Hey pallies, likes June is almost through, but likes I just wanna add one more bit of Dino-birthday celebratin' that likes I just discovered. After our pallie Miss Ellie left such a nice Dino-comment, I went over to her blog, "Randomness," to see if I had missed any Dino-action on her part.
And, likes indeed, I discovered Ellie's one and only post for June...and likes how appropo....a very nice little bit of Dino-homagin'...."Happy Birthday to the great Dean Martin!" It includes 3 vibrant Dino-poses....so so loves the middle one for Dino-sure...our great man looks just so great in that pix...and a great Dino-vid clip featurin' a bunch of great Dino-tunes from the Dino-show.
Kudos to our Dino-holic of Dino-holics Miss Ellie for spreadin' some lovin' Dino-devotion at her blog...likes never ever can gets 'nough devotion to our Dino! To view this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Happy Birthday to the great Dean Martin!
♥ Happy Birthday, Dino Baby! ♥
Dean Martin will always have a special place in my heart. He also had this charming sense of humor. He will forever be The King of Cool! ♥
Hey pallies, likes we return yet 'nother time today to our Deanager R.C.'s blog, "The Shades Of Black And White" for yet 'nother of this Dino-lovin' youngen's reviews of a classic Dino-flick. This time Miss R.C. has taken on the task of commentin' on that resoundin' Dino-success, "The Young Lions."
R.C. shares a bit of the history surroundin' how our great man gots to play in this great film...always loves how our most beloved Dino "assured his manager that he'd do it ("The Young Lions") for nothing." Our Dino had a hunch that if he coulda star in a flick with pallies like Brando and Clift, it woulda gives a huge boost to his career....and, Dino's hunch played off big time!
Miss R.C. does her usual stellar job of matchin' words with pixs to create an all-'round great review of "The Young Lions." She does a great job of sharin' some of the behind-the-scenes support that Brando and Clift offered our great man to make sure that he was in the picture and was able to give it his all.
Dino-appreciato to Deanager R.C. for spendin' the month of June at her blog homagin' our Dino, includin' her three outstandin' movie reviews shared here at ilovedinomartin. To view her work in it's original format, as usual, just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Keeps lovin' our most beloved Dino! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Film Review: The Young Lions (1958)
IMDb: The destiny of three soldiers during World War II. The German officer Christian Diestl approves less and less of the war. Jewish-American Noah Ackerman deals with anti-Semitism at home and in the army while entertainer Michael Whiteacre transforms from playboy to hero.
When Martin and Lewis split up after ten successful years of partnership, many were distressed about the break-up, though not too many--if any at all--were worried about the Lewis half, but everyone worried about the Martin half. They just didn't think he was going to make it, after all Jerry was the funny one; he had all the talent. Dean's first film after the break-up, Ten Thousand Bedrooms, seemed to spell out the end of his career when it failed to capture the attention of both the audience and the critics. It's a weak film with an overused and worn premise, that gives one the feeling that Jerry Lewis is going to pop out of nowhere, and exclaim in that "Idiot" voice of his, "Sorry, I'm late!" And the fact that the film shows off no one's talent, it's quite obvious as to why the picture failed. (I nonetheless enjoyed it because, well, hello, it's Dean; and if you truly love someone, anyone, you love everything they did--even the duds.) Through the grace of God, Dean got a call one day as he was laying in his bed from his manager, Mort Viner, who asked: "Would you mind working with Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift?" Dean's classic reply? "Are you drunk? Would I mind? I'd love it!" His manager went onto inform him that he'd have to take a big cut whereas he got $250,000 for Ten Thousand Bedrooms, he'd only get $20,000 for a film called the Young Lions. Dean assured his manager that he'd do it for nothing. Anyone that has seen the film would tell you, as Dean himself did, it was well worth it. The role which had at first been promised to Tony Randall, showed and proved to everybody that Dean could act. It cemented his stature as an actor--and also that he could, and would, make it without Jerry Lewis.
Even before he landed the role as carefree entertainer, Michael Whiteacre, Dean still had to jump over one last hurdle; the producer of The Young Lions didn't want him; after all, he had failed to hold up a picture of his own, who's to say that it wouldn't happen again? I guess, to be objective about the whole thing, it's understandable as to why they didn't want him. Luckily, Dean had two people on his side that I'm sure surprised everybody, including Dean: Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando. Amazingly, they refused to begin the film without him, and not wanting to hold up production, the head honchos finally relented, and Dean was officially a part of the cast of The Young Lions which was based off the novel of the same name by Irwin Shaw.
That wasn't the only thing that they did for Dean either. Until this point, Dean had never done anything heavy; nothing that had really required him to do anything more than parrot something back that someone (namely Jerry Lewis) had said. And so, Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift helped Dean. I don't know exactly what they taught him, but if anything I don't think they taught him so much as how to act because Dean, deep down already knew how to do that; no, I think they taught him how to react. Dean had impeccable comedic timing, and I think they just honed that into a different sort of timing that Dean would use for the rest of his career. And so with Dean's talent (the largest part of it) and Marlon's and Montgomery's kindness and consideration, Dean went on to knock the socks of all his doubters, and show them all that he really could act.
In Michael Whiteacre, Dean found one of his most complex roles. Mike, to be blunt, is a coward. He knows it and everyone else does, too. His reason for being a coward is a plain one. It is an honest one. He doesn't want to get shot, and he doesn't want to die. No one wants to get shot or die, so can he really be blamed for being a coward? I don't think so, and I'm not saying that just because it's Dean. It takes a very courageous man (or woman) to go fight in any war in any type of position, and, in my book, it takes a courageous man (or woman) to admit that he doesn't want to get shot and that he's a "coward". For those that believe that you can't be brave while also being a coward, Michael does go onto redeem himself in not only everybody else's eyes, but his own, too.
When anyone ever asks me what film they should watch if they are just being introduced to Dean, this film is ALWAYS on my list. The film is just that good, and Dean is just that amazing in it. Though he's not really known for his dramatic works, it should be noted that he was absolutely magnificent in them. If The Young Lions should be remembered for anything, it should be remembered for Dean's performance (not that Montgomery and Marlon weren't excellent in it because--uh, well, hello--they were). When I got this film, I expected him to be good; after all, I had read a lot of reviews on the film that said he was, but I didn't expect him to be as good in it as he really was.
Though I recommend this film to all, I will warn you that it does get slightly slow and maybe a tad boring in a few spots, but believe me, it doesn't stay that way. It's a terrific film to watch even if you're not a fan of Dean's, Montgomery's, or Marlon's. I give this picture a 3.5/4 stars.
(As a side note, I would like to point out if this film compels you to read the massive novel of the same name by Irwin Shaw, there are key differences between the two medias. I read the book before I watched the film, and the differences are noticeable, though a majority of them are minor; except two major ones, but I'm not going to tell them to you because I wouldn't want to ruin the picture for you, or the book. In the end, you'll probably hate one and love the other.)
Hey pallies, likes all you dudes knows how much I digs the fact that our Dino, as he grew older, simply loved to "put the accent on youth," and thus how cool it is to feature 'nother of today's youth who is puttin' the accent on our Dino!
Today we visit with Miss Ruth Nineke at her blog, "notes of a writer & a romantic," where Nineke proclaims to the entire universe that she " fell in love with Dean Martin in 2004." Miss Ruth's bio tells us that she "is a native New Yorker. She started spelling three and four syllable words in the mean afterschool program of one of BK's finest catholic schools when she was just in kindergarten, serving detention with her troublesome 7th grade big sister. Creative Writing assignments were slaughtered from day one and rarely was she ever without a book in hand; from 1st grade to 12th. After high school romance novels were replaced with bottle necks and cigarettes, and after that marble notebooks and black ink pens."
Indeed if you investigate Miss Nineke's blog pad, you find that she is a often published author of fiction as well as poetry. The quality of her writin' is made clear by the wondrous way she writes 'bout our most beloved Dino..."Dean Martin's voice is like a male siren's call to a fantastic corner of time, where I can slip in and forget the shadiness that permeates the present world, from global politics to personal acquaintances."
ilovedinomartin is pumped to be able to share with all you pallies 'nother youthful talented professional who is passionately pure in her devotion of our great man. Simply thrillin' to learn of 'nother up-and-comin' lady who is likes totally totally sold out to our Dino.
Kudos to Miss Ruth Nieneke for sharin' her deep and true lovin' of our Dino with her readership. To read this in it's original format, just clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Keeps lovin' our lovable Dino! Dino-fevered, DMP
Ruth Nineke Morning Wood: Dean Martin
Posted by Ruth N.
That's a real fine quality-looking sweater, huh?
THIS GUY! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I don't even really need to write about what makes him a babe. First of all it'd be kinda weird to start swooning over his tan, smile, or thick head of hair considering he's been dead for 17 years. But, I'm not completely superficial, you know. Most of what makes a babe a babe is their talent and personality.
I fell in love with Dean Martin in 2004 when I discovered the Rat Pack and played their songs all spring and summer long. These guys were straight up alcoholic goofballs. Kudos to them for getting paid to be sloshy, while chain smoking, and singing. I mean, if that isn't the dream, I don't know what is. And what's more attractive than a talented guy who knows how to let loose and have a good time? What's more attractive than anybody enjoying themselves?
I'm a romantic old soul. Romantic crooning from your grandmother's hayday is all sorts of right up my alley. I mean where is the ROMANCE in music today? Sure there's the Romantic style of art of which I'm clearly a student and participant, but what about the Romance of love-making, or sweet seduction, or deep, heart-felt, heady, intoxicating infatuation? Where are the singers with strong voices and slow gentle delivery? I mean these lyrics:
"How I love to hear the choir in the chapel, in the moonlight as they sing 'oh, promise me, forever be mine.'"
"I'd cry like a baby if you told me good-bye. I'd feel like a snowball on the 4th of July. If you ever said you were leaving for good, I'd weep like a weeping willow, honest I would."
"If you'a gonna be a square you'a ainta gonna go nowhere."
"Don't wonder if you want to come back, just come running home to me and let me feel that thrill. Cause I'm the one who told you I would love you till forever, and I will."
I know the oldies glamorize the past and make things seem different than they were, but I think everyone's memories are always a little rose-tinted, sprinkled with the pixie-dust of the past perfect subjunctive. We want to be able to remember what was, and what's gone in the most beautiful and ideal light possible, whether or not it was always that way. Sometimes, when I listen to old music it's easier to imagine a sweet, and lovely life filled with good, clean fun and lots of easy-going folly, etc.
Dean Martin's voice is like a male siren's call to a fantastic corner of time, where I can slip in and forget the shadiness that permeates the present world, from global politics to personal acquaintances. Imaginary boners for Dean.
Hey pallies, just couldn't wait to share this Dino-kindness with all you dudes. A few ago ilovedinomartin visited "The Wishing Star" blog where a great lady tagged Jeannine a cool Dino-remembrance puttin' the accent on our Dino as Matt Helm after findin' a very very cool smoke set in her china cabinet. Well, likes just had to reblog it here to share with all you pallies (see Saturday, June 23).
Well, this very Dino-day Miss Jeannine in her post TOT - TEN ON TUESDAY shared her ilovedinomartin experience with all her readership, speakin' ever so kindly 'bout this humble little Dino-blog and encouragin' her readers to checks us all...now that is so so very very cool!
ilovedinomartin expresses our deepest Dino-appreciato to Miss Jeannine for such a deep expression of true Dinopalliedom in puttin' her pallies on to our humble homagin' of our most beloved Dino. To read her thoughts in it's original format, simply click on the tag of these Dino-thoughts. Dino-delightedly, DMP
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
175/365
TOT - TEN ON TUESDAY
1. I was surprisingly re-blogged a few days ago... it was on a Dean Martin tribute site. Ain't that a kick in the head!? I don't know how many other Dean Martin blogs there are but I can almost guarantee this is the best! Check it out - really good DM stuff. Click here to visit "I Love Dino Martin."
Hey pallies, likes we all knows that devotion to our most beloved Dino transcends all times, all ages, all cultures....and today's post is simply proof postive of this absolute Dino-truth. From the legal chick blog, "IntLawGrrls" we learn of Mme Soong, native of Shanghai born in 1893 and, "whose good works earned her the title of China's Honorary President."
Seems that a lady who writes for this blog, Miss Diane Marie Amann, had the good fortune while in Shanghai of tourin' Mme Soong's former villa and discovered "her appreciation of finer things"......"the soft carpeting throughout the house, the limousines in the garage, the roses and century-old camphor trees in the garden," and "her collection of record albums (seems she was a Dean Martin fan)."
Likes how totally totally rad is that...this very highly educated and refined Chinese lady Mme Soong loved our Dino! Again, showin' the unique universality of Dino-devotion! Likes I was simply thrilled to find this Dino-mention in the blog post below...'cause it's so so wonderful to honor the international acclaim of our King of Cool.
Kudos to Miss Diane Marie Amann for puttin' us on to this amazin' Dino-detail..it certainly will make the day of all of us who tags ourselves Dino-holics. Likes to read this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Mme Soong
SHANGHAI – It is so easy to get lost in this city, where every subway seems to have a dozen exits, where numbers on many streets seem to follow a nonsequential drummer. On one day that led to serendipity; to be precise, to the villa at left, once called home by a woman whose good works earned her the title of China's Honorary President. Her name was Soong Ching Ling. Born in 1893 to wealthy Shanghai parents who sent her and her 2 sisters to the city's McTyeire School for Girls, then on to their teacher's alma mater, Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. On returning home, the 22 year old married a much older man, the Nationalist Chinese leader Sun Yat-sen. At first Soong too was active in the Nationalist movement, but after her husband died and the movement expelled Communists, she broke with its leader – Chiang Kai-shek, husband of her sister Soong Mei Ling – and moved to Moscow. When war broke out in the late '30s, Soong Ching Ling came home and immersed herself in humanitarian work. The Chinese Defense League she founded exists to this day – known as the China Welfare Institute, it focuses on health care, education, and family and women's issue. A kindergarten and hospital are among the institutions named after her. Holding titles of Chairman from 1968 to 1972 and President in 1981, Soong Ching Ling is the only woman to have served as head of state in the People's Republic of China. Her support for post-World War II China is evident at this 2-story whitewashed residence, located at No. 1843 in Huai Hai Zhong Lu, on what's now a busy street in Shanghai's former French Concession.
Her books, like The Struggle for New China (1952), may be found not far from the Stalin Peace Prize awarded her by the Soviet Union (right). Also evident is her appreciation of finer things – the soft carpeting throughout the house, her collection of record albums (seems she was a Dean Martin fan), the limousines in the garage, the roses and century-old camphor trees in the garden. For the traveler today no less than for the great woman, who died in 1981, the home is a welcome respite from the hubbub of this metropolis of 23 million.
Hey pallies, likes as promised we return 'gain this very Dino-day to our lovin' Deanager, Miss R.C.'s blog, "The Shades Of Black And White," for her wonderful words of wisdom on that classic Dino-musicale, "Bells Are Ringing." This amazin' youthful Dino-devotee 'gain captures in words, pixs, and vids the pure delight of our most beloved Dino starrin' with the sensational Miss Judy Holliday in this big screen musical romp.
It is obvious that R.C. and I are of like minds when it comes to "Bells." We loves our Dino...and we loves Miss Judy as well. Couldn't agree more with R.C. when she pontificates...."It's fun; it's hilarious; the music is beautiful.." And, I could go on and on, but I wants you to read this Dino-philes review for yourselves dudes!
Again, ilovedinomartin thanks Miss R.C. for her amazin' passion for our Dino and for her unabashed way of lettin' her readership know of her affection for our most wonderful man. To read Miss R.C. thoughts in their orginal form, as usual, just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. And stay tuned right here 'cause I'm sure we'll be sharin' more of this Dino-lass's Dino-reflections real real soon! Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Wednesday, June 6, 2012Film Review: Bells Are Ringing (1960)
TCMDb: An answering service operator gets mixed up in her clients' lives.
If I were asked to name my favorite musical, it'd be, without one single doubt, Bells Are Ringing with Dean Martin and Judy Holliday. This is just one of the best musicals ever made, in my opinion. It's fun; it's hilarious; the music is beautiful (minus the terrible "Midas Touch",b but that was meant to be bad) and/or worthy of a good sing-along (no one can tell me they don't sing along sometimes with these musicals). Known for very colorful and bold musicals, director Vincente Minnelli does not fail here either. Bells Are Ringing is not only pleasing to the ears, but also to the eyes. The colors are bold, and they call out to you, but they are not so bold that they become obnoxious within the first ten minutes of viewing time. Instead, they keep you awake and thinking, "Ooh, what pretty colors." Maybe, as some critics would say, it does have a weak or rather silly plot, but I could careless what the critics think because I'm not one . . . or rather I'm not a professional critics, and as I've continue to discover, the critics aren't always right. What they pan as a terrible movie, turns out pretty gosh darn well, and then sometimes the ones they are absolutely head-over-heels for turns out to be pretty bad to me. Despite the fact that they think the plot is weak, they still think that Bells Are Ringing is a pretty good picture, Leonard Maltin giving it a 3/4 stars (I knew there was a reason why I liked him . . .).
Basically, the whole premise of the film is that Ella Peterson, played by the lovely Judy Holliday, works at her cousin, Sue's, phone operating business, and though she's not suppose to, she does more than just give and take messages for the customers. She gets to know them, and does personal favors for them such as pretending to be Santa Claus for one mother who has a hard time getting her son Timmy (who sounds a lot like a little girl) to eat his spinach. Or, in the case of Madame Grimaldi, gives her a mustard recipe to help with her laryngitis, which happens to be so pure if she has any leftovers, she can put it on a hot dog (Mme. Grimaldi is so thankful she sends Ella a dress from La Traviata).
It's all harmless. The customers like Ella, and Ella likes the customers . . . and in one special case, she's in love with one customer by the name of Jeffery Moss, a playboy playwright who's having a serious case of writer's block. He's afraid to try and do anything because he feels that he's sure to fail because his partner has left him . . . (Does anyone beside me see the connection? Even the first time I saw this, I caught the similarities between Jeffery Moss and Dean . . . I can't see how anybody can possibly miss it.) Jeffery doesn't think he can make it by himself, and no one really understands his problem . . . all except Ella.
Ella understands Jeffery. She understands that he's afraid to do anything because's afraid he'll fail. She's so understanding of him that she's fallen in love with him. It doesn't matter that she's never set eyes on him; she doesn't care if "he's six foot seven or three foot two, with eyes of brown or baby blue, big and mighty or underfed"--she just doesn't care because she's in love "with a man--Plaza Oh--Double Four--Double Three." It's a perfect relationship because "I can't see him--and he can't see me!" She's even gone so far as to help him that she's created this character of a sixty-three-year old woman who listens to Jeffery when he needs to "chew the old fataroo" or "blow the breeze" to good ol' "Mom".
If pretending that you are a sixty-three-year-old woman who lets a man that she knows nothing about other then the fact that he's a playwright who's afraid that his partner was the one with all the talent and that he's going to fail call her Mom, I don't know what is. Oh, wait, yes, I do! Love is also going to his apartment to wake him up after a night of drinking to get down some words on a play that he's promised to his agent so that the said agent doesn't drop him like a hot potato and move on somewhere else, getting caught by sleeping man that she's in love when she's trying to get back out of his apartment, and then say that her name is Melisande Scott. Ella/Melisande/Mom's support and belief in Jeffery gets him to writing again, and by the end of the day he's gotten an outline for a play, and his agent, Larry Hastings, played by Fred Clark, is happy with him. And though Melisande confuses him, you can tell that Jeffery is already falling in love with her. He asks her out on a date when he returns from the country so he can finish his play, and though she initially refuses, she finally agrees when he says that he won't go to the country unless she says yes.
Since we know that the film couldn't continue on with her still refusing that date, we all know that she says yes. And through the course of the rest of the film, she gets into a little trouble with a couple of inspectors who thinks that Susanswersphones is a facade for something illegal (well, really only one does, the other is just a big lug of a guy who knows that Ella is really just an extremely nice person) . . . ironically, though Inspector Barnes is wrong in the beginning, Cousin Sue's beau, J. Otto Pranz, has convinced her to let him use her place of business as his place of business . . . his business just happens to be illegal gambling covered up as a classic music (classic as in Bach and Beethoven) records shipping store. If you're not careful, you can get slightly lost the fist time you view this picture because there's so many wild and crazy going ons, but hey, if that happens, that'll just give you an excuse to watch it over again.
There's a lot of mixing and mashing of things that wouldn't normally go together, such as a dentist who really wants to write music, and composes his pieces on an air hose (much to the chagrin of his clients), an actor with a Marlon Brando complex (played by the hilarious Frank Gorshin), and a woman with a terribly high pitched voice that I'm sure would make dogs whimper who's after Jeffery, plus all the other forementioned characters. Yet somehow, curiously, it does go. It goes to the brilliant direction of Minelli, the superb acting and singing of both Dean and Judy (who really wasn't a singer, so when she does sing, it's impressive) and everybody else. Bells Are Ringing is in short, a fantastic musical; a very underrated work of Vincente Minelli. It was Dean's first musical after his breakup with Jerry (he'd go one to do only one more musical Robin and the 7 Hoods). Sadly, this was Judy's last picture . . . she died about four years later of breast cancer. The fact that the she originated the role on Broadway (Betty Comden and Adolph Green, the authors, wrote it for Judy) and was able to play the character on screen was, in a way, a beautiful send off, albeit, a sad one. If you haven't seen Bells Are Ringing, I highly suggest you that you do (Dean alone is worth the viewing, but of course he's not the only reason why I'm telling you that you should watch it). I give this picture a 4/4 stars. Now I leave you with my two favorite songs from the picture:
I don't know why I love this song as much as I do, I just do. Video courtesy of http://www.youtube.com
I just love this song. And the way Dean says, "Don't you like dancing?" makes my toes curl. Video Courtesy of http://www.youtube.com
Hey pallies, likes faithful readers of ilovedinomartin knows that this dude simply loves to hear 'bout more and more of today's youth who are turnin' to the Dino-way....deeply diggin' the life, times, and teachin' of our most beloved Dino. And, likes what a total total pleasure it is to be able to feature such deep, pure, and true Dino-adulation here at ilovedinomartin.
Today we return to our Deanager R.C.'s blog pad, "The Shades Of Black And White" when this nouveau hipster has written one of the very best reviews that I have ever read of our Dino's big screen western triumph, "Rio Bravo."
R.C. is puttin' the accent big time on our great man in this month of his birth, and we recently featured her very very special birthday vid trib to our Dino that she musta worked long and hard on to homage our King of Cool in a real cool way. Anywho, below is Miss R.C. well scribed thoughts on perhaps our Dino's great film role, includin' some choice Dino-poses and vid clips from "Rio" makin' for well-rounded review...sure to help many of her readership grow even deeper in their Dino-devotion.
Just thinks what the world woulda be likes of everyone of today's youth had the passion for our Dino that Miss R.C. has! ilovedinomartin salutes R.C. for her time and energy so fully in boldly and brazenly breathin' Dino-love into every nook and cranny of her fabulous blog. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Dino-awed, DMP likes btw, soon will also be sharin' R.C. review of that memorable big screen Dino-musicale, "Bells Are Ringing."
Film Review: Rio Bravo (1959)
Duke, Dino, and Ricky: Only in the movies. Photo Courtesy of http://www.en.wikipedia.org
TCMDb: A sheriff enlists a drunk, a kid and an old man to help fight off a ruthless cattle baron.
Alright, I'm gonna put it straight out there for you: John's name may come first, but Dean steals the picture away from him, and makes the whole film his. There's no denying it. It is just a plain and simple fact that Dean knocks the socks right off your feet with his portrayal as the deputy who was once a long time ago done wrong by a woman, and over the past few years, turned to the drink to dull his pain and his memories of a soft, warm-bodied, no-good woman (and a woman that could do Dean wrong is something else entirely, but that certain four letter word isn't allowed on this here blog).
Already, in the very beginning, Dean has your attention. Photo Courtesy of http://www.hilobrow.com
His performance as Dude is solid; awing; and truthful. For some reason that I've never been able to fathom, people never took Dean seriously. Was it because of his persona as the good-time-easy-going-broad-lovin'-chimney-smokin'-drunk? That's the only thing that seems to make sense to me. He pretended that he didn't have a care in the world, or if he did, he could could care less about it, and the people took him seriously--so seriously that when he gave a performance such as Dude in Rio Bravo, people could hardly believe that it was Dean Martin.
That statement isn't one based off of me being slightly biased alone. It's true, no one could hardly believe it was Dean. According to a TCM article, Dean showed up "looking like a musical comedy cowboy", and after Hawks telling him just what he wanted, "I want a drunk. I want a guy in an old dirty sweatshirt and an old hat." Dean went and got just what he wanted, and pulled the role off so well, Jack Warner said to Howard Hawks, "We hired Dean Martin. When's he going to be in the picture?" To which Hawks replied, "He's the funny-looking guy in the old hat." And Warner's reaction? "Holy smoke, is that Dean Martin?" . . . So, you see, it's not just me, it was the head honcho, too.
The look on his face . . . and people say he couldn't act. Why I oughta . . . Photo Courtesy of http://www.google.com
Seriously, though, Dean is marvelous in Rio Bravo. I grew up on John Wayne, he being my father's favorite film actor, and because of that, I must have seen this picture . . . eh, way too many times to even think about. Even as a kid, though, while I had no idea who Dean Martin was (the Dark Ages), I still thought he stole the picture from John. He's just too damn good. And throughout the whole film--all two hours and twenty minutes of it--you'll never catch him acting. He is Dude, he did experience heartbreak, and he is an alcoholic. You feel for him the moment he's introduced to the screen, so desperate for a drink that he's willing to get down on his knees and reach his hand inside a spittoon to retrieve a gold coin that's been thrown into to humiliate him . . .
About the first eight minutes of Rio Bravo. Video Courtesy of http://www.youtube.com
. . . you start to feel hope for him when he's made it the first day without a drink . . .
First day on the job . . . and first day sober . . . Photo Courtesy of http://www.google.com
. . . you rejoice with him when he finds himself back on top, showing everybody that he's still got it . . .
Now that's what I'm talking about. Video Courtesy of http://www.youtube.com
. . . and then you feel like hitting him upside his head because he still thinks he's no good, and though he tried, tried real hard, he's just not like he use to be . . .
Those hands really do have the "shakes". Video Courtesy of http://www.youtube.com
I ask you, how many actors can make you feel all of that for him?
Dean's best scene in the whole film. Photo Courtesy of http://www.google.com
Dean's best scene comes when Dude's given up on himself, and when he hears how Colorado, played by Ricky Nelson, helped Chance kill Burdette's men, he asks, "Was he as good as I use to be?"
Chance looks at him, and replies: "It'd be pretty close. I'd hate to have to live on the difference."
Fed up, Dude takes off his Deputy Sheriff badge, gives a nod, and says, "Then you got the best of them. Him for me."
Confused, Stumpy asks exasperatedly, "What's he talkin' about 'him for me'? Well c'mon tell me. Nobody ever tells me nothin' around here!"
"You heard him. He's quitting."
Stumpy, proving his namesake, stumps up to Dude and asks softly, "What's got into you."
"Look at 'em." He says, holding up his large, shaking hands for Stumpy to see. "Ain't that pretty? Huh? Shaking worse all the time." A slight hitch catches in his voice when he asks, "What can a man do with hands like that? Go ahead, tell me. What?"
"Well take a drink. You said Chance told you to. Your given your chance you told 'em," he mumbles, so agitated that he mixes up his words.
"He can take the whole bottle," Chance snaps.
"Well go ahead!" Stumpy cackles.
Pushed to his limit, Dude grabs hold of the whiskey bottle, pulls the cork out of the neck, and pours himself two fingers. He's just about to take that long awaited drink that his body has been craving for for days, but just then the Deguello music that Nathan Burdette has paid for someone to play as a warning to Chance of what will happen. He's caught off guard by the music, and holding the glass to his lips, listens to the music, but still has yet to take a drink of the amber liquid.
Going to the window, Stumpy is about to pull the wooden boards shut, but Dude calls out to him softly, "Stumpy. Don't close it." Stumpy stumps back over to stand by Chance as they both watch Dude.
The look on Dude's dirty, sweaty, and bloody face is torn. He wants that drink. Yet that music has done something to him. He realizes that he wants to prove himself to everybody, but mostly to himself, that he can be the man that he use to be, and stay that way. With one last glance at the whiskey, which he most surely can taste as though he was swirling it around his tongue already, he pours it back into the bottle.
He looks at the glass, and says amazed, "Didn't spill a drop. Shakes are gone just because of a piece of music. Til they played that piece, I'd forgotten how I got into this thing. Keep on playin' it, I don't think I'll ever forget again." He stops twirling the glass in his hand, and looks up hopefully at John T. "Chance, give me another shot at it. Stumpy can take the bottle away." Stumpy looks up at Chance, and giving Dude one last long look, he turns slightly to Stumpy and says, "You heard him."
Dude was quite easily one of Dean's greatest portrayals. Photo Courtesy of http://www.encyclopedia.com
Now, while Dean steals the picture from everybody, John Wayne, Angie Dickinson as Feathers, Walter Brennan, the funny Pedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez all hold their own. Even Ricky Nelson, while on the front seems very misplaced, does well, too. If Dean should have ever been nominated for anything (which he was, though never an Academy Award), he should have most definitely been nominated for his role as Dude.
The Crooner and the Rocker share a delightful tune together in one of the few peaceful scenes in the wholepicture. Video Courtesy of http://www.youtube.com
If you have not yet realized, I love this film. It's a true classic. Everybody is amazing in it. And it's one of those sort of films that you can watch over and over again and never get tired of it. I give Rio Bravo 4/4 stars.
Hey pals! Have I got a ROMANTICO Serenade for youse fine people this week! "Senza Fine", translated, Never ending, is truly truly one of...if not THE most bea u ti ful & tranquilizin' tunes this Dino-holic has ever heard!!! From the very first Ooooo Ooooo Oooo's right to the very last La da dea da's....this song is GUARANTEED to melt ANY lady's heart!
Now, I gotta confess pals...I never really paid much attention to this song until this very Father's Day, when my wee Dino-holics, Stella & Nick, got their Daddy-O the mostest swinginest Daddy's Day gift...The Dean Martin Box set, Collected Cool. This mesmerizing song is on disc 2. I haven't stop listenin' since!
I'm tellin' ya pals...This beautiful melody acompanied with our bestest pal's deep, pure vocal is nothin' less than TRUE TRUE Dino-magic! I'm done blabbin' pals...you need to listen to this gem! BTW pals...this Dino-treasure was meant to be shared, so turn it way up & continue spreadin' the Dino-passion! Enjoy!
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Senza fine Let it always be senza fine There's no end to our love Our hopes, our dreams, our sighs No end at all, no sad goodbyes No fears, no tears, no love that dies It's senza fine Senza fine Let it always be senza fine Never-ending The sunlit days, the moonlit nights The sea, the sand, the starry heights Are yours and mine forever more All we are and all we know Is love and love alone, so We'll go floating far above In never-ending timeless love (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) (Let it always be senza fine) Never-ending The sunlit days, the moonlit nights The sea, the sand, the starry heights Are yours and mine forever more Let it always be senza fine Never-ending it's senza fine La-da-dea-da-da-de.............FADE
Hey pallies, likes many many thin's remind me of our Dino...likes I am always thinkin' of our most beloved Dino, so don't needs much of a reminder to keeps my thoughts directed the Dino-way...but likes I knows that different thin's remind different pallies of our great man. Case in point, from the blog, "The Wishing Star," guided by a Pittsburgh, PA. lady tagged Jeannine comes news that an "ashtray / lighter set" she found in the china closet made her think of "Dean Martin and the Matt Helm movies."
Jeannine goes on to state and illustrate her Dino-point-view. And, likes when I saw this Dino-post, it reminded me of Helmer uno, "The Silencers" when Miss January asked Matt Helm where she oughta put "her costume"...a accent for her hair, and our Dino as Helm sez, "drop it in the ash tray."
Very cool indeed of Miss Jeannine to put the accent on our Dino in this way and remind all her readers of our amazin' Dino. Thanks Jeannine for your bit of Dino-devotion here....glads to know that you often then of our Dino! To view this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-rememberin', DMP
I'M BRINGING SEXY BACK (computer still crazy... another draft never posted - from 2010...) -------
I found this ashtray / lighter set the other day in the china closet... I always think of Dean Martin and the Matt Helm movies when I see things like this.
The sexy girls... and the round beds... If I could be transported to any time it would definitely be then! I'm not sure if I would smoke but at least I have enough ashtrays in case I decide to! Here's two of the many I found... Posted by Jeannine at 11:14 PM
Hey pallies, likes this Dino-date likes almost slipped by me dudes, but thanks to the folks. at "Inside The Rock Era" we learn that it was on the very very day in the year of 1964 that the single "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime" was released.
Likes as we know, this was the Dino-tune that eventually bustled the Beatles from the top of the charts later that very Dino-year. Indeed this has been and will always be our most beloved Dino's signature song.
Hats off to the pallies at "Inside The Rock Era" for remindin' all us Dino-holics of this pivotal day in the life, times, and teachin's of our one and only Dino. To read this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Keeps lovin' our lovin' Dino! Dino-honorin', DMP
This Date in Rock Music History: June 22
1964: Dean Martin released the single "Everybody Loves Somebody".
Hey pallies, likes her tag is Barbara Shooter, and her travelin' blog is self-titled,"Barbara In Cambodia. The Peking to Paris Rally. Adventures in a Land Rover." From a tag likes that you certainly knows that this chick gets 'round. And, likes in today's Dino-post we find Miss Barbara hangin' 'round Tennessee,includin' Elvis' Graceland and Miss Loretta Lynn's plantation house as well.
Likes was intrigued when Shooter shared visitin' the "massive museum on the ranch devoted to all things Loretta." Amid all the Loretta memorabilia, Miss Barbara pontificates that "One of my favourite exhibits was a half smoked fag that was left in an ash tray by Dean Martin." Likes how interestin' of all the artifacts in Miss Lynn's collection, Miss Barbara mention's our Dino's smoke.
You just never know where our Dino is gonna turns up next, and Miss Loretta was obviously so so smitten by our Dino and wanted to keep her own little bit of Dino-rememberance! Hats off to Miss Barbara Shooter for sharin' this most most unique Dino-sightin' with all her readership. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
btw, was just thinkin' pallies, likes what Dino-treasure may Miss Barbara uncovered at Elvis' estate...after all likes we know how much Elvis loved our Dino!
We were woken at Loretta's by the sound of trees being hammered all around us. We thought that some lumberjacks had started working and hadn't noticed we were there. It turned out to be several woodpeckers tapping the hell out of the trees above us. We went to see Loretta; her plantation house is gorgeous but some of the ornamentation is a little unnecessary, I feel. There is a massive museum on the ranch devoted to all things Loretta. It is like a giant version of the, sadly now defunct, Liberace museum that used to be in Los Vegas. She has obviously never had a good clear out and a trip to the dump. Every item of clothing ever worn, not just by her but by her family too is there, along with 50 million other items she has owned or been given. One of my favourite exhibits was a half smoked fag that was left in an ash tray by Dean Martin. Even her children's school reports were on display (very average, more to be hidden away, I think), along with old toys and just countless, totally random things. I am now the owner of a DVD of her bio pic signed by Loretta herself, WITH LOVE!! Loretta, I love you too!
Hey pallies, likes sorry to say that I am still awaitin' my copy of our most beloved Dino's great box set of Dino-classics, "Collected Cool." While I wait, I have been lookin' for reviews of said Dino-treasure, and so am pleased to be able to share a review written by Mr. Greg Barbrick, "an old time "music biz" groupie/writer" who "thinks that nothing good has been recorded since 1978." Since almost everythin' that our Dino recorded was indeed before '78, I am likes totally totally inclined to agree with this dude.
Anywho, Greg's patter on "Collected Cool" appears at the "Blog Critics" pad where we recently visited and posted that rad review of The Dean Martin Show: Uncut scribed by Mr. Luigi Bastardo aka Adam Becvar. To checks out Barbrick's prose in it's original format, just clicks on the tag of this Dino-post.
It is obvious by Mr. Barbrick's closin' remarks....."Collected Cool is by far the finest anthology of Dean Martin’s music to ever see the light of day. This one is a keeper, no question about it"....that is likes totally totally smitten by this par excellant Dino-set, and indeed his review is chocked full of deep, pure, and true Dino-appreciato.
Greg-o does a credible job of explorin' each of the four discs in this set, while it is crystal clear that he has special Dino-appreciato for the DVD of our Dino "Live In London" at the London Apollo Victoria Theatre. Sez Barbrick...."The former Dino Paul Crocetti still had it in 1983, and was cool as could be in front of this most appreciative London audience." Likes how totally awesome to find such wise and wonderful words of devotion spoken 'bout our great man!
Kudos to Mr. Greg Barbrick for sharin' such a stunnin' review of "Collected Cool" guaranteed to send pallies flockin' to gets their Dino-devoted hands on this new Dino-treasure. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Music Review: Dean Martin - Collected Cool Box
Author: Greg Barbrick —
“Live, direct from the bar - Dean Martin,” went the introduction for the King of Cool. Really, was there a cooler guy out there than Dean? Sinatra maybe, but there was always an element of volatility with him. In contrast, we never saw Dean lose it. The drinking thing simply would not fly in today’s world, but it was all an act anyway. It didn’t matter, we loved him no matter what. The new, four-disc Collected Cool box-set celebrates Dean Martin’s career with three-CDs and a DVD of a rare concert performance in London. It is hard to believe that it has taken this long for a career-spanning collection of his to appear, but the good news is that it has finally arrived.
The first CD is subtitled “Memories Are Made of This: 1949-1961,” and contains 19 songs. One of the difficulties in presenting an all-inclusive Dean Martin set has been the fact that he recorded for different labels over the years. The first disc is culled from his work with Capitol Records. The songs included feature classics such as “That’s Amore,” “Volare,” and his duet with Nat “King” Cole, “Long, Long Ago.”
The second CD is “Everybody Loves Somebody: 1962-1985,” and contains 18 tracks. These were recorded for Sinatra’s Reprise Records. This second disc includes his biggest hit, “Everybody Loves Somebody,” as well as a number of other greats. Just as an aside, “Everybody Loves Somebody” replaced The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” at the number one spot upon release. This is the original, stripped-down jazz quartet version of the song, which initially appeared on the Dream With Dean album. Another definite highlight here is his duet with Sinatra on “Guys and Dolls.” Some of the other brilliant performances include his version of “Welcome To My World,” and another of his signature tunes, “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You.”
The third CD of the set is pretty self-explanatory, “Live In Lake Tahoe.” This fifty-minute, 24-track disc was recorded July 27, 1962 at the Cal-Neva Lodge. The concert contains plenty of “Show Banter” (seven tracks) of which Dean was a master at. He opens with “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes,” and proceeds through fine versions of “Almost Like Being In Love,” “Beautiful Dreamer,” and “You Made Me Love You,” among quite a few others. It was a great night to see a show for those folks who were lucky enough to be at the Cal-Neva that evening.
The final disc is a DVD of Dean “Live In London.” This concert was filmed at the London Apollo Victoria Theatre in 1983. It was shown on cable a couple of times, then disappeared into the vaults, where it has remained until now. The former Dino Paul Crocetti still had it in 1983, and was cool as could be in front of this most appreciative London audience.
Although the Rat Pack were the epitome of hip in 1960, by the end of the decade, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin were seen as terminally unhip. It’s a shame, because even though they were considered “your parent’s music,” all three were still in their prime. I think their ill-advised rejection of rock and roll (both Dean and Frank in particular) really worked against them. It took a long time for the Boomer generation to come around to the Rat Pack. I belong to what has been termed “Generation X,” and never had that generation gap thing against them, but unfortunately was too young to ever get the chance to see the guys (or Dean in particular) perform live.
So the Live In London DVD holds a little extra special attraction for me. I have seen some old black and white footage of the Rat Pack live in Vegas previously, but never a full Dean Martin concert. And as previously mentioned, he was still “Mr. Cool” in 1983. The concert is a veritable greatest hits, and includes songs such as “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” and “Welcome To My World.” Dean’s version of the Ray Price hit “For The Good Times” is quite nice, and a bit of a surprise comes with his rendering of Jim Croce’s “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.”
The box-set itself is so well-done, one wishes other labels would look to it for inspiration when it comes to items like these. They certainly got it right with Collected Cool. The package is an 8” x 8” book, with the discs inside. It features 62-pages of rare full-color pictures and text detailing the life, songs, and career of Dean Martin. I found the discussions of the individual tunes to be the most informative aspect of it. The notes were written by James Ritz, who was clearly allowed full access by the Dean Martin Family Trust to tell the various stories behind the recordings.
Collected Cool is by far the finest anthology of Dean Martin’s music to ever see the light of day. This one is a keeper, no question about it.
Hey pallies, likes doin' some Dino-searchin' discovered that 'nother great Dino-event happened on this very day in the year 1965. That is the date of the great gatherin' of the Rat Pack clan at the "Keil Opera House" in St. Louis for a concert of a lifetime. The musicale was a benefit for the Teamsters Union in St. Louis and was beamed live to pallies gathered in movie theatres all 'round the country.
Below is the vid of the full concert as found at youtube. Simply stunnin' to be able to share such important dates in the life and times of our Dino with all you pallies. Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
The Rat Pack live at the "Kiel Opera House", St. Louis - June 20, 1965. Only known filmed "The Rat Pack" concert from the 1960s. It was originally aired as a charity event that was beamed live (via closed circuit) to audiences at movie theaters around the country. Host: Johnny Carson. Songs: Send Me The Pillow and You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You.
Hey pallies, likes today is 'nother great day in the life and times of our most beloved Dino! From a new-to-ilovedinomartin source, "This Was Television" (clicks on tag of this post to goes there, we learn that it was on this very day in 1954 that our Dino and his partner Jerry headlined what would be known as "The Ed Sullivan Show."
Mr. Ed was certainly in the know in pickin' our great man and his pallie to kick off his television variety hour first known as "The Toast Of The Town." Likes as you will read below, Martin and Lewis and Rogers and Hammerstein were the featured artiste on that first viewin' with Sullivan....the top comedy duo of likes forever with the top musical comedy duo of all times.
Cool to find 'nother great blog reference to keeps learnin' that Dino-history. Thanks to the pallies at "This Was Television" for honorin' our Dino in this way. When I have a few gonna haves likes to explore this pad to see what other Dino-knowledge we can gain. Dino-learnin', DMP
This Was Television On June 20
1948: The Ed Sullivan Show debuts
Though it was originally called Toast of the Town, the legendary variety program was informally referred to by its more common name long before officially adopting it in 1955. Sullivan himself had no prior TV experience, having worked as a theater and entertainment columnist in New York. During the show’s 23-year run on CBS, it became one of the central cultural touchstones of 20th century America. The first “really big show” featured the comic stylings of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, along with Rogers & Hammerstein previewing the score of their soon-to-open new show South Pacific.
Not only did Sullivan help introduce America to acts including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Jackson 5, he also shattered Humphrey Bogart’s then-record by inspiring over 15,000 terrible impressions by stand-up comics in a single year. -A.D.
Hey pallies, likes today we get to visit 'gain with one of our most sold-out-to-Dino dudes in the Dino-universe, Mr. David Lobosco, whose "Great Entertainers Archives" has become "A Trip Down Memory Lane." Well, even though Mr. Lobosco's salute to our great man is a few late, it is, likes of course, very Dino-hearted indeed. David simply states the simple Dino-truth that "EVERYBODY LOVES DEAN MARTIN."
With a few classic Dino-poses and a few paragraphs of Dino-prose, our great pallie shares his great passion for our most beloved Dino. Indeed our Dino is a "a man of many talents." and as you read David's reflections youse see the deep and abidin' truth in that Dino-statement.
ilovedinomartin is honored to 'gain be able to takes all you dudes to our pallie Lobosco's pad to enjoy his homagin' of our Dino...sure to bring many of Lobos' readers to a deeper love for our King of Cool. As usual, just clicks on the tag of this message to goes and sees this for yourself. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-always, only, and ever, DMP
EVERYBODY LOVES DEAN MARTIN
Everybody Loves Dean Martin
Dean Martin – like his Rat Pack pals Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. – was a man of many talents. The actor-singer-comedian was equally successful in nightclubs, on the silver screen and TV screen, and in record shops.
This month would have been Martin’s 95th birthday, and we're celebrating the versatile entertainer and all the things he did so well.
Dean Martin tried his hand at many trades before landing in show business: delivering bootleg liquor, blackjack dealing, working in a steel mill… he even boxed for a while as welterweight “Kid Crochet.” After twelve bouts (“I won all but eleven,” he later said), Martin gave up on boxing and turned to showbiz, crooning with local bands and calling himself “Dino Martini.”
After a brief stint in the Army during WWII, Dean Martin (as he was then known) started to make a name for himself on the East Coast nightclub circuit. While performing at the Glass Hat Club in New York, he met comedian Jerry Lewis. The two became fast friends and the rest, as they say, is history. Audiences loved the way they played off each other, with Martin as the straight man to Lewis’ very goofy one, and Martin and Lewis vaulted to stardom.
With comedy success came calls from Hollywood, and Martin and Lewis starred in several wacky movies together. But after years of formulaic film comedies, Martin longed to do more serious acting. Meanwhile, his partnership – and friendship – with Lewis was beginning to fray. After ten years and much to the disappointment of their adoring fans, Martin and Lewis went their separate ways. Martin embarked on a solo acting career and, after a few flops, was finally successful in 1957 when he starred in The Young Lions with Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. The film was a hit, and Martin solidified his reputation as an actor.
Though he found fame and success both as a comedian and an actor, it was as a singer that Dean Martin truly made his mark. But the legendary singer didn’t succeed overnight; it took Martin years to refine his style and hit it big. In his early nightclub days, he copied the styles of other top performers like Bing Crosby and Perry Como. Eventually, he matured into his own distinctive sound, and his music career really started to move. Today, even more than his work in movies or comedy, he’s remembered for his smooth voice and effortless style on classics like “That’s Amore,” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside” – and, of course, his signature song, “Everybody Loves Somebody.”
Hey pallies, likes the pallies at google led moi to yet 'nother intriguin' review of The Dean Martin Variety Show: Uncut. From the blog site "Blog Critics" comes the groovy patter of nouveau hipster Luigi Bastardo, "the disgruntled alter-ego of Adam Becvar, a thirtysomething lad from Northern California who has watched so many weird movies since the tender age of 3 that a conventional life is out of the question."
Likes dudes as you can tell by the way that "Luigi" describes himself he is one hip and swingin' dude. From the moment I read "Luigi's" openin' Dino-reflections...."there was only one man who could both imbibe and impress onstage: Dean Martin," I knew this pallie truly truly "gets Martin."
But likes Mr. Becvar has likes gotten me all confused by his profound proclamation, "Of course, no matter how one labels it, it does not alter the fact that these episodes have been altered themselves, and are in no way to be construed as 'uncut.'" Adam states this numero times in his patter, even givin' an example or two, but to my humble mind I truly thought that these Dino-shows were uncut 'cept for the "missing a song from guest singer, Buck Owens" as mentioned in the programme booklet.
So am wonderin' what all you pallies make of Becvar's claim...will so so be interested in pallies likes sharin' their Dino-perspective on this.
But, whatever the case, I likes digs to the max Adam Becvar's powerfully pure pontification's on The Dean Variety Show: Uncut. Kudos to him for puttin' other pallies on to our most beloved Dino. To view this likes in it's original context, likes clicks on the tag of these Dino-ramblin's. Keeps lovin' and viewin' our Dino pallies! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Though there have been numerous entertainers who have attempted to pull it off over the years, there was only one man who could both imbibe and impress onstage: Dean Martin. In fact, his legendary enthusiasm for consuming cocktails prior to performing made the viewing of his own live variety television show worth viewing on its own merits — to say nothing of some of the talent he brought aboard. Originally beget as The Dean Martin Show for NBC in 1965, the show was later given the titled The Dean Martin Comedy Show, and is presented in this three-disc set under the name The Dean Martin Variety Show: Uncut. Of course, no matter how one labels it, it does not alter the fact that these episodes have been altered themselves, and are in no way to be construed as "uncut."
Not that I'm complaining, mind you. This set is a delightful stroll down the avenue of Television's Past, giving modern-day viewers — who probably have no idea what a variety show is to begin with — a chance to see the warmth and ability of both the show's host and his guests, as well as the frequent mishaps that would occur when Dean or anybody else missed a cue, flubbed a line (something Dean usually did more than anyone, to wit he starts ribbing the cue card guy), or yanked on Eddie Foyle, Jr.'s hair only to reveal to the entire world he was wearing a toupee (which actually happened, and is, thankfully, included in this set). The Dean Martin Variety Show: Uncut presents six random episodes from the hour-long primetime program, ranging from 1967 to 1971.
Over the course of the set, you'll notice a lot of changes in the way the show looks, though the formula rarely changed. Every week, Dino would either drunkenly dance his way onto stage or slide down a pole from a swingin' '60s-esque set to introduce himself, always crooning "Everybody Loves Somebody," and usually accompanied by a lighted cigarette. Several musical and comedy acts would follow, with Mr. Martin taking the recurrent trip to a closet door in order to provide a cameo appearance by some famous celebrity. For the finale of the show, the cast of week would escort Dean in a song, with our host concluding the evening's events with a warm word and a corny joke (which even he occasionally winced at, wisely quipping something like "Hey, they can't all be good, you know!" when he did).
Guest stars for the six episodes of the misleadingly-titled The Dean Martin Variety Show: Uncut include Sid Caesar, Jackie Mason (who is a hoot as always, but is even funnier when you watch him try to sing and dance in the closing medley!), Leslie Uggams, Allen & Rossi, the aforementioned Eddie Foy, Jr., Buddy Ebsen, Cyd Charisse, Dom DeLuise, Bob Newhart, Orson Welles (yes!), Joey Heatherton (oh, mama!), Zero Mostel, and Jackie Vernon. Many of the performance pieces are genuinely entertaining, and the "closeted" cameos include Pat Boone, Phil Harris, and Robert Wagner. There's also one particularly bizarre muscleman routine (by David and Goliath) that brings to mind a completely different definition of "closeted."
As I said earlier, this set is not uncut. There are multiple noticeable cuts in the programs (they may have been edited down for syndication or some such nonsense), with one standout moment involving a guest, Professor Backwards (James Edmondson, Sr.) — a feller who could write and read any word in reverse. During this particular sketch, an audience member shouts out to spell "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." He jokes that he won't do it, and suddenly the presentation cuts to him working on something else — to wit we can now plainly see the abovementioned Mary Poppins expression has in fact been spelled out on the blackboard behind him. Frown. Another interesting bit of disconcert for me occurs with the discs' menus, wherein we see four of Dean's beautiful chorus girls (the Golddiggers) performing an introductory number — an opening that is taken from another show entirely and not included on either episode here.
One wonders if Time Life — who brought us this fun but inappropriately-named release — only had access to a few episodes, or assigned the production of the disc to someone who had absolutely no idea what he or she was doing. There's also an episode that is missing a song from guest singer, Buck Owens; fortunately, there is a disclaimer about that one in the set's insert booklet. Oh, well: it's still a fun set to watch, and is good fun for the whole family — even if we don't get to find out how to spell "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in a contrary manner.
Hey pallies, likes one of my fav blogs when it comes to current recorded music updates in the pad, "The Second Disc." These pallies have been great 'bout reportin' each and every new Dino-associated release, and in the postin' below they lets us all in on a real cool Dino-find that I just know that many of you dudes are goin' to wanna partake of for sure.
From the pen of Mr. Joe Marchese comes word that the first-ever release of the sound track for our Dino's fab comedy "All In A Night's Work" for take place durin' the last week of July. The music for this flick was composed by none other that Mr. André Previn, and for whatever reason, it never was placed on disc before.
Bein' released under the Kritzerland label, the al-b-um will retail for $19.98 and will have a limited edition of only 1000 copies so pallies likes us are gonna wants to get our order in early. Likes am totally totally blown 'way with the cool pix of our Dino and Miss Shirley on the cover...truly worth the price of this classic al-b-um.
ilovedinomartin salutes our pallie Mr. Joe Marchese and the folks at "The Second Disc" for puttin' us all on to this fabulous Dino-treasure. To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-pysched, DMP
The Second Disc Expanded and Remastered Music News
It’s “All in a Night’s Work” For Dino, Shirley and André Previn
Scoring a major motion picture…writing a Broadway musical…recording a jazz piano album…conducting a classical symphony. Any of the above might be all in a night’s work for André Previn, a four-time Academy Award winner and ten-time Grammy recipient. And now Previn’s score for the 1962 film All in a Night’s Work is getting its first-ever soundtrack release courtesy of the Kritzerland label!
The Dean Martin/Shirley MacLaine comedy followed Previn’s triumphant, Oscar-nominated score for 1960’s Elmer Gantry (also reissued on Kritzerland) but the frothy romance was, naturally, quite a different assignment! Martin and MacLaine had appeared together in Vincente Minnelli’s Some Came Running (1958) and also in director Joseph Anthony’s Career (1959). Anthony was back behind the camera for All in a Night’s Work, with the screenplay provided by Sidney Sheldon (I Dream of Jeannie), Maurice Richlin (Pillow Talk, The Pink Panther) and Edmund Beloin (The Sad Sack). Paramount called on an array of notables for the supporting cast, as well, including Cliff Robertson, Jack Weston, Charlie Ruggles, Norma Crane, and Lucille Ball’s perennial foil, Gale Gordon.
According to reissue producer Bruce Kimmel’s notes, “The plot kicks off in high style when a mysterious woman is seen running from a ritzy Palm Beach hotel room, wearing only a bath towel and not a very large one at that. Since the hotel room’s guest, a New York publishing baron, is found dead in bed, the question is: who was that lady and was that lady his mistress? Complications, misunderstandings, mink coats, fancy nightclubs, and, of course, love and a happy ending, and all in glorious Technicolor, set to the romantic, propulsive, and phenomenal music of André Previn.”
Previn was already well-known around Hollywood. In 1939, his family moved from Germany to California, where his great-uncle Charles Previn was already ensconced as music director at Universal Studios. The young, budding musician attended Beverly Hills High School with another future Oscar winning composer, Richard M. Sherman, with both men graduating in 1946. Within just a few years, Previn was working regularly as a jazz pianist while composing and arranging for the dream factory at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and elsewhere. Hollywood would keep him gainfully employed, netting him both Oscars and accolades; he wrote such famous songs as “You’re Gonna Hear from Me” and “(Theme From) Valley of the Dolls” for motion pictures. But Previn had his sights set on a broader canvas and retired from Hollywood by the mid-1970s. He had already branched out to Broadway and London with the stage musicals Coco and The Good Companions, respectively, and took on prestigious assignments conducting The Houston Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra just to name two of his accomplishments as music director. He also began to compose operas and orchestral works, and was recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998 for his contributions to classical music and opera.
Kimmel describes Previn’s main title as setting the tone for the film: “an upbeat, dynamic, and colorful showpiece for orchestra. That theme recurs again, but it’s the delicious and beautiful love theme that gets most of the attention, in a large number of guises – it’s instantly memorable and works wonderfully throughout the film – as underscore for romance, shopping, cocktails, dinner and dancing, and yes, more romancing, the kind of romance that only happens in the movies with beautiful music underscoring everything. There are other equally excellent themes, and the score is just a constant delight of melody and inspiration.”
For its first-time soundtrack release, All in a Night’s Work was transferred from the original session masters housed in the Paramount Pictures vaults. The tapes were in excellent condition and in stereo save for two cues that only existed in mono. The first of those is presented in film sequence (Track Two), and the last, the complete finale, is presented as a bonus track; the finale in the main stereo program is a shorter version. All told, you’ll find five alternate bonus tracks!
All in a Night’s Work is a limited edition of 1,000 copies and is due to ship the last week of July. However, pre-orders from Kritzerland usually arrive an average of four weeks early! It’s available for pre-order directly from the label at the link below for $19.98 plus shipping.
André Previn, All in a Night’s Work (Recorded 1961 – issued Kritzerland, 2012)
1.Paramount Seal/Main Title 2.Dead Colonel 3.Earring/Charge to Research/Katie/Union Kate 4.Katie’s Story 5.Swanky Lunch 6.Fur Salon 7.Funeral 8.The Thinking Man/Poems and Letters 9.Julius and Tony/Katie Entertains 10.Mink 11.Martinique No. 1 12.Tony’s Apartment 13.Tony’s Tune 14.Tony’s Dance 15.Katie’s Kiss/Blackmail 16.Katie’s Finale – New Tag 17.Paramount Seal/Main Title (Alternate Version) 18.Cocktail Piano 19.Martinique No. 2 20.Stork Club 21.Katie’s Finale (Film Version) All tracks previously unreleased. Tracks 17-21 are bonus tracks.
