For the good times......our Dino was, above all, a real doting father

Hey pallies, likes the Dino-love keeps likes flowin' all over the web. Today's Dino-post originated with our truly Dino-passionate pallie Kinezoe from Spain. From his blog, "No todo es kippel" comes "For the good times".....our Kinezoe's sharin' of likes his photo Dino-essay on our Dino as daddy-o.

Kinezoe shares some Dino-dotin' words and a bevy of perfect Dino-pixs mostly of our great man with his great boy and girl pallies. ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to our Dino-devoted pallie Kinezoe for spreadin' likes so much Dino-love at his pad and for helpin' his readers to grow in their Dino-knowledge and Dino-admiration.

Thanks pallie Kinezoe and likes keeps sharin' your Dino-addiction with others! To view this post in it's original format, just click on the tagg of this here Dino-gram to goes to Kinezoe's pad. Dino-diggin', DMP

miércoles 30 de junio de 2010

For the good times



Dean Martin was married three times throughout his life. With Betty McDonald, his first wife, had four children whose custody after divorce win it in 1949, after eight years of marriage. Ironies of life, would be Betty who have problems with alcohol at the time. From his second marriage, to Jeanne Biegger, the blonde who appears in these photos and more lasting relationship (24 years), would be three new stems. While the girl with Kathy Hawn, a receptionist at a beauty salon in Beverly Hills, take a last shoot (girl, to be exact). Three years this last marriage lasted. A total of eight children, three boys and five girls.

Because, despite the reputation of a womanizer who may have, which sometimes was just pure pose, our Dino was, above all, a real doting father. A father who did not hesitate to avoid any commitment to spend the day with his family. Here are a few snapshots of those good old days. Large family ...

Dino & Sophia

Hey pallies, likes our great pallie Otto Bruno is back with some more Dino-magic for his "Otto Bruno" blogpad readers. His current Dino-trib is some patter and Dino-clips from our great man's great flick "Kiss Me Stupid."

As I have often said before, our beloved Dino is always ahead of his time and certainly this classic Dino-flick is evidence of said Dino-thoughts. "Kiss Me Stupid" woulda be considered very tame by today's standards, but it 1964 it was totally darin' and rad in nature. We thanks our pallie Otto for continuin' to lift up the name of our Dino and share more and more Dino-treasure with is blog followers. Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies! To view this Dino-post in it's original format, just click on the tagg of this Dino-message. Dino-growin', DMP



Dino & Sophia

June 24th, 2010 | Classic Films, Italian America

For our Dino fans, here’s a couple of clips from the misunderstood (shall we say?) 1964 film Kiss Me Stupid. What I always found most amazing about this film is Dean’s willingness to parody his own character and portray himself in such an unsympathetic light. I think it probably said something about his sense of security with who he was as well as his trust in director Billy Wilder.

By the way, I always found it extremely amusing that this song from these two amateur songwriters was, in fact, written by George and Ira Gershwin. Now THAT, my friends, is what they call irony!

If you’re a Dean Martin fan, the movie needs no explanation so just enjoy the clips!

Capturing the real Dino style

Hey pallies, today's Dino-gram comes from the web presence of the "Tribune" in Welland Ontario Canada. Tribune staff writer Mr. Allan Benner shares this feature on Dino-emulator Mr. David Iannandrea, who took top honors in the Dino-impersonatin' contest held in Stu-ville durin' Dino-fest 2010.

Loves readin' Iannandrea's Dino-testimony of the competition and how he found his way to Dino-emulation. We say our thanks to Mr. Allan Benner for featurin' Iannandrea's Dino-tale and we express our Dino-appreciato to David Iannandrea for helpin' to spread Dino-devotion through his work for Dino.

BTW. pallies, as Dino-usual, just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-gram to read this Dino-prose in it's original format...and checks out the link in the article to goes to Mr. Iannandrea's pad. Dino-devotedly, DMP

Capturing the real Dino style

Posted By ALLAN BENNER , TRIBUNE STAFF



David Iannandrea, who won first place in a Dean Martin singing competition, will be performing during the Variety Nites by the Canal concert series on Wednesday at Merritt Park.

ALLAN BENNER Staff Photo


Winning first place was great, but it wasn't the biggest thrill David Iannandrea had last weekend.

The local crooner beat eight other Dean Martin impersonators for the top prize at the 15th annual Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio, last month.

"It was the easiest $250 I made in my life. I sang for two minutes," he said with a laugh.


For Iannandrea, the highlight of the two-day event held in Martin's hometown was a chance to sing for the late singer's daughter, Deana Martin, who regularly attends the festival.

"The look on Deana's face when she got to hear me sing live there -- it was just priceless. Her eyes were wide open.

"It was kind of a cool thing to be able to sing for the daughter of Dean Martin."

Iannandrea said he started his singing career as an Elvis Presley impersonator. But three or four years ago, after being told he sounded more like Martin than Presley -- even when he was singing Presley songs -- he decided to change acts.

"People kept saying, 'David, you sound like Dino.' I thought they were just saying it to be nice.

"It took me a long time to finally break down and buy a tuxedo and do the tribute. Dino was the coolest guy. I don't like copying anyone to be honest, but I had so many people tell me, 'I close my eyes and it's like Dean's in the room.'"

Even when singing country songs, people tell him he sounds like Martin -- "So what am I suppose to do?

"It's really cool. I don't even have to try to sound like him."

For a guy who decorates his office with German posters from Dean Martin’s Matt Helm movies

Hey pallies, likes I just loves to find Dino-love bein' expressed in more and more unique ways all over the Dino-sphere! Today's Dino-passion comes via the on-line presence of "The Jerusalem Post."

From an interview of "celebrated" Israeli movie director Avi Nesher by Miss Hannah Brown comes the Dino-discovery that Mr. Nesher is, in the words of Miss Brown, "a guy who decorates his office with German posters from Dean Martin’s Matt Helm movies." (btw, just to lets you know, I am deeply saddened by Miss Brown's dissin' words of our Dino's performance as Matt Helm...but this post is 'bout Mr. Nesher's Dino-devotion, not Miss Brown's poor taste.)

Now likes how Dino-brillant is that.....an accomplished Israeli movie director diggs our Dino so so much that he covers the walls of his office with Dino-decorations a la Matt Helm. Man, woulda I loves to see Mr. Nesher's Dino-homage decorations and likes to be able to speak to him 'bout his Dino-devotion!!!!!

I tried and I tried pallies likes to find some of dem German Dino-posters, but to no avail. If any of you dudes have any leads on where I mights finds some, please give a Dino-holler. Am sharin' just the first few paragraphs of the interview, and if you woulda likes to read more, just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-gram to goes to "The Jerusalem Post' pad to checks out the whole thin'. Dino-psyched, DMP






The Jerusalem Post

Once I was Avi Nesher

By HANNAH BROWN

06/25/2010 18:27



Celebrated director discusses emotional new film.
For a guy who decorates his office with German posters from Dean Martin’s Matt Helm movies (featuring the Rat Pack front man as a sleazier James Bond), director Avi Nesher talks a lot about redemption.

That’s just one of the contradictions about Nesher, and why it can be hard to characterize him and the impact he’s had on Israeli movies. Another is that while he dresses like a kibbutznik in casual clothes and flip-flops, his office is in a beachfront complex near Tel Aviv and features a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.

Meeting to discuss his latest film, Once I Was, which was just released all over the country, he is excited about the movie and eager to talk. But the phone doesn’t stop ringing, and most of the calls concern details of the release. Asking his assistant to handle most of them, he takes a few, apologizing profusely, like a first-time director on the brink of success rather than one of the veterans...

Dean Martin Festival 2010 | Steubenville, Ohio

Hey pallies, I likes so so applaud our great pallie noebie (Brian Noe) on helpin' spread lots of Dino-patter 'round the web 'bout his Dino-pilgrimage to Dino-mecca for Dino-fest 2010. This post originates from Noe's web pad noebie.com and shares tons of Dino-info on this year's Stu-ville Dino-celebration as well as lots of lots of web pads connected to the entertainment at this year's Dino-gala. If likes you clicks on the tagg of this Dino-post you will gets to Bri's place and be able to makes lots of Dino-connections from there.

On of the coolest thin's of Dino-note is that there is an effort afoot to save the Grand Theatre in downtown Stu-ville with the hopes of creatin' a Dean Martin Museum that woulda be housed in the Grand. Read more 'bout this effort below.

All us Dino-holics continue to await Bri's promised pod cast of highlights of the Dino-journey to Dino-ville. Thanks pallie Bri for showin' so much Dino-love and helpin' to fill others in on this cool celebration of our Dino in his town of birth. Dino-sharin', DMP


Dean Martin Festival 2010 | Steubenville, Ohio

June 23, 2010 by admin

If you’ve been following my Twitter stream lately, you probably already know that we spent much of last week in Steubenville, Ohio for the 2010 Dean Martin Festival. Steubenville was Dino’s birthplace, and it was a true pleasure to visit the town and see some of the places where he spent his childhood and youth.

I’m preparing a Podcast episode to recap the trip. In the meantime, you might find the following links of interest.

Dean Martin Festival 2010 YouTube Playlist - This playlist includes short clips that (my father-in-law) Ken Emling and I captured during the trip, as well as videos from other YouTubers at the Festival. I’ll continue to add videos to the playlist as I upload them or find them.

Steubenville Dean Martin Festival 2010 Flickr Set - This set includes pictures and videos taken by myself, Ken Emling, Caroline Emling (my mother-in-law) and my wife Claudia. Again, I’ll continue to add more over the coming week or so.

Here are the official websites of some of the great entertainers we met during the festival.

Deana Martin
Russ Loniello
Lauren Mascitti
Lou Martini, Jr.
Drew Anthony
Eric DeLauro
David Iannandrea
The Dean-O-Holics
Official Dean Martin Festival Site - This was where I first learned about the festival several years ago. Most of the photos on the site are from past years, but I suspect that they’ll have some posted from this year in the coming weeks.

Dean Martin Festival Facebook Group - Created by David Thomas Batchelor, this is a public group for fans of Dean Martin and the Festival. You’ll meet lots of nice people there.

The Spot Bar - This is where the evening entertainment took place during the festival. It’s the last bar still standing that was one of Dean Martin’s regular haunts. The story goes that he used to deal cards in the back room.

The Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival - Organizer Frankie DiCarlantonio was one of the mainstays of the Dean Martin Festival this year as well. The Italian Heritage Festival is coming up in July, so if you didn’t make it to Steubenville last week, you might consider a trip out next month.

Steubenville Historic Landmarks Foundation Website - The Steubenville Historic Landmarks Foundation is working to save the Grand Theater in downtown Steubenville from imminent destruction. Dean Martin would have spent time there as a child watching Westerns, and as a young man dreaming of stardom. If the project comes to fruition there will be a Dean Martin Museum in the restored facility. Please consider a donation to the project via the PayPal button on the left side of their page, or by mailing a check to the following address.

Steubenville Historic Landmarks Foundation
c/o
Chase Bank
401 Market Street
Steubenville Ohio 43952

More information is on the site. You can also visit The Grand Theater Facebook Page for updates. The guy leading the effort is Scott Dressel, one of the proprietors at The Garrett House, an amazing bed and breakfast that was our home during the visit.

Here are a couple of other YouTube things. First, a clip from That’s Amore: The 10th Annual Dean Martin Festival. Also, a series of videos on Steubenville Memories.

I’ll be adding more information and links here in the coming days, so please bookmark this page and check back often.

Martin & Lewis and My Brother

Hey pallies, likes diggs this. Today's Dino-gram comes to us from our Dino-devoted Dean-ager Catie sharin' 'bout how she is helpin' gets her 5 year old bro turned on to our Dino. From the Dino-focused blogg "For The Good Times" (clicks on tagg of this Dino-post to goes there), our Catie shares how her little brother wanted to watch our Dino in "Bandelero" and ended up watchin' a couple of our Dino and the kid flicks.

Pallies, likes you just gotta checks out this wee one's Dino-quiries...likes totally totally rad! Hats off to our Dino-girl Catie for sharin' this true Dino-tale with us and for helpin' her little bro gets like completely Dino-connected at such a tender age. Keeps lovin' our Dino Miss Catie and keeps helpin' your flesh and blood gets into the total Dino-groove! Dino-amazed, DMP

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Martin & Lewis and My Brother



I know Im supposed to be studying and taking a break from the computer and all but I had to post this:
My brother asked to watch "A Dean Martin show" with me, "the one where hes the bad cowboy that robs the bank.." by that he meant Bandelero but my sister was watching my TV so I offered a replacement movie from my computer,Pardners (which other than Livin It Up is probably my favorite Martin and Lewis movie) I made sure to mention it was a funny cowboy movie and that Jerry Lewis was in it and he agreed.
I love the questions you get from five year old (most anyway) like:

"Catie, Why..H-how did you get to like Dean Martin so much when you weren't even born yet?"...I could write a book on that question but I remembered it was a five year who asked so my reply: "..um well you remember Frank Sinatra, Dean Martins friend? Well hes a really good singer..and actor but hes really a singer- I listened to him alot then I found DM and he sung better, and was funny, and a really good actor, and..well he's really cool right?"
He nodded..a little later he said something like, "You listen to Frank SinatrO?", i was like "no because theres no such thing as frank sinatrO"..he gave me the weirdest look..."cause his names Frank SinatrA..."Oh :)"

Then he asked "How does he be so funny?" about Jerry Lewis "Well he just stays silly and trys to have fun and it turns out to be funny."



I can safely say he loved it and right as it was over we watched You're Never Too Young, again, until his bedtime. He really loves Jerry and likes Dean alot but hes only five and the attention span of a five year old really doesn't work with Dean's comedy but I'm confident when he gets a little older he'll like Dean alot more when he can understand his humor. He obviously already likes him as a cowboy and his music.

Its funny, when he first saw Dean as Dee Bishop in Bandelero as a bad guy he was really confused because he thought it was real! I had to explain to him, again, that it was a movie and how actors pretend and that Dean Martin wasn't really a bad guy he was nice and just pretending. :)

This week.. I would like to spotlight a fun blog: I Love Dino Martin.

Hey pallies, was just searchin' the web for somethin' of Dino-note to likes shares with all you Dino-holic pallies when I came 'cross this stellar post from one of our newer pallies Dawn at one of her great bloggs, "Noir and Chick Flicks."

Wanna thanks our Dino-lovin' pallie Dawn for likes puttin' the accent on ilovedinomartin and our mission of liftin' up the name of our Dino and gettin' the Dino-legacy shared as Dino-far and Dino-wide as possible. Pallies likes Dawn certainly helps us acheive our Dino-mission to the Dino-best of our abilities!!!!

It certainly warms my Dino-heart to know that others also share in the Dino-desire of makin' our Dino known, loved, and celebrated!!!! To view this in it's original format, just clicks on the tagg of this here Dino-gram. Dino-delightedly, DMP


Tuesday, June 15, 2010
To Classic Movie Fans:





Every couple of weeks, I enjoy spotlighting others blogs that have caught my interest.. This week.. I would like to spotlight a fun blog: I Love Dino Martin.

Dino Martin Peters, Is a dude who totally digs Dino Martin...the coolest, hippest, and randiest dude to ever walk the face of this planet. Long live our Master of Hip, our King of Cool, the one, the only DINO!!!!!

Sexiest Dads of Yesteryear: Dean Martin and Sons

Hey pallies, likes how Dino-rad is this....from our pallies at LIFE comes this cool trib to the "Sexiest Dads of Yesteryear." The entry for our Dino is of our great man and his boypallies Dino Jr. and Ricci.

Our Dino's namesake is flexin' his muscles, while our Dino shows such such encouragement to his beloved boypallie with Ricci in awe of the bondin' bein' shown between the father Martin and boypallie Martin Jr.

To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-gram. Thanks to our pallies at LIFE for sharin' the sexiest daddy-o there ever was hangin' out with two of his prodigy. Dino-diggin', DMP

Sexiest Dads of Yesteryear

Dean Martin and Sons



Dino compares muscles with one of his sons in 1958, as another looks on. The Rat Packer was a father of eight -- ain't that a kick in the head?

at the site of dino's childhood home

Hey pallies, here's 'nother great pix from Dino-fest 2010 in Dino-mecca.....our Dino-devoted pallie noebie (Brian Noe) standin' on the very spot that our Dino was birthed....319 South 6th Street in Stu-ville. Such a deep deep tragedy that they tore down the home that our Dino was birthed and raised in...it certainly oughta been on the national register of historic sites.

Again, we thanks our great Dino-enthralled pallie noebie for sharin' so Dino-well his Dino-pilgrimage to the land of our Dino. To view this pix at it's original flickr site, just likes clicks on the tagg of this here Dino-gram. So, lookin' for some more Dino-prosin' and pod Dino-cast by noebie himself. Dino-anticipatin', DMP

to our beloved Dino on Daddy-o Day

Hey pallies, likes when I was growin' up as a Dean-ager I so so wanted to have our Dino as my daddy-0....likes whata coulda be better then livin' in family Martin and havin' our King of Cool as your old man.... What an amazin' priviledge it woulda be to grow up in the presence of our Dino and have him as your role model. I was so jealous of Dino Martin Jr. not only havin' our great man as his daddy-o, but also carryin' his legacy through his name.

You can absolutely see how devoted our Dino was to Dino Jr. and Dino Jr. was devoted to his daddy-o in this great vid from the Dino-show that often gets featured here at ilovedinomartin.

To our beloved Dino on Daddy-o Day.....thanks for bein' such a lovin' father and role model not just to your children, but to youth from one generation to the next who continue to gets to know, love, and honor your presence in their lives. Dino-longin', DMP

Noebie's twitterin' from Dino-fest

Hey pallies, likes here is 'nother pix from our pallie noebie's Dino-journey from his flickr pad. Well below you will find all of noebie's tweets from his twitter pad (clicks on tagg of this Dino-post to goes there).

Not only can you read all of noebie's tweets, but you can see a small pix of our Dino-devoted pallie and we learn the followin' details 'bout him....

Name Brian Noe
Location Mattoon, Illinois, USA
Web http://noebie.com...
Bio husband, papa, writer, trippy cowpunk and podcaster...cocktails anyone?

So likes if you wanna read some first-hand accounts of our pallie noebie and company's Dino-trippin' goes for it pallies. Again, thanks so much noebie man for lettin' us all pallies tagg 'long with ya on your Dino-pilgrimage to Dino-ville! Dino-devotedly, DMP






noebie




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your lists: and grammy has her picture on the front page of the steubenville herald examiner this morning (at deana's book signing) - w00t!
about 1 hour ago via web
Reply Retweet brewing more coffee for our guests who should arrive in a few minutes - picked up some asti for mimosas too
about 1 hour ago via web
Reply Retweet more on the grand theater project http://www.historicsteubenville.org/
about 3 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet scott may be the hardest working man in steubenville
about 3 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet also, i'd highly recommend any of scott dressell's properties if you're ever going to stay here http://www.bayberryproperties.com/
about 3 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet nice chat with our neighbor down the street yesterday - this guy - http://www.cityofsteubenville.us/council/ward4.html
about 3 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet lots of great energy in this community
about 3 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet reflecting on steubenville - learned this morning about efforts to save the grand theater - http://bit.ly/ckVdLV
about 3 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet girls are out for their morning walk...little one watching nick...grampy upstairs wandering around...i'm brewing coffee...sirius 75 on
about 3 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet one more shot to tweet tonight @cjnoe and drew anthony - cute couple - but don't get any ideas, drew http://flic.kr/p/8bsK24
about 11 hours ago via Flickr
Reply Retweet @javabachelor hope you play lots of dino tonight http://weft.org/stream
about 11 hours ago via web in reply to javabachelor
Reply Retweet and time to say goodnight to the steubenville moon
about 11 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet the dean-o-holics are staying a couple doors down from us - nice chat with bob from the group - http://flic.kr/p/8bw1eu
about 11 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet had a wonderful evening - met dave fortunata (city councilman here in steubenville) - nice chat - then a great evening at the spot
about 11 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet grampy and caroline (in eric delauro's fedora) http://flic.kr/p/8bw2m5
about 11 hours ago via Flickr
Reply Retweet a few more photos coming up now to http://www.flickr.com/photos/noebie/sets/72157624176951711/ great night at the spot in steubenville
about 11 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet nice nap - getting ready to head down to the spot in a bit http://www.thespotbar.com/
about 16 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet going dark here to get a nap (if i can) - have a lovely evening, tweethearts
about 18 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet mom-in-law, that is
about 18 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet we need to get her on twitter!
about 18 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet @regis_and_kelly my mom-in-law mentioned that she wished regis was here in steubenville for the festival - she says deana is truly wonderful
about 18 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet it's been a great day so far - post card and book signing events so far - nice meal of greek food - resting now and heading to the spot l8r
about 18 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet @Bubafettt you'll love this clip of deana, too http://flic.kr/p/8bo6Pc
about 19 hours ago via web in reply to Bubafettt
Reply Retweet @NancySinatra god bless you and your family this weekend (tina shares a birthday with @cjnoe 's mom, btw)
about 19 hours ago via web in reply to NancySinatra
Reply Retweet @chambanamoms thanks!
about 19 hours ago via web in reply to chambanamoms
Reply Retweet little girls love dean http://flic.kr/p/8brkXY
about 19 hours ago via Flickr
Reply Retweet met deana and john this morning - wonderful, gracious folks - heading to the book signing in a bit - more reports to come
about 22 hours ago via web
Reply Retweet @Spintown and introduces it with "ah, sweet memories of stuebenville" :^) kind of apropos to the week - nice of you to notice
1,276,870,769,000.00 via web in reply to Spintown
Reply Retweet @Spintown and introduces it with "memories of stuebenville" :^) kind of apropos to the week - nice of you to notice
1,276,870,707,000.00 via web in reply to Spintown
Reply Retweet @TheTracerBullet thanks! looks like it might have come over from england
1,276,870,579,000.00 via web in reply to TheTracerBullet
Reply Retweet photos from steubenville - more to come - http://www.flickr.com/photos/noebie/sets/72157624176951711/
1,276,864,172,000.00 via web
Reply Retweet @NancySinatra we're on the road sunday without sirius in the van, but i'll definitely want to catch the rebroadcast - loved last week's show
1,276,862,724,000.00 via web in reply to NancySinatra
Reply Retweet goodnight, moon
1,276,827,442,000.00 via web
Reply Retweet greetings from steubenville, ohio - birthplace of dino paul crocetti on june 7th, 1917 - 9 hours on the road today and ready to hit the hay
1,276,827,436,000.00 via web
Reply Retweet breakfast at grammy's - ready to get an early start on the road - next tweet, steubenville
1,276,773,710,000.00 via web

Direct from Steubenville

Hey pallies, likes as promised, here is our pallie's noebie's patter 'bout Dino-fest at his stellar blog, "The Comedic Genius Of Martin And Lewis." Gotta 'fess up that I wasn't able to gets the vid there copied here...but you can either clicks on the tagg of this Dino-gram to goes directly to noebie's post or copy the link posted where the vid is 'sposed to be and go directly to noebie's flickr vid page to view it there.

You will note that noebie has also included links to his page of Dino-pixs from the fest and well as comments at his twitter pad...I've yet to checks that out. So, again thanks pallie noebie for sharin' with the Dino-world your Dino-adventures in Dino-ville for the 2010 fest in honor of our beloved Dino! In our Dino, DMP


Friday, June 18, 2010

Direct from Steubenville

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noebie/4711974357/

We're enjoying a wonderful time in Steubenville at the annual Dean Martin Festival. You'll find occasional (almost) real time reports over on Twitter, and my most recent uploads of pictures and videos on this Flickr set.

I'll also be putting together a podcast episode in a week or so with a full recap and some audio from various events here. In the meantime, enjoy this short video from Deana Martin's book signing this afternoon. She is gracious, beautiful and (like her father) a natural wit.

Posted by Noebie at 1:09 PM

presenting dean martin!

Hey pallies, our Dino is just so good to his devoted pallies....was just askin' Dino this mornin' 'bout leadin' me to somethin' Dino-worthy to share 'bout Dino-fest 2010...and likes whens I got on the web this mornin' and checked out the google 'lerts lo and behold there was this cool link likes to a pallie's flickr collection of pixs from this weekend's Dino-festivities!

The pallie who's great pixs you can likes view by clickin' on the tagg of this Dino-gram is none other then our Dino-devoted pallie noebie of blogger fame "The Comedic Genius Of Martin And Lewis." You knows our noebie...he's like the dude who podcasts many of the ol' Martin and Lewis radio programmes for our Dino-listenin' pleasure.

So then, likes I thought I woulda checks out noebie's blogger pad, and likes there he has a vid clip from Dino-fest and some Dino-patter as well. The next post will feature our noebie's post at "The Comedic Genius Of Martin And Lewis."

But for this very Dino-moment enjoys these two pixs snapped by noebie at Dino-fest 2010 in Stu-ville. The second is truly my fav....his young girlpallie Caroline lovin' on our Dino... Thanks noebie for likes sharin' your Dino-pilgrimage with all us Dino-holics who ain't been able to journey to Dino-ville. Dino-reportin', DMP



presenting dean martin!



little girls love dean

Our Dino and company summitin' with "The Birth Of The Blues"

Hey pallies, one of ilovedinomartin's most devote Dino-holics is Mr. Andy Lim from Singapore. Yester-Dino-day Mr. Lim kindly sent me a link to view a clip of our Dino singin' "The Birth Of The Blues" at The Summit with the frankie, the Sam, and Johnny Carson. That stellar Dino-performance is below shared below.

You gotta watch our Dino grinnin' and swingin' to the beat...and then takin' the spotlight, immediately takin' a prat fall, and makin' Dino-inquiry, "Am I safe?" One thin's for sure, you just never know what our Dino is goin' to do next!

ilovedinomartin thanks our grand pallie Andy for callin' this Dino-clip to our attentionado. And, likes pallies, to visit Andy at his pad, "Singapore 60s Andy's Pop Music Influence," just click on the link of this Dino-post. Dino-appreciatively, DMP

Our Anniversary Trip To Steubenville (Part Two)

Hey pallies, as promised, here is the second half of our pallie Miss AOW's show and tell of her Dino-pilgrimage to Dino-ville with Mr. AOW for Dino-fest 2007. So kind of Miss AOW to let us share her Dino-tripin' with all us pallies here at ilovedinomartin.

Dino-fest 2010 begins tomorrow in Stu-ville and will be lookin' for some Dino-commentary on this year's Dino-celebration as well.

Thanks Miss AOW for lovin' our Dino and sharin' your Dino-devotion with all us dudes here at ilovedinomartin. And, again, I share with all you pallies Miss AOW's request to pass on to you....." I'd appreciate a mention of the fact that I'm primarily a political blotter at http://alwaysonwatch2.blogspot.com/ , but take frequent breaks from politics to keep up with nostalgia about our Dino. Oh, for the good ol' days of Dino!"

ilovedinomartin tries it's best to say a-politico, but knows that some of you pallies musta have a leanin' toward this sorta bloggin'...so likes please check's out Miss AOW's action. And, as usual, to view Miss AOW's Dino-presentation at her "AOW's Photos," just click on the tagg of this Dino-post. Dino-sharin', DMP








Next to the sign which marks the site of Dean Martin's birthplace stands a duplex. When I was in Steubenville in 2002 for Dean Martin Day, I met Francesca Monaco, who lived in one of these residences (the one on the right, I think).

Ms. Monaco saw me taking pictures of the site of Dean Martin's birthplace and came out her door, saying, "Are you a teacher? You walk like a teacher." We proceeded to converse for nearly a half hour. Ms. Monaco had been Dean Martin's teacher when he was in 10th grade! She was only a few years older than he; back in those days, when an aspiring teacher graduated from high school, in order to certify as a teacher, she didn't have to attend college, but only take a summer's worth of certification courses. I asked Ms. Monaco what kind of student Dean was, and she told me that he was quiet and intelligent, though he didn't apply himself in school.

Another interesting factoid I gleaned from Ms. Monaco, from a family of several girls: Dean's mother, a seamstress, made all her sisters' wedding dresses.

I have no idea if Ms. Monaco is still living, but the duplex where I met her is still standing:



Francesca Monaco informed me that the Crocettis lived only a few years in the house in which Dean was born. She directed me to another house in a better part of town, further from the railroad track. In this house, Dean's father worked as a barber on the first floor, and the family lived upstairs. I'm not sure if the following picture is exactly the correct address, but even if not, the building looked like this:




Sheer cliffs, showing lots of evidence of iron in the rust coloring, rise from the Ohio River on the West Virginia side:



The iron in the geological formations led to the establishment of the steel-mill industry in Steubenville. In the background of this picture, you can see the railroad track for the trains and the smokestack from one of the steel mills. I took this picture not far from the site of the previous photo:



In addition to being Dean Martin's hometown, Steubenville is famous as "The City of Murals." Here are two of those murals:

Our Anniversary Trip To Steubenville (Part One)

Hey pallies, likes all you Dino-holics knows that Dino-fest 2010 will take place on June 18-19 in Dino-mecca, Stuebenville, Ohio. Thousands of Dino-devotees will make the pilgrimage to our Dino's pad of birth to celebrate the legacy of our King of Cool. Gotta 'fess up that likes I have never ever been able to visit Stu-ville or the Dino-celebration, but oh so yearns to one day trip to the land of Dino.

In preparation for honorin' our Dino this weekend, our wonderful pallie Miss AOW has invited ilovedinomartin to share some pixs and commentary from the pilgrimage that she and Mr. AOW made to Stu-ville for Dino-fest 2007. This is the first part of a two part Dino-post that Miss AOW shared at her AOW's Photos Blog (clicks on tagg of this Dino-gram to goes there).

When graciously sendin' me the info to get's this Dino-post created, Miss AOW made this request, " I'd appreciate a mention of the fact that I'm primarily a political blotter at http://alwaysonwatch2.blogspot.com/ , but take frequent breaks from politics to keep up with nostalgia about our Dino. Oh, for the good ol' days of Dino!"

We at ilovedinomartin are delighted to honor Miss AOW's request and invite all of you pallies to checks out her politico thoughts. Am hopin' that Miss AOW will be doin' some Dino-specials for ilovedinomartin this summer...'specially hopin' that she might shares with us her take on our Dino's politico leanin's.

Thanks to Miss AOW for sharin' her pixs from Dino-mecca and looks for part two of her Dino-adventure very soon here at ilovedinomartin. Dino-delightedly, DMP








Our Anniversary Trip To Steubenville (Part One)

The following are two of the sights on Dean Martin Boulevard (Route 7), as one first approaches Steubenville:





The house where Dean Martin was born is no longer standing, but the lot is marked:



Dean Martin's home church, the church at which he was christined, was St. Anthony's of Padua. In the left foreground of the second picture below, you can see just a portion of our Mustang GT convertible. The weather was perfect, and we had the top down the entire time we were in Steubenville.

Dean's home church today looks as it did when Dean was baptized:





One of the reasons that we went to Steubenville this year is that we knew that Tom Stevens would be appearing. Of course, there will never be another Dean Martin, but, in my opionion, Tom is the best of the Dean impersonators. Deana Martin herself says that her seeing Tom makes her do a doubletake:



You can learn more about Tom Stevens HERE.

Dino-competition

Hey pallies, likes found this new 'net pad tagged "ibeatyou" with some cool Dino-action of some rad Dino-competition. Clicks on the tagg of this here Dino-gram and you will lands at "ibeatyou" where you will be able to vote for your fav Dino-vid.

I just couldn't resist enterin' our Dino's amazin' vid of "Since I Met You, Baby" in this Dino-contest and of course woulda loves to have all you pallies support my Dino-choice, but likes whatever Dino-clip yous votes for....our Dino is always the winner....and of course, that simply is as it Dino-oughta be!\

You will note that currently "Since I Met You, Baby" is likes in FIRST PLACE!!!!!

Thanks to the pallies at "ibeatyou" for creatin' this Dino-competition...and likes alls I can say pallies is VOTE DINO!!!! Dino-changed, DMP



DEAN MARTIN
ONE VIDEO. ONE ENTRY. NO REPEATS.

Comments From Jayme Wing, The Vid Editor of our Dino's "Since I Met You, Baby"

Hey pallies, likes y'all knows how much I loves to explore the internet for more and more Dino-knowledge for all us pallies Dino-edification. Well, this very Dino-weekend I was able to uncover some way cool Dino-information 'bout the creation of our Dino's one and only music vid, "Since I Met You, Baby."

Among the youtube comments made 'bout "Since I Met You, Baby" are two from the very video editor that was responsible for the Dino-creation. Jayme Wing is the creative genius behind this historic Dino-vid and you can soak in his Dino-reflections below.
Does have a personal message sent Mr. Wing's way in hopes that he may just consent to do an interview here at ilovedinomartin so that we can learn even more 'bout the makin' of this amazin' Dino-event. To view Mr. Wing's comments in their original format, likes just clicks on the tagg of this here Dino-message. Dino-researchin', DMP




My name is Jayme Wing and I am the editor who created this video. I did all the offline and on line editing and all the matte effects and design. It contains my trademark red dot. This video was done in the mid 1980's. All of the effects you see in this video were done using an analog video switcher while playing back multiple 1" video tape machines. We did not have any software based effects. This video was shot on video tape instead of 16 or 35mm film.

Some of the effects you see in the video were created to mask camera exposure problems and other issues. It took about a month to make this video. Man, I had a great time making this video. Thanks Dino!

"And yes, that's when I fell madly, deeply in love with Dino for life."

Hey pallies, ilovedinomartin returns to the cool blog "What We Are Watching On TV" to share more from Gilby 'bout her Dino-deep Dino-devotion. From the post, "OUR 100th POST!! GILBY'S FAVORITE TV MEMORIES" we read more of how Miss Gilby's grannie gots her turned on to our beloved Dino.

We congratulate "What We Are Watching On TV" for makin' it to 100 postin's and for helpin' others to come to fall madly, deeply in love with our Dino! To view this post in it's original format, just clicks on the tagg of this Dino-gram. Dino-sharin', DMP


TV was also bonding time for me and my Grandma Gilbert. It was Grandma who introduced to Dean Martin. The Dean Martin Show and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast were regular viewing at grandma's house. And yes, that's when I fell madly, deeply in love with Dino for life. His natural charisma and ability to gather the best performers of the day made his shows special. He could sing, dance, or tell jokes. To this day, Dean Martin is the best all around entertainer of all time to me!

Dean Martin Signed Bank Note - Special Framed!! NICE! - $45 (New Orleans, La )

Hey pallies, likes this is a first for ilovedinomartin....a Dino-item from Craig's List (clicks on tagg of this here Dino-post to goes to the original site). Coulda this possibly be true.....a Dino-document for only 45 bucks and in a special frame.

You will note the pixs below that shows how the Dino-note has been framed. This certainly has to be too Dino-good to be Dino-true....but it certainly shows 'nother way that our Dino is bein' lifted up and remembered....and all you true Dino-holics likes knows the amazin' power of our Dino to use even this probable hoax to helps brings others to know, love, and celebrate our beloved Dino!

What d'ya thinks of this Dino-treasure pallies....fact...or fiction...certainly lookin' forward to any and all Dino-patter on this Dino-matter. Dino-sharin', DMP


Dean Martin Signed Bank Note - Special Framed!! NICE! - $45 (New Orleans, La )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2010-06-11, 12:09PM PDT
Reply to: sale-4cnjb-1787001396@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dean Martin Signed Bank Note - Special Framed!! NICE! .............................................. We do accept PayPal and ship if needed. (504) 655-4194 or (504) 655-4238

This is Dean's Personal Bank Loan Document... A GREAT COLLECTIABLE ITEM - Mr Dean Martin!!!!

This loan document is signed by Dean Martin and matches his signature spot on. The document from 1964 is vintage Dean Martin and has been specially double matted and framed for viewing both sides of the loan document. The document also has the bank stamps on it.

CROONER, ACTOR AND COMEDY PARTNER TO JERRY LEWIS. BETWEEN 1949 AND 1956 DEAN MARTIN MADE 16 FILMS AS THE SINGING STRAIGHT MAN TO PARTNER JERRY LEWIS; THE TWO WERE ONE OF THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT ACTS OF THE ERA. AS WELL AS FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE "RAT PACK," A GROUP OF ENTERTAINERS-INCLUDING FRANK SINATRA, SAMMY DAVIS JR, JOEY BISHOP AND PETER LAWFORD -WHO PERFORMED TOGETHER IN LAS VEGAS AND TEAMED UP IN SEVERAL FILMS IN THE EARLY 1960'S.

Vintage Dean Martin document!!

The loan document is signed by Dean Martin and matches his signature spot on. The document from 1964 is vintage Dean Martin and has been specially double matted and framed for viewing both sides of the loan document. The document also has the bank stamps on it.

I can send you some photos of the loan document if you are interested:

Drawn on: City National Bank of Beverly Hills

Dated 1/7/1964 for 350,000.00
All hardware installed for hanging this rare collectible ....Very nice RARE Vintage Item from 1964 .....
Our prices are very good. If you want to check out my other ads, just put my phone number in the search screen EXACTLY like this (504) 655-4194 under the sale category.
Please e-mail me if you would like me to e-mail you a photo for a closer look at the loan document.


Thanks!!


Location: New Orleans, La
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
OK to contact me about appearing in CL documentary series

Dean Martin Was The King Of Cool

Hey pallies, the Dino-celebratin' continues all over the web in honor of our Dino's date of birth. This here Dino-gram comes from a pad tagged Squidoo Lens Reviews and is done by a Dino-hearted lady tagged BevsPaper (clicks on title of this Dino-post to goes directly there).

Couldn't agree more when Miss Bev sez "Even after 15 years of him leaving this earth, I think he still reigns as the King of Cool. So it is likes very curious that she tagged her Dino-prose, "Dean Martin Was The King Of Cool." Anywho it's very clear from her writin' that she is one sold old chick to our beloved Dino!

Loves most when Miss Bev writes how much her 4 year old grand-pallie Isabel diggs our great man...indeed how refreshin' it is to find so many of todays wee ones turnin' on to the Dino-sound at likes such a very tender age. Hats off to Miss Bev for helpin' her sweet grand-pallie gets Dino-adorin' so so early in her life!

ilovedinomartin sends our Dino-appreicato off to Miss Bev and her delightful Dino-trib to our King of Cool....thanks so much for not only spreadin' some Dino-love 'round your fam, but helpin' others to comes to know, love, and embrace our beloved Dino!!!! Dino-only-focused, DMP


Squidoo Lens Reviews

The best writing on Squidoo. Reviewed by some of the best writers on Squidoo.

Written on June 8, 2010 at 8:00 am by BevsPaper

Dean Martin Was The King Of Cool

Dean Martin would have celebrated his 93rd birthday yesterday if he were still with us. Even after 15 years of him leaving this earth, I think he still reigns as the King of Cool. At least, he still does in my eyes. The man could sing, act, and was the funniest straight man ever to grace the stage. As a member of the Rat Pack he hung out with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. With a number of infamous antics these guys defined cool when I was a kid. I wonder what Dean would think about the entertainers now that are going back to his and Frank's style of singing.

As I was preparing for my post this week, I started to scout around for an article that paid tribute to my favorite Italian-American singer. I found a few but thought that Sami4u did the best job of portraying Dino. Her article Dean Martin – The King of Cool really gives some nice biographical information about Dean along with a nice video of him singing "That's Amore". I am not sure of the age of Sami but from her picture she definitely looks too young to have been able to experience his heyday of fame like this old broad did. So, for her to recognize Dean Martin as the epitome of cool is well…COOL!

Dean Martin's music just makes me smile when I hear it. He could sing a romantic ballad just as well as something light hearted and fun. I think it is wonderful that many of today's young people have embraced Dino's music too. When my little granddaughter, Isabel, comes for a visit we love to dance to a variety of music. In an afternoon we may listen to Lady Gaga, Cher, and Dean Martin. Her two favorites by Dean are "Sway" (one of Grandma's favorites too!) and "Mambo Italiano". My daughter laughs and says that they can be riding in the car and suddenly Isabel breaks out in a chorus of "Hey Mambo, Mambo Italiano. Go Go Joe". What a riot! By the way, Isabel is 4 years old and like Sami4u and me she knows good music when she hears it.

Visit Dean Martin King of Cool

Mr. Harris & Mr. Martin

Hey pallies, likes our Dino-bro Otto Bruno at his self-tagged blog (clicks on tagg of this Dino-gram to goes there) continues to put the accent on our Dino with this great post featurin' patter 'bout our Dino and Mr. Phil Harris....includin' that stellar clip from the Dino-show where our Dino and Mr. Phil "enjoy a little toddy for the body."

Thanks to our pallie Otto for spreadin' more and more Dino-love at his pad. Dino-delightedly, DMP

Mr. Harris & Mr. Martin

June 11th, 2010 | Classic Radio, Random Musings

I was thinking this morning, as I often do, about the late, great, Phil Harris. Mr. Harris is not as well remembered today as say, the man for whom he worked for so many years, Jack Benny. Harris was the bandleader on the Jack Benny radio show for about seventeen years. His popularity on the Benny program led to his own show on radio with his lovely wife Alice Faye. Following his successful twenty year radio career he occupied his time doing some voice work – most famously as Thomas O’Malley Cat in Disney’s The Aristocats and Baloo the Bear in Disney’s The Jungle Book.

If ever there was a name that didn’t fit with the image of Disney, it was Phil Harris. As Frank or Dean used to say, if there had been an Olympic U.S. Drinking Team, it would have consisted of Frank, Dean, Jackie Gleason, Phil Harris and maybe Toots Shor. That’s why the pairing of Phil Harris and Dean Martin was such a natural – both played the parts of good-time boys looking to avoid hard work and sit back and enjoy a little toddy for the body.

Dino at work

Hey pallies, on this day where ilovedinomartin has been blessed to receive muchDino-appreciato from Mr. Otto Bruno for our Dino-work, seems very Dino-appropriate to shares 'nother Dino-post from Mr. Bruno. Usin' the tagg "Dino at work" our Dino-holic pallie Otto shares one of the finest moments recorded in Dino-history...a clip of our Dino doin' that 1965 Benefit Concert in St. Louie with pals frankie and the Sam.

Truly our Dino know how to work a crowd without hardly workin'...if you catch my Dino-drift. Enjoys some more Dino-magic and thanks Mr. Bruno for bein' such a devoted fan of our beloved Dino. To view this in it's original format, as usual, just click on the tagg of this here Dino-gram. Dino-diggin', DMP


Dino at work

June 8th, 2010 | Uncategorized

Here’s a wonderful clip of Dean from the 1965 benefit concert in St. Louis. You’ll hear Frank from backstage at the beginning of the clip. When Frank, Dean and Sammy worked together, the order was usually Dean opening the show followed by Sammy and then finishing with Frank. Once Frank was through with his set, all three would goof around on stage together for about fifteen minutes to finish the program.

Ilovedinomartin

Hey pallies, our Dino is truly all 'bout amore, and likes I wanna shares with you a truly Dino-heartwarmin' post with all you Dino-philes today from our new pallie Mr. Ott Bruno. As faithful readers of ilovedinomartin will remember Mr. Bruno posted 'bout his Dino-amore on Monday at his blog "Otto Bruno" in remembrance of our Dino's date of birth.

The good folks at google 'lerted me 'bout this spectacular Dino-prose and I dropped his some Dino-patter of thanks and on Tuesday shared this words of Dino-devotion will all the pallies here.

Well, today Mr. Otto so very graciously has shared the Dino-post below with his faithful readers givin' the Dino-nod to our humble little ilovedinomartin Dino-blog. I wanna thanks the pallies who took the time to personally thank Mr. Bruno for his Dino-devotion, and indeed for all the pallies who when over to Otto's pad to read his personal Dino-testimonal..

ilovedinomartin says our thanks to Mr. Otto Bruno for lettin' his readers know 'bout our passion for our Dino here at ilovedinomartin....it is so refreshin' to know that there are others out there in the "Dinosphere" who wants to spread more and more Dino-amore 'round the globe. Dino-heartfeltly, DMP btw, loves the Dino-pix that Mr. Bruno has used to accent 'bout ilovedinomartin and, as usual pallies, just click on the tagg of this Dino-gram to goes to Mr. Otto's.

Ilovedinomartin

June 10th, 2010 | Uncategorized

I’ve received a good bit of traffic and love this week from the folks at the ilovedinomartin blog. This was all in response to the Dean Martin posts I put up on Dean’s birthday and the day after. I want to thank everyone from the Dinosphere and invite them to drop by anytime. If you want to see a cool site devoted entirely to the worship of Dino, check it out at ilovedinomartin.

Dean Martin – Happy Birthday Dino Vino!

Hey pallies, truly can't tells you in mere words the thrill I gets to see so much love flowin' our Dino's way from so many fans from so many places. Case in point...Mr. Ott Bruno at his self-tagged blog ottobruno shares the followin' Dino-prose in honor of our beloved Dino on the anniverary of his birth (likes clicks on tagg of this Dino-gram to goes directly there).

Mr. Bruno's Dino-essay is so jammed with Dino-love it simply brings tremendous energy to this Dino-heart of mine. Mr. Bruno speaks of often havin' to sneak a peek at our Dino on Thursday nights when he was not quite a Deanager in age. And as you will read Otto also tells the true story of how one Dino-night he simply had to leave a BB game before it was over so that he wouldn't miss a single moment of one of our Dino's amazin' roasts.

To read Mr. Otto Bruno's Dino-essay is to read the amazin' impact that our beloved Dino had on one young man durin' is formative growin' up years. Now multiply that by the tens of thousands of young men, like myself, who have had quite similiar Dino-experiences over the decades. The impact that our Dino has had on youth for decades and decades is likes totally amazin' to say the least.

Loves the classic Dino-pixs that Bruno has used to enhance his Dino-devotion as well. Thanks Mr. Otto Bruno for sharin' your Dino-testimony and helpin' more and more pallies to comes to know, love, and embrace likes total total Dino-devotion!!!! Dino-embracin', DMP



Dean Martin – Happy Birthday Dino Vino!

June 7th, 2010 | Classic Television, Italian America



One of the great TV shows of my childhood was The Dean Martin Show – an hour of variety television filled with the biggest stars in all of Hollywood. Most of the time, I’d have to sneak a look at it on the old black and white TV in my bedroom keeping the sound really low and sitting right up close to the screen so no one would hear. Once in a while, probably school vacations and such, my dad would let me stay up to watch the show with him and my mom. He would make us all popcorn and we’d sit and laugh at Dean’s exploits and enjoy the wonderful music. Undoubtedly, I didn’t understand all of the jokes but Dino’s humor was always accompanied by a mischievous smile and twinkle of the eye that made it obvious to even the youngest viewer that this guy, as my mom used to say, was a rascal.



After seven years of Dean’s variety show (1965-1972), NBC shifted the format to The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. These were basically “cleaned up” versions of the ribald dinners that The Friar’s Club used to host in the private confines of their New York and Los Angeles establishments. The format meant even less work for Dean, if that was possible, and much less in production costs for NBC. The roasts became a Friday night ritual at 9:00 p.m. just as the variety show had been on Thursday nights.

I remember one particular Friday evening when I was down the street in the vacant lot where we kids used to play baseball, football and other assorted games. My friends and I were in the very late innings of a tight baseball game. All of a sudden I remembered what night it was and yelled out “What time is it?” My friend Dean (who was actually named after Dean Martin – I swear it!) answered “It’s ten to nine.” “Oh my God,” I replied. “I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I ran home with their angry cries of disbelief echoing in my ears. I ran into the house, up the stairs, took the fastest shower in history and was downstairs in front of the television just as the picture of the MGM Grand flashed up on the tiny screen.



I was growing older and beginning to appreciate more of the humor of these adults who, to me, were the coolest people on the planet. More importantly, I felt like I was one of the guys – Frank, Dean, Sammy, Don Rickles, Orson Welles, Danny Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Joey Bishop. These were my idols and I felt a fraternity with them through these weekly gatherings. Before, and especially after, my dad’s death in 1976 (I was 12 yrs old) I thought of these gentleman as a second echelon of uncles – I adored them all.

The one great gift of technology for me is that it can bring the past back to us. I was thrilled beyond words when many of the old Dean Martin TV shows and roasts were made available on video and then DVD. Even if you didn’t buy them all like I did, you must have seen the infomercials – entertaining in and of themselves – which feature clips from a variety of the shows. The clips from these shows are like a visual encyclopedia of American entertainment in the twentieth century. All the giants are represented: Sinatra, Jack Benny, George Burns, Jackie Gleason, Phil Silvers, Lucille Ball, Rosemary Clooney, Jimmy Stewart, Lena Horne, Milton Berle, Alice Faye, Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr. and the list goes on and on. In the center of it all is Dino, the glue that held it all together.



Dean Martin may well be one of the most underrated stars of our time for the simple reason that his act was to appear drunk, lazy and detached. He did his job so well that people believed he really was nothing more than a drunken stumble bum albeit a charming one. He played this character with such aplomb that most of us, including many critics, failed to notice what a brilliant entertainer he was. His ex-partner, the woefully overrated French icon Jerry Lewis, has said numerous times that Dean Martin was the greatest straight man in the history of comedy. This is a sentiment shared by many comedians and straight men alike. The fact of the matter is that in addition to being a brilliant straight man, Dean had the flexibility and talent to be a wonderfully funny comedian as well. Many stars from Angie Dickinson to Don Rickles to Regis Philbin have all acknowledged what a truly funny man Dean was offstage.



If you watch the Dean Martin roasts today they are somewhat dated and stale. (Most of the variety shows, however, hold up very well – particularly the early ones.) Most of the insults and jokes of the participants in the roasts were provided by Dean’s writers. Reportedly, only Don Rickles and Jonathan Winters had free rein to do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Yet in the case of Dean, even when simply reading the cue cards, he provides the humor more often, and more deftly, than most of the guests.

One other testament to either the depth of Dean’s talent or the fact that he’s a beloved and recognizable icon that bridges the generations is the fact that his character would never be successful in today’s world. Our present society’s problems and concerns with alcoholism, drunk driving and substance abuse would render the characterization of the happy-go-lucky drunk as not only politically incorrect but terribly irresponsible. Even so, when you watch Dean today, you still smile. The thought is, “Oh, that’s just Dean. He’s such a cute little rascal”

Let’s not forget that Dean was a fine vocalist as well – when he wanted to be. While I don’t think Dean was the lazy drunk that his character seemed to be, I do think it’s true he didn’t have the same ambition or drive like his pally Frank Sinatra. Even so, Dean was one of the top singers from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s. His satisfaction at being the first singer to knock The Beatles off the top of the Billboard charts in 1964 with Everybody Loves Somebody is further proof that he did actually care about his work and his legacy.



The most amazing and telling statistic of the Dean Martin story is that Dino is as popular today, almost fifteen years after his death, as ever before. His CDs sell like hotcakes and his fans range in age from one to ninety-two. Like fine wine, “Dino Vino” seems to just get better and better as the years go by. Happy Birthday Dean!