'Nother Piece of Dino-art by artist Benjamin James Burgraff

Hey pallies, likes here is 'nother cool Dino-'pression by our new pallie Benjamin James Burgraff. After postin' his first Dino-creation on Wednesday, I was in conversatio with Benjamin 'bout the possiblity to post more of his amazin' Dino-devotive-art here at ilovedinomartin. Burgraff graciously complied with my request and posted this delightful Dino-portrait yester-Dino-day on my facebook page. Always loves seein' likes such deep deep Dino-devotion through the artistco medium...'specially diggs this Dino-image of our beloved Dino with his ever present cigarette.....

Thanks Benjamin James Burgraff for showin' such Dino-creativity and allowin' it to be shared with all the Dino-philes here at ilovedinomartin. To visit Mr. Burgraff's facebook pad, likes just click on the tagg of this here Dino-gram. Dino-groovin', DMP

Frank, Dean & Ella at the Cal-Neva Lodge, 1963

Hey pallies, our new Dino-holic pallie Tiki Chris from the groovin' pad "Tiki Lounge Talk" provides us with today's Dino-devotion here at ilovedinomartin. You will remember that Tiki Chris is the dude who recently wrote the happenin' Helmer review of our Dino in "The Silencers" for his Mod Movie Monday gig.

Well yester-Dino-day, our pallie Chris sent a link to my facebook page puttin' me on to this coolest of cool Dino-post honorin' his 150 post to the "Tiki Lounge Talk" blog. Here in you will learn 'bout Tiki Chris's first liquid refreshment of the hard fashion and 'bout Momentos from his daddy-o's trip to Vegas, 1963. Checks out the Dino-treasure that his old man procured and was re-disovered by his boy-pallie years later.

Thanks Tiki Chris for sharin' this cool Dino-prose with me so that I coulda pass it on to all the ilovedinomartin Dino-holics! Hopes we will hear more news from the Tiki Lounge soon of the Dino-nature. To view Tiki Chris' post in it's original format, just click on the tagg of this Dino-gram. Dino-appreciately, DMP



Frank, Dean & Ella at the Cal-Neva Lodge, 1963

Posted on December 9th, 2009 Mack "Tiki Chris" Pinto



Ring-A-Ding Ding, Baby!

This marks the 150th Post since I started Tiki Lounge Conversations back in April…
and I wanted to do something special. So, to commemorate our 150th post-a-versary, I’ve decided to share a drink, a story, and a very special bar napikin.

The Drink.


The first booze I ever tasted was Scotch. My old man let me try some of his Cutty Sark on the rocks at a Christmas party wen I was 12. It was a little strong for me at the time, but I knew when I was old enough to really start enjoying whiskey, Scotch would be it. I wasn’t wrong. When I was old enough to dig it, Scotch became my #1 choice.When I finally got my own joint and was able to built my first Tiki Bar, along with the rum and the Midori and the Kaluha sat a bottle of 12 year old Chivis.


The first bottle of booze I ever bought at a liquor store was Chivas Regal. This particular bottle is from 1955. The Gold nugget next to it is a chunk of fool's gold my old man dug up in the Nevada desert in 1963.


In 1991 I had the good fortune to see the Chairman of the Board himself perform at the Spectrum in Philly for his 75th Birthday Diamond Jubilee tour. Steve and Edie opened for him…and half way through his set, he said “I’d like to thank my two best friends for being with me tonight…Mr. Chivas and Mr. Regal.” He then took a drink of the 12 year old Scotch from a platform onstage, and continued the show. Chivas-Regal sponsored the tour…and got me to try their booze. Today, Chivas is in my top five favorites. If it’s good enough for Frank, it’s good enough for me.



Momentos from my old man's trip to Vegas, 1963


The Story.

In 1963, before he met my mother and while he was still free enough to do his own thing, my father took a trip on a whim to see his cousins in California. On the way he stopped in Vegas, and hit all the hot spots of the time…The Golden Nugget, The Sahara, and of course, the StarDust Hotel. He rented a Hertz and drove up to Tahoe, and made his way to the Cal-Neva Lodge, then owned by Frank Sinatra himself. He stayed a while, and continued on his trip to CA.

42 years later, a couple of years after his death, I was going through some of his photos and heirlooms. I found an envelope with a letter requesting a Hertz rental car in Nevada from 1963, and a folded up napkin with some blue smudges on it.

The Napkin.




Our Rat Pack Wall in the Dining Room
I opened it up, and immediately recognized the smudge as the name “Ella Fitzgerald”. (That opened my head to a memory of him telling me he had met some celebrities in Vegas…but I was so young when he told me, I didn’t (yet) know who these people were. ) When I flipped this napkin over, imagine my surprise when I saw very clearly two more names…’Frank’, and ‘Dean’.

Call it dumb, call it funny, but it’s better than even money that these are the quickly scrawled sigs of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, scribbled while having a slug at the bar in Frank’s place, the Cal-Neva, probably after a show, along with the slightly nicer sig of Ella, who was probably sitting right there with them. I don’t have any way to authenticate this, and I’m not paying anyone to do it…for all I know my old man could have gotten the bartender to autograph the napkin as a joke, but I don’t think that’s the case. I think I’ve got a little magic here, a couple of autographs from a couple of guys who loved to entertain, and loved to hang out in the bar with their fans, have a drink, and share a few laughs in the days when celebrities could get away with it without being stalked. A very special napkin, from a very special person, who met some other very special people in his long and krazy life.

So that’s post number 150. I couldn’t think of a better way to do it than with a drink at the Tiki Bar, an story from the past and a salute to the Chairman of the Board.

Mahalos to all you kats & kittens for tuning in to Tiki Lounge Talk For 150 Posts!

Our Dino by artist Benjamin James Burgraff

Hey pallies, just been perusin' our Dino's offical Facebook pad and have found some outstandin' Dino-portraits by artists who have expressed their Dino-devotion in such creative Dino-fashion. Today's Dino-artist is Mr. Benjamin James Burgraff (view his facebook page by clickin' on the tagg of this Dino-gram).

Loves the amazin' way that this talented artist has captured the irrestible Dino-glance. Thanks to Mr. Burgraff for expressin' his Dino-appreciato in this very very cool way. Stay tuned for more Dino-art as found at our Dino's facebook pad. Dino-searchin' and Dino-sharin', DMP

Matt Helm in The Silencers, 1966 - Mod Movie Monday at Tiki Lounge Talk

Hey pallies, dudes likes our beloved Dino is just likes so good to this here pallie! I decided to do some Dino-surfin' on the web. Was Dino-directed to type in the words mod Dean Martin...and today's Dino-post popped up. From the coolest of the cool bloggs "Tiki Lounge Talk" (clicks on tagg of this Dino-post to goes there) comes "Mod Movie Monday featurin' "The Silencers." Now likes how cool is this. Gots no Dino-'lert 'bout this, but guided by our beloved Dino I founds us some cool Dino-adulation on the very Dino-day it was posted!

The mod of the Tiki pad, Mack "Tiki Chris" Pinto shares a groovy and oh-so-Dino-favorable review of Helmer numero uno...and likes I am in Dino-heaven pallies!!!!

How cool to find this swingin' blog and upon landin' there who is the main feature of the day.....none other, then our Dino.......thats pallies is likes pure, pure Dino-magic!!!! Hats off to Mr. Chris for liftin' up our Dino in this hipster way and helpin' all his readers to come to know, love, and honor the King of Cool.

Here is just one of Tiki Chris' Dino-observation on "The Silencers"..."With Dean Martin at the helm (as Helm), you get that groovin’ mix of humor, sex appeal and crooning." Needs I say more pallies? Mosey on down this post to read all of Mr. Chris' excellent words praisin' the greatest of our Dino as Matt Helm.

Again, thanks to pallie Chris for sharin' his Dino-passion so boldly and broadly (every Dino-pun intended)! Ain't it the coolest to see so many bloggers sharin' the wonders of our Dino in "The Silencers." Dino-delightedly, DMP



Matt Helm in The Silencers, 1966 - Mod Movie Monday at Tiki Lounge Talk

Posted on April 26th, 2010 Mack "Tiki Chris" Pinto


Matt Helm, The Silencers 1966



First, I’d like to thank the team at GOOGLE for helping with a potential attack. They identified a possible hacking threat, notified me immediately, removed my site from their search listings to protect others (you) very quickly. As soon as I was able to make sure the site was clean the re-instated my search engine rankings within a few days. Thanks Google!

The Silencers starring Dean Martin as Matt Helm, Daliah Lavi and Stella Stevens.

Watch out, Derek Flint. Move over Austin Powers. And take a back seat, James Bond - Matt Helm is on the case!

When the cold war was at its peak and spy thrillers were taking the place of westerns and war movies, America answered the 007 call with a few good men - one of the best being Matt Helm, a suave, lady-loving swinger who could catch the bad guys, snap some great photos and make love to the girl in the same scene.

This series of movies gives us a fantabulous peak at the styles, cars, furnishing and hot chicks of the swingin’ ’60s. The movies are combination thriller-comedies, with the main lean towards funny. With Dean Martin at the helm (as Helm), you get that groovin’ mix of humor, sex appeal and crooning.

Stella Stevens and Dean Martin

This particular flick, one of my favorites, features a 1960s beauty named Daliah Lavi who’s got the right curves in the right places and a sexy accent that will make you melt. Stella Stevens drops in with her crazy figure too. And there’s an all-too-short cameo by the beautiful Cid Charise, dancing her way through a sultry nightclub scene (she sings too, but apparently it’s not her voice - she’s dubbed by a then very young Vicky Carr.)

While 007 sported an Aston-Martin, Matt Helm had himself a good, solid American car - a 1965 Mercury Parklane Station Wagon - of course his was modified somewhat by Chuck Barris…The car now resides at the Volo Hollywood Car Museum in Volo, Illinois. Leave it to Dean Martin to make a station wagon kool, huh?


Since Dino’s favorite drink was the Martini, set yourself up with a pitcher before the show starts. Martin also loved Italian cuisine, so go with that for your dinner and a movie. Maybe a nice Penne ala Vodka with grilled chicken and zucchini. And make sure you watch it with someone who looks like Stella Stevens, you know, for full effect.

-Tiki Chris reporting from behind the Tiki Bar.
Tiki Lounge Talk - The Tiki Culture blog for Retro Kats & Swingin’ Kittens

Our Dino and Cathy with the candified K

Hey pallies, likes checks out this amazin' pix of our Dino and Miss Cathy. Was doin' some Dino-researchin' for more info on their beautiful weddin' and came 'cross this pad tagged "Who's Dated Who" (clicks on tagg of this post to goes there.)

Found this heartwarmin' pix of our beloved Dino and Miss Cathy. Just look at the look on our great man's face....anyone can see that he is simply and purely in love with his amore. Woulda loves to know the story 'round the clickin' of this pix....before or after the weddin'. Makes me feel so so thrilled just to see how happy Miss Cathy was makin' our Dino at the time this pix was taken.

BTW, joined the Who's Dated Who pad and you will note that I uploaded all the pixs that I know of that feature our Dino and Cathy with the candified K. Be likes totally Dino-assured pallies that I will do my very Dino-best to continue the search for more Dino-facts the life and times of our Dino durin' his amorin' of Miss Catherine. Dino-sharin', DMP

On This Day In Dino-history: April 25, 1973

Hey pallies, 37 years ago on this very Dino-date our Dino made his vows to love, honor, and cherish Miss Catherine Mae Hawn. Always workin' on learnin' more Dino-details of the weddin', but discovered yester-Dino-day that the flowers alone for this gala event cost $85,000.

'Nother cool Dino-fact (as recorded in his girlpallie Deana's Dino-tome) is that our ever generious Dino gifted the frankie (his best man) with the gift of a gold cigarette lighter studded in diamonds sayin' "FUCK YOU VERY MUCH."

As you look at the stellar weddin' poses 'bove and below, you can certainly see how much our Dino and Miss Cathy were in love. 'Specially diggs the shot below of the lovin' couple holdin' their champagne glasses and smoochin'.....buts unfortunately our Dino's marriage to wife numero 3 lasted less then 3 years. No one ever was or ever coulda be worthy of our Dino and Cathy with the candified K proved her unworthiness is very short time. More details of the weddin' are below. Dino-rememberin', DMP



Entertainer Dean Martin married his girlfriend of two years, Cathy Hawn, 25, in a small ceremony at his Hollywood home,Wednesday evening. Frank Sinatra was his best man. It was the third marriage for Martin, 55. It was Miss Hawn's second marriage, and her 6-year old daughter, Sasha, was the flower girl. The bride word a peach champaign French chiffon satin bias-cut gown with a high draped neck and a long train for the ceremony at Martin's home in the Bel Air area.

Words of Wisdom - Dean Martin does The Rat Pack

Hey pallies, likes the web is just aboundin' with Dino-treasures just waitin' to be uncovered. Likes I trys to follow up every Dino-'lert lead, but not every cool Dino-item gets 'lerted. Here's a very cool piece of Dino-wisdom that I just discovered.

From the blogg "Stupid & Contagious" comes this amazin' piece of Dino-humor that has just so so much Dino-wisdom to be pondered. Woulda loves to know the context of when and where our Dino first spokes this Dino-truism. To view this in it's original format, just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-post. Dino-studyin', DMP



Words of Wisdom - Dean Martin does The Rat Pack



"The whole world is drunk and we're just the cocktail of the moment. Someday soon, the world will wake up, down two aspirin with a glass of tomato juice, and wonder what the hell all the fuss was about."

If Dean Martin Were Alive Today, He'd Be Wearing Energie Jeans

Hey pallies, likes totally loves this groovy picture of our Dino with the Golddiggers from the Dino-show. Diggs the moddish clothes that our Dino chooses to wear showin' that he is hip to the latest fashions of the day. Today's Dino-post by a dude tagged Blake M. Talvitz from a pad tagged " "Ezine Articles" uses our Dino as the sellin' point for the Energie Jeans brand. Likes I thinks this is just so so cool than a guy like Talvitz has chosen the King of Cool to associate with this likes totally mod brand of jeans. Talvitz writes....

"Energie Jeans offers a successful synthesis of social-media/tech-hip and undeniably European-style manly jeans that exude a rough and ready yet sophisticated aura, but are also eminently presentable. In fact, if Dean Martin were alive today, there is little doubt that he would probably buy them."

Finds it so refreshin' to know that a neuveau hipster likes Talvitz has chosen to put the accent on the coolest hipster of all times....our Dino....in promotin' this trendy brand of jeans. Oh, how this shows the amazin' influence that the name of our Dino has on today's youth!!!! Just readin' this info makes me wanna goes out and buys myself some Energie Jeans to be more like our great man! Thanks to Mr. Blake Talvitz for liftin' up the name of our Dino and keepin' the Dino-legacy glowin' and growin' 'mong today's youthful mods. Dino-diggin', DMP btw, as usual, just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-post to goes to the pad "Ezine Articles" to read this it it's original format.


If Dean Martin Were Alive Today, He'd Be Wearing Energie Jeans
By Blake M Talvitz



There are many different kinds of cool in the world today, but few companies manage to fuse different kinds of cool successfully. Energie Jeans offers a successful synthesis of social-media/tech-hip and undeniably European-style manly jeans that exude a rough and ready yet sophisticated aura, but are also eminently presentable. In fact, if Dean Martin were alive today, there is little doubt that he would probably buy them. In fact, the enlightened rebel look is probably the primary attraction offered by Energie.

Just as Apple products, especially laptops, seem to evoke a certain geek-chic, Energie creates the impression that the wearer is a freethinker that is not afraid to run with the pack when it suits them. Some styles are too far off the beaten path to be socially acceptable to the masses, but this does not describe the offerings of Energie Jeans at all. If anything, the look is slightly rugged with a touch of urban angst, but there is nothing innately inappropriate or overly edgy with any of the products currently offered by them.

In fact, it is probably worth noting that Energie Jeans offers a lot more than just denim pants. Fashionable footwear, belts, bags, t-shirts, flannel, denim shirts, jackets, shorts and more are all available from Energie. Such a wide selection of products is very tempting, because it means that if one could create entire ensembles from a single vendor. If Energie Jeans were to offer Fossil-like watches and their own brand of sunglasses, they could conceivably be a head-to-toe outfitter.

One of the sure signs that Energie is in the game for the long haul is that they release seasonal collections, and have done so for over a decade. While some companies allow comparatively inexpensive lines to be updated annually or even semi-annually, Energie Jeans offers plenty of incentives to buy Energie Jeans over and over again. Like all things fashionable, there is a price to pay to be part of the 'in' crowd, but it sounds like customers do not mind it. In fact, lithe and tall customers seem to have nothing but the highest accolades for Energie Jeans, such as this quote from aecox1 of Orlando, Florida:

Do not take the frequent updates as an indication that Energie Jeans are not durable or built to withstand the test of time. Laura T. noted that 12 years is a long lifespan for a pair of jeans, even if Laura's brother is a genetic anomaly who never packs on a single pound as he ages.

Quality products do command premium prices, which may seem ironic due to the fact that fashion goes in and out of style rather quickly these days. That being said, products by Energie Jeans do command a substantial premium, but such a premium is easily justified by the quality alone. Even if one cannot wear their Energie Jeans out to the latest social functions once they are no longer part of the latest season, they are still quite usable for wear around the house or to the movies. All in all, Energie Jeans is a brand name with a lot to like, especially their unique attitude that is backed up by their quality.

Blake M Talvitz has been writing articles for 5 years, covering a number of topics such as fashion, home and garden, and business management. Her latest blogs are about name badge ribbons and garden swing cushions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blake_M_Talvitz

From the Greats: 6 Tactics to Increase your Class and Charm

Hey pallies, likes today's Dino-feature comes from the intriguin' blogg "Dumb Little Man - Tips For Life" (clicks on tagg of this Dino-post to see it there). From the pen of Mr. Brian Remmel comes this essay on " six of the great characters from a golden era of charisma."

Remmel asks the evocative quire..."Why be a mess, when you can channel your inner legend by looking to the stars of yesterday for inspiration?" Remmel gives the nod to 6 great men from the golden age who stand out as model examples of what it can mean to be a man of class in the new century. Our Dino is featured with the likes of Elvis, Jackie Robinson, Jacques d'Azur, James Bond, and John F. Kennedy.

Findin' it so refreshin' to see that the only pix that Remmel chose to share is a stellar one of our Dino. And, the classic trait of our Dino that Remmel promotes? Our great man's teamin' up with the Jer to move his career to the heights of fame and fortune.

As, I look at all six traits, can't help but think that our Dino fits every single one of 'em....swagger, takin' a stand, mystique, the right gear, and heroism...as well as teamin' up.

How cool to see one of today's young men in the know, Mr. Brian Rummel has put the accent on our Dino helpin' others to seek out the Dino-way to livin' the Dino-life. Thanks Mr. Rummel for this wonderfully provocative prose that reflections so many of our Dino's values. Dino-delightedly, DMP


From the Greats: 6 Tactics to Increase your Class and Charm



Learning lessons from those who came before us drives human progress in medicine, science, art and politics. Why should this be any different for class and charm?

Today there is a resurgence of discussion about classiness; women are looking for more than baggy pants, backward caps and too much hair gel. Why be a mess, when you can channel your inner legend by looking to the stars of yesterday for inspiration? These men left an impression in the hearts and minds of people across the globe, and their classic traits still ring true half a century(or more) later.

Let's take a glance back at six of the great characters from a golden era of charisma.


Swagger - Elvis Presley
Elvis's signature leg shake came to represent a fundamental attitude of self-confidence and showmanship that few others can claim. Ironically enough, it's said that this habit first started largely from his nervousness of playing in front of large crowds. After seeing the crowd's reaction, Elvis parlayed this nervous tick into a trademark of swagger that drove the ladies wild.

Elvis brought a kind of raw energy to his performances that was undeniably captivating. Every man can learn a lot from Elvis's energy, attitude and showmanship that brought him his amazing fame.

Teaming-up - Dean Martin
As a leader of the Rat Pack, Dean Martin was about as cool and classy as they came. He was an enormously successful actor, comedian and singer. However, it wasn't always that way. Martin seemed destined to remain just another nightclub singer/comedian until he teamed up with comic Jerry Lewis. Together, the two comic duo, "Martin and Lewis" gained a radio series on NBC that let Martin move from New York to LA, where he would shortly break into the world of film. Later in his career, Martin would team up with Frank Sinatra and others to form The Rat Pack.

By himself, Dean Martin may only have been a blip on the radar of American pop culture, instead of the classy icon he is known as today. Identifying and teaming up with other classy individuals is the way to go.

Taking a Stand - Jackie Robinson
As the first African American man to play openly in the MLB, Jackie Robinson knew what it was like to face opposition. He was instrumental in bringing an end to racial segregation in professional baseball. Jackie Robinson actively pursued segregation issues off the field as well, and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal for his efforts.

Standing up for what's right not only shows strength of character, but also sets an example for others.

Mystique - Jacques d'Azur
The life of the French Film Producer/Director, actor, tennis champ, water skiing pioneer and all-around playboy has always been shrouded in a certain 'je ne sais quoi.' D'Azur's lavish annual parties at the Festival de Cannes contrasted sharply with occasional bouts of reclusiveness. His alleged three year stay with the Yamamena tribe of Venezuela is one such example.

While it is important to show a good face in public, one should also know when to step out of the spotlight. Maintaining a degree of mystique is an essential component of charm.

The Right Gear - James Bond
Regardless of whether he's battling with international crime lords or preparing a cocktail, 007 is never afraid to shake things up. This MI6 agent manages to never loose his cool, partly thanks to some fancy gadgetry. Outfitted with a tricked-out Aston Martin, rocket-powered belt, and laser beam Rolex, any average Joe can look like a super hero.

While you may not have Agent Q to stock you up with the latest spy gear, having the classiest accessories and gadgets around can help you look and feel like a certain international man of mystery.

Heroism - John F. Kennedy
A young man from a wealthy and powerful family like the Kennedys could have easily avoided risking his life in the military during the second World War. In Fact, JFK volunteered for the U.S. Army, but was refused admission due to a back condition. Kennedy was eventually admitted to the Navy, where he would go on to earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal while saving an injured sailor from drowning.

Going above and beyond the call of duty is truly a mark of class and charm, and is very rarely overlooked.

Written on 4/21/2010 by Brian Remmel. Brian writes about new technologies and the 'social economy' for Bubblicious. By day, he is a New Media Specialist at Futureworks, an award-winning social and digital media agency.

The Silencers

Hey pallies, likes you all knows how much I love to hear 'bout some Dino-holic sharin' their Dino-passion with others. Well diggs this dudes! Today's Dino-post comes from our 15 year old Dino-girl Catie at here blog "For The Good Times."

Seems Miss Catie was watchin' Matt Helmer numero uno the other day with her fam and as you will read below is really helpin' to turn her 5 year old bro into a real Dino-lover.

And if you continues to read you will see that Catie is also help her best friend gettin' Dino-hooked as well. Thanks Catie for doin' your part to bring others to know, love, and honor our beloved Dino!

To read this in it's original format, likes as usual, just click on the tagg of this Dino-message. Dino-delightedly, DMP

The Silencers

I'm really bored and still trying to avoid writing my research paper so i figured id write something here....


A couple days ago I was watching the Silencers with my brother, mom, and step dad. It was kinda weird since they usually say Oh Dean Martin again! and go watch something else. My brother is only five but he LUVS Jerry Lewis and constantly asks to watch a DM and Jerry Lewis movie, he likes to try and re-an act Jer. It was funny he was really gettin in to the movie and kept asking anxiously what was go in on, This made my day he goes "..um...I think Dean Martin likes girls :/" I'm like haha yea i think so too! Then when his dad came in to watch he excitedly goes "Daddy look Dean Martins a really good fighter, even better than you! Yea look!" He made me rewind to the part. And that's when the step-jerk made his only drunk comment thro the whole movie, which is a big improvement for him. He asked if it was a drunken fight. My brother finished watchin it today and loved it :D Hes a cool kid, annoys the hell outta me but i luv em.

Just an after thought my bff was going through my ipod and saw this album cover and th cover the Celebrity Roasts...



smiling shes like come on how can you resist that smile?! my only response was I know, thats what i been tryin ta say. and shes luvs the song Good Morning Life, so its a small step in the right direction :)

Our Prattville Exclusive Interview with Deana Martin: Entertainer reminisces about her famous father

Hey pallies, today's Dino-reflection comes from the pages of the web mag "Our Prattville" based in Prattville, Alabama. Miss Melissa Parker, publisher, shares an "exclusive" interview with our Dino's girl-pallie Deana.

To read this interview you will likes needa to clicks on the tagg of this Dino-post 'cause the article is copyrighted and the mag has yet to grant ilovedinomartin the right to share it directly here. My request has been posted in the comment section, but there has been no reply.

Faithful readers of ilovedinomartin knows that this here Dino-blog has taken a firm stand 'gainst the dissin' of our Dino that Miss Deana has done in her Dino-bio, "Memories Are Made Of This." This Dino-gram is in no way an endorsement of Deana Martin, but shared simply 'cause it is of some depth and in the interest of any Dino-educational value it may have to those who loves our beloved Dino.

Thanks to Miss Melissa Parker for conductin' this convo with Miss Martin and for askin' some pretty straight forward and challengin' questions 'bout the life and times of our Dino. Woulda 'pprecate any Dino-reflections that you mighta wanna share after digestin' these Dino-words.

If and when "Our Prattville" grants ilovedinomartin permission to share directly here, be assured that the full content of this interview will be posted.

10,000 Activists Call for USPS to Honor Dean Martin with Postage Stamp; Effort Takes Novel Form, Via Page on Facebook Platform®

Hey pallies, likes from the annals of PRWeb comes this press release puttin' the accent on the Facebook effort by Dino-holic bros George and John Hlinko to gets our beloved Dino is very own Dino-stamp. This effort was first announced several weeks ago right here at ilovedinomartin (go to: http://ilovedinomartin.blogspot.com/2010/03/honoring-dean-martin-with-postage-stamp.html).

We salute the Hlinko brothers and over 10,000 Dino-devottes young, old, and in-between for boldly proclaimin' their Dino-devotion and makin' their Dino-desires known. Loves so much how Mr. George speaks of this stellar Dino-effort... "Dean Martin was a superstar of song, film, and television – a trifecta that few entertainers have achieved...."

Likes if you haven't joined this Facebook Dino-site, please do as soon as possible and show your Dino-appreciato in this Dino-way. In the words of the Hlinko bros, DO IT FOR DINO!

To read this in it's original format, just click on the tagg of this here Dino-gram. Dino-lobbyin', DMP

10,000 Activists Call for USPS to Honor Dean Martin with Postage Stamp; Effort Takes Novel Form, Via Page on Facebook Platform®

In just a few weeks since it launched, a groundbreaking new activist effort, launched via the Facebook platform, has already swelled to over 10,000 supporters calling for the US Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring Dean Martin. (http://Facebook.com/DeanMartinStamp or http://DeanMartinStamp.com). Launched as a shoestring effort by two brothers, George Hlinko and John Hlinko, the effort has taken off like wildfire through “word of mouse” spreading. At this point, it appears to be the largest effort by far on Facebook in support of a new stamp.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 19, 2010 -- In just a few weeks since it launched, a groundbreaking new activist effort, launched via the Facebook platform, has already swelled to over 10,000 supporters calling for the US Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring Dean Martin. (http://Facebook.com/DeanMartinStamp or http://DeanMartinStamp.com)

Launched as a shoestring effort by two brothers, George Hlinko and John Hlinko, the effort has taken off like wildfire through "word of mouse" spreading. At this point, it appears to be the largest effort by far on Facebook in support of a new stamp.

"Dean Martin was a superstar of song, film, and television – a trifecta that few entertainers have achieved," said George Hlinko, founder of the effort. "It’s high time that the US Postal Service honor this true American icon with his own postage stamp."

The Hlinko brothers launched the effort on February 21, 2010, via a single page on Facebook. It quickly took off, generating thousands of supporters within weeks, as well as a constant stream of fans posts praising Mr. Martin’s work, debating over favorite songs, and showing his genius through posted videos.

"I’ve been doing grassroots advocacy for years, and it’s hard to think of a person who’s generated anywhere near the enthusiasm of Dean Martin," said John Hlinko, a netroots activist since the mid 1990’s. "The only questions I have for the US Postal Service are, one, when are you going to do this, and two, will you be able to print them fast enough to keep up with the demand?"

The two have announced plans to ramp up the effort in coming weeks, including directing supporters to lobby directly the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, the entity responsible for reviewing requests for new stamps.

About The "Dean Martin Stamp" Leadership:
George Hlinko, who came up with the idea for the effort, is a longtime fan of classic movies and music, with a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of the subject that has earned him the nickname, "Rain Man" from family and friends. He has worked as a New York State Court Officer for years, and was specifically recognized for his work assisting with rescue efforts on 9/11.

John Hlinko is the head of Hlinko Consulting, a grassroots communications firm in Washington, DC. A long-time grassroots/netroots activist and innovator, Hlinko was named one of the top 5 PR professionals of the year by "PR Week," and also One of world’s top 25, "individuals, organizations and companies that are having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics," by the World Forum on e-Democracy.

George is an ardent Republican and John is an ardent Democrat. In addition to their Grandma Parrilli’s unmatched tomato sauce, Dean Martin is about the only thing they can agree on.

(Disclaimer: While this effort is taking advantage of the Facebook Platform®, it is in no way officially connected with or endorsed by Facebook. Further, it solely a fan-driven effort, and is in no way connected with Mr. Martin’s family, record company, or other professional affiliation)

Our Dino Sings "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You"

Hey pallies, times for 'nother Dino-classical Dino-song from the Dino-show. Loves so very very much how our beloved Dino loves foolin' 'round while layin' a song on his audience. In this clip of "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You," our Dino messes with lyrics, takes a puff on his smoke and plays 'round with his cigarette while the background singers sings, and generally his cool, hip, and ever randy self.

How does our great man view himself?....he speaketh such Dino-truth when he pontificates followin' the song...."Of all the beautiful singers in the world this kid is the beautifulest." Havin' some more Dino-fun, our Dino sez "That song that I sang is from my latest al-b-um (so diggs how our Dino does it!) entitled "100 Songs to Sing While Your Mother-in-law Is Packin' Up" from the picture "Lay Back And Read."

Our Dino speaks such Dino-wisdom, 'cause indeed we are no bodies 'til somebody loves us....and how wonderful that our Dino loves us so very very much, and of course no one is more beloved then our beloved DINO!!! Sits back and enjoys some Dino-magic o'pallies of mine! Dino-enthralled, DMP

The Silencers (1966)

Hey pallies, likes here is the review of "The Silencers" from a dude from New South Wales, Australia tagged "dfordoom" that inspired yester-Dino'day's blogger chick, Stacia, to view and review this same Dino-flick.

From the blogg "Cult Movie Reviews" (clicks on tagg of this Dino-gram to goes there) comes this descent review of Helmer numero uno.

Here's the gist of this guy's thoughts on our Dino.....

"Dean Martin was not a bad choice for the role of Matt Helm. He has a knack for making fairly innocuous dialogue sound dirtier than it is, and there’s no danger whatsoever that he’s going to take any of the proceedings seriously. He plays it as pure camp, which is the only way this movie can be played. And he’s sufficiently adept at comedy to make the most out of a not overly inspired script."

This pallie certainly gets our Dino as Helm mucho better-o then Miss Stacia. Does love how one Dino-review spawned 'nother....sharin' Dino is just so so contagious!!!!

So thanks Mr. "dfordoom" for spreadin' the Dino-message to your readership...and does hopes you will view the other trio of Helm capers for even more Dino-pleasure. Dino-forever, DMP


Monday, 22 March 2010

The Silencers (1966)

The 60s was the golden age of the spy spoof. There were European spy spoofs and British spy spoofs, and quite a few American attempts as well. The American entries in this genre included the Matt Helm movies, starting with The Silencers in 1966.

The Matt Helm films are certainly far from being the best of the breed. If you’re expecting the visual inventiveness of Mario Bava’s Danger: Diabolik or the wit and sheer camp joy of Joseph Losey's Modesty Blaise you're going to be sorely disappointed. The secret to enjoying The Silencers is to set your expectations fairly low. If you do this you’ll find that it has a certain amount of entertainment value. And it definitely has a 1960s time capsule appeal to it.

Of course being a major studio production (Columbia in fact) from the mid-60s there’s no actual sex or nudity. But it’s a sexy spy spoof, so it relies on lots of implied nudity, lots of shots of young ladies in bikinis and lingerie, and large amounts of sexual innuendo. These were the days when lingerie-clad young ladies were enough to get young men very hot and bothered. And that in itself gives it a certain charm.

The plot won’t take us very long to deal with. An organisation of diabolical criminal masterminds known as the Big O plans to start a nuclear war and then take over
when the super-powers have destroyed each other. America’s top secret agent, Matt Helm, is now in retirement, spending his days as a glamour photographer for girlie magazines. He has to be persuaded to come out of retirement since the fate of civilisation depends upon his secret agent skills.

He naturally becomes involved with several beautiful young women who are almost certainly spies although whether they’re on the side of the good guys or the bad guys remains in doubt. Matt Helm must foil the Big O’s schemes, whilst hopefully enticing as many as possible of the aforementioned glamorous female spies into his bed.

There are of course plenty of silly but reasonably amusing gadgets. There’s no
graphic violence, and not a huge amount of action.

Dean Martin was not a bad choice for the role of Matt Helm. He has a knack for making fairly innocuous dialogue sound dirtier than it is, and there’s no danger whatsoever that he’s going to take any of the proceedings seriously. He plays it as pure camp, which is the only way this movie can be played. And he’s sufficiently adept at comedy to make the most out of a not overly inspired script.

Stella Stevens and Daliah Lavi provide the glamour. They’re not called on to do a great deal else, but their performances are suitably campy.



Columbia obviously didn’t spend too much money on this one, since there’s a notable absence of action sequences and special effects.

This is strictly guilty pleasure material and I don’t think I could in all honesty recommend that you go out and buy this one. In fact I don’t even know if it’s available on DVD - I caught it on late-night Australian TV. But if you can rent it, or if it turns up on cable, and you’re a fan of 60s spy spoofs, it’s worth a look.

It was successful enough to spawn no less than three sequels.

Our Dino as Matt Helm in "The Silencers" TMC 1 a.m. April 17th

Hey pallies, likes how cool is this?!?!?! Today's Dino-gram and the one planned for tomorrow are both reviews of our Dino as Matt Helm in "The Silencers," and likes I just learned that Helmer numero uno is gonna be shown on the Turner Movie Classics in the way wee hours of Dino-morrow at 1 a.m.

So often, I don't get the Dino-news 'til it is way late to let's all you Dino-holics know, so so likes so Dino-delightedly to gives you this heads up now and you can put the Dino-viewin' into your Dino-plans. So, gives yourself a Dino-treat and turn in and turn on to our Dino this very Dino-night. Am includin' a cool Dino-treat of a stellar Dino-vid-collage from "The Silencers" that will whet your Dino-tite for more of our beloved Dino as Matt Helm. Dino-reportin', DMP

Recently Watched: The "I Thought Dino Could Act" Edition

Hey pallies, the chick's tagg is Stacia, and her personal 'fession is that "I'm a huge Dean Martin fan." But, from readin' her review of "The Silencers," this lady doesn't get Martin as Matt Helm, at least not in Helmer numero uno.

Today's Dino-post comes from Stacia's blogg "She Blogged By Night" and per usual, you can goes to her pad by clickin' on the tagg of this Dino-gram.


Gotta sez that likes I totally disagree with her Dino-assessment..."Dean Martin's inherent hotness is completely absent in this film." Not sure what she was expectin' but she doesn't even digg how cool our Dino is in the after-the-flick's over 'mmercial for "Murder's Row." When surrounded by so so many lovlies on his round bed, he enjoys smoochin' with the two youngens side-by-side with him on the bed. She sez: "At the end of the credits there is a scene with Helm on his round bed with a dozen hot babes who he dutifully kisses, but after kissing 2 of them he puts his head in his hands and mutters "Oh my god" in the most pitiful voice. He's not saying "Oh my god they're hot", but "Oh my god, what am I doing here?" Seems likes this lady is totally off the Dino-mark here.

But, none-the-less the name of our Dino is bein' lifted up and likes I does so loves the caps she shares here.... 'specially the nice extra-large sized Dino-pixs. In her review, she mentioned that she decided to do this Dino-viewin' after readin' an Aussie pallie D's review of "The Silencers".....so checks back tomorrow for that Dino-reflection as well. Dino-supportively, DMP



Recently Watched: The "I Thought Dino Could Act" Edition

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I have a sort of unofficial "Watch Everything D for Doom Watches" rule here at Casa de la Stacia, because he has the best and wackiest taste in movies ever. That's how I ended up watching "The Silencers", the 1966 spy spoof D wrote about last month. I'm a huge Dean Martin fan, I love 1960s spy films and spoofs, and I'd meant to watch this film for years.

D says that "The Silencers" isn't the best of the genre, and brother, he ain't kiddin'. It was enjoyable, mainly thanks to the underrated Daliah Lavi and Stella Stevens. It's also character actor heaven, so if you're obsessed with character actors like I am, you'll have to watch this film. It has Victor Buono, Roger C. Carmel, James Gregory, Arthur O'Connell, and Robert Webber. How could you not watch something with Buono and Carmel in it? It's impossible to resist.


Implied boobies! Hooray!

Matt Helm is a retired spy for the U.S. agency ICE. He's called back in to help uncover the suspicious doin's planned by international evil agency Big O. Helm refuses to return to ICE, but then someone from Big O is sent to kill him and he is saved in the nick of time by ICE agent Tina (Daliah Lavi). They join forces to get a computer tape that holds the information they need but, before they can get the tape from sexy dancer Sarita (Cyd Charisse), she's killed. She hands the tape over to clueless Gail (Stella Stevens) seconds before dying, and Gail -- technically under arrest as a suspect -- joins Matt in a search for the Big O hideout. Gail replaces Tina, who has been waylaid by a smoke bomb. For reals.

Buono, in yellowface a la Joseph Wiseman, is Tung Tze, leader of Big O. While I've never seen Buono look so, er, Greenstreet-ian as he does in this film, all the eyeliner to make him look fake Asian is actually kind of hot, even when he's trying to look sinister. There's nothing sinister about Victor Buono.


See? This is his evil face, yet there is no evil here.

Speaking of hot, Daliah Lavi is astonishingly beautiful and a solid actress. I am absolutely confounded as to why she didn't have a bigger career. Stella Stevens, while having a lengthy career, never hit it as big as she honestly should have.

Dean Martin's inherent hotness is completely absent in this film. He looks tired and irritated throughout, and as I was trying to get screencaps to show you how exhausted he appears, I realized he was filmed from behind, the side, and at a distance a lot. The cinematographers clearly knew what they were doing.

I'm sorry to post this unflattering screencap of you, Dean, but I do this in the twin interests of TRUTH and SCIENCE:



It's true that Matt Helm spends a significant amount of time honestly irritated, but beyond mere characterization, Dean Martin himself seemed completely pissed off. At the end of the credits there is a scene with Helm on his round bed with a dozen hot babes who he dutifully kisses, but after kissing 2 of them he puts his head in his hands and mutters "Oh my god" in the most pitiful voice. He's not saying "Oh my god they're hot", but "Oh my god, what am I doing here?"



Helm has a habit of spacing off and daydreaming about Dean Martin songs with modified lyrics to express his irritation at the current situation he's in. This would be funnier if I wasn't tired as hell of people on the Internet who post new "funny" lyrics to old songs in the comments of every webcomic, blog, and forum. Yet that's not the movie's problem, it's my problem; the self-referential bits are funny and the camp is enjoyable.

It's immediately apparent that "The Silencers" was widely influential, too. Several movies that I know of -- there may be more -- stole from "The Silencers." "Casino Royale" (1967) borrowed cinematography, plot points, and set design. "Marlowe" (1969) has a character played by Rita Moreno who is an almost direct rip off of Cyd Charisse in "The Silencers." While it could be argued that "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" (1997) was a spoof, I have to wonder how much you can honestly spoof that which is already spoof. At any rate, Dr. Evil's voice is essentially Victor Buono's, slightly exaggerated.

I don't really know if I can officially recommend "The Silencers", but you know what I can recommend? Dino in anything else! Someone find me a copy of "Kiss Me, Stupid", stat!

Reason speaks of his idol Dean Martin

Hey pallies, thought I woulda catch us up on up-and-comin' hip hop star Reason (Mr. Chad Carr) who has proclaimed himself the "new Dean Martin" in the stellar music vid "Life Of The Star."

Posted below is an interview of Reason where he speaks boldly 'bout his love of all thin's Rat Pack, and of course, in particular, of his adulation of our Dino. When asked 'bout his idols he shares just how much he diggs the pack, and then at 'bout 3:10 Reason states:

"I've mentioned in 'Life Of A Star' that I'm the new Dean Martin. You know I just feel as though Dean Martin has a character with inside him that I think that has inside me---overall being cool, collected, and funny. And sometimes I think that is what I am, but that whole pack---that whole era is the biggest influence in me, music, and hip hop right now."

How refreshin' it is to find this extemely talented hip hip hopper openly sharin' how much he diggs our Dino and wants to emulate him in every possible way. To view this in it's original format, just click on the tagg of this Dino-gram to goes to Reason's blogg pad, "I Am Reason." Woulda encourage you to leaves him some appreciato pallies. This is one Dino-holic that is truly goin' to makes it bigg and helps spread the Dino-magic to the next gen of Dino-devotees!!!! with Dino-appreicatio, DMP





Who Is Reason? (EPK)

An intimate look into one of hip-hop's most prolific rising stars as he discusses his career, musical and stylistic influences, and current and future projects.

But the fun guy, as he was in real life, is Dean Martin's character – he wears a cowboy hat and, like Dean, doesn't give a shit about anything.

Hey pallies, likes all true Dino-holics knows the transformational power of our Dino. Well, today's Dino-gram is from the Guardian pad where Miss Hermione Hoby's interview is of up and comin' flick director Richard Linklater, who speaks of how the Dino-classic "Some Came Running" changed his life.

You will read below Mr. Linklater's testimonal of how viewin' SCR has impacted his life. Seems that Richard relates well to both the Dino and frankie characters, but I am 'specially moved by his Dino-appreciato....

" but then he's this boozing, gambler guy too, and Dean Martin, playing Bama Dillert, represents that world."

"But the fun guy, as he was in real life, is Dean Martin's character – he wears a cowboy hat and, like Dean, doesn't give a shit about anything.

"Dean Martin: not caring so much, just a cool guy. Sometimes I think I'd rather be Bama Dillert"

Gotta say thats like I am always so moved when I read the amazin' impact that our beloved Dino has on others lifes...'specially others like Mr. Linklater who has chosen the arts as their profession.

So, enjoys readin' 'bout the power of our Dino. Thanks to the Guardian pad (clicks on tagg to read this in it's original format) and Miss Hoby for sharin' this. Thanks also for Richard Linklater sharin' so openly how our Dino's performance has impacted his life. And, of course thanks most of all to our Dino who influence just glows and grows each and every Dino-day! Dino-focused, DMP


The film that changed my life:

Richard Linklater Some Came Running by Vincente Minnelli (1958)


Interview by Hermione Hoby
The Observer, Sunday 11 April 2010



I was 23 and I was really starting to dig into film's history. I'd just moved to Austin, Texas, and I was voracious - I was watching maybe 600 films a year. And then I came across a campus screening of Vincente Minnelli's Some Came Running. I didn't take it on as a "Oh here's a great film you have to see" - it's just something I wandered into.

Some Came Running Production year: 1958 Country: USA Cert (UK): PG Runtime: 137 mins Directors: Vincente Minnelli Cast: Arthur Kennedy, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Martha Hyer, Shirley MacLaine More on this film It really resonated with me. It's about the prodigal son come back to his home town and it's about art and sex and who you want to be – all those important things. It's a Sinatra vehicle but I love it because it's about an artist who's flopped, and that's hard to depict. There's the person Sinatra's character, Dave Hirsh, kind of aspires to be – he had the chance to be the very greatest, but then he's this boozing, gambler guy too, and Dean Martin, playing Bama Dillert, represents that world.

I have different feelings about those guys every time I watch it. It's like Citizen Kane – every time you see it it's a different movie.

Sinatra always made it all about him, and this is maybe his best-ever performance. But the fun guy, as he was in real life, is Dean Martin's character – he wears a cowboy hat and, like Dean, doesn't give a shit about anything. It reflects how those guys really were – Sinatra: conflicted, easily wounded, striving. Dean Martin: not caring so much, just a cool guy. Sometimes I think I'd rather be Bama Dillert than Dave Hirsh, but it's fun to side with each of them.

It's based on a novel by James Jones, who wrote From Here to Eternity; Some Came Running was his follow-up novel and even though it didn't do as well, they managed to get a really wonderful screenplay out of it.

Have I taken things from it for my films? I wish! They don't make 'em like that any more. I would love to, but I don't think people would buy that kind of 50s melodrama. There are sequences that are intimate, one-room scenes, but then there are beautiful crescendos, like the one at the end – he can deliver that too. Minnelli's sensibilities were perfect for it – the sensitivity and the bravado. It hits all the notes.

That said, it opens with Sinatra travelling on a bus and someone pointed out to me that I have numerous movies which begin with a character travelling. I wasn't even that conscious of it but I think it's a good device.


Richard Linklater is the director of Slacker, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and A Scanner Darkly. His latest film, Me and Orson Welles, is out now on DVD

The return of Benny Needles

Hey pallies, excitin' news dudes. Today's Dino-post comes courtesy of our wonderful murder and mayhem writer pallie Miss Gayle Carline. At her blog, "On the edge of the chair of literature" comes the return of our beloved Dino-holic pallie Benny Needles in a teaser from her next murder mystery, "HIT OR MISSUS: A Peri Minneopa Mystery."

Faithful readers of ilovedinomartin will remember that Miss Gayle debuted last summer with the stellar whodunit "Freezer Burn" that features Benny Needles a Dino-devotee's Dino-devotee. I am likes so Dino-psyched to read below that our Benny has becomed such a beloved character to Miss Carline's readership that she is again featurin' him in her new tome. I simply can't wait to get my hands on "HIT OR MISSUS."

So enjoys the teaser below (clicks on the tagg of this here Dino-gram to goes to her pad). And, if for some crazy reason you have not had the extreme Dino-pleasure of readin' "Freezer Burn"...run, not walk to your local book purveyor and gets it asap.
While reminds me, it times to gets my copy of "Freezer Burn" outs and read it again...can never ever gets 'nough of our Dino and thus can never ever gets 'nough of Dino-psyched Benny! Thanks so much Miss Gayle Carline for lettin' me know yester-Dino-day 'bout this teaser and for doin' your part to lift up the name of our Dino and win more and more pallies to the Dino-legacy! Dino-delightedly, DMP


Sunday, March 28, 2010

The return of Benny Needles



People-In-General: "So when's the next book coming out?"

Me: "As soon as I write it", "It's about halfway done", "Not sure", "Ummmm..."

I'm getting this question a lot lately. There are probably folks out there with a lot of She-Should'ves advice. As in, She should've been writing the second one as soon as the first one was finished. She should've been working harder on the second one. She should've had several plots lined up before she even wrote the first one.

Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

Here's the thing: Even though I'm just a genre writer, who writes fun and entertaining romps, I take my writing seriously. I can't just plop the same characters into the same location with a different dead body and call it a book. I need a crime that appeals to me, either in its cleverness or its irony. I need a twist. I need subplots that show my characters going through real situations.

Wow. I sure sound needy, don't I?

So, I'm more than halfway through the first draft. I'm happy with the crime, the criminals, and what Peri's going through in this story. I can finally settle onto my tush and do some serious writing this week because I don't have to travel to an honor choir or sell concessions or do anything besides write and teach a few riding lessons. (Sorry, housework - you're gonna have to wait.)

In the meantime, here's a teaser for HIT OR MISSUS: A Peri Minneopa Mystery -

When private investigator Peri Minneopa takes on a surveillance job for a suspicious husband, she finds herself being stalked, possibly by the woman she's trying to follow. Is this rich housewife dabbling in more than infidelity?

There's more, but you'll have to be patient. Skip is back, as well as Blanche, and the other members of the PPD. In addition, Benny Needles is back. I hadn't planned for him to re-appear so soon, but he has become such an overwhelmingly popular guy, I found a way for him to return. Here's an excerpt for your amusement (note: Peri is temporarily fostering her neighbor's cat. The neighbor, an elderly woman, died of a sudden heart attack - or was it something else?):

* * * * *

As she flipped through the papers, Peri became aware of a whirring noise in her tote bag, so she excavated her cell phone and answered it.


"Miss Menopause?" The voice was unmistakable.


"Benny, please call me Peri."


"Oh. Yeah. Miss Peri. I'm out of jail."


Peri's former client, Benny Needles had been convicted of receiving stolen property. With no priors and a full, weeping confession, he had only spent 30 days behind bars. She heard he was now completing a few hours of community service.


"I know. How are you?"


"I'm good. I'm good."


"I was a little worried about you in jail. I'm glad you're out." Peri didn't think Benny's obsessive-compulsive constitution would hold up well in an Orange County Jail cell. In addition to his OCD, Benny was an incurable Dean Martin fan, and had stuffed his house with Dino memorabilia. He needed his things, just as he needed certain foods, and a certain schedule. Under stress, Benny either suffered anxiety attacks requiring hospitalization, or he reverted into Dino mode. Neither of these was a pretty sight.


"It wasn't so bad," he told her. "Except I missed my house and my things. And they wouldn't let me wear my suits in jail. And their food didn't taste very good. But I taught all the guys in my block to sing 'That's Amore'."


"That's nice," Peri said. "What can I do for you?"


"I have to do community service, Miss Mmm-Peri. One hundred fifty hours. It's hard."


"What are you doing?"


"That's the thing… I was working as a janitor at Aunt Esmy's church, but I guess I don't keep things too clean, which was okay 'cause they never played any Dino music there. So then I went to work at the library, but the director didn't think the Dean Martin biography belonged at the front of the shelves. We kinda fought about that, so I wasn't invited back. I tried to help out at Bradford Square, but those people are so old and cranky."


"Geez, Benny, how many jobs have you had?"


"Ten."


Peri felt uneasy, but asked, "How many hours do you have left?"


"A hundred. I was wondering if you had anything for me to do."


"Oh, Benny, I can’t really think of any-"


"Miss Peri, please." His voice rose. "I need these hours or they'll maybe send me back. I can't go back there. I can put papers in files, or dust or something. You used to clean for my mom. I could clean for you."


Peri nearly erupted in laughter, but held herself back. "I don't know-"


"I could run errands, do your shopping. Miss Peri, I gotta do something and it won't even cost you."


Not in money, but probably my sanity, Peri thought. The cat's bad enough - do I have to foster Benny too?




"Okay, Ben, we'll try it out," she told him, while Robbie the Robot appeared in her head, bellowing Danger, Danger, Will Robinson. "Come to my office tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock and I'll give you something to do."


"At two? But Rio Bravo is on TV then, and I wanted to-"


"Don't push me, Benny. Be there at two tomorrow or the deal's off."

* * * * *

Now, if you don't mind, I gotta get back to writing.

DEAN MARTIN - Limited Edition Art Poster Print

Hey pallies, this is just so great. From the pad "eCrater" comes this very moddish Limited Edition Art Poster Print of our Dino with his ever present cigarette!!!! For a mere 18 bucks plus shippin' you can add a signed edition of this Dino-smokin'-print to your Dino-treasure. Just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-post to goes to the original site and checks it out.

Likes so so loves findin' 'nother new Dino-rendition. Loves from more and more artistes devotin' their talents to our beloved Dino! Dino-delightedly, DMP



DEAN MARTIN - Limited Edition Art Poster Print


Available now. This is a, limited edition, illustration titled - 'DEAN MARTIN'. It is printed on the finest archival matte canvas paper.

This is a 220gsm Heavyweight canvas textured effect paper. The surface has a canvas texture and the colors of the print, are extremely strong and vibrant.

The artwork is highly detailed and comes directly from the artist.

The print is part of a limited edition of 100 and is an original illustration numbered, signed and titled by hand by the artist.

The print also comes sealed in its own clear cellophane sleeve for protection and when sent, will be wrapped safely with a hard back backing.

SIZE OF CANVAS: 11 inches x 16.5 inches
(28cm x 36cm)

SIZE OF PRINT : 8.7 inches x 11.5 inches
(22cm x 28.5cm)

Yesterday In Dino-history April 11, 1945

Hey pallies, likes so so sorry that I didn't get this Dino-historical note up yester-Dino-day, but didn't gets myself on line all Dino-day. Thanks to our pallie Mark over at the very groovy and informational blogg "popculturefanboy" (clicks on tagg of this Dino-gram to goes there) for sharin' the birthday of Dino-child numero trio....Barbara Gail Martin.

To this Dino-holic's understandin' Miss Gail is one of the kindest, if not indeed the kindest of the Dino-prodigy. She lent her energy to the very creative Dino-al-b-um DEAN MARTIN FORVER COOL as well as the most recent Dino-collection from the UK.."That's Amore.

In the clip below from the DVD of the deluxe version of DEAN MARTIN FOREVER COOL, you can hear and see Miss Gail speakin' so so Dino-devotedly 'bout her daddy-o at 'bout 2:15 and 4:10. How refreshin' to our Dino's girlpallie speakin' with such Dino-affection of our beloved Dino!

Happy belated birthday to Miss Gail Martin and thanks for sharin' your affection for our Dino with the world! With much Dino-appreciato, DMP




65 Years Ago Today In 1945 - Future Capitol Records artist Dean Martin and his wife Elizabeth welcome their second daughter, Barbara Gail Martin, into the world.

Our Dino and Hollywood Celebrities vs Los Angeles Dodgers - 1965

Hey pallies, how greats is this dudes....today's Dino-post contains more Dino-historical Dino-ball news. From the BB blogg pad, "Walk Off Walk" we feature a stellar post by Mr. Rob Iracane showin' a great clip of the 1965 Hollywood Celebs vs the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Sez here that the Hollywood crowd was "led by crooner and notorious sot Dean Martin." As we knows how much our Dino loves the game of BB, there never ever coulda be a better choice then our beloved Dino to lead this BB pack!

Included is the clip that we featured yesterday as well as one from 1965 where we view our Dino autographin' a laddie's BB. Accordin' to the patter in the vid, insteadin' of puttin' his Dean Martin on the ball, he wrote "Help I'm prisoner in a ballpark. Send a bottle." Just shows our Dino's amazin' sense of humor....knows if I was that youngen I woulda be thrilled to haves me some Dino-funnin' on my ball.

So, as we begins a new season of peanuts and cracker jacks, sits back and enjoys viewin' some more Dino-history in the makin'.... Thanks to Mr. Rob for gatherin' this Dino-ball stuff for his readers! To view this in it's original format, just click on the tagg of this Dino-post. Dino-reportin', DMP

Hollywood Celebrities vs Los Angeles Dodgers - 1965

By Rob Iracane on April 9, 2010 11:25 AM

Back in the 1960s, the Dodgers decided to embrace their new home by staging charity baseball games against famous Hollywood celebrities led by crooner and notorious sot Dean Martin. The event continues to this day, but they switched to softball and moved in the fences once marys like Rob Schneider and Carlos Mencia started participating.

This one, I believe, is the 1965 edition, since Yogi Berra appears in a Mets uniform. Hey, we're all allowed to make little mistakes in life, right? The short clip features such silver screen stars as Phil Silvers, Mickey Rooney, Milton Berle, and you can also see Phyllis Diller french-kissing Dodgers manager Walter Alston in the dugout.



After the game, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale paired off with Nancy Sinatra and Annette Funicello in Drysdale's Cadillac for some canoodling, while famed midget and Gold Diggers of 1933 star Billy Barty hid in the glovebox.

Below, here's a clip from an earlier game where the Dodgers couldn't even be bothered to show up so they sent the sportswriters in their place. That's like being promised a Frank Sinatra concert and getting an Andy Williams concert instead. Yecch.

Dean Martin Hollywood A-Stars Baseball Hollywood Backstage

Hey pallies, well 'nother season of takes me out to the ballgame has just gotten underway,......and we all likes knows how much our Dino loves the game of ball and stick.

Today's Dino-post is a very cool Dino-historical BB clip that has been posted on youtube of our Dino headin' up the Hollywood All Stars team 'gainst the Los Angeles sports writers. Dino and his pallies played this game as a celebrity charity event at Dodger Stadium.

Watch for our Dino cuttin' up as he falls backward after sippin' on a drink...probably water. Watch our Dino hits the b-ball and runs like crazy. In spite of his best Dino-efforts, seems the sports writers won this one.

Any of you pallies have a Dino-clue as to the vintage of this here Dino-clip? Anyways, pallies enjoys sharin' in this very Dino-historical moment. Dino-devotedly, DMP








Hollywood All Stars baseball celebrity charity event at Dodger Stadium. Hollywood Backstage