..."man, this guy is usin' a lot of exclamation points." I can't help it pals, I'm just so so excited for great things to come! There I go again!

I wanted to pick the perfect song to ring in the new year and could not thinks of a better tune that expresses our Dino's passion for livin' & lovin' than "Party Dolls & Wine". This ditty really seems to capture that "Dino essence". Let's start the new year off right pallies and turn this one way up! It's time to forgive & forget...live & let live...eat, drink and be merry! Let's all try to be a little more like Dean this comin' year! Enjoy pals! Salute!

PARTY DOLLS & WINE

Neon lights barroom bands hotel rooms one night stands
When it's party time you'll find me at the head of the line
Midnight cowboy singing his song to every girl who comes along
My life's made up of party dolls and wine

Party dolls and wine yeah drink and let the good times roll
Party dolls and wine making mem'ries for the days when I grow old

They say that someday I'll meet my match but until that time down the hatch
With that bubbling sparkling tantalizing fruit of the vine
I know someday I'll be put in my place but I'll die happy with a smile on my face
Remembering all those party dolls and wine

Party dolls and wine...
Midnight cowboy singing his song...
Party dolls and wine...
Party dolls and wine...

Happy Dino-eve Pallies!

2011-12-31T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes our days of celebratin' Dino-winter-month are drawin' to a close, and likes we find ourselves at Dino-eve....out with the old year and in with the new!
Below are two delightful pixs of our Dino and Jerry as Father Time and the babe in arms. It seems hard to believe that this pixs were shot to celebrate the comin' of 1952....60-count-em-60 years ago!

How fun to see our most beloved Dino decked out as Father Time...lookin' so wonderfully wise with his long flowin' robe and sickle...and Jerry dressed us as a new born ready to toot his horn....indeed the boys are certainly type cast!

ilovedinomartin wishes all you pallies a swingin' and safe New Year's Eve and the bestest of best New Years! Keeps checkin' in at ilovedinomartin for more great Dino-action in the comin' year....and likes most of all...KEEPS LOVIN' OUR DINO! Dino-celebratin', DMP

Celebratin' Dino-eve with our Dino and his Pallies!

2011-12-30T07:13:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes Dino-winter-month is almost to an end and blends so so coolly into Dino-eve. Today ilovedinomartin shares a couple of totally cool, hip, and oh so randy vid clips from the Dino-show that put the accent on our Dino's partyin' on Dino-eve. Likes who better to celebrate the endin' of the ol' year and the comin' of the new then our swingin' Dino! These clips have been shared here before, but they certainly will continue to puts all us pallies into a Dino-eve-mood.

The first clip has our great man and his pallie Frank, along with Miss Ruth Buzzi and the Golddiggers puttin' on a radio programme for New Years Eve. My fav seg of this particular clip comes early when Sinatra brings our Dino to the microphone introducin' Dino sayin' "...."And, now staggerin' up to the microphone, direct from the three month tour of his wine cellar, the baritone of the breweries, Mr. Blinky Tomlin"....and our Dino begins sings the ditty "The Object Of My Affections," usin' all the hip movements that he is known for.

Up next Frank has been throwin' a NYE party in his hotel suite, where 87 chicks and only two pounds of potato salad have gathered with Sinatra and Martin handlin' the food and females. As Sinatra and our Dino retire to Frank's bedroom they uncover Miss Ruth Buzzi a bit tipsy from an abundance of liquid refreshments. Great fun entails as Mr. Sinatra and Mr. Martin try to rid themselves of the buzzed Buzzi.

So, likes sit backs and enjoy these classic moments from the Dino-show and let the Dino-eve partyin' begins! Dino-lovin', DMP

2 Stories on the Death of Dean Martin

2011-12-29T07:04:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes welcome to the 29th day of Dino-winter-month edition of ilovedinomartin. Today we takes you to the blog pad, "Los Angeles Morgue Files," where blogger Mr. Brian Aldrich is "Showcasing crime and death in Los Angeles, focusing on crime scenes and celebrity graves."

On Dino-winter-day, Mr. Aldrich wisely posted a youtube vid of "2 Stories on the Death of Dean Martin." Taken from the December 25 and 26 editions of "Entertainment Tonight" the stories are marvelous tribs to our most beloved Dino. The first clip features Jerry Lewis speakin' 'bout the "love affair" that our Dino and Mr. Lewis had. In the second clip we hear lovin' thoughts from Mr. Joey Bishop and Mr. Paul Anka as well as vignettes of our great man's great career.

Likes pallies takes the time to honor our wonderful Dino by watchin' these brief but outstandin' vid tribs to our man. ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to Mr. Brian Aldrich for sharin' these Dino-honorin' stories with his blog readers..helpin' more and more to grow in their deep, pure, and true devotion to our Dino! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-devotedly, DMP

Sunday, December 25, 2011

2 Stories on the Death of Dean Martin

2 Stories on the Death of Dean Martin - December 25, 1995

DEAN MARTIN — The Coolest?

2011-12-28T07:16:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, Likes the days of our Dino-winter-day remembrance are windin' down as we are now at the twenty-eighth day of Dino-winter month. Today we return to the blog, "classicmoviechat.com," where on December 10 we reported that bloggers Mr. Joe Morella and Mr. Frank Segers asked the provocative Dino-quire, "Was Dean Martin a Movie Star or a TV Star?" Faithful ilovedinomartin readers will remember that Joe and Frank correctly answered both and went on to share a stunnin' pix of our Dino on the set of "Texas Across The River."

Well, likes as I most often do when sharin' other pallies' Dino-reflections, I offered a bit of Dino-patter in the comments section thankin' these dudes for their Dino-reflections and tellin' 'em that they were bein' featured at this here humble little Dino-blog.

To my total total Dino-delight I discovered that Morella and Segers featured my Dino-devotion in a recent post at "classicmoviechat.com" puttin' the accent on comments received on their original Dino-post. And, to make thin's even Dino-sweeter, it would appear that my Dino-thoughts have encouraged this dudes to delve deeper into our most beloved Dino sayin'.... "But what we may have overlooked Is Martin’s “coolness” factor.

Likes this flick lovin- guys then goes on to share my Dino-thoughts as you can read below. Can't tell you likes how delighted I am to know that perhaps, just perhaps the efforts of ilovedinomartin to lift up the life, times, and teachin's of our most beloved Dino sometimes indeed is helpin' others to grow in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our great man!

Thanks to Mr. Joe Morella and Mr. Frank Segers for sharin' this Dino-holic's thoughts as a featured blog post and for growin' in knowin' the importance of our Dino's cool quotient! Dino-passionately, DMP

DEAN MARTIN — The Coolest?

Dec 22 2011

Written by classicmovieguys

Hello, everybody. Joe Morella and Frank Segers, your classic movie guys, here today to enjoy the entertaining responses we received to our Dec. 8 blog that asked the pressing question, Was Dean Martin a Movie Star or a TV Star?

Our answer was that he was both. And we certainly stick by that! But what we may have overlooked Is Martin’s “coolness” factor.

Whatever you thought of his merits as an actor (disclosure: Frank is a lot less enthusiastic than Joe), Martin was one cool dude. With or without Sinatra and the Rat Pack, el Dino was as smooth a vocalist as he was an operator.

That certainly is the view of reader Dino Martin Peters, who emailed on Dec. 10:

Hey pallies, likes what a totally totally provocative Dino-quire and stunnin’ Dino-reflection! Never was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool…oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth!

Knows your Dino-prose is bein’ shared this day with the ilovedinomartin readership.

Gosh, Martin STILL commands such a rapturous following! We suspect that is a lot more than can be said for Jerry Lewis. Thanks Dino, and we are glad you so enjoyed our blog.

In our Dec. 8 piece, we ran a photo (see above) of Martin starring (more or less as a goof, we suspect) in Texas Across The River. Its is totally forgettable comedy/western made in 1966, in which Martin’s eclectic costars include French actor Alain Delon and our mystery gent (we asked that you identify him) who played the ‘Indian’ (see above).

Peter Graves, the younger brother of “Gunsmoke’s” James Arness, was also in the picture, playing one Captain Rodney Stimson, and given to delivering such lines as “Take it easy, Yancy. You got a wedding to go to.”

In any case, who was the guy playing “the Indian.”

Reader Gerri had the correct answer: Is that “Indian” Joey Bishop??? What a riot!

It was indeed Joey Bishop, playing an Indian by the name of “Kronk.” Talk about casting against type. Bishop was many things but never an Indian. He was Jewish, born Joseph Abraham Gottlieb in the Bronx in 1918. (He died in 2007 at the age of 89.)

Bishop made a fair number of movies but was most popular as a TV show personality. He was also, along with Martin, a certified member of Frank Sinatra’s Las Vegas-based Rat Pack, and costarred with fellow packers in their signature movie, Ocean’s Eleven in 1960.

Indeed, what a riot!

The Dean Martin Show - 4 CD Set Releasin' January 10, 2012

2011-12-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes there is stunnin' Dino-news to share on this 27th day of Dino-winter-month. Likes when I checked my email this mornin' I was surprised to find an 'lert from the pallies at amazon.com 'bout an up comin' release of some new Dino-treasure. The teaser pix in the email showed a very very retro cover of our Dino on the tube hostin' his fabulous Dino-show.

Likes when I clicks on the link (which you can do by clickin' on the tag of this Dino-message) I found this totally rad release of a collection of 4-count-em-4 Dino-musical CDs by a snazzy pad tagged Pazzazz. Releasin' on January 10, 2012 this new Dino-collection contains 68 of our most beloved Dino's croonin' tunes....and at a very nice price as well.

Below we feature pixs of the front and back covers of this Dino-release so you will be able to check out the list of Dino-songs. Likes tried to do a bit of Dino-net-searchin' to gather more info to share with all you pallies, but likes I turned up empty handed at this time. If and when I can uncover more info, I will be sure to share it with all you dudes.

Ain't it the greatest that more and more Dino-treausres are bein' released for the pleasure of all us Dino-philes. Likes just goes to show that Dino-devotion is growin' by leaps and bounds all 'round this Dino-universe. Keeps lovin' Dino and keeps spreadin' the Dino-message of cool! Dino-reportin', DMP

On Our Dino's Departure

2011-12-26T05:33:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes hopes all you pallies took the op to honor our most beloved Dino in your own special way yesterday on Dino-winter-day. As we continue to pay homage to our Dino in these closin' days of Dino-winter-month, today we turn to a brief Dino-postin' at the blog "mysack.com" where the pallies there have listed important events in music history for December 25th.

Even though this Dino-mention is brief in nature, and even though I have spotted at least one error in the Dino-information (our Dino's stellar Dino-show ran for 9-count-em-9 seasons on the Peacock Network), one never knows how such Dino-homagin' will help to bring others into the Dino-fold! So, ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to the dudes at "mysack.com" for sharin' this information on the day of our Dino's departure from our planet. To views this in it's original format, just likes clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram.

Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies and keeps tuned to ilovedinomartin for even deeper Dino-devotion to come! Dino-passionately, DMP

In 1995, singer-actor Dean Martin died of respiratory failure at his Beverly Hills, California home. He was 78. Martin first gained fame in a comedy duo with Jerry Lewis in the late 1940's. They were top movie, T.V. and nightclub stars when Martin ended the act in 1956. He went on to further stardom on his own, both as an actor and singer. Martin's movies included "The Young Lions," "Some Came Running" and the Matt Helm series. His TV variety show ran for eight years on N.B.C., beginning in 1965. And on record, Martin's smooth baritone made number-one hits out of "Memories Are Made of This" in 1956 and "Everybody Loves Somebody" in 1964.

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: ...Duetin' with Dino..."I'll Be Home for Christmas"

2011-12-24T07:15:00.001-08:00

Editor's Note: Hey pallies, likes since I won't be near a 'puter tomorrow and 'cause after several valiant attempts our Danny G. hasn't quite not the knack for postin' Dino-grams here, her is our great Dino-holic Danny G.'s very very special Dino-winter-day edition of Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino. Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies and just knows all you Dino-philes will find your own special way of honorin' our Dino's earthly departure on Dino-winter-day. Deeply Dino-devotedly, DMP

HAPPY DINO WINTER DAY PALLIES!!! What a wonderful day it is! A true time of celebration & a chance to reflect on all that is good in the world. It's a day that we can all focus on what totally terrific things our Dino has brought to us!

This very special "Duetin' with Dino" could'nt have come at a better time! The world definately needs more Dino in it right now! "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has always been one of my most favorite of fave Christmastime tunes! It really brings this pallie back to his youth when things were simple & Christmas was so so very excitin'! I can still remember my dear old Dad playin' the Dino Christmas al b um on the giant record player in the parlor while he was cookin' up some yummy octopus, squid & shrimp in the kitchen! That's how we did it in my house anyway;)

The bea u ti ful Ms. Scarlett Johansson accompanies Dean on this winter time classic and I gots to admits...she does one outstandin' job pals! Let's all keep our Dino in mind as we celebrate this wonderful day and maybe even lift a glass in his honor & memory! I knows for sure that I will. Merry Christmas & Happy Dino Winter Day to all my great great pals at ilovedinomartin.

I'll Be Home For Christmas

I'll be home for christmas;
You can Count on me.
Please have snow and mis-tle-toe
And presents on the tree.

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light glems.
I'll be home for christmas
If only in my dreams.

I'll be home for christmas;
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mis-tle-toe
And presents on the tree.

Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light glems.
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

Deathday: Dean Martin

2011-12-24T07:08:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes it has sorta become a tradition on this eve of Dino-winter-day to share an in depth Dino-remembrance scribed by a dude tagged "Poe" at the blog "Poe Forward." First shared on the day-after-Dino-winter-day in 2009, likes I does think this will certainly continue to be shared annually 'round Dino-winter-day.

"Deathday: Dean Martin" contains a ton of Dino-hearted commentary on the life and times of our most beloved Dino as well a huge number of awesome Dino-vid-clips and classic Dino-pixs. Likes the first time I came 'cross this these totally totally Dino-honorin' reflections I was simply awe struck by the deep, pure, and true devotion shown in this Dino-presentation.....and to this day, I continue to be awed by this Poe dude's amazin' Dino-passion!

So, likes sits back and soak in the abundant Dino-adulation below. ilovedinomartin speaks our greatest of the great Dino-appreciato to Mr. Poe for such an open and unabashedly lovin' trib to our King of Cool. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. btw, pallies, a number of vid clips from the original post have been deleted and thus not shared in this repostin'
In Deep Dino-devotion, DMP

Friday, December 25, 2009

Deathday: Dean Martin

Dean Martin (June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, film actor and comedian. He was one of the best known musical artists of the 1950s and 1960s. Martin's hit singles included "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "Mambo Italiano", "Sway", "Volare" and "Ain't That A Kick In The Head?". One of the leaders of the "Rat Pack", he was a major star in four areas of show business: concert stage/night clubs, recordings, motion pictures, and television.

Nicknamed the "King of Cool," Dean Martin became a pop culture icon for his music, his trademark charm and his drinking, although his glass while on stage contained apple juice. He was much respected wherever he went, and became a sort of unofficial ambassador of the Italian-American community.

Early life
Born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio to Italian immigrant parents, Gaetano and Angela Crocetti (née Barra), his father was an immigrant from Abruzzo, Italy and his mother was an Italian American of part Neapolitan and part Sicilian. Martin was the younger of two sons. He had one brother, Bill. Martin spoke only Italian until he started school at the age of five. He attended Grant Elementary School in Steubenville, Ohio and took up the drums as a hobby as a teenager. He was the target of much ridicule for his broken English and ultimately dropped out from Steubenville High School in the 10th grade because he thought that he was smarter than his teachers. He delivered bootleg liquor, served as a speakeasy croupier, wrote crafty anecdotes, was a blackjack dealer, worked in a steel mill and boxed as welterweight. He grew up a neighbor to Jimmy the Greek. At the age of 15, he was a boxer who billed himself as "Kid Crochet". His prizefighting years earned him a broken nose (later fixed), a permanently split lip, and many sets of broken knuckles (a result of not being able to afford the tape used to wrap boxers' hands). He lost 11 of his 12 bouts. For a time, he roomed with Sonny King, who, like Martin, was just starting in show business and had little money. It is said that Martin and King held bare-knuckle matches in their apartment, fighting until one of them was knocked out; people paid to watch. Eventually, Martin gave up boxing. He worked as a roulette stickman and croupier in an illegal casino behind a tobacco shop where he had started as a stock boy. At the same time, he sang with local bands. Calling himself "Dino Martini" (after the then-famous Metropolitan Opera tenor, Nino Martini), he got his first break working for the Ernie McKay Orchestra. He sang in a crooning style influenced by Harry Mills (of the Mills Brothers), among others. In the early 1940s, he started singing for bandleader Sammy Watkins, who suggested he change his name to Dean Martin.

In October 1941, Martin married Elizabeth Anne McDonald. During their marriage (ended by divorce in 1949), they had four children. Martin worked for various bands throughout the early 1940s, mostly on looks and personality until he developed his own singing style. Martin famously flopped at the Riobamba when he succeeded Frank Sinatra there in 1943, but it was the setting for his introduction.

Martin repeatedly sold 10 percent shares of his earnings for up front cash. He apparently did this so often that he found he had sold over 100 percent of his income. Such was his charm that most of his lenders forgave his debts and remained friends.

Drafted into the United States Army in 1944 during World War II, Martin served a year stationed in Akron, Ohio. He was then reclassified as 4-F (possibly due to a double hernia; Jerry Lewis referred to the surgery Martin needed for this in his autobiography) and was discharged.

By 1946, Martin was doing relatively well, but was still little more than an East Coast nightclub singer with a common style, similar to that of Bing Crosby. He drew audiences to the clubs he played, but he inspired none of the fanatic popularity enjoyed by Sinatra.

Mafia Connections
A biography on Martin titled Dean Martin: King of the Road by Michael Freedland alleges he had links to the Mafia early in his career. Martin allegedly was given help with his singing career by mob bosses who owned saloons in Chicago, Illinois. In return, he later performed in shows hosted by these bosses when he was a star. The mob bosses were Tony Accardo and Sam Giancana. The author suggests Martin felt little sympathy for the Mafia and only did them small favors if it was not inconvenient for him. Reportedly, the FBI's bugs once picked up a mafioso making plans to injure or even kill Martin because of a perceived lack of gratitude. Another book, The Animal in Hollywood by John L. Smith, depicted Dean Martin's longtime friendship with Mafia mobsters Johnny Roselli and Anthony Fiato. The author suggests Anthony Fiato (a/k/a "the Animal") did Dean Martin many favors, such as getting back money from two swindlers who had cheated Betty Martin, Dean's ex-wife, out of thousands of dollars of her alimony.

Teaming with Jerry Lewis
Martin attracted the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Columbia Pictures, but a Hollywood contract was not forthcoming. He seemed destined to remain on the nightclub circuit until he met a comic named Jerry Lewis at the Glass Hat Club in New York, where both men were performing. Martin and Lewis formed a fast friendship which led to their participation in each other's acts and the ultimate formation of a music-comedy team. More than a few people dubbed them "The Organ Grinder and the Monkey".

Martin and Lewis' official debut together occurred at Atlantic City's 500 Club on July 24, 1946, and they were not well received. The owner, Skinny D'Amato, warned them that if they did not come up with a better act for their second show later that night, they would be fired. Huddling together in the alley behind the club, Lewis and Martin agreed to "go for broke", to throw out the pre-scripted gags and to improvise. Dean sang and Jerry came out dressed as a busboy, dropping plates and making a shambles of both Martin's performance and the club's sense of decorum until Lewis was chased from the room as Martin pelted him with breadrolls. They did slapstick, reeled off old vaudeville jokes, and did whatever else popped into their heads at the moment. This time, the audience doubled over in laughter. This success led to a series of well-paying engagements on the Eastern seaboard, culminating in a triumphant run at New York's Copacabana. Patrons were convulsed by the act, which consisted primarily of Lewis interrupting and heckling Martin while he was trying to sing, and ultimately the two of them chasing each other around the stage and having as much fun as possible. The secret, both said, is that they essentially ignored the audience and played to one another.

A radio series commenced in 1949, the same year Martin and Lewis were signed by Paramount producer Hal Wallis as comedy relief for the movie My Friend Irma.

Martin liked California which, because of its earthquakes, had few tall buildings. Suffering as he did from claustrophobia, Martin almost never used elevators, and climbing stairs in Manhattan's skyscrapers was not his idea of fun.

Their agent, Abby Greshler, negotiated for them one of Hollywood's best deals: although they received only a modest $75,000 between them for their films with Wallis, Martin and Lewis were free to do one outside film a year, which they would co-produce through their own York Productions. They also had complete control of their club, record, radio and television appearances, and it was through these endeavors that they earned millions of dollars.

Although there had been hugely successful film teams before, Hollywood had not seen anything like Martin and Lewis. The fun they had together set them apart from everything else done at the time. Both were talented entertainers, but the fact that they were good friends on and off stage took their act to a new level.

Martin and Lewis were the hottest act in America during the early 1950s, but the pace and the pressure took its toll. Most critics underestimated Dean's contribution to the team, as he had the thankless job of the straight man, and his singing had yet to develop into the unique style of his later years. Critics praised Lewis, and while they admitted that Martin was the best partner he could have, most claimed Lewis was the real talent and could succeed with anyone. However, Lewis always praised his partner, and while he appreciated the attention he was getting, he has always said the act would never have worked without Dean Martin. In Dean & Me, he calls Martin one of the great comic geniuses of all time. But the harsh comments from the critics, as well as frustration with the formulaic similarity of Martin & Lewis movies, which producer Hal Wallis stubbornly refused to change, led to Martin's dissatisfaction. He put less enthusiasm into the work, leading to escalating arguments with Lewis. They finally could not work together, especially after Martin told his partner he was "nothing to me but a dollar sign." The act broke up in 1956, 10 years to the day from the first official teaming.

Splitting up their partnership was not easy. It took months for lawyers to work out the details of terminating many of their club bookings, their television contracts, and the dissolution of York Productions. There was intense public pressure for them to stay together.

Lewis had no trouble maintaining his film popularity alone, but Martin, unfairly regarded by much of the public and the motion picture industry as something of a spare tire, found the going hard. His first solo film, Ten Thousand Bedrooms, was a box office failure. He was still popular as a singer, but with rock and roll surging to the fore, the era of the pop crooner was waning. It looked like Martin's fate was to be limited to nightclubs and to be remembered as Jerry Lewis's former partner.

The CBS film, "Martin and Lewis", a made-for-TV movie about the famous comedy duo, starred Jeremy Northam as Martin, and Sean Hayes as Lewis. It depicted the years from 1946-1956.

Solo career
Never totally comfortable in films, Martin wanted to be known as a real actor. Though offered a fraction of his former salary to co-star in a war drama, The Young Lions (1957), he agreed so he could learn from Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. Tony Randall already had the part, but talent agency MCA realized that with this movie, Martin would become a triple threat: they could make money from his work in night clubs, movies, and records. Martin replaced Randall in one of the best dramatic roles of the decade and the film turned out to be the beginning of Martin's spectacular comeback. Success would continue as Martin starred alongside Frank Sinatra for the first time in a highly acclaimed Vincente Minnelli drama, Some Came Running. By the mid '60s, Martin was a top movie, recording, and nightclub star, while Lewis' film career declined. Martin was acclaimed for his performance as Dude in Rio Bravo (1959), directed by Howard Hawks and also starring John Wayne and singer Ricky Nelson. He teamed up again with Wayne in The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), somewhat unconvincingly cast as brothers.

In 1960, Dean Martin was cast in the motion picture version of the Judy Holliday hit stage play Bells Are Ringing. Martin played a satiric variation of his own womanizing persona as Vegas singer "Dino" in Billy Wilder's adult comedy Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) with Kim Novak, and he was not above poking fun at his image in films such as the Matt Helm spy spoofs of the 1960s, in which he was a co-producer.

As a singer, Martin copied the styles of Harry Mills (of the Mills Brothers), Bing Crosby, and Perry Como until he developed his own and could hold his own in duets with Sinatra and Crosby. Like Sinatra, he could not read music, but he recorded more than 100 albums and 600 songs. His signature tune, "Everybody Loves Somebody," knocked The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" out of the number-one spot in the United States in 1964. This was followed by the similarly-styled "The Door is Still Open to My Heart," which reached number six later that year. Elvis Presley was said to have been influenced by Martin, and patterned "Love Me Tender" after his style. Martin, like Elvis, was influenced by country music. By 1965, some of Martin's albums, such as Dean "Tex" Martin, The Hit Sound Of Dean Martin, Welcome To My World and Gentle On My Mind were composed of country and western songs made famous by artists like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Buck Owens. Martin hosted country performers on his TV show and was named "Man Of the Year" by the Country Music Association in 1966.

"Ain't That a Kick in the Head," a song Martin performed in Ocean's Eleven that never became a hit at the time, has enjoyed a spectacular revival in the media and pop culture (which can be traced to its usage in 1993's A Bronx Tale).

For three decades, Martin was among the most popular acts in Las Vegas. Martin sang and was one of the smoothest comics in the business, benefiting from the decade of raucous comedy with Lewis. Martin's daughter, Gail, also sang in Vegas and on his TV show, co-hosting his summer replacement series on NBC. Though often thought of as a ladies' man, Martin spent a lot of time with his family; as second wife Jeanne put it, prior to the couple's divorce, "He was home every night for dinner."

The Rat Pack
As Martin's solo career grew, he and Frank Sinatra became close friends. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Martin and Sinatra, along with friends Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis, Jr. formed the legendary Rat Pack, so called by the public after an earlier group of social friends, the Holmby Hills Rat Pack centered on Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, of which Sinatra had been a member.

The Martin-Sinatra-Davis-Lawford-Bishop group referred to themselves as "The Summit" or "The Clan" and never as "The Rat Pack", although this has remained their identity in the popular culture. The men made films together, formed an important part of the Hollywood social scene in those years, and were politically influential (through Lawford's marriage to Patricia Kennedy, sister of President John F. Kennedy).

The Rat Pack were legendary for their Las Vegas performances, which were almost never preannounced. For example, the marquee at the Sands Hotel might read DEAN MARTIN---MAYBE FRANK---MAYBE SAMMY. Las Vegas rooms were at a premium when the Rat Pack would appear, with many visitors sleeping in hotel lobbies or cars to get a chance to see the three men together. Their act (always in tuxedo) consisted of each singing individual numbers, duets and trios, along with much seemingly improvised slapstick and chatter. In the socially-charged 1960s, their jokes revolved around adult themes, such as Sinatra's infamous womanizing and Martin's legendary drinking, as well as many at the expense of Davis's race and religion. Davis famously practiced Judaism and used Yiddish phrases onstage, eliciting much merriment from both his stage-mates and his audiences. It was all good-natured male bonding, never vicious, rarely foul-mouthed, and the three had great respect for each other. The Rat Pack was largely responsible for the integration of Las Vegas. Sinatra and Martin steadfastly refused to appear anywhere that barred Davis, forcing the casinos to open their doors to African-American entertainers and patrons, and to drop restrictive covenants against Jews.

Posthumously, the Rat Pack has experienced a popular revival, inspiring the George Clooney/Brad Pitt "Ocean's" trilogy. An HBO film, "The Rat Pack," starred Joe Mantegna as Martin, Ray Liotta as Sinatra and Don Cheadle as Davis. It depicted their contribution to JFK's election in 1960.

The 1960s and 1970s
In 1965, Martin launched his weekly NBC comedy-variety series, The Dean Martin Show, which exploited his public image as a lazy, carefree boozer. It was there that he perfected his famous laid-back persona of the half-drunk crooner suavely hitting on beautiful women with hilarious remarks that would get anyone else slapped, and making snappy if slurred remarks about fellow celebrities during his famous roasts. During an interview he stated, and this may have been tongue-in-cheek, that he had someone record them on cassette tape so he could listen to them; this is evidenced by his comments to this effect on the British TV documentary 'Wine, Women and Song' which was aired in 1983.

The TV show was a huge hit. Dean prided himself on memorizing whole scripts – not merely his own lines. He disliked rehearsing because he firmly believed his best performances were his first. The show's loose format prompted quick-witted improvisation from Dean and the cast. On occasion, he made remarks in Italian, some mild obscenities that brought angry mail from offended, Italian-speaking viewers. This prompted a battle between Martin and NBC censors, who insisted on more scrutiny of the show's content. The show was often in the Top Ten. Martin, deeply appreciative of the efforts of the show's producer, his friend Greg Garrison, later made a handshake deal giving Garrison, a pioneer TV producer in the 1950s, 50% ownership of the show. However, the validity of that ownership is currently the subject of a lawsuit brought by NBC Universal.

Despite Martin's reputation as a heavy drinker — a reputation perpetuated via his vanity license plates reading 'DRUNKY' — he was remarkably self-disciplined. He was often the first to call it a night, and when not on tour or on a film location liked to go home to see his wife and children. Shirley MacLaine in her autobiography confirmed that Martin was sipping apple juice (not liquor) most of the time onstage. He borrowed the lovable-drunk shtick from Joe E. Lewis, but his convincing portrayals of heavy boozers in Some Came Running and Howard Hawks's Rio Bravo led to unsubstantiated claims of alcoholism. More often than not, Martin's idea of a good time was playing golf or watching TV, particularly westerns – not staying with Rat Pack friends Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. into the early hours of the morning.

Martin starred in and co-produced a series of four Matt Helm superspy comedy adventures. A fifth, The Ravagers, was planned starring Sharon Tate and Martin in a dual role, one as a serial killer, but due to the murder of Tate and the decline of the spy genre the film was never made.

By the early 1970s, Martin seemed to have the Midas touch, The Dean Martin Show was still earning solid ratings, and although he was no longer a Top 40 hitmaker, his record albums continued to sell well. His name on a marquee could guarantee casinos and nightclubs a standing-room-only crowd. He found a way to make his passion for golf profitable by offering his own signature line of golf balls. Shrewd investments had greatly increased Martin's personal wealth; at the time of his death, Martin was reportedly the single largest minority shareholder of RCA stock. Martin even managed to cure himself of his claustrophobia by reportedly locking himself in the elevator of a tall building and riding up and down for hours until he was no longer panic-stricken.

Despite his success Martin retreated from show business by the early 1970s. The final (1973-74) season of his variety show would be retooled into one of celebrity roasts, requiring less of Martin's involvement. After the show's cancellation, NBC continued to air the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast format in a series of TV specials through 1984. In those 11 years, Dean and his panel of pals successfully ridiculed and made fun of legendary stars like Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball and Ronald Reagan, to name a few. For nearly a decade, Dean had recorded as many as four albums a year for Reprise Records. That stopped in November 1974, when Martin recorded his final Reprise album - Once In A While, released in 1978. His last recording sessions were for Warner Brothers Records. An album titled The Nashville Sessions was released in 1983, from which he had a hit with "(I Think That I Just Wrote) My First Country Song," which was recorded with Conway Twitty and made a respectable showing on the country charts. A follow up single "L.A. is my home / Drinking Champagne" came in 1985. The 1975 film Mr. Ricco marked Martin's final starring role, and Martin limited his live performances to Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Martin seemed to suffer a mid-life crisis. In 1972, he filed for divorce from his second wife, Jeanne. A week later, his business partnership with the Riviera was dissolved amid reports of the casino's refusal to agree to Martin's request to perform only once a night. He was quickly snapped up by the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, and signed a three-picture deal with MGM Studios. Less than a month after his second marriage had been legally dissolved, Martin married 26-year-old Catherine Hawn on April 25, 1973. Hawn had been the receptionist at the chic Gene Shacrove hair salon in Beverly Hills. They divorced November 10, 1976. He was also briefly engaged to Gail Renshaw, Miss USA-World 1969.

Eventually, Martin reconciled with Jeanne, though they never remarried. He also made a public reconciliation with Jerry Lewis on Lewis' Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon in 1976. Frank Sinatra shocked Lewis and the world by bringing Martin out on stage. As Martin and Lewis embraced, the audience erupted in cheers and the phone banks lit up, resulting in one of the telethon's most profitable years. Lewis reported the event was one of the three most memorable of his life. Lewis brought down the house when he quipped, "So, you working?" Martin, playing drunk, replied that he was "at the Meggum" – this reference to the MGM Grand Hotel convulsed Lewis. This, along with the death of Martin's son Dean Paul Martin a few years later, helped to bring the two men together. They maintained a quiet friendship but only performed together again once, in 1989, on Dean's 72nd birthday.

Later years
On December 1, 1983 while gambling at the Golden Nugget casino in Atlantic City, Martin and Sinatra intimidated the dealer and several employees into breaking New Jersey laws by making the dealer deal the cards by hand instead of by a shoe, as is required by law. Although Sinatra and Martin were implicated as the cause of the violation, neither was fined by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The Golden Nugget, on the other hand, received a $25,000 fine and four employees including the dealer, a supervisor and pit boss were suspended from their jobs without pay. It's said that Sinatra and Martin picked up the tab for the suspended employees' pay.

Martin returned to films briefly with appearances in the two star-laden yet critically panned Cannonball Run movies,. He also had a minor hit single with "Since I Met You Baby" and made his first music video, which appeared on MTV. The video was created by Martin's youngest son, Ricci.

On December 8, 1989, Martin attended Sammy Davis Jr.'s 60th Anniversary Special.

Decline
On March 21, 1987, Martin's son Dean Paul (formerly Dino of the 60s "teeny-bopper" rock group Dino, Desi & Billy) was killed when his F-4 Phantom II (jet) fighter crashed while flying with the California Air National Guard.

A much-touted tour with Davis and Sinatra in 1988 sputtered. On one occasion, he infuriated Sinatra when he turned to him and muttered "Frank, what the hell are we doing up here?" Martin, who always responded best to a club audience, felt lost in the huge stadiums they were performing in (at Sinatra's insistence), and he was not the least bit interested in drinking until dawn after their performances. His final Vegas shows were at the Bally's Hotel in 1989. It was there he had his famous final reunion with Jerry Lewis on his 72nd birthday. Martin's last appearance was on December 1990, as he congratulated Frank Sinatra on his 75th birthday.

In addition to never completely recovering from losing his son, Martin was suffering from emphysema. He kept his private life to himself, emerging briefly for a public celebration of his 77th birthday with friends and family.

In September 1993, Martin was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had been told he needed surgery on his kidneys and liver to prolong his life, but he refused. It was widely reported, though never confirmed, that Martin had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1991.

At his side in his last years was ex-wife Jeanne (Biegger) Martin, whom he had divorced years earlier.

Martin died of acute respiratory failure at his home on Christmas morning 1995, at the age of 78. The lights of the Las Vegas Strip were dimmed in his honor.

Tributes
In 2005, Las Vegas renamed Industrial Road as Dean Martin Drive. A similarly named street was christened in 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California.

Martin's family was presented a gold record in 2004 for Dino: The Essential Dean Martin, his fastest-selling album ever, which also hit the iTunes Top 10. For the week ending December 23, 2006, the Dean Martin and Martina McBride duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" reached #7 on the R&R AC chart. It also went to #36 on the R&R Country chart - the last time Martin had a song this high in the charts was in 1965, with the song "I Will", which reached #10 on the Pop chart.

An album of duets, Forever Cool, was released by Capitol/EMI in 2007. It features Martin's voice with Kevin Spacey, Shelby Lynne, Joss Stone, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Robbie Williams, McBride and more.

His footprints were immortalized at Grauman's Chinese Theater in 1964. Martin has not one but three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: One at 6519 Hollywood Blvd. (for movies), one at 1817 Vine (for recordings) and one at 6651 Hollywood Boulevard (for television).

In February 2009, Martin was honored with a posthumous Grammy award for Lifetime Achievement. Four of his surviving children, Gail, Deana, Ricci and Gina, were on hand to accept on his behalf.

Personal life
Martin was married three times. Martin's first wife, Betty McDonald, tried by all accounts to be a good wife and mother to their four children, but her efforts were ultimately undone by her alcoholism. It remains a matter of speculation whether her alcoholism led to the failure of the marriage, or whether Dean's infidelities led to Betty's alcoholism. Subsequent to their divorce, Martin gained custody of their children; Betty lived out her life in quiet obscurity in San Francisco. In the 2002 CBS film Martin and Lewis she is portrayed by Paula Cale. Their children were Stephen Craig (born June 29, 1942), Claudia Dean (March 16, 1944 - 2001 from breast cancer), Barbara Gail (born April 11, 1945) and Deana (Dina) (born August 19, 1948).

Martin's second wife was Jeanne Biegger. A stunning blonde, Jeanne could sometimes be spotted in Martin's audience while he was still married to Betty. Their marriage lasted twenty-four years (1949-1973) and produced three children. She is portrayed by Kate Levering in Martin and Lewis. Their children were Dean Paul (November 17, 1951 - March 21, 1987 plane crash), Ricci James (born September 20, 1953) and Gina Caroline (born December 20, 1956).

Martin's third marriage, to Catherine Hawn, lasted three years. One of Dean's managers had spotted the young beauty working the desk at a swank salon on Rodeo Drive, then arranged a meeting. Martin adopted Hawn's daughter, Sasha, but their marriage also failed. Dean initiated divorce proceedings.

Dean Martin's uncle was Leonard Barr, who appeared in several of his shows.

Popular culture
Martin was portrayed by Joe Mantegna in an HBO movie about Sinatra and Martin titled The Rat Pack. Mantegna was nominated for both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the role.

In the movie A Bronx's Tale, Dean Martin's song, "Ain't That A Kick In The Head?", was featured during the scene when C was playing dice.

British actor Jeremy Northam portrayed the entertainer in a made-for-TV movie called, Martin and Lewis, alongside Will & Grace's Sean Hayes as Jerry Lewis.
Danny Gans portrayed Martin in the miniseries, Sinatra.

For the week ending December 23, 2006, the Dean Martin and Martina McBride duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" reached #7 on the R&R AC chart. It also went to #36 on the R&R Country chart. The last time Martin had a song this high in the charts was in 1965, with the song "I Will," which reached #10 on the Pop chart.
A Budweiser TV commercial that premiered during Super Bowl XLI featured Martin's "Ain't That A Kick In The Head?"

In a trailer for the 2009 video game The Godfather II, Martin's "Ain't That A Kick In The Head?" is heard throughout the trailer showing the gangster lifestyle of the 50's.

A compilation album called, Amore! debuted at Number One on Billboard magazine's Top Pop Catalog Albums chart in its February 21, 2009 issue.

Martin is mentioned in the Simpsons episode Apocalypse Cow
Bart: So Dean Martin would show up at the last minute and do everything in just one take?
Homer: That's right!
Bart: But Wikipedia said he was "passionate about rehearsal."
Homer: Don't you worry about Wikipedia. We'll change it when we get home. We'll change a lot of things.

In the Meter Made episode of American Dad, Martin's Ain't That a Kick in the Head? is played during a montage in which Stan and Francine are destroying furniture items they bought with illegally obtained money.

Posted by Poe Forward at 12:10 AM

The Night Before Christmas....Dino-style!

2011-12-23T06:59:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes on this 23rd day of honorin' our Dino in Dino-winter-month, we return to a stunnin' post first shared last year at this Dino-seasonal time here at ilovedinomartin. "The Night Before Christmas....Dino-style" was scribed exclusively for our faithful Dino-holics at this humble little Dino-blog by none other then our own Danny G. of "Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade With Dino" fame.

As noted last year Dino-phile Danny G. is not only a faithful Dino-example to his wee boy and girl pallies Nicky and Stel, but as discovered last December, this Dino-holic is truly truly an up-and-comin' proser of hip, cool, and ever randy Dino-parodies as well!

Likes we enjoyed Danny G's retellin' of our most beloved Dino and his pack of pallies waitin' their visit from the jolly ol' man in red himself, that we simply had to return it for your Dino-readin' pleasure.

Thanks Danny G. for grantin' ilovedinomartin permission to repost your awesome Dino-funnin' and for the many and varied ways you continue to lift up the name of our Dino here at ilovedinomartin. And, pallies why not leave our Danny G. some Dino-patter to let him know how much you appreciate all his Dino-efforts! Dino-delightedly, DMP

Twas the night before Christmas
at the Dean Martin pad
chicks and pallies were groovin'
the music was rad.

Martinis were pourin'
shaken not stirred
Dino's "White Christmas'
was all that was heard.

The stockings were stuffed
with vodka and gin
Ol' blue eyes and Sammy
just stumbled in.

The boys in their tuxes
broads wrapped in their minks
Sir Dino was mixin'
some holiday drinks.

Then up on the roof
they heard a hell of a smash
Sammy yelled out
"Hey man, Santa just crashed!"

Frank invited him in
for a drink and a smoke
Santa said "Sure!
I'll take a rum and a coke!"

A bundle of booze
he had on his back
the tag on the bag
said "For the Rat Pack"

Dean gave Jeannie her gift
"To the one I love most"
"It's just what I wanted,
The Dean Martin Roasts!"

Dino caught Santa's eye
and gave him a wink
straightened his bow tie
and finished his drink.

The party still swingin'
Dino snuck up to bed
while visions of showgirls
danced in his head.

As St. Nick jumped in his sleigh
and rose to the heavens
They all gathered round'
to watch "Ocean's Eleven".

But they heard him exclaim
as he flew through the sky
"Merry Christmas Dino Crocetti,
your my kinda guy!!!"

......and decide to put on Dean Martin Christmas, filling my house with celebration.

2011-12-22T07:14:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today on this 22st day of Dino-winter-month we pay a visit to 'nother new-to-ilovedinomartin blog tagged, "Bit of the Past," where one is not surprised to hear Miss Suzy state, "I love all things vintage." In her seasonal post, "ChristmasSnow," Suzy ruminates on the "magical" nature of snow that falls at Christmas and 'fesses up to her readership that that " I love Dean Martin. I love 'It's a Marshmallow World'."

Below is likes a wee bit of this Dino-lovin' lady's post that is so so full of deep, pure, and true Dino-devotion, and for your Dino-viewin' pleasure, our most beloved Dino singin' 'bout marshmallows from one of his seasonal specials.

ilovedinomartin is truly delighted to feature 'nother pallie's forthright statement of Dino-appreciato. So, likes thanks ever so much Miss Suzy for lettin' your readers in on your Dino-passion and hopes your words of Dino-affirmation will help others to grow in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our amazin' man. Likes to view this in it's original format, just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-devotedly, DMP

The clouds are making it just dark enough in my house to see the brightly colored lights on the tree. I feel the warmth from the tree, and decide to put on Dean Martin Christmas, filling my house with celebration. I love Dean Martin. I love "It's a Marshmallow World".

The Dean Martin Christmas Album ranks as one of the booziest holiday celebrations known to man.

2011-12-21T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes his name is Mr. Patrick Wensink and he hangs his hat at the provocative blog, "We Who Are About To Die," where he is part of the pack of contributors.

On this 21st day of our journey to Dino-winter-day we are delighted to share with you Mr. Wensink's post on "Christmas Pairings," where he shares great gift pairin' idears of books and music. First up on Patrick's list of seasonal pairin's, (and likes where else woulda our great man be) is our Dino's seasonal al-b-um, "The Dean Martin Christmas Album," and the greatest of great Dino-bios ever scribed, Nick Tosches' Dino-tome, "DINO: Living High In The Dirty Business Of Dreams."

Likes, gotta 'fess up that I likes simply totally grooves on Patrick's Dino-reflections on this classic Dino-holiday-al-b-um and the hottest Dino-prose ever.
Likes pallies, you simply musta takes the time outta all your Dino-preparations to soak in Wensink's evocative Dino-thoughts.

ilovedinomartin sends our deepest of deep Dino-appreciato out to Mr. Patrick Wensink and the pallies at "We Who Are About To Die," for sharin' in this Dino-seasonal selection. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. And, likes btw pallies, don't miss the op to view the Dino-vid-clip at the end of the post featurin' our most beloved Dino with his pallie Frank singin' 'bout a world full of marshmellows! Dino-delightedly, DMP

Christmas pairings.

December 19, 2011 at 8:51 am

Patrick Wensink

Some things just go together this time of year: Santa and cookies, gifts and trees, fruitcake and hard liquor.

Books and music also pair nicely around Christmas. Here is the WWAATD Pairing Guide. Enjoy.

The Dean Martin Christmas Album ranks as one of the booziest holiday celebrations known to man. Fitting, since the ship’s captain was known as one of the booziest men known to man. It sounds like he could forget the lyrics at any moment.

Spin this album with Nich Tosches’ fantastic DINO: Living High in the Dirty Business of Dreams and it all starts to make more sense. Told partially as a straight biography and partially as fictional reenactment, Tosches adds life and sadness to Martin that never ceases to amaze.

Send a Dean Martin Snow Globe!

2011-12-20T07:07:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes on this 20th day of our journey to Dino-winter-day the pallies at the official Dino-pad, "deanmartin.com" have come up with a stunnin'ly stellar op to send Dino-seasonal e-cards to all your pallies.

The card includes a Dino-snow-globe theme where you can send a Dino-greetin' of up to 50 letters and spalces 'long with your choice of Dino-winter-tunes: "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Silver Bells," "Winter Wonderland," "A Marshmellow World," or "Jingle Bells."

Just likes know this is gonna be so Dino-addictive that I am likes gonna want to send Dino-holiday greetin's to all my Dino-devoted pallies. Hats off to the pallies at "deanmartin.com" for this technological Dino-wonder! To gets goin' on your Dino-cardin' likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-awed, DMP

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH DEAN MARTIN

Send a Dean Martin Snow Globe!

Here's a NEW Dean Holiday e-card to send to friends and family. Create, Shake and Send your Dean Snow Globe card.

Dean Martin at the 1972 Crosby Pro Am

2011-12-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes on this 19th day of our journey to Dino-winter-day, ilovedinomartin is delighted to share with you 'nother rare Dino-pix that shows how deeply devoted our Dino's fans have been and always will be to our most beloved man...makin' it very clear why pallies all over the globe are makin' the journey to our Dino-honorin' Dino-winter-day remembrance.

From the Monterey County The Herald newspaper archives comes this amazin' pix of our amazin' man signin' autographs for the crowd at Pebble Beach watchin' our Dino play in the 1972 Crosby Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Likes just looks at how totally totally awed members of the crowd are to be in the immediate presence of our Dino...and likes how happy our Dino is to be signin' an autograph for one of de common folk.

Just gotta wonder which of these pallies is gonna get our Dino's signature. 'Specially loves the look on that young man at the left edge of the picture...likes thinks how thrilled this young Deanager is to be standin' so near to the King of Cool. It is devotion such as this that speaks 'bout how beloved our Dino has been, is, and will always be....and why pallies likes us, just simply must remember our Dino on the day of his departure from earth.

Thanks to the pallies at Monterey County Herald for sharin' this awesome Dino-shot with their readers. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Keeps lovin' our Dino and keeps journeyin' with us to Dino-winter-day. Dino-honorin', DMP

Dean Martin at the 1972 Crosby Pro Am

A crowd favorite Dean Martin at Pebble Beach during the 1972 Crosby Pro-Am. (Monterey County Herald)

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Face In The Crowd"

2011-12-18T06:04:00.001-08:00

Tex Martin rides again pallies! Ye haw!!! Sorry pals, sometimes I gets myself a little caught up in the whole "Country Dino" mode. I can just picture a blue blue Dean sittin' at the bar... with a tear in his beer... thinkin' bout that very special lady that he let slip through his fingers.

Man o man...this tune really gets me goin'! Can't help but feelin' a little sorry for our great man! The way he's just pourin' his heart out to this lucky lady, man, she just HAS to take him back!!! I bet she does. How could anyone say no to our Dino?!

Well pals o mine...let's just picture Dean findin' that very special "Face In The Crowd", and mendon any open wounds. If anyone deserves a second chance...it's him!

I search each face in a crowd looking for you
Just a hoping to see you again
Those laughing eyes and tender lips that used to thrill me
So I search every face in a crowd
No matter where that I go I keep on staring
For the face that belongs to you
Just looking for the favorite color you're always wearing
So I search every face in a crowd
I know I've said that I didn't need you
Every day every night oh how I failed
But I'll keep hoping someday I'm gonna find you
Some lucky minute some happy hour some lucky day
So I'll search every face until I'll find you
I didn't know that I'd miss you this way
I hope I'm not too late because I love you
So I search every face in a crowd
So I search every face in a crowd

The Dean Martin Christmas Special (1980)

2011-12-17T06:33:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, on this seventeenth day of Dino-winter-month we join our pallie Mr. Kliph Nesteroff at his blog pad, "CLASSIC TELEVISION SHOWBIZ," where he has posted "The Dean Martin Christmas Special (1980)." This stunnin' Dino-speical first aired exactly 31 years ago this very Dino-day on December 16, 1980 on the peacock network, NBC.

Featured guests included Mr. Andy Gibb, Mr. Mel Tillis, Miss Beverly Sills, and Mr. Erik Estrada. We are invited to join our most beloved Dino and his stunnin' list of guests for a seasonal hour of music and occasional comedic skits. Likes I am sure that this fabulous Dino-winter-time special will surely gets all us Dino-holics in the Dino-mood!

Hats off to our pallie Kliph for findin' these youtube Dino-clips and postin' 'em at his great blog. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Not long now before Dino-winter-day, so enjoys pallies and keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-sharin', DMP

The Dean Martin Christmas Special (1980)

He needed a father figure and Martin, he says, needed a friend.

2011-12-16T05:21:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes here's 'nother goodie for all us pallies to endulge in on our way to Dino-winter-day. From the pages of "SF Gate", the on-line presence of the San Francisco Chronicle, from correspondent Mr. David Wiegand comes news of a new documentary of Mr. Jerry Lewis airin' this Saturday night, December 17 at 8:00 EST on the Encore cable channel.

Wiegand gives a very finely crafted candid review of this new production on Mr. Lewis and his life and times. Likes as you will read below many A List pallies will be speakin' of Lewis' career, but likes of course what dudes likes us will be most interested in is what nuggets we can glean 'bout our Dino and his relationship with his partner of 10 years.

I finds it very illuminatin' that in referrin' to their relationship, as the tag of this Dino-message reports, Jerry states that "He needed a father figure" and that our most beloved Dino "needed a friend." Well, likes seems to this Dino-devotee that our Dino never ever needed anyone or anythin', but it will be intriguin' to hear Mr. Lewis' reflections his journey with our great man.

So, just a bit of a head's up 'bout this opportunity to learn more 'bout Martin and Lewis on this 16th day of our journey to Dino-winter-day and the honorin' of our ever-lovin' Dino. To read this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message.

Thanks to Mr. David Wiegand and the pallies at SF Gate for puttin' us on to this Dino-opportunity. Dino-reportin', DMP

'Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis' TV review
David Wiegand

Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis: Documentary. 8 p.m. Sat. on Encore.

At 85, Jerry Lewis has a lot to say and, to hear him tell it in a new two-hour documentary, a lot left to do in his singular career.

"Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis," airing Saturday on the Encore cable channel, focuses almost exclusively on Lewis' eight-decade career, all but ignoring his personal life beyond his apprenticeship to his vaudevillian parents and brief interviews with three of his children who are directly involved with Lewis' work.

If you want to know about his two marriages, his various health problems over the years, his addiction to painkillers or about the 2009 death of one of his children, look elsewhere.

Yet if you want to know what Jerry Lewis is like when he's not performing, the answer is simple: It never happens. Like his dad, Danny, Lewis says he was born to entertain people, and he's done that unrelentingly since the moment he was brought onstage during one of his parents' shows to sing "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" while decked out in a miniature tuxedo. He loved the applause, but when he inadvertently kicked out a footlight and made it explode, he also made the audience explode in laughter. He liked that even better.

Filmmaker Gregg Barson has created a hagiography about Lewis' career, with testimonials to the man's comic and filmmaking genius from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Carol Burnett, John Landis, Quentin Tarantino, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Steven Spielberg, Carl Reiner and Woody Harrelson.

Seinfeld calls him the diamond of comedy. Crystal shakes his head in reverent wonder at how much shtick Lewis got away with when he played the Devil in a Broadway revival of "Damn Yankees." Richard Lewis says of the genius of his idiotic onscreen babbling, "He spoke this language that wildlife would laugh at."

They would, and we did. In fact, since the film is rich with clips from films such as "The Patsy," "The Nutty Professor" and "The Bellboy," you will find yourself laughing in spite of whatever wrongheaded idea you may have about Lewis being popular only in France. (Lewis himself says that based on fan mail alone, France ranks No. 6 on the list of nations who love him, behind such Jerry-philic outposts as the Netherlands and Germany.)

While still a teenager, Lewis broke into the business doing what was called a "record act" - comedic lip-syncing to recorded music. On July 25, 1946, he formed what would be a 10-year partnership with Dean Martin. He needed a father figure and Martin, he says, needed a friend. Their partnership is described correctly as a kind of love affair. Reiner recalls seeing them in 1947, saying their show was "hysterical mayhem."

Lewis is entirely correct when he says describes the adulation they received from fans as similar to what the Beatles encountered hitting the U.S. in the '60s. He's also correct when he says that their breakup was an equally huge moment in popular culture.

The popularity of Martin and Lewis was such that many people wondered how they could carve out individual careers for themselves. Of course, they did - Martin with several film roles and a popular TV variety show, and Lewis with a steady stream of hugely successful film comedies. Lewis' film success, however, was largely financial - he made millions for Paramount, and shrewdly ensured his own financial future when the rights to all his films returned to him after 30 years.

When it came to critical respect, though, Lewis rarely got it - at least not in the United States. As Burnett says, he's long overdue for a Kennedy Center Honor (just as she's overdue for the Mark Twain Humor Prize), but show business often fails to honor its elders until their names show up in the In Memoriam segment of the Oscars or some other awards show. Lewis says there are two things that are true in the world: Garbage gets thrown out every day, and old people are dismissed too easily or forgotten altogether.

From the moment he got on the set during the first Martin and Lewis film, "My Friend Irma," Lewis devoured information on how movies were made. He ended up directing his first film after Billy Wilder turned down the job, saying Lewis was the only person who could adequately direct his own script.

His work ethic is legendary. What may look like "hysterical mayhem" onscreen is the result of obsessive attention to every detail of a film by its star, director and writer. There's a brilliant scene in "The Patsy" where Lewis stumbles around a room, almost smashing one expensive vase after another, only to catch it each time just before it hits the floor. Lewis says he spent three weeks rehearsing that sequence and went through between 300 and 400 vases to make it work. Spielberg, a fan from childhood, lauds Lewis for inventing the video assist system, through which a director can judge a newly filmed scene on the set, without having to wait for the dailies.

Throughout the film, Lewis shares his knowledge and opinions. He knows what comedy is and what it isn't. He knows that delivery has to follow a certain beat. He also knows that every film has to have a clear structure, which causes us to wonder what "Method to the Madness" might have been if Lewis has directed it. Well, in a sense, he does, by dominating the film so completely. But the film is also a bit long and loosely structured. It's great to have such important talking heads, but after a while, they don't really contribute much new to the discussion.

What's also missing, frankly, is someone who is not a comic or a director who could have spoken with more detached authority of what Lewis has achieved in his career. Those achievements are pretty massive, yet "Method" only seems to scratch the surface.

Still, it's a start. And still, it's enough to convince you that Woody Harrelson is right: If you don't appreciate Jerry Lewis, I don't want to hang with you.

Requesting Your Favorite Dean Martin Christmas Songs over the Radio

2011-12-15T07:31:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes it's the 15th day of Dino-winter-month and we are likes just ten days away from our Dino-winter-day rememberance. On this day we go to 'nother new-to-ilovedinomartin blog tagged "bulthaupsfblog.com." Likes I simply don't have a clue what all those letters stand for, but this is 'nother of those blogs that seems to share information from soup to nuts....literally!

Well, likes amind the huge diversity of posts found here is of course one on our most beloved Dino and his croonin' of Dino-seasonal tunes! Under the tag, "Requesting Your Favorite Dean Martin Christmas Songs over the Radio," comes some wonderful thoughts 'bout our wonderful Dino! The unknown scriber of this Dino-prose strikes the right Dino-chord when they say, "Dean Martin Christmas Songs still remain quite popular even until the present time." Indeed, Dino-winter-tunes are more popular then ever!

Likes this is the third sorta "random" Dino-winter-song post that ilovedinomartin has shared this year....just goes to show that likes you just never ever know where Dino-devotion will turns up next! ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to the pallies at
"bulthaupsfblog.com" for honorin' the seasonal music of our Dino in this way. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message.
Dino-delightedly, DMP

Requesting Your Favorite Dean Martin Christmas Songs over the Radio

2011 12.11

Christmas songs can be considered as an important part of every yuletide celebration. Without these songs filling the streets as well as homes, Christmas will never be the same. With this fact, Christmas songs are continuously being created with new renditions and versions. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that the classic yuletide music such as Dean Martin Christmas songs will go out of trend. On the contrary, Dean Martin Christmas Songs still remain quite popular even until the present time. This is evident with the fact that most people would still request the said Christmas songs over the radio.

Indeed, it can be quite nostalgic to hear classic yuletide music like Dean Martin Christmas Songs being played over the radio. By listening to these songs, you are reminded how joyful and fun it is to celebrate the yuletide season with friends and loved ones. Nonetheless, people could also try purchasing their own Christmas songs album in order to make the whole yuletide season experience complete.

Dean Martin - Let it snow Kinetic Typography

2011-12-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes you dudes knows how much our Dino loves to put the accent on youth, and how international Dino-devotion has become, well likes on this fourteenth day of Dino-winter-month, I've rounded up for all youse Dino-philes a post that stunnin'ly combines international youthful Dino-devotion!

From the blog vid pad "Vimeo" comes a Dino-seasonal vid created by nouveau hipster Mr. Anton Raduchits of Uman, Ukraine. Our pallie Anton has set part of our most beloved Dino's swingin' winter tune, "Let It Snow," to a rad graphic vid process tagged "Kinetic Typography."

Although this groovy vid is short in length..it is obviously long in Dino-devotion. Likes of all the seasonal tunes that Ukranian Raduchits coulda chosen to use...he used a Dino-winter-classic...and likes how cool is that!

ilovedinomartin salutes youthful Dino-devotee Mr. Anton Raduchits for his efforts on behalf of the Dino-cause! Dude, you are showin' that Dino-passion knows no boundaries when it comes to age or geographic location! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of these Dino-words. Dino-awed, DMP

Dean Martin - Let it snow Kinetic Typography
by Anton Raduchits

Dean Martin - Let it snow Kinetic Typography from Anton Raduchits on Vimeo.

On The Grid: Remembering Dean Martin

2011-12-13T08:06:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes very very 'citin' Dino-news comes our way this very Dino-day! On this 13th day of Dino-winter-month I am thrilled to be able to report that our pallie Miss Debbie Barth of the blog Talk Radio Pad, "On The Grid," will be puttin' the accent on our Dino in a big big way this comin' Saturday, December 17th. At 10 a.m. eastern (9 a.m. central) Miss Debbie's "On The Grid" will present "Neil Daniels, former VP of NBC Liaison for the Dean Martin Show" "as well as singer/dancer/Golddigger Patty Booth-Julius."

Regular readers of ilovedinomartin will remember that Miss Patty joined Miss Debbie for a fantastic show in mid October of this Dino-year (see Friday, October 14th Dino-post). This is obviously a follow-up show to that stunnin' Dino-event.

Likes last time, I was able to only give you 'bout a day's notice, and am likes thrilled to be able to give you several days so that more of us pallies can tune in and turn on to the Dino-celebration. To checks out all the details, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram to goes to "Blog Talk Radio."

On this 13th day of our journey to Dino-winter-day, ilovedinomartin thanks Miss Debbie for providin' such a sweet Dino-treat for all her listeners...givin' us all a Dino-seasonal-high! Dino-delightedly, DMP

Remembering Dean Martin!

by OnTheGrid

Sat, Dec 17, 2011 09:00AM

This week, we are paying tribute to one of the greatest showman of all time, Dean Martin, for a full hour. Neil Daniels, former VP of NBC Liaison for the Dean Martin Show joins us, as well as singer/dancer/Golddigger Patty Booth-Julius! Be ready to have some fun, some surprise guests, and some very special moments from the ones who know him behind the lights, as well as on stage! Join us in celebrating this beloved icon of the entertainment world and share YOUR favorite moments and thoughts of Dean. Call in to talk with Neil and Patty and ask them your questions about this legend at 323-792-3071.

Send Some Dino-e greetin's!

2011-12-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes 'tis the season to be sendin' Dino-greetin's Dino-far and Dino-wide to all your pallies. From the pad, "123 Greetings" comes your opportunity to send your best Dino-wishes and include a vid of our Dino singin' "Silent Night. And, likes best of all dudes...it's free!

Just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message and you will get to the "123 Greetings" site where you can create Dino-e greetin's to your heart's content. What a glorious way to both encourage the Dino-holics on your seasonal card list and well as helps those less in the Dino-know to likes grow in their Dino-devotion!

On this 12th day of movin' toward Dino-winter-day, ilovedinomartin shares our deep Dino-appreciato with the pallies at "123 Greetings" for creatin' this Dino-seasonal Dino-opportunity! Dino-greetin's to ya all, DMP

Dean Martin - Silent Night

Send this ecard to multiple recipients

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Two Loves Have I"

2011-12-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

Hey pals we gots some great Cha Cha Cha'in to do this week!

This little ditty comes from one of my most favorite of fav al b ums from our Dino...Cha Cha De Amor, which was recorded in 1962 & was the last record made for Capital before Dean jumped on board to his pallie, Frankie's Reprise label.

Truly a shoulder shimmying tune, Two Loves Have I, is perfect for all you ballroom dancers out there who are gettin' into a Latin groove! Flip on those dancin' shoes pals o mine, & lets Cha Cha Cha the day away!

Two loves have I
And they tear me apart
Two loves have I
Both are in my heart

One is a flower
And the other a flame
Two loves have I
But they're not the same

When I'm in a gay mood
Tis then my light love I crave
Then again at times
My other love can make me a slave

I can't deny
That to both I am true
Two loves have I
Both of them are you

I can't deny
That to both I am true
Two loves have I
Both of them are you
Two loves have I
Both of them are you

Was Dean Martin a Movie Star or a TV Star?

2011-12-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes on this tenth day of movin' toward Dino-winter-day, we 'gain finds ourselves at a new-to-ilovedinomartin blog pad, "classicmoviechat.com," where bloggers Mr. Joe Morella and Mr. Frank Segers ask the provocative Dino-quire, "Was Dean Martin a Movie Star or a TV Star?" Our Dino...Movie Star? or TV Star?....likes my first thoughts were "what a radically ridiculous question....likes anyone who knows anythin' 'bout our most beloved Dino knows that Dino was the man who did it all...not just movies, and tv, but stage, and clubs, and recordin's as well!"

Well it appears that Joe and Frank, whose bios lets us know that they both did gigs with "Variety." are simply tryin' to be evocative in their introduction to this Dino-reflection 'cause likes their collective answer is, "the answer, naturally, is both."
Whew, likes I'm relieved that I likes don't have to set 'em straight on that Dino-score!

Anywho, the primary Dino-focus of their Dino-prose is our Dino's 1966 comedic western, "Texas Across The River." Seems Mr. Morella worked the premier of the flick in Dallas, Texas and as you will note has great thin's to say 'bout our great man..."gracious and easy going."

For me the coolest thin' 'bout this post is this outstandin' pix of our Dino and Mr. Peter Graves from the filmin'. Likes, you may be wonderin' what does these Dino-thoughts have to do with Dino-winter-day...well, likes let's me tell ya pallies. "Texas Across The River" is one of a handful of Dino-flicks that are not yet in my Dino-possession...it was once released in VHS, but is yet to make the scene on DVD...so it is certainly on my Dino-wish-list for Dino-winter-day! Likes I simply can't stop to I have acquired each and every film that our Dino appeared in.

ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to Mr. Frank Segers and Mr. Joe Morella for such a cool liftin' up of the name of our Dino and helpin' their readers to grow in knowin', lovin' and honorin' our most honorable Dino! Perhaps, just perhaps this post might just helps Universal to release the DVD ver-is-on of "Texas Across The River." To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-wishin'-and-waitin', DMP

Was Dean Martin a Movie Star or a TV Star?

Dec 08 2011

Written by Joe Morella and Frank Segers

Hello, everybody, Joe Morella and Frank Segers, your classic movie guys here to announce that the answer, naturally, is both.

After splitting with Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin continued a successful career in films with notable performances in Some Came Running with Frank Sinatra, Rio Bravo and The Sons of Katie Elder with John Wayne. Martin appeared in comedies, dramas, musicals and westerns.

A few weeks ago Frank induced Joe to reminisce about his time with Universal Pictures, working in Texas for the opening of Texas Across the River, the western/comedy Dean made in 1965.

We ran a photo of Joe in a convertible on tour with one of the other stars of the picture, Peter Graves. (See our Sept. 16 blog, Are Movie Premieres A Thing Of The Past?)

Today’s photo shows Dean with Graves, but can you recognize the ‘Indian’ hiding in the background? BIG CLUE: He was part of the Sinatra rat pack.

Also pictured, to Graves’ right, is actor Andrew Prine. Joe recalls that at the party after the movie opening in Dallas, Prine had a contest with character actor Chill Wills as to how many women each could bed that evening. (It was a close contest.)

Dean Martin came to the opening in Dallas to provide the “big star” quality needed for a movie Premiere. Joe remembers him as gracious and easy going. One aspect of the stars from that era is that they all knew the value of publicity and had respect for their fans.

A few lines about Texas Across The River. Its is totally forgettable comedy western in which Martin’s eclectic costars include French actor Alain Delon and the gent who played the ‘Indian’ (see above). Graves, the younger brother of “Gunsmoke’s” James Arness, plays one Captain Rodney Stimson, and given to delivering such lines as “Take it easy, Yancy. You got a wedding to go to.”

After this film, Graves went on the TV stardom in Mission Impossible. Dean Martin’s movie career continued with the Matt Helm series but with the exception of the all star Airport, his film career was winding down. He too turned to TV and as everyone knows had one of the most successful musical variety shows on the medium.

Get to Know Some of the Best Dean Martin Christmas Songs

2011-12-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes on this ninth day of our Dino-winter-month remembrance we turn to 'nother unusual site,"ampergen.com," a site that seems to cover a huge variety of topics from alternative medicine to 'puters to debt consolidation to DINO!

Likes whoever the "administer" of this pad is, they are certainty a knower of our most beloved Dino. This guy calls our great man "one of the pioneers in holiday songs." Further he Dino-elaborates...."Dean Martin is playing it coolly with his mesmerizing voice that any listener would like to keep listening all over again."

Truly, truly, both of these Dino-thoughts are simply purely, the Dino-truth!Absolutely no one sings winter likes our Dino...and who would argue that our Dino's voice is "mesmerizing?!?!?!?!" No one, I dare say!

Likes ilovedinomartin sez hats off to the "administrator" of "ampergen.com" for honorin' our Dino in this sensational seasonal way!....sure to win many of his readership to become "followers" of our most beloved Dino. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. With deep, pure, and true Dino-adulation, DMP

Get to Know Some of the Best Dean Martin Christmas Songs

There are a lot of singers and vocal performers that awed many people for over the years. Among these classical acts is Dean Martin, who is considered as one of the pioneers in holiday songs. With his Rat Pack Italian-style cool, Dean Martin is an artist that is great to listen with. While other singers like Frank Sinatra was fond of running around bossing everybody, Dean Martin is playing it coolly with his mesmerizing voice that any listener would like to keep listening all over again. Some of the best Dean Martin Christmas songs include his cover versions of ‘Let it Snow’ and ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’.

‘Let it Snow’ is a traditional Christmas carol that most people would love to hear every yuletide season. Dean Martin made it effortlessly great to listen while enjoying the spirit of the holiday season. On the other hand, ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside’ is his duet with country superstar Martina McBride. Nevertheless, both songs are some of the best renditions that Dean Martin sang for his followers.

Dino makes orange at Christmas cool.

2011-12-08T07:11:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes her tag is Dana Grace and she is a design maven who holds forth at the provocatively tagged blog "The Dream Bed." Miss Dana describes herself sayin', "At the very core of who I am is a crazy little Missouri girl who just wants her dream home. Throughout the years I have expressed a love for design and decor in very different ways---these are the most prominent and significant in describing who I am."

Dana's passion for design has evocatively extended itself to none other then our Dino, where in her post, "Play the Record," she puts the accent on our Dino's "non-traditional color" choice for the original edition of "My Kind Of Christmas." Designer Dana espounds on our most beloved Dino's seasonal style sayin' "Dino makes orange at Christmas cool."

As I pondered Miss Dana's Dino-reflections, I thought to myself, likes how cool that that our great man is not only "nontraditional" in his rad renderin's of wintertunes, he likewise is "nontraditional" in his seasonal apparel as well! Truly, truly one of the thin's I digs the mostest 'bout our Dino is that he is the coolest in everythin' 'bout him....his style of singin'...his style of threads...everthin'!

ilovedinomartin sez our thanks on this eighth day of pilgrimagin' to Dino-winter-day to Miss Dana Grace for her coolly cool "non-traditional" post on our "non-traditional" Dino and helpin' her readership to grow in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our most beloved Dino. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-devotedly, DMP

Play the Record

Dino makes orange at Christmas cool.

Non-traditional color combinations for holidays can go either terribly wrong or terribly well. Sometimes I shake my head at the confused palettes I see in stores, but I think Dean Martin is on to something.

This isn't the first time I've seen Dean in orange for a holiday album. Last year while singing along to my favorite holiday Pandora station, Mr. Martin popped up looking seriously suave in orange and white next to a cozy fireplace. And I thought, "How coooool."

This picture really is the perfect inspiration for a non-traditional but totally lovely holiday, with the green-like teal and orange subbing in for red. I thought I was going to be all about pink and lime this season, but I'm starting to reconsider.

Aunt Judy and Dean Martin

2011-12-07T07:07:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes at first blush today's Dino-post might not seem to have much to do with our pilgrimage to Dino-winter-day....but, truth be told, today's Dino-gram speaks volumes 'bout why pallies likes us are so so devoted to our most beloved Dino, and thus why we put such a special accent on each and every day of Dino-winter-month.

From the awesome blog, "Holly Baumann Photography," where professional pix chick Miss Holly Baumann Ambuehl of Olkahoma City holds forth, comes this stunnin'ly stellar pix of our Dino makin' the scene with Miss Holly's Aunt Judy. It is 'specially groovy knowin' that Baumann, a professional photographer herself, is so so smitten with this Dino-image, reflectin' "it just took my breath away."

Holly pontificates.....
"I love everything about it"
"I love that my Aunt knew people like Dean Martin"
"I love their clothes"
"I love that she looks exactly like my cousin Ashley does today"
"I love that Dean is holding a cigarette"
"I love the silvery highlights in the original print"
"I love that every member of family has their own story, and that the generation
before mine lived in a time where people wore dinner jackets and went to fancy
parties"
"I love my Aunt, and wish I could have hung out with her and Dean back then!"

Likes that's a lotta love bein' expressed over one great pix of our great man. And, likes pallies, it' precisely that kinda love for our Dino that is the foundational reason why pallies likes us speadin' our time durin' Dino-winter-month preparin' ourselves for honorin' our Dino on Dino-winter-day.

On this seventh day of Dino-winter-month, as we draw our first week of Dino-winter-homagin' to a close, ilovedinomartin expresses our deep Dino-appreciato to Miss Holly Baumann for sharin' this classic picture of our Dino and her Aunt Judy with her readership....and for her boldly proclaimin' just how much this Dino-pix means to her. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-focused, DMP

Aunt Judy and Dean Martin

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Holly Baumann Photography

My dad recently showed me this photo for the first time of his sister, my Aunt, and it just took my breath away. I scanned a copy and cleaned it up a bit, and a print now hangs in our stairwell with other family photos.

Photographer Unknown

I love everything about it: I love that my Aunt knew people like Dean Martin; I love their clothes; I love that she looks exactly like my cousin Ashley does today; I love that Dean is holding a cigarette; I love the silvery highlights in the original print. I love that every member of family has their own story, and that the generation before mine lived in a time where people wore dinner jackets and went to fancy parties. I love my Aunt, and wish I could have hung out with her and Dean back then!

- HBA

Dino And The Christmas Mood

2011-12-06T07:05:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes on this sixth day of marchin' toward Dino-winter-day all us Dino-philes are likes in for a totally totally rad Dino-treat. Today's Dino-devotion comes from Miss Always On Watch (AOW), one of our Dino's most devoted pallies, not to mention an extremely faithful follower of the action here at ilovedinomartin.

In her own special personal way, Miss AOW shares a heart-felt Dino-testimonal of her first-of-the-season Dino-encounter while shoppin' at Walgreen's. Likes I can truly relate to Miss AOW's thrill of hearin' our Dino "over the store's loudspeakers" 'cause likes I knows likes each and every winter season I wait with bated breath to catch the first notes of a Dino-tune bein' played in the public square. For me, this year, it came a few ago while at Sears I delighted in hearin' strains of our Dino singin' "Baby It's Cold Outside!"

We at ilovedinomartin are deeply delighted to have our Miss AOW share her personal Dino-testimony with all us pallies. It is certainly a treat to have someone with AOW's deep, pure, and true devotion to our most beloved Dino speak so candidly with us of what our Dino means to her 'specially in this time of makin' our pilgrimage to Dino-winter-day. Thanks pallie Miss AOW for spreadin' your Dino-love hear at ilovedinomartin on this sixth day of Dino-winter-month! Dino-heartedly, DMP

btw pallies, likes if you clicks on Miss AOW's tag, you will be transported to her outstandin' blog.

Dino And The Christmas Mood

by Always On Watch

On November 28 this year, I was at Walgreen's Pharmacy to drop off a few prescriptions. Just as I left the counter, over the store's loudspeakers came the tones of the intro music to the following version of our Dino's rendition of "White Christmas." Before our Dino's voice came over the loudspeakers, I knew that what I was about to hear was the best version ever of "White Christmas":

I could hear other shoppers humming along and enjoying the velvet baritone that was our Dino's gift and his alone.

Better yet, during those few moments at Walgreen's, I felt as if our Dino were personally wishing me a Merry Christmas.

Hearing our Dino's dulcet tones so early in the 2011 Christmas season has really put me in the mood for the holidays!

Last night, as I enjoyed my bedtime eggnog with brandy, I toasted our Dino, who left us on Christmas Day in 1995. He may have left us, but he did leave behind a wonderful legacy that we can still enjoy, especially at this most joyful time of the year.

Dean Martin - cool then, cool now

2011-12-05T07:05:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes how's all you dudes doin' on this fifth day of makin' our journey together to Dino-winter-day? Thoughts the followin' Dino-information woulda be likes of interest to all you pallies...'specially if you are thinkin' of giftin' 'nother or yourself with this great new Dino-treasure, "Dean Martin, cool then, cool now."

Likes was spendin' a bit of time over at the "official" Dino-site "deanmartin.com" when I came 'cross this amazin' promotional vid to lets pallies likes you and I gets a preview of all the great Dino-pixs in this wonderful new Dino-resource. The vid pages us through the 60+ pages of the coffee table book with the 2 cds lettin' dudes likes us see each and every Dino-pix...oh, so briefly.

Pallies, we get to see each and every Dino-section of this Dino-keepsake...our Dino as The Entertainer, The Family Man, The Man-About-Town, The Sportsman, and The Movie Star. Likes I thinks this is a simply brillant way of enticin' all us Dino-holics to gets their hands on this very hot Dino-release.

I am thrilled to report that I already has mine, but if you are still ponderin' this Dino-purchase or 'nother pallie or yourself, likes clicks on the youtube vid below, and grooove on viewin all the glory of Dino contained between the covers of "Dean Martin - cool then, cool now." Keeps lovin' our Dino as we makes that pilgrimage to Dino-winter-day! Dino-devotedly, DMP

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "All In A Night's Work"

2011-12-04T10:11:00.000-08:00

Hello again pals o mine! Gots a great little tune for youse this week! This one comes from the 1961 romantic-comedy of the same name, "All In A Night's Work".

Our great man stars along side one of his honorary Rat Packers, Shirley MacLaine. Haven't seen it in awhile but I do remember it bein' a very enjoyable & funny flick. But then again...I loves anythin' thats Dean Martin! Pull up a chair and pour yourself a drink! This swingin' number gets cookin'! Enjoy pals!

All In A Night's Work

When Paul Revere went riding while the stars were burning bright
It was all it was all it was all in a night's work
When Edison stayed up so late he finally saw the light
It was all it was all it was all in a night's work

And when a girl and fellow get underneath that moon
It's not a long shot you can bet on something happening soon
So when they ask me just how come I came up winning you
Though it took hours of flowers and the wining and dining and telephone calls to get the pot to perk
I smile and say it was all in a night's work

It was all it was all it was all in a night's work

It was all it was all it was all in a night's work

And when a girl and fellow get underneath that moon
It's not a long shot you can bet on something happening soon
So when they ask me just how come I came up winning you
Though it took hours of flowers and the wining and dining and telephone calls to get the pot to perk

I smile and say it was all in a night's work
All in a night's work

Listen: Scarlett Johansson Teams With A Dead Dean Martin For "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

2011-12-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes I mentioned yester-Dino-day the news that hottie Miss Scarlett Johansson has recorded a virtual duet of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" with our most beloved Dino has simply been spreadin' likes wildfire all over the net. The 2011 edition of our Dino's "My Kind Of Christmas," is continuin' to generate tons of Dino-posts, and today, on the third day of our Dino-pilgrimage toward Dino-winter-day, I have chosen to share 'nother of the best Dino-reflections on this al-b-um.

Today ilovedinomartin has selected the thoughts of Mr. Kevin Jagernauth from the pad "Indiewire" to share with all youse Dino-philes. Chose this Dino-report 'cause I likes totally totally digs the Dino-graphics of a coolly classic Dino-pose mixed with a hot hot pix of Miss Johansson. Secondly, I so so appreciates Mr. Jagernauth's honest perspective on the "duet." Kev sez, "Well, it's not a crime against music or anything, it's perfectly (and forgettably) pleasant but also kind of totally pointless."

Kev sounds likes many of us deeply devoted Dino-holics....we mostly prefer our Dino straight up....not electronicly messed with. Now, likes don't get me wrong, I am the proud owner of this new Dino-disc and will be playin' it tons durin' our Dino-winter-day pilgrmage, but likes why mess with perfection? And likes we all knows our Dino is perfect in every way...all by himself!

You will also note that Jagernauth has included the same youtube Dino-trib-vid, first shared yesterday, of this "new" Dino-duet for your listenin' pleasure.

ilovedinomartin shares our Dino-winter-time appreciato to Mr. Kevin Jagernauth and the pallies at "Indiewire" for this bit of Dino-prose of the 2011 edition of our Dino's "My Kind Of Christmas." To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Journeyin' with you to Dino-winter-day, DMP

Listen: Scarlett Johansson Teams With A Dead Dean Martin For "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

by Kevin Jagernauth

Triple threat Scarlett Johansson has a Christmas present for you. The actress, soon to be feature filmmaker and singer has now joined the ranks of Bono and Natalie Cole in teaming up with dead legends to give an old classic a new spin.

During his career, Dean Martin only recorded two albums worth of holiday songs, but they seem get recycled every so often and the latest disc I'll Be Home Christmas has found some folks unwisely giving his legendary songs a contemporary twist. Why on earth "Winter Wonderland" needs to be given a "Swingin' Yuletide Mix" is beyond us, but it seems someone over at Hip-O Select has also decided, what the hell, let's get Scarlett Johansson to duet with Dino on "I'll Be Home For Christmas." And the result? Well, it's not a crime against music or anything, it's perfectly (and forgettably) pleasant but also kind of totally pointless. But hey, if you ever wondered what these two would sound like singing "together" now you know.

Anyway, the whole album is in stores now. Listen to the collaboration below. [via Boom Bap Beatnik]

l

it really doesn't matter where you live - Dino is just as much a part of Christmas as Santa Claus and Candy Canes.

2011-12-02T07:20:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes man-o-man pallies, on this second day of marchin' toward Dino-winter-day, just gotta report that it seems likes the entire web is simply buzzin' with the news of the latest edition of Dino-winter-tunes featurin' that cyper duet between Miss Scarlett Johansson and our most beloved Dino....indeed there are likes simply tons of blog posts puttin' the accent on this Dino-disc.

The coolest of the cool that I have chosen to share with you dudes comes from our in-the-Dino-know pallies at "Kik Axe Music." The prose-ful pen of Mr. James Zahn files an outstandin' Dino-report tagged, "25 Days of AXEmas: DEAN MARTIN - MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS."

Mr. Zahn certainly has a flair with his Dino-adulation speakin' the Dino-truth sayin', "it really doesn't matter where you live - Dino is just as much a part of Christmas as Santa Claus and Candy Canes." And further Dino-elaborates with these words of Dino-homagin', "With new generations forever discovering the music of DEAN MARTIN, MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS is a worthy purchase indeed...."

Zahn also includes here the recent youtube Dino-trib-vid of ScarJo/Dino-duet. And, likesI particularly loves that Zahn has answered one of my own Dino-wonderin's...likes where did that stunnin' Dino-pix on this year's Dino-al-b-um originate? Mr. James wisely notes, "With a lot of photoshopping, the photo of Dino from the 1965 LP would become the cover art for the 2011 version of MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS." Likes I knew I had seen that Dino-image before, but just couldn't place it...ain't it just amazin' how technology keeps the Dino-groove gets ever more swingin'?!?!?!

Likes 'nough of my Dino-patterin' pallies, ilovedinomartin speaks our deepest of deep Dino-appreciato for our pallies at Kik Axe Music, and particularly Mr. James Zahn for an outstandin' second day Dino-winter-month post that is so so Dino-honorin'! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-desirin', DMP

25 Days of AXEmas: DEAN MARTIN - MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS

Written by James Zahn

25 Days of AXEmas 2011: Day Two

''Growing up in New York City, Christmas was never Christmas without Dino,'' said actress/songstress Scarlett Johansson while discussing I'll Be Home For Christmas, her recently-recorded duet with DEAN MARTIN, a track that appears on the 2011 reissue, MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS.

While Ms. Johansson emphasizes her NYC heritage, it really doesn't matter where you live - Dino is just as much a part of Christmas as Santa Claus and Candy Canes.

Originally released by HIP-O records in 2009, MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS compiles a dozen of Martin's perennial Holiday favorites alongside the '09 revamp of Winter Wonderland as "The Swingin' Yuletide Mix" and the aforementioned 2011 duet with Johansson.

While the big hits are here, some alternate versions such as the previous duet with Martina McBride on Baby it's Cold Outside from 2006's CHRISTMAS WITH DINO are omitted for this collection.

It's interesting to note that Martin only recorded two proper Holiday albums during his career, despite having them reissued countless times under various titles and configurations. 1959's A WINTER ROMANCE was recorded for Capitol Records and later reissued in 1965 as HOLIDAY CHEER with the Winter Romance title track removed. The following year, Reprise Records would release THE DEAN MARTIN CHRISTMAS ALBUM. With a lot of photoshopping, the photo of Dino from the 1965 LP would become the cover art for the 2011 version of MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS.

With new generations forever discovering the music of DEAN MARTIN, MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS is a worthy purchase indeed, and our pick for Day Two of our 2nd Annual 25 Days of AXEmas here at Kik Axe Music™. MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS is available on iTunes now.

Dean Martin and His Outstanding Contribution in Christmas Season

2011-12-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes by the turn of the calendar page, we have arrived at December 1, and thus the beginnin' of our month long pilgrimage to Dino-winter-day. Here at ilovedinomartin, we tag the day of our most beloved Dino's departure from earth, December 25, "Dino-winter-day." And, we are committed to spend this entire month with special Dino-honorin' posts with the deepest, purest, and truest homagin' of the life, the times, and the teachin's of our King of Cool.

To begin our month of Dino-remembrance, we turn to the blog pad, "presentations-plus.biz," where a pallie has honored our great man with the great post, "Dean Martin and His Outstanding Contribution in Christmas Season." Although the post is quite brief in scribage, and contains a couple of glarin' errors of standard Dino-facts, it does include a couple of deeply devotional Dino-insights....

"Dean Martin is certainly a crooner, producing a number of sensual love songs and cozy Christmas tracks to the world for over decades already."

"Dean Martin’s cool and cozy voice awakens the spirit of most individuals who continuously support his music."

Likes never ever heard our Dino's croonin' described as "cozy," but likes gotta 'fess up that I likes totally totally digs that Dino-notion!

Thanks to the unnamed pallie at "presentations-plus.biz" for gettin' our month long Dino-winter-day rememberance off to a Dino-homagin' start. Certainly hopes that pallies that drop by this pad with seek out the truth of our Dino's "Outstanding Contribution in Christmas Season." To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-awed, DMP

Dean Martin and His Outstanding Contribution in Christmas Season

We often hear a lot of Dean Martin Christmas songs, but do we know a little about his personal life as a legendary crooner? Dean Martin is certainly a crooner, producing a number of sensual love songs and cozy Christmas tracks to the world for over decades already. His original name, Dino Paul Crocetti, made his way to stardom by literally rolling with the punches.

His first big break was in 1946 at a certain club in New York City when he met a young comedian name Jerry Lewis. The two developed as good friends and started to support each other. With their pair, it made Dean Martin to an almost online celebrity. After several years, he became a servant as a straight man in the radio and television, giving him a moderate success. Dean Martin’s cool and cozy voice awakens the spirit of most individuals who continuously support his music. Aside from the usual songs he released for the rest of the year, he is also covering songs about Christmas songs.

Dino, Paul, and Linda

2011-11-30T07:07:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes this is just to to cool dudes. Today's Dino-love comes from the blog "Beatle Photo Blog" where a down under chick named Tammy shares "some of the thousands of photos of The Beatles" and their pallies that she has collected.

Miss Tammy has posted a pix of our Dino likes that I have never ever seen before...our King of Cool makin' the scene with Sir Paul McCarthy and his lady Linda.
Do remember that our Dino was invited sometime in the '70's to a swingin' party on Paul's yacht, and likes am wonderin' if this particular pix might be from that evenin'.

Likes, I don't recall that our Dino ever meet all the Beatles en ensemble..any of you pallies know of such a gatherin'. Woulda loves to have been a fly on the way when this pix was snapped...how cool to have been able to hear the patter between our Dino and Paul...just gotta wonder if they spoke 'bout the fact that our great man was the one and only to be a Beatle Buster.

ilovedinomartin shares our Dino-appreciato to Miss Tammy for sharin' this marvelous pix of our marvelous man hangin' with Paul and Linda. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-diggin', DMP

EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME:

Monday, November 14th, 2011

I built a house for Dean actually.

2011-11-29T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes gotta 'fess up dudes likes I can never ever get 'nough of our great man...simply loves learnin' each and every new Dino-detail that I can uncover. My my newest Dino-fact that I am psyched to tells youse 'bout comes way of the blog, "newsmax.com" where scribers Paul Scicchitano and Ashley Martella have reported on a new bio written by Peter Ford, the only son of actor Glenn Ford. Peter's bio of his daddy-o is simply tagged, "Glenn Ford: A Life," and is full of his experiences of livin' life as the son of big screen actor.

Likes I am thrilled to learn the fact that Peter knew our Dino, and likes even built one of our most beloved Dino's houses...will have to do a bit more researchin' to try and discover which Dino-mansion it was. It is very very touchin' to learn that the younger Ford musta actually spent some quality time with our Dino after the tragic death of his most beloved boypallie Dino Jr., with Peter proclaimin'..."I knew him really after his son was killed. He became very depressed. That was a tragedy for him."

ilovedinomartin expresses our thanks to the pallies at "newsmax.com" and particularly Paul Scicchitano and Ashley Martella for puttin' us on to this new bio and 'specially Peter Ford's first hand recollections of our beloved Dino. To read the whole review, just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-learnin' and Dino-growin', DMP

Peter Ford: Memories of a Star-Struck Childhood

Saturday, 12 Nov 2011 08:39 AM

By Paul Scicchitano and Ashley Martella

The only son of legendary film star Glenn Ford and Broadway great Eleanor Powell grew up calling Cary Grant and Charlie Chaplin neighbors.

As a boy, Peter Ford called Chaplin a lot worse, particularly after the silent film star accidentally ran over and killed his dog, Bill.

Johnny Weissmuller gave young Ford swimming lessons in an Olympic-sized pool his parents installed just for the occasion. Later, Pancho Segura taught him to play tennis while he picked up his golf swing from none other than Ben Hogan, who happened to be preparing Glenn Ford to play him in the movie, “Follow the Sun.”

But while Ford’s late father had an iconic good-guy reputation on screen, he had something of a bad-boy lifestyle off screen, at least when it came to women.

“He has this image of being a Jimmy Stewart but in truth like Errol Flynn he had a streak of adventure,” recalled the younger Ford in an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV. “And unfortunately when you’re married that doesn’t serve you well — especially when you get caught.”

Peter Ford, author of the new book: “Glenn Ford: A Life,” was surprised to learn that his father had relationships with many women over the years.

“It’s startling quite frankly for a guy like me who has been married forever to one wonderful wife, Lynda,” he said. “For me to read the fact that he did 100 films and yet had all of these experiences with these women — he was prodigious in many fields.”

Reflecting back on his childhood, Ford didn’t realize how privileged he was at the time to be surrounded by Hollywood legends. “As a little kid, I wasn’t impressed with anybody. I didn’t know. They’re just my parents’ friends coming to the house,” he said.

Still, his family’s six-acre mansion in Beverly Hills was hardly a typical family home in the suburbs. “I met so many great people — Sophie Tucker, Eddie Cantor. My mom was a big star on Broadway. And so through her, I got to know Al Jolson and those people.

And my dad of course being a film actor, when he started out, he started out very humbly with what they called ‘B’ pictures not ‘A’ pictures, not the top pictures. By the time I came around though he was a big deal actor. So Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, I mean everybody, came through the house and they were just folks to me.

It was only after I got a little older and a little wiser that I started realizing these people are important. They’re just not regular folks. They were regular folks but they were unique in this world.”

As a young man, Peter’s love for rhythm and blues, led the director of the film, “Blackboard Jungle,” to discover what would become an iconic song, “Rock Around the Clock,” in Peter’s music collection.

“Rock Around the Clock, being the song that was in my father’s film, became the national anthem of rock and roll and ushered in this whole new era of the rock generation,” Ford shares with Newsmax.TV. “And I’m happy to tell you the reason that song was in that movie was because of me.”

Here are some of Peter’s recollections of the stars who shaped his childhood:

• Dean Martin — “I knew Dean very well as well but dad wasn’t as friendly with Dean as with Frank. But I knew Dean. I built a house for Dean actually. I was a home builder for a while. … I don’t know if he was that accessible to the average person. … Dean was rather reclusive. They were all interesting. … I knew him really after his son was killed. He became very depressed. That was a tragedy for him.”

For me, Dean Martin is the voice of autumn/early winter.

2011-11-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today's Dino-post hails from 'nother uniquely tagged blog, "The Heavy Petting Zoo - WSUM 91.7 FM." Doin' a bit of researchin' found that said radio station hails from Madison, Wisconsin where one of the chick staffers is certainly in the true Dino-know.

This unnamed Dino-holic shares her her testimony of her growin' devotion to our most beloved Dino...sharin' how she acquired her first Dino-al-bum, a compilation tagged, "That’s Amore: The Best of Dean Martin," It was the "Fall of 1998" and she proclaims that she "then listened to it non-stop all winter long." That's our Dino for ya pallies, one she gets started on the Dino-path, likes you gets so so Dino-hooked likes so so Dino-fast.

Likes it is always so so refreshin' to here each and every Dino-devotee's story of comin' to knowin', lovin', and honorin' our great man. So, ilovedinomartin salutes the WSUM 91.7 FM staffer who has shared her Dino-adulation with the readers of "The Heavy Petting Zoo." I'm sure your Dino-efforts will bring many more pallies likes into the Dino-fold! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-sharin', DMP

“Leaves Will Fall From Winter’s Chill…” ~Dean Martin~

11.17.11

Are there albums and artists that you have to listen to at a certain time of year? For me, Dean Martin is the voice of autumn/early winter. I can’t explain it other than to point to the fact that I bought my first Dean Martin CD in the Fall of 1998 and then listened to it non-stop all winter long. Now it’s just the thing to do in my world.

Fast-forward to November 3, 2004. I was on the road with Special K, Dave (of “Dave and Kari” fame), and other WSUMers en route to the College Broadcasters, Inc. annual convention in Nashville, TN. It was my turn to pick out the music we’d listen to in the van. I offered to turn down the opportunity because I knew my CD collection was… eclectic. But Dave insisted it was my turn to pick out the music.

I handed him my copy of That’s Amore: The Best of Dean Martin — a.k.a. my “must have” album for that time of year. Dave shrugged and said, “Alright…” as he put it in the CD player. I think maybe three and a half tracks played before he dove for the “eject” button and it was the next person’s turn to select the playlist.

Sorry, Dave and friends. I tried to spare you…

But that’s not to say this album isn’t worth a listen. I’m just saying it may be best enjoyed on your own… or in any other context besides 6 hours into on a 14-hour road trip with others who much prefer the congested, speech impediment-laden stylings of The Decemberists.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What’s a “Best of Dean Martin” compilation without “That’s Amore” — arguably his biggest hit? If you’re tired of that song, do what I do and flip ahead to the next track or turn on the ‘random’ playback feature of your MP3 or CD player. Other familiar Dino songs you can expect hear include, “Volare,” “Sway,” “Return To Me,” and “Memories Are Made Of This” (a.k.a. the one that’s overplayed on AM radio).

There are hidden gems, too, which makes this album my favorite Dean Martin collection out of the three that I own.

Call me outlandish, but I think Dean Martin’s version of “Canadian Sunset” surpasses Andy Williams’ by leaps and bounds. It’s much more delicate, romantic, and embodies the sentiment that I imagine the lyricist (Norman Gimbel) intended to evoke when he wrote it (this is pure speculation; I haven’t done any research into Mr. Gimbel’s intentions). And the solo oboe lightly dancing around in the background is just adorable.

Another favorite is “If Love Is Good To Me.” Folks who wish to put on their dancing shoes can find this and other danceable numbers on Dean’s aptly-named album, Cha Cha de Amor.

The CD wraps up with the best version of “My One and Only Love” that I have ever heard. I mean, seriously. It beats out Sinatra, Johnny Hartman, and countless others who otherwise make you melt like butter. The arrangement features a flute theme that supports Dino’s melody line, an orchestral bridge that will sweep you away, and is ultimately held together by a small cadre of soft bongo beats in the backdrop.

Yes, it all sounds strange in writing, but you absolutely must take a listen to hear just how wonderfully this number comes together. Unlike with other songs, Dino doesn’t lay the schmaltz on too thick– his smooth vocal treatment and the arrangement’s instrumentation come together in perfect balance to create what I think is one of the most romantic songs of all time!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

For some, Dean Martin is a “love him or hate him” kind of artist. I don’t know about that, but I can see how his style might be aggrevating to some. The relentless vibrato, the faux-Italianization of songs that should be left well enough alone, the mispronunciation of Italian words that were supposed to sound authentic in the first place — I’ll admit that his best work is comprised of songs that don’t possess these traits. But when considering the overall purview of his recording history, the good outweighs the not-so-impressive, in my opinion.

If you want to know ahead of time which tracks on this album you could probably skip or selectively choose not to buy (if you’re going the MP3 downloading route), either because they possess the lackluster qualities mentioned above or because they’d otherwise bore you… then I’ll tell ya:

7. Come Back to Sorrento
9. I’m Yours
10. Hey Brother, Pour the Wine
11. Just Say I Love Her (Dicitencello Vuie)
13. Standing On the Corner

That’s only five out of twenty tracks. I really think you’ll find the rest tolerable, if not downright enjoyable. Give it a spin and enjoy the warmth that Dino’s voice brings amid the autumn’s winter chill!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Final thoughts: This collection only scratches the surface of all that Dean Martin recorded. Just when I think I’ve heard it all, Paul Snyder winds up unearthing something new to me on his blog! Use That’s Amore: The Best of Dean Martin as a primer and keep exploring more of Dino’s work when you’re ready to give your music collection another boost.

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Turn The World Around"

2011-11-27T09:58:00.001-08:00

Welcome back pals o mine! As nother' autumn month whips away, I find myself longin' for some older, wiser Dino.

This wonderful vid, "Turn the World Around", comes from the variety show circa 1972. Dean needed a change in his life...a new look perhaps! Blond! Sure! Why not?!!! Dean could pull it off. He could pull off anythin'. I mean after all...he's Dean Martin!

Now all you pallies know for Dino-sure that Dean would never want to break up with any of his true true pals here at ilovedinomartin. So lets just sit back & listen & know that Dean truly loves each and every one of his devoted fans and would definitely give us nother' chance if need be! Enjoy pals!

Turn The World Around

Turn the world around the other way
Back it up and stop on yesterday
Back to before that silly fight
And give me a chance to make things right.

I said some things I didn't mean to say
Things that I am sorry for today
Down on my knees I beg you please
To turn the world around the other way.

I never really wanted us to break up
Snd I'm sorry for each teardrop that you've cried
We need to give our hearts a chance to make up
And darling will you stand in by my side.

We'll turn the world around the other way
Back to where it started yesterday
Just take my hand, together we
Can turn the world around the other way.

Turn the world around the other way
Back it up and stop on yesterday
Just take my hand, together
We can turn the world around the other way.

Yeah, turn the world around the other way...

'Goodbye, old friend.'

2011-11-26T07:04:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today, on our last day of GIVING DINO THANKS week here at ilovedinomartin, our Dino-devotion comes from a very interestin'ly tagged blog, "MORBID CURIOSITY: Celebrity Tombstones Across America," and as one would expect includes a pix of our Dino's final restin' place. Also included are some popular Dino-poses along with some pretty standard Dino-reflections.

But, likes amid the pixs and prose, is the story of a very brief Dino-encounter between our most beloved Dino and Mr. Milton Berle......
"Two weeks before his death, while having lunch alone at the Friar’s Club in Los Angeles, Milton Berle came by his table to say hello. Dean kept the conversation short and said, 'Goodbye, old friend.'"

I finds that so so touchin' and simply had to share this with all you pallies. There is so so much to thank our Dino for, and today we accent how our most beloved Dino was ever the gentleman to the very very end of his amazin' life! What a perfect example our Dino has set for all his pallies in how to treat 'nother pallie with the deepest of deep Dino-respect. I simply yearn to become more and more like our Dino in each and every Dino-way!

ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to the pallies at "MORBID CURIOSITY: Celebrity Tombstones Across America" for honorin' the life and times of our Dino in this way and for sharin' this very gentle Dino-tale between our Dino and Mr. Berle. To view this in it's original format, likes please clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message. Dino-awed, DMP

Dean Martin

June 7, 1917 - December 25, 1995

Born Dino Paul Crocetti, the son of Italian immigrants, he spoke only Italian until the age of five. Being that English was his second language, he was always extremely insecure about speaking in public. He once said, “When Jerry Lewis and I were big, we used to go to parties, and everybody thought I was big-headed and stuck up, and I wasn't. It was because I didn't know how to speak good English, so I used to keep my mouth shut.”

He gained fame through his union with Lewis in the 40’s and 50’s. Later after the team's break up he became a member of the “Rat Pack” and pursued a solo vocal career. He is remembered for his smooth baritone voice, a constant drink in his hand accompanied by a cigarette.

For many years he successfully mixed cabaret and film work without any prospects for a recorded hit. In 1964, things changed as he reached number one with “Everybody Loves Somebody.” The song became the theme to his long running, “The Dean Martin Show.”

After forty years in the public eye, Dean became semiretired and took refuge in his Beverly Hills home. Occasionally he would make an appearance with Frank in Vegas or Jerry on his telethon. But in 1987, things would never be the same again when Martin’s son, Dean Paul, was killed in a fiery plane crash. When this happened he lost the will to live and became reclusive. Two weeks before his death, while having lunch alone at the Friar’s Club in Los Angeles, Milton Berle came by his table to say hello. Dean kept the conversation short and said, “Goodbye, old friend.” Martin’s mental collapse, plus his life long habits of heavy drinking and smoking killed him on Christmas morning, 1995. His cause of death was respiratory failure due to emphysema. Private services were held at the Westwood Village Memorial Chapel. He is interred in the sanctuary of remembrance. The epitaph on his crypt says it all: “EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME.”

Westwood Memorial Park
1218 Glendon Ave
Los Angeles, California
Sanctuary of Love

For directions to the cemetery see Marilyn Monroe in the Glamour Girls Chapter. As you enter the cemetery make a left and follow the drive around to the Sanctuary of Remembrance. It is the third sanctuary before the end. He's on the left wall, third column over and third from the bottom. His parents are in the Sanctuary of Love behind him under the name “Crocetti.”

Dino Paul Crocetti a.k.a. Dean Martin the Gin drinker

2011-11-25T06:54:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes as we continue our week long puttin' the accent on GIVING DINO THANKS, we likes puts a twist on our homagin' of our most beloved Dino. From the themed pad, "Oliver Twist Gin," comes the Dino-reflection, "Dino Paul Crocetti a.k.a. Dean Martin the Gin drinker."

I am so thankful that our Dino is so so cool, that there is an unendin' tide of Dino-devotion flowin' forth from all over the web, and in so so many diverse and unique Dino-ways.

Today's post scribed by a dude tagged Keiran, puts a lively liquid libation twist to the Dino-story with this scribe proclaimin', "Our King of Cool was known to love a good Gin."

Likes what other entertainer, alive or deceased has pallies of all stripes and types, of all ages and stages proclaimin' their Dino-devotion in such special Dino-ways? None, I dare say. It is just so so fabulous to every day find adulation for our Dino springin' up in the most swingin' of ways.

As we continue our celebration of GIVING DINO THANKS we thank our Dino for bein' the unique personality that he continues to be...findin' devotion comin' from all corners of the world wide web. ilovedinomartin says our thanks to Mr. Keiran for his illustrative Dino-homagin' of there is simply no end of bein' thankful for our Dino. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-awed, DMP

Dino Paul Crocetti a.k.a. Dean Martin the Gin drinker

Posted on November 21, 2011 by keiran
Dino Paul Crocetti a.k.a. Dean Martin
Born 7th June 1917 – Died 25th December 1995

Nicknamed the “King of Cool”, he was one of the members of the famous “Rat Pack2 along with Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis Jr. Our King of cool was known to love a good Gin.

Born in Steubenville Ohio to Italian parents, Gaetano and Angela Crocetti, he was the younger brother of Bill.

He only spoke Italian until he started school, which he left in the 10th grade due to ridicule because of his broken English and the fact that he considered he was smarter than his teachers

He delivered bootleg liquor, served as a croupier in a speakeasy, dealt blackjack and worked in a steel mill.

By the age of fifteen he was a welterweight boxer who billed himself as “Kid Crochet”, fighting twelve bouts, which he, in his own words, “Won all but eleven.”

For a time, he shared an apartment with Sonny King. Legend has it that people would go to their apartment where they would pay to watch Dean and Sonny fight, bare knuckled, until one of them was knocked out.

Eventually, Dino gave up boxing, his broken nose would later be straightened, and worked in an illegal casino as well as singing for local bands, naming himself Dino Martini after the then famous tenor, Nino Martini, getting his first break working with the Ernie McKay Orchestra. In the 1940s he started singing for bandleader Sammy Watkins who suggested he change his name to Dean Martin.

In 1941 he married his first wife, Elizabeth Anne McDonald with whom he had four children, although it ended in divorce in 1949.

During the early 1940s, he worked for several bands while still developing his own style, famously flopping in the high class Riobamba night club in New York where he followed Frank Sinatra, but, it was the setting for their first meeting.

As is the case with Frank Sinatra, Dean, supposedly had mafia connections, but none have ever been substantiated.

July 24th 1946 saw Dean and comedian Jerry Lewis team up as a comedy / variety duo which blossomed into a lucrative film career earning them both millions of dollars but which unfortunately ended in acrimony exactly ten years later. They were reconciled when Frank Sinatra brought Dean out on stage during an appearance by Lewis in a telethon on Labour Day in 1976.

By 1976 Dean had developed his public persona as a laid back carefree boozer, even the license plates on his car were, “ DRUNKY “, although was in truth remarkably self-disciplined and like nothing better than to go home to his second wife, Jeanne Biegger and their three children.

During his career he recorded over one hundred albums and six hundred songs although he could not read music.

I’m Thankful For Dean Martin

2011-11-23T07:49:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes I gotta 'fess up that I won't be near a 'puter tomorrow on our Day of GIVING DINO THANKS, so am likes gonna post this a wee bit early.

On the day of Dino-thanks 2011 I wanna shares with you a post that first appeared at ilovedinomartin on November 25, 2008. Written by Mr. Ron Giesecke for his "Political Therapy" blog, this poignant prose tagged "I’m Thankful For Dean Martin," shares the extemely important role that our Dino played in Giesecke's last conversation with his father who was dyin' of cancer.

This heart-felt Dino-testimony is a huge reminder to all us pallies 'bout the many and varied ways that our Dino has touched so so many lifes, and continues to do so even long after his departure from the planet.

On this day of GIVING DINO THANKS 2011, I continue to be ever thankful for our Dino and likes I'm thankful to Mr. Ron Giesecke for his candid retellin' of role our most beloved Dino played in sayin' goodbye to his father. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. On this Thanksgiving Day, be sure to pause and give our Dino thanks for the amazin' ways he has touched the lives of all of his pallies!
In Thanksgiving To Our Dino, DMP

The Therapist Thursday, November 24, 2005

I’m Thankful For Dean Martin

Tomorrow at 5:00 AM, It will be four months to the day that I lost my father to cancer. I had a feeling last Thanksgiving, that I was looking at my dad across the holiday table for the last time.

I was right.

Due to some employment constraints on my part, as well, as some plain old logistical difficulty, we decided to have Thanksgiving dinner on Monday evening. Everything was normal overall, with the addition of an emotional assent to how much we all wished dad were here one last time. My dad was a restless soul, and my wife’s observations about his absence on one of the holiday deficits that will now be the most obvious: that wherever my dad was on Thanksgiving, he always managed to be wandering around the kitchen, chatting with whomever was cooking, and just plain getting in the way in the fashion that loveable old lugs manage to do so well.

How I would have paid millions to have my dad holding up the wheels of culinary progress, forcing my wife to jokingly threaten to run him over one last time. How I would have also paid millions, if it would have at least enshrouded the incremental knots of pain in my mother’s face, as the holiday realizations washed over the clock—all without my father—her husband. And no amount of ambient room chatter was going to change it.

I started thinking about the last two days in my father’s life. Those memories—the one’s where family members became strangers, enemies, and opaque silhouettes—The one’s that recall the fear of falling, the contortions of pain—believe it or not, still have some high points.

I arrived out at the house, and to his deathbed. The medications, along with his metabolic breakdowns had cajoled an otherwise meek man into a sometimes-belligerent stranger. I remember distinctly two conversations I had with him. The first was a bit adversarial—to start.

“Dad, I’m here.”

Dad looks over at me, gives me a once over, and says “so what?”

“Dad, you’re little granddaughters are here.”

“I don’t care,” said my dad, looking away in disgust.

Right about then, my four year old—one of two apples in my father’s eye, ran into the room with that hapless, four-year-old lack of understanding at the impending gravity. I picked her up, and held her over him, so that he was forced to see her.

“Oh yeah, Captain Belligerent? Try being mean to THIS.”

I watched dad, as the realization that Clara was there at Grandpa’s side. I watched as he forced his demeanor, focus, and grandfatherly adoration through the unwieldy veil that had hidden the rest of him from the rest of us.

“Hi Clara,” he said, through the most painful smile ever forged upon that face. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. My daughter made cancer take a back seat, if only for a moment.

As dad inched ever-closer to the precipice, his coherence, ability to communicate, and humanity started to fade. I wanted to speak with my dad one last time about his soul, so that I could again pray with, for, and about him. The in-home hospice visitors said he no longer knew where he was.

I looked straight into my father’s face. His eyes fixed on mine. I thought I saw a momentary window of clarity come across those pupils, and so I silently prayed for a sign that he knew it was me.

“Dad,” I said. “I’m here.”

Dad had this way of nodding with only his eyes, and I was certain I had just seen him do it. The room was calm, and mom had kept the room calmly brimming with familiarity—to include my father’s favorite music lightly playing in the background.

“Dad, “ I said grabbing his hand. “I’m only going to ask you to extend yourself one last time. I just need to know that you know this is Ron talking. If you know it’s me, please squeeze my hand.”

He immediately squeezed with a force that astonished me.

“Okay dad. One more thing,” I said, as he locked his eyes on mine. “I’ve got one more question. After that, I just want you to pray with me in your mind.” I nodded over to the cassette player at the foot of the bed.

“Who’s playing on that radio right now?” I asked him.

With all the accompanying pain, dad struggled to put those parched lips together. I couldn’t believe he’d actually pull it off.

“Dean Martin,” he said.

I almost passed out.

I knew then, that dad and I could talk, even if it was only me doing the talking for our last conversation. Those were his last words to me. We had already exchanged our “I love you’s” earlier. And yet nothing in that transcended the sheer force I felt when I heard the man who brought me into this world fight one last time to converse with me as he left it.

You bet I am thankful. Thankful for Dean Martin.

posted by Ron Giesecke @ 8:39 AM

Listen, Pally: Dean Martin Was A Comedian!

2011-11-23T07:16:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes the day of "GIVING DINO THANKS" is just 'round the corner, and likes the ol' world wide web continues to be simply a Dino-treasure-trove of Dino-devotion just waitin' to be uncovered. Case in point, just found a blog tagged "Say what?" where the duo of JD and Lucy hold forth. Their Dino-post, "Listen, Pally: Dean Martin Was A Comedian!" puts the accent on quotations from our Dino's girlpallie Deana's bio of her daddy-o, "Memories Are Made Of This."

JD shares a dozen cool Dino-quips as recorded by Miss Deana in her Dino-memoir...some are more familar then others, but all point to our most beloved Dino's great sense of humor....and, as JD sez, they are all pure "quotable Dean Martin fun."
And, likes besides makin' all us pallies laugh, there is, as well, truly truly so so much Dino-wisdom in these Dino-reflections to guide and direct us on the path to true Dino-happiness!

On this third day of our celebration of "GIVING DINO THANKS," ilovedinomartin is indebted to pallies Miss Lucy and Mr. JD for sharin' these Dino-thoughts with their readers...helpin' em to deepen each and every pallies Dino-devotion! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-prose. Thanks Dino...likes no one makes us laugh more....and at the same time led us to drinkin' deep from your Dino-wisdom! Dino-lovin', DMP

Listen, Pally: Dean Martin Was A Comedian!

Aaaaagain, I say, listen, Pally: Dean Martin Was A Comedian!

Much of my grandmother's family is from Steubenville, Ohio and when she was young and visiting, she played with a little boy named Dino Crocetti, who later turned out to be an Italian King...The King of Cool, that is. It was Dean Martin. Dean loved where he came from and never forgot. They even named an official state holiday in Ohio-Dean Martin Day. I've always liked Dean and I'm a member of a gigantic club in that regard. Very few people didn't like Dean. I picked up a copy of the book 'Memories are made of this: Dean Martin through his daughter's eyes' and found it difficult to put down. The odyssey of Dean and his family's lives makes for quite a drama but a lot of humor too. Dean was an unusual man and had an unusual life. He was a mega-star in his day, several times over. He conquered movies, live acts, TV and the music industry and did it all with a laid back demeanor and sharp wit.

Deana Martin, Dean's daughter, didn't paint him out to be father of the year but there's no doubt that he was appreciated for the man that he was, including his quirky nature as a loner and his sense of humor. Though he's known more for his beautiful voice and his very tipsy stage persona, Dean was as funny as he was musical. An all-around talent. His days with Jerry Lewis left Jerry with a French mob of fans as the brilliant goof and Dean under appreciated for his own comic talent as a straight man and later as a character too full of scotch to actually stand up straight. Of course, he was usually drinking apple juice but even Mayberry's Otis wasn't a more likable fake drunk. Following are some quotes from the book, which I hope you get the chance and have the gumption to read. I think you'll enjoy it, too. If you've already read it...well, whatever, Pally (Dean called people 'Pally'). Here are 12 quotes to make you smile:

JD's quotes:

1. Deana talks about Dean as a teenaged playboy:

''My aunt Violet used to say to him, ''Dino, you never have any money.'' He'd smile and reply, ''I don't need money, Vi, I'm good looking.'' ''

2. Deana talks about Dean as a very minor league, smooth criminal:

''He was a card dealer at the Rex Cigar Store, where he slipped so many silver dollars down his trouser legs and into shoes that he jangled when he walked. It was money his bosses didn't begrudge him, and which he quickly spent.''

3. Deana quotes her dad with many of his most memorable lines. Here's one she quoted on family:

''I have seven beautiful kids. Don't clap, it only took seven minutes.''

4. Dean and the rest of the Rat Pack joked about each other's heritage frequently. Speaking of Frank Sinatra, Deana says:

''Frank sang too, an honor Dad reciprocated at Frank's forty-second birthday party at the Villa Capri in 1957, when he sang a version of ''He's the Top'' with the words ''He's the Wop.'' ''

5. Deana quotes her dad with this silly one-line nugget:

''Don't believe it when they say carrots are good for your eyes, I stuck one in mine last night and it hurt.''

6. Deana quotes some parental advice from Dean to his daughter, Claudia:

''Don't bite your nails,'' he'd tell Claudia. ''Look what happened to Venus de Milo.'' ''

7. Deana talks more about Dean's lighthearted ethnic teasing, this time on his wife, Jeanne:

''He constantly teased Jeanne about her German ancestry, which she had in common with Irma, our German housekeeper. ''Be careful,'' he'd tell us, ''watch those Aryan blue eyes. Next thing we know she'll be holding Bund meetings Thursday nights with Irma behind the pool house.''

8. Deana quotes Dean on his fellow ladies man, Frank Sinatra:

''When Frank dies, they're gonna give his zipper to the Smithsonian.''

9. Deana talks about some of the song alterations Dean did as his drunken stage persona, changing classic songs' lyrics like:

''I looked over Jordan and what did I see . . . Mrs. Jordan.''
''You are too beautiful for one man alone . . . so I brought along my brother.''
''You made me love you . . . you woke me up to do it.''

10. Deana remarks the time Dean's hit ''Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime'' knocked ''A Hard Day's Night'' (By the Beatles) off the number one slot:

''When Dad heard the news of its success, he sent Elvis Presley a telegram that read, ''If you can't handle the Beatles, I'll do it for you, pally.'' ''

11. Deana quotes her dad introducing the Rolling Stones in classic Dino style:

''I've been rolled when I was stoned before. Now ladies and gentlemen, the Rolling Stones.''

12. Deana quotes more Dean one-liner fun, mentioning this one:

''I don't drink anymore, and I don't drink any less.''

That's the end of the quotable Dean Martin fun, pallies. For a load of anecdotes and a keener understanding of the man, pick up a copy of the book. For immediate purposes, if you haven't had enough just yet, here's our gratuitous youtube video for your viewing pleasure. This is one of my favorites from the Dean Martin show, with Victor Borge and his classic bit called 'Phonetic Punctuation.'. Two great musical and comedic talents who used their powers for good, instead of evil, like what Stephen Lynch does. Check it out:

Dino-wisdom

2011-11-22T15:57:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes all true Dino-philes know that our Dino was the greatest entertainer that ever has or ever will inhabit this planet. But, likes in addition to all of his talent singin', dancin' and makin' with the funnies, our most beloved Dino is also the wisest of the wise philosophers....while his jokin' 'round always makes us laugh, there is always so so much wisdom in each and every Dino-thought.

Today, on this second day of our week of "GIVING DINO THANKS," we takes you to a post "Quote of the Day" from Miss Amanda A. Markel at her self-tagged blog, "Amanda." It is an excellent example of 'nother stunnin' reason to be thanksful for our Dino...'cause it radically reflects our Dino's wisdom at it ultra finest! And, likes as you read our great man's great thought you will discover that this pearl of Dino-insight is likes more true today then when it was first Dino-spoken.

With the total mess that our world is in, with problemos all 'round us these here days, we more then ever need to cling to the Dino-truth proclaimed below. Likes wouldn't be so so wonderful pallies, if we coulda compile each and every Dino-teachin' received from our ever wise Dino...woulda certainly help us to cope with the dark days that we are in.

ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to Miss Amanda for sharin' this Dino-quotation with her readers, and so that ilovedinomartin coulda brings it to a larger Dino-audience of Dino-devotees, and gives us 'nother amazin' reason to give thanks to our most beloved Dino! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-studyin', DMP

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 10, 2011 by amandamarkel

“Please remember the moral of tonight’s show: Put your troubles away till tomorrow. If you’re lucky, someone’ll break into your house tonight and steal ‘em!” Dean Martin

the almighty, immortal, unforgotten and legendary Mister DEAN MARTIN

2011-11-21T07:05:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes as we move into the week here in the states where we will go over the river and through the woods to grannie's house, it's time at ilovedinomartin to puts our annual accent on "GIVING DINO THANKS."

Likes as all us Dino-philes begins to reflects 'bout all the reasons that dudes likes us are so so thankful for our most beloved Dino, likes I am likes extremely delighted to gets our week of "GIVING DINO THANKS" off to a marvelvous start with some amazin/ Dino-devotion from a very youthful hip German modster who tags himself "Manslaughter-Andy."

Andy, a teacher at an "academic high school" in Germany teaches "German, Politics, and Economics." From his profile we learns that this edgey educator was into "Metal" and then moved into "Hardcore, Punkrock and Oi! music." And, likes today's Dino-message articulates Andy adulates our Dino!

At his blog "Manslaughter Thug Life," Andy's post, "DEAN MARTIN - "KING OF THE ROAD," is just ladened with so so much Dino-praise! Andy, in his powerful pontification of his devotion to our Dino, sez 'bout our great man..."one of my heroes and my all time faves, the almighty, immortal, unforgotten and legendary Mister DEAN MARTIN, the one and only 'KING OF COOL.'"

Andy continues his devotion to our Dino's singin' sayin'..."Brilliant and out-standing, amazing and great music, I love it!!!" And, Andy energeticly encourages his readers to..."Get what-ever you can get with, by and of DEAN MARTIN, music and movies, to set this straight." Then Andy caps off his Dino-devotion sayin' 'bout our most beloved Dino..."just phenomenal and awesome, a true legend!!!" This, of course is topped off by an stunnin' clip of our Dino's perfect rendition of "King Of The Road."

ilovedinomartin expresses our deepest of deep Dino-appreciato to ""Manslaughter-Andy"
for givin' us such thrillin' thoughts of thanks for our Dino, gettin' our week of Dino-thanks off to a amazin' start. To view Andy's thoughts in it's original source, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Dino-thankfully, DMP

Montag, 14. November 2011

DEAN MARTIN - "KING OF THE ROAD" (***Video***)

Hey folks! Now something a little bit different is coming up here but one of my heroes and my all time faves, the almighty, immortal, unforgotten and legendary Mister DEAN MARTIN, the one and only "KING OF COOL", will be up next here, singing to us the legendary anthem "KING OF THE ROAD". Brilliant and out-standing, amazing and great music, I love it!!! Swing, Jazz, Soul, Big Band Music, ah, it's just totally great and amazing over the top music that holds so much in store for everyone to discover who just owns the heart, passion, soul, and also the ears to get it all, something different than the usual stuff up here, haha;-), for sure, but as usual it's awesome stuff :-) that you need to have to check out as soon as possible. Get what-ever you can get with, by and of DEAN MARTIN, music and movies, to set this straight. Brilliant!!! Won't say more now, it's late and I'm tired, just enjoy it and if I would be you I would bet that more of DEAN MARTIN will be coming some time in the future up here. It's just phenomenal and awesome, a true legend!!! Enjoy it!!! Cheers!!! ... And then good night!!!

DEAN MARTIN - "KING OF THE ROAD"

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "You Can't Love 'Em All"

2011-11-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hey pals have I got a GREAT little gem that is definitely in TRUE Martin fashion this week! "You Can't Love em' All" is one of those tunes that just oozes Dino!

This is the Dean that I love best! Carefree...Havin' fun...chasin' the ladies...enjoyin' life! He is so so right though pals o mine...you can't love em' all, but tryin' can be so so much fun!

Let's listen to the master doin' what he does best...like no one else ever could...Enjoyin' Life!

"You Can't Love 'Em All"

[Dean]Hello doll
[Girl 1]Hello doll
[Dean]Eight?
[Girl 1]Date
[Dean]Hello doll
[Girl 2]Hello doll
[Dean]Ten?
[Girl 2]Amen
[Dean]Hello doll
[Girl 3]Hello doll
[Dean]Twelve?
[Girl 3]Twelve-fifteen
[Dean]Bye bye
[Girls]Hello Doll

You can't love 'em all
You can't love 'em all
Love may be wonderful but the chances are small
You can't land each one that passes by
But you can try
You can try
You can try

You can't kiss 'em all
Oh, you can't kiss them all
The ones who have tried have found that they're not quite that tall
They'll call you an optimistic dope
Oh, you can hope
You can hope
You can hope

They've been able to prove
There are mountains you can move
They've been able to show
There's a way to make rain and snow
But you simply can't love 'em all
No you can't love 'em all
'cause one day that one gal will catch your eye
And you'll know why
You'll know why
You will know why

'cause one day that one chick will make you sigh
And you'll know why
Yeah, you'll know why
You'll know why you can't love 'em all

Hello doll

Dean said, ‘What a way to spend the day—being in bed with one of my best friend’s fiancée.’”

2011-11-19T07:23:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes gotta say dudes that my Dino-surfin' of the web to brings youse pallies the grooviest of the groovy Dino-devotion likes keeps payin' off the hugest of the huge Dino-dividends!

Case in point, just the other day likes came 'cross this swingin'est of the swingin'est 60's pad, "Sixties Cinema...Tom Lisanti's books on '60's starlets & B-movies." Well, likes how coulda a hipster dude like Lisanti not have a post on our Dino as Matt Helm...the hippest of the hip swinger spy flicks?

Indeed today's Dino-gram puts the accent on Mr. Tom's rad report, "SLAYGIRLS RING, ARE YOU LISTENING," on our most beloved Dino and the bevy of beau-ti-ful chicks that surrounded him in the '60's Helmer flicks. Listanti truly "gets Martin" speakin' of him as "debonair Dean Martin."

Mr. Lisanti puts his readers on to an fab piece of Dino-Helmer-prose from our pallies at "CINEMARETRO" tagged "MR. HELM GOES TO HOLLYWOOD." Likes if you clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram you will gets to "Sixties Cinema" where you can catch that link. Tom also shares the terrific trailer from Helmer numero tres, "The Ambushers" that feature "those ever-lovin' Slaygirls."

The Pièce de résistance of Listanto's Dino-litany is an excerpt of an interview that he conducted with Miss Corinne Cole who played Miss January in Helmer numero
duo, "Murders' Row." The interview is contained in Tom's tome, "Glamour Girls of Sixties Hollywood." This very revealin' reflection my Miss Cole is cetainly worthy of all the Dino-attention that all us Dino-holics can muster.

Words simply can not express my likes total Dino-delight to have been Dino-directed to Mr. Tom Lisanti's blog post on our Dino as Matt Helm. Huge thanks to Mr. Lisanti for sharin' this with all his readers...and certainly makin' the day of tons of ilovedinomartin readers. Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies! Dino-awed, DMP

SLAYGIRLS RING, ARE YOU LISTENING

November 17th, 2011

Click the below link to read a wonderful article about how secret agent Matt Helm went from hardboiled espionage tales in print to pop camp-filled stories on the big screen when played by debonair Dean Martin opposite some of the big screens most beautiful women in The Silencers (Stella Stevens, Dahlia Lavi, Nancy Kovack); Murderers’ Row (Ann-Margret, Camilla Sparv); The Ambushers (Senta Berger); and The Wrecking Crew (Elke Sommer, Sharon Tate, Nancy Kwan, Tina Louise). Helm, masquerading as an international photographer, was assisted by amorous secretary Lovey Kraveszit (Beverly Adams) and surrounded by a bevy of sexy starlets as models called the Slaygirls or Slaymates.

http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/164-MR.-HELM-GOES-TO-HOLLYWOOD.html#extended

One of the Slaymatess was Corinne Cole in Murderers’ Row (1966). Below is an excerpt from my interview with her for Glamour Girls of Sixties Hollywood:

In Murderers’ Row (1966) Cole brought new meaning to the term Slaymate as a seductive “Miss January.” Wearing a body stocking and two pink muffs on her hands, the pin-up poses in front of a map of Minnesota for the Slaymate calendar. After the shoot the seductive beauty sneaks into Helm’s bed and snuggles up to him. Tired he asks her to leave and “to go out like a lamb” in which she retorts, “That’s March. I want to wish you a happy new year” and begins kissing him. But this slinky seductive Slaymate has murder on her mind not romance. Alas her nefarious plan goes awry and ends not with a bang but a boom.

Cole recalls “Nancy Kovack was in the first movie [The Silencers] and she was scheduled to play Miss January in this. In between movies she married the great musician Zubin Mehta and passed on the film at the last second. My agent called me and I went to Columbia Studios to read for the part. I did not tell anybody that I knew Dean Martin socially. I had to audition for this role five times until director Henry Levin finally offered me the part.

When I got on the set for the first day of shooting, which was our love scene in bed, Dean Martin said to me, ‘This is a hell of a way to miss my best friend’s wedding.’ Frank Sinatra was marrying Mia Farrow that day at the Sands in my apartment. I said to Dean, ‘Yes, we are missing a big day.’ Nobody outside the Rat Pack knew they were getting married. It was very funny to us. I had a body stocking on because I was supposed to be nude but we couldn’t get the shot because my bra was showing. Finally I said, ‘Frig it! I’m taking off the body stocking!’ They closed the set for me and we got the take. Dean said, ‘What a way to spend the day—being in bed with one of my best friend’s fiancée.’”

I love looking at pictures of Dean Martin.

2011-11-18T07:06:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today ilovedinomartin is simply delighted to return to our pallie Mr. David Lobosco's pad, "The Great Entertainment Media Archive," where Dino-phile David is homagin' our great man with his great post, "PHOTOS OF THE DAY: DEAN MARTIN AND FRIENDS."

Likes totally totally grooves on how Lobosco begins his Dino-devotion by sayin'..."I love looking at pictures of Dean Martin." How cool of our pallie David to be so bold in his Dino-proclaimation! And likes certainly any of us Dino-manics woulda be in absolute agreement with him! Likes what other being besides our Dino can brings us so so much true happiness just by lookin' at a pix of 'em? Of course that answer woulda be NO ONE.

As Mr. Lobosco points out, "No matter what the picture were or whom (Dino) had a picture taken with, it looked like he was having fun. The friends he took the pictures with as well looked like they were having a blast." And likes all us Dino-addicted certainly does gets turned on by simply viewin' each and every Dino-pose.
And, David has done an outstandin'ly grand job of sharin' a delightful selection of Dino-pixs to prove his Dino-point!

ilovedinomartin shares our great Dino-appreciato for our tried and true pallie David Lobosco for bein' so open in his Dino-adulation with all his readers...sure to bring many more into the Dino-fold! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Dino-gratefully, DMP

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: DEAN MARTIN AND FRIENDS

I love looking at pictures of Dean Martin. No matter what the picture were or whom he had a picture taken with, it looked like he was having fun. The friends he took the pictures with as well looked like they were having a blast. There will never be another Dean and that is such a shame...

DEAN WITH MARILYN MONROE

DEAN WITH ELVIS PRESLEY AND SHIRLEY MACLAINE

DEAN WITH CARY GRANT AND FRANK SINATRA

DEAN WITH RAQUEL WELCH

DEAN WITH BING CROSBY

DEAN WITH HARPO MARX AND JERRY LEWIS

On This Day In Dino-history, November 17, 1951: Dino Martin Jr. Is Born

2011-11-17T07:08:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today is one of the happiest days...indeed, if not the happiest day in all of Dino-history 'cause 60 years ago this very day, on November 17, 1951, our most beloved Dino's most beloved boypallie, Dino Martin Jr. was born to proud daddy-o Dino and mother Jeanne.

Likes thinks of the pride our Dino had in namin' his first child by Jeanne after himself. Likes thinks of the hopes, the dreams our great man had for his little boy by givin' his new son his great name!

And, indeed our Dino's boypallie namesake certainly did live up to the takin' of his amazin' Daddy-o's tag...becomin' a hugely successful entertainer himself while just in his teens as part of the swingin' pop trio Dino, Desi, and Billy.

Dino Jr. went on to acclaim as a tennis pro and football player, and found fame and fortune as an actor on both the small and big screens. And our Dino's golden boy also was golden when it came to bein' a pilot of jet airplanes.

Likes Dino Jr. had only one real problemo...he was so multi-talented likes his father, that he just couldn't decide which of his many interests to put the major accent of his life on.

One thin' for sure pallies, Dino Jr. was definitely gonna be heir apparent to the Dino-throne. And, of course all of that came to a crashin' end when Dino Jr. tragically crashed his National Guard F-4 Phantom fighter jet in California's San Bernardino Mountains during a snowstorm on March 21, 1987.

Today we celebrate this happiest of happy days in our Dino's life as we remember and honor Dino Jr. on the 60th anniversary of his entry into family Martin. But, in the midst of our celebratin' we can't help but be sad as well as we know the Dino Jr. story turned out to break our lovin' Dino's lovin' heart as he never ever got over the death of his beloved namesake. Dino-honorin', DMP

I want to talk to you about Dean Martin.

2011-11-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes the name of our Dino is likely to appear all over the web this week as one of our most beloved Dino's greatest fans, Regis Philbin "signs off this week" from his 5-day-a-week TV show. Today ilovedinomartin brings you part of an interview between Regis and Mr. Jerry Seinfeld done for Newsweek Mag and reported at the blog, "The Daily Beast."

As you will read below, likes Newsweek asked Philbin who he woulda likes to interview him and his request was to have Seinfeld do the task. And, likes what name did Jerry drop as he began quirin' the Rege? Likes, of course, none other then our Dino! Jerry sez, "I want to talk to you about Dean Martin."

What appears below is that portion of the interview that puts the accent on Dino. Likes I woulda encourage all you Dino-holics to read the Dino-banter back and forth between Jerry and Regis...very cool stuff indeed pallies! To read the whole interview just clicks on the tag of this Dino-sharin'.

Hats off to the pallies at "The Daily Beast" for makin' this interview available on the web, and to the pallies at Newsweek for comin' up with the idear of an exist interview with Philbin. And, more thanks to Mr. Seinfeld for puttin' the accent on our most beloved Dino in his questionin' of Mr. Philbin. Thanks also to Dino-holic Regis Philbin for doin' so so much to keep the Dino-light glowin' Dino-bright durin' his reign on the small screen. Dino-reportin', DMP btw pallies, likes as a little added Dino-bonus, at the end of today's Dino-post is likes the youtube clip when Regis unveiled his life-size Dino-stand-up to his viewin' audience!

Live With Regis & Jerry

Nov 13, 2011 10:00 AM EST

TV’s ultimate survivor, Regis Philbin, signs off this week. the daytime kibitzer talks to Jerry Seinfeld about what makes a show last—and how to know when to quit.

He is, believe it or not, the most enduring act in the history of television, 16,700 hours on camera, a Guinness World Record. Today, Regis Philbin’s office at ABC in New York, his second home since 1983, is mostly empty, aside from half-full moving boxes and his colorful neckties lining the closet. He’s adamant that at age 80 he’s not retiring, having attributed the split to a contract dispute.

As he signs off this week, Newsweek asked Philbin, who has chatted up guests ranging from Milton Berle and Big Bird to Condoleezza Rice and John McCain, who should interview him. He chose Jerry Seinfeld. (“Is he a reporter now?” Kelly Ripa quipped on the show the day after the interview took place. “Everybody is moving on to other things.”) Seinfeld pulled into Philbin’s studio on his bicycle to reminisce. Excerpts:

JERRY: I want to talk to you about Dean Martin.

REGIS: I’m amazed that you bring up Dean Martin. Why did you bring up Dean Martin?

JERRY: Well, I know you’re a fan. I have a friend who’s also a fan, and he was constantly hammering me, “Do you see what this man is capable of?” Then you stop and think about it—who else ever did that? Somebody comes on, he sings with them, he doesn’t rehearse, it all works. And so I have, later in life, begun to really appreciate him.

REGIS: I’m so happy to hear that, because Dean Martin is kind of fading out in our business. He hasn’t been performing.

JERRY: Frankly, I think death hurt him professionally.

REGIS: But for a young guy like you to understand what this man meant—

JERRY: Now here’s my segue. What you’re doing, Regis, that Dean Martin also did is one of the things that the people who make the big decisions in our business never understand.

REGIS: You’re right again. They never did. They never got Regis, they never did.

JERRY: Let’s not complain too much about the people who don’t get you. You’ve been gotten. It doesn’t become you to be complaining. You somehow managed 30 years, the most successful television performer in the history of the medium.

REGIS: Has anybody heard a question in here?

JERRY: I just think it’s interesting that people don’t understand how a guy could just come out on TV and be entertaining by just being himself, with no material. This is how I’m trying to connect you to Dean Martin here. Tell us—what do you do that gets you to where you think, “I can make this work”?

REGIS: You know, I never knew if I had any talent when I started in this business. My first job was being a page at The Tonight Show. I saw Jack Paar come out one night and sit on the edge of his desk and talk about what he’d done the night before. I thought, “I can do that!” I used to do that on a street corner in the Bronx with all my buddies.

JERRY: And you would make them laugh?

REGIS: Yeah. So when I got the chance to do my first talk show, 50 years ago last month, I never had any writers. There was no budget—it was just me and the camera and my friend who was the director. I talked about what I’d done that week.

JERRY: My friend Colin Quinn calls your show Breakfast With Your Father. You’re this guy who we love and are comfortable with, but he’s only going so far with you. When you get to a certain line of propriety, he’s going to say, “I don’t want to hear about that.” And that’s what we’re missing in television: people who realize I don’t want to know everything. I don’t want you to display your sexual proclivities. It’s a moral compass of what I’m going to talk about on TV and what I’m not going to talk about on TV, and that’s what Regis provided.

REGIS: But excuse me, you’re one of the few guys left in our business—there’s only about three guys I know who don’t use the F word to get a laugh. It’s you, Cosby, and Rickles, believe it or not.

JERRY: I’m going to do it my way or I’m not going to do it.

REGIS: In your show, there are four different plotlines. It’s going this way with Elaine, and there’s Kramer getting into trouble, and George has a problem. It takes a lot of ingenuity.

JERRY: You know why we did that? We realized we had such great performers. You couldn’t have a show where Kramer doesn’t do something. What a waste of a terrific guy.

REGIS: But you were their compass. They were all coming to you. You could laugh with these guys and solve their problems. There had to be one guy to do that.

JERRY: I learned that from Mary Tyler Moore. When I was a kid and I watched her show, I thought, “I can do what she’s doing.” You play off of all those eccentric characters, and if you really love comedy as I do, you know that the straight man is one of the most important parts of comedy. And one of the most fun.

REGIS: And one of the things Dean Martin had.

Got an illustration appearing in this month's Westchester Magazine of Dean Martin - Ring-A-Ding DING!

2011-11-15T07:08:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes today dudes we are all in for the hugest of huge Dino-treats from professional freelance illustrator Mr. Patrick McQuade. McQuade holds forth at his self-tagged pad "Land Of McQuade" and has posted a stunnin' Dino-illustration that he has created for this month's edition of Westchester Magazine.

Seems this mag is doin' a feature article of songs that have lyrics featurin' Westchester in 'em. And, likes our Dino's tune "If You Knew Suzie" features the Yonker's Pier. And so Patrick has created the coolest of the cool illustration of our great man with his ever-present cigarette in one hand and microphone in the other...with his glass of liquid refreshment restin' below him...entertainin' on the Yonker's Pier.

Likes can tell you pallies likes just how pysched I am to see this amazin' illustration of our most beloved Dino bein' featured in a current mag. Likes how totally totally rad is that! This Dino-creation is sure to draw many new pallies to knowin', lovin', and honorin' our Dino!

ilovedinomartin sends out our most grateful of Dino-thanks to Mr. Patrick McQuade for honorin' our Dino in this way and for usin' his considerable artistic talent to lift up the name of our Dino in this way! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-stunned, DMP

Monday, November 14, 2011

Dean Martin - Westchester Magazine

Got an illustration appearing in this month's Westchester Magazine of Dean Martin - Ring-A-Ding DING! - on the Yonkers Pier for a story about song lyrics that include lines with Westchester references in them. There's a bunch, ranging from Lil' Kim to Steely Dan.

Here's some sketches...

“If You Knew Susie” by Dean Martin
“We went riding, she didn't balk / Back from Yonkers / I'm the one that had to walk.”

Cheers Aiko!

......but the story to watch is Dean Martin’s.

2011-11-14T07:07:00.001-08:00

Hey pallies, likes I was so intriqued when my Dino-googlin' landed by at a pad tagged "Smoking At The Movies".....with a tag likes that this had to be likes a way hip site. Well what I found when I landed there was a lady with the handle "notatypicalmom" who while in the midst of talkin' 'bout a swingin' family party in the Poconos, lets her readership in of the fact that her fav western is "Rio Bravo."

"notatypicalmom," know in real life as Kari Wagner-Peck shares some very interestin' insights into "Rio," includin' the notion that "the film has the feel of a stage play." Likes I found that very very insightful. But, likes of course Miss Wagner-Peck's most insightful insight focuses squarely on our most beloved Dino (not that our Dino woulda ever be considered square!).

Miss Kari pontificates, "Wayne is the star of this film but the story to watch is Dean Martin’s." And likes pallies o'mine...ain't that the complete, the total Dino-truth. While John Wayne is the obvious "star" of "Rio," all of the flick's actions center truly truly on our Dino! So so cool to find this "notatypicalmom" with such an great attraction to our great man.

Usually pallies, likes we finds men who are doin' the reviewin' of "Rio Bravo," and thus it is so refreshin' to find a chick's perspective on this amazin' Dino-tale! Hats off to Miss Kari Wagner-Peck for sharin' this Dino-centered post with all her readership...sure to help others to a deeper and truer understandin' of our Dino!
To read this in it's orginal format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-sharin', DMP

Male Bonding –

Posted on November 7, 2011 by notatypicalmom

This weekend we went with most of my husband’s family to a resort in the Poconos paid for generously by my mother-in-law on her 75th birthday. Saturday night was ‘Hoedown Night’. Cowboy hats and kerchiefs provided by the lodge. My husband put on a hat and wore the kerchief bank robber style. A few thoughts came to mind. First, my husband is super hot. Second, it is nearly impossible to play “dangerous bank robber ala Robert Redford and shy schoolmarm ala Kathryn Ross” in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) with a five-year-old underfoot. Third, I love westerns.

My favorite western isn’t the typical riding the range kind it’s Rio Bravo (1959, directed by Howard Hawks) starting John Wayne, Dean Martin, Walter Brennan and Ricky Nelson. (And – a supporting role by one of the Kings of the Westerns – Ward Bond.)

The film has the feel of a stage play with majority of the action taking place in the jail between the main characters mostly taking to each other: John Wayne, the sheriff (and former gunslinger) Chance; Walter Brennan, the cranky, “crippled”, old codger deputy who calls ‘em as he sees ‘em Stumpy; Dean Martin, the deputy with a drinking problem Dude; and, Ricky Nelson, the hot-shot kid gunslinger-for-hire Colorado Kid.

Within the first few minutes, Wayne’s, character Chance arrests the no-good brother (played by Claude Atkins) of a ruthless, wealthy rancher. The drama then becomes what will happen to this rag tag group lead by Chance when the brother sends an army of gunslingers to free his kin.

Wayne is the star of this film but the story to watch is Dean Martin’s. His character Dude is a drunk who because of his drinking puts things into motion and because of his stopping drinking helps put things right. His is the redemption story. (I don’t need redemption in a film but when it is done well it sticks with you. This stuck.)

As the four wait for the inevitable show down with the hired guns and as tension and fear builds the men talk a lot about what stuff means in this world – this is also called ‘character development’ which I miss in films now days. A Hawks strong suit, given free reign here – are that thoughts and emotions can be conveyed with just looks and other subtle human actions. (The pain on Wayne’s face as he watches Dude struggle to regain his tattered dignity.)

The men – three of them old friends – know they only have themselves to rely on in this mess. To kill the time as they wait – they clean and sing songs (thanks to the talents of Martin and Nelson). They look out for each other, they talk about their feelings, life philosophies. They rag on each other. In other words, they care about each other. I think Hawks threw the sexy girl character Feathers in played by Angie Dickinson solely as a catalyst for these men to talk about love and honor and respect.

It is a talky for a western. But, I like that. The only thing sexier than my husband dressed as a cowboy is when my husband tells me what he thinks and feels.

And, don’t worry there are plenty of kick ass scenes of the shoot-em-up-kind. Each of them gets their licks in and it is awesome.

Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Sway"

2011-11-13T13:11:00.001-08:00

Hey pals, welcome to nother' swingin' Sunday Serenade! I couldn't help myself pallies...I had to pick this classic Dino tune! Sway is definately one of my all time favs & IS my moms numero uno Dean Martin fav! She's like totally into the whole ball room dancin' scene and this is like her fav of all fav melodies to cha cha cha to!

This is one of the first numbers that got me totally totally Dino-hooked on our GREAT man! I would love to go to the friday night dances with mama G & papa G & their friends and watch them float on air to this and other wonderful Dino-ditties.

These are the best memories for me and I will always cherish this song for makin' them possible pals! Enjoy the tune & swingin' video of our great man showin' us some of his fancy footwork!

SWAY

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
You know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Danielle's Dino

2011-11-11T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hey pallies, likes I continues to be so so moved by the many and varied creative ways pallies express their devotion to our most beloved Dino. Today's Dino-love is a drawin' of our great man done "with a sharpie pen." The young thin' that used her considerable artistic abilites to honor our Dino is Miss Danielle Downey, a Brit that hails from none other then London!

I was thrilled to found this unique piece of Dino-art posted at here unique blog, "My Cat Mabel," and am delighted to pass this on for all youse pallies' Dino-viewin' pleasure. With youthful Dino-devotees like Miss Downey, we can truly be assured that the Dino-legacy will simply continue to grow and glow forever and forever!

I lovedinomartin gives a big THANK YOU to artise Danielle for sharin' her Dino-creativity with all her readers and thus givin' me the opportunity to share it with the larger Dino-world! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-devotedly, DMP

Dean Martin

I drew this picture of Dean Martin
2 weeks ago with a sharpie pen