Dean Smelled Great

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

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

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

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



Friday, September 03, 2010

Dean Smelled Great

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

Thanks, Dean Martin!

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

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

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

Thanks, Dean Martin!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by James R. Coffey

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

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

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



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


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

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



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



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

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



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



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



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

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

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

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

Dino Martin ARRESTED

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

January 17, 1974

Andrew Vaughan|01.17.2011

Special thanks to ThisDayinMusic.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Team Stupidest

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

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

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

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

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




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

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

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

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

I once found myself feeling sorry for Dean Martin.

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




Jonh Ingham says

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




MOVIE REVIEW: RIO BRAVO

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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



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

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



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

my rating: 8 out of 10

Posted by Lobosco at 5:18 AM

Beyond Our Wildest Dreams, book by the Alberici Sisters

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



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


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

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

Sincerely, The Alberici Sisters
Maria Lauren and Linda Eichberg



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

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

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

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

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

"BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS"

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

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

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

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



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

my dad watched Dean Martin's TV show religiously

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

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

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



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

Posted almost 2 years ago

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

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



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



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



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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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



It's Magic

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

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

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

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

It's magic
It's magic

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dean Martin: An American Icon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dean Martin: An American Icon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dean Martin is in my head

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

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

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

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





Dean Martin is in my head

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Andrew Cohen

Dec 29 2011, 11:50 AM ET

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

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

AP Images

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

Our Dino and Mr. Foster Brooks

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

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

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

Our Dino and the Sam Man

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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