Hey pallies, likes 57 years ago this very day, July 24, in 1956 our most beloved Dino had likes his hugest of hugest endin' and likes his newest of newest beginnin' when he called it quits with his partner, Mr. Jerry Lewis...exactly a decade after they had created the greatest comedy partnership in all of world history.
Likes it has becomes likes a Dino-tradition on this most historic of historic Dino-day to revisit a stunnin' retellin' of what happened on that last night Martin and Lewis took the stage at the Copacabana....truly some deeply heart-felt insights 'bout our Dino and Jerry's last gig together shared at the blog "Frontier Net."
From the writings "The Copacabana, An Illustrated History" by Kristin Baggleaar comes some deeply deeply devoted details of our Dino and Jerry's swan song. So, sit back and reflect on the meanin's of likes this most bitter-sweet day in all of Dino-history.
Likes as I often do on this day, 'gain likes gotta 'fess up pallies, likes for years I had zip, zero, nadda appreciato for Jerry Lewis whatsoever, and felt that the split-up was exactly what Lewis deserved. But, ever since readin' Jerry's tome "Dean and Me: A Love Story," I have grown in my understandin' and appreciato of just how much Mr. Lewis loved, and still loves our most beloved Dino!
In fact, I have become likes totally totally jealous of Mr. Lewis 'cause he got to spend 10 intimate and glorious years with the coolest person ever to walk the face of the earth...and got to know our Dino better then any other person alive ever has or ever will. What coulda be more wonderful then that! In fact, I remember in readin' in Tosches' outstandin' Dino-bio that Lewis was jealous of Jeanne and Jeanne was equally jealous of Lewis...and who could blame 'em...they each wanted our Dino for themselves...and don't we all likes feel likes that same Dino-way?!?!?!
Anyway, on this special Dino-day in Dino-history we remember the legacy that our Dino and the Jerry had together, and see this endin' as a hugely important new beginnin' for our most beloved Dino. Dino-rememberin', DMP
The Copacabana
An Illustrated History by Kristin Baggelaar
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By summer 1956, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis officially announced that they were breaking up as a team; however, together they were committed to one last engagement at the Copacabana. Perhaps because it was the last time they would ever work together, Martin and Lewis' final two-week stand at the Copa did a record-breaking business.
The diminished floorshow space was a tribute to their draw and mass impact. The Doug Coudy production numbers were curtailed as the acts, including the personable dance team of Conn & Mann, were stage waits for the headliners. Martin & Lewis worked with smoothness and no apparent personal friction despite all the press about their rift, but some dissension was evident with their Pardners bit, a cafe trailer for their soon-to-be released Paramount film of the same name. To their professional credit they played it straight, with Lewis foiling for Martin's crooning, and likewise, Martin foiling for his partner's clowning. While both were well received, it was felt that solo or team, the impact was not as resounding as in the past until their final night. Every celebrity in Manhattan was in the audience to witness the pair's swan song of one of the greatest comedy acts in history. They pulled out every schtick in their comedy bag for the star-studded crowd, from squirting seltzer down Milton Berle's shirt front to cutting off Monte Proser's necktie. The sophisticated cafe crowd wouldn't let them quit.
The final moments of the last show of their farewell engagement at the Copa on a hot Tuesday night, July 24, 1956, are pressed indelibly in the minds of those who were present. Martin's face was impassable, cool to the end. They finished with the final crescendo from Pardners: "You and me, we'll be the greatest pardners, buddies, and pals!" They joined hands for a last bow. Martin hugged Lewis. The audience exploded in an emotional uproar. Jackie Gleason jumped up and grabbed the mike, wiped away a tear, and said, "Folks, this can't be allowed to happen." The audience roared its approval, but Martin & Lewis just shook their heads, no. It was over. There was no encore. Martin took one aisle away from the floor; Lewis took the other.
2 comments:
DMP,
for years I had zip, zero, nadda appreciato for Jerry Lewis whatsoever, and felt that the split-up was exactly what Lewis deserved. But, ever since readin' Jerry's tome "Dean and Me: A Love Story," I have grown in my understandin' and appreciato of just how much Mr. Lewis loved, and still loves our most beloved Dino!
Same here. Lewis's book is excellent and provides unique insights.
Both men were clearly talented. However, in 1956 it was time for the partnership to end and let the two move on to their individual careers.
Each man then flourished in individual careers -- in his own way, of course.
I must say that our Dino never did wear on one's nerves the way that Jerry often did. I could take only so much of Jerry's shenanigans (which became quite dated after a while), but our Dino's work has remained pleasant -- and timeless.
Hey pallie, likes Miss AOW, I am pleased to see that Mr. Lewis's tome has had the same effect on you.
And likes, of course, I also echo your sentiment...."I must say that our Dino never did wear on one's nerves the way that Jerry often did. I could take only so much of Jerry's shenanigans (which became quite dated after a while), but our Dino's work has remained pleasant -- and timeless."
Keeps lovin' our most most beloved Dino!
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