Kiss Me, Stupid is smart, funny, and edgy for its time.

Hey pallies, likes today we gets 'nother great op to put the accent on the randiest of randy Dino-flicks. From the blog, "I Probably Liked It - Short movie reviews written by a guy who just likes to like movies," a dude tagged Jim Silas Moore has taken on the responsibility of reviewin' that long-before-it's-time classic Dino-comedy, "Kiss Me Stupid." Blogger Jim makes the astute observation that KMS is "smart, funny, and edgy for its time."

However Moore is not nearly astute 'bout our most beloved Dino. Interestin'ly this guy states that "Dean Martin wasn't actually a huge part of the movie," and then goes on to question how "aware" our great man was in playin' the role. It's clear that Mr. Moore in probably not much "aware" of the amazin' talents that our great man displayed in the huge array of roles that he played on the big screen....from classic westerns likes "Rio Bravo" (where our Dino was robbed of even a Oscar nod), to huge dramatic successes like "The Young Lions," to spyster gigs like the Matt Helm flicks (which our Dino full of self-awareness plays as swingin' romps, to the huge 16 comedic successes of the Martin and Lewis flicks.

But, even though I truly believe that reviewer Mr. Moore simply does not give our Dino his due, it is cool to find 'nother blogger drawin' his readers attention to probably our great man's most underated role. So, thanks to blogger Jim for sharin' his review of Billy Wilder's "Kiss Me Stupid." To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-focused, DMP

Kiss Me, Stupid, by Billy Wilder, 1964



I'm not much for the crooners, so I really never felt much need to watch any of the movies featuring the Rat Pack guys. The only movie I think I've ever seen with one of those guys is Scorsese's The King of Comedy with Jerry Lewis. I'm not even sure if that counts. Anyway, if it weren't for Billy Wilder, I don't think I ever would have given a Dean Martin movie a shot, but as expected with Wilder, Kiss Me, Stupid is smart, funny, and edgy for its time.

Dean Martin stars as himself, though just referred to as "Dino" throughout. Like Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch, he's playing a broadly exaggerated version of the way the public perceives him. You know, drunken and lecherous. He's pretty gross in this movie, but I always assumed he was pretty gross in real life too, so I don't know how exaggerated it is. I just assume there was some self awareness going into his performance.

Anyway, Dean Martin drives through a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, Climax, Nevada (get it?). When a couple of struggling songwriters named Orville and Barney (Ray Walston and Cliff Osmond) stumble across him, they concoct a plan to strand Dino there overnight so they can pitch him their songs. Dino refuses to deal with them because he's horny, and he hears good things about Orville's wife (HINT HINT). Orville understands the implied trade, a night with his wife for a song, but can't bring himself to sell her out like that (plus he's worried that she, a HUGE Dino fan, just might say yes). So they do the right (?) thing and instead of prostituting Orville's wife, they get her out of the house and hire an actual prostitute named Polly the Pistol (Kim Novak) to pretend to be her. All sorts of screwball scenarios then ensue as they try to keep the ruse going.

This isn't one of my favorite Billy Wilder movies, but I still liked it. Ray Walston played things a little too big. He mugs a lot for the camera. I read that Orville was supposed to be played by Jack Lemmon but he wasn't available, and that makes a lot of sense. Then Peter Sellers was supposed to do it and he had a heart attack during filming. It goes without saying that both of those guys would have killed, but Ray Walston is what we got and I can accept that, I guess.

By far my favorite performance in the movie is Kim Novak as Polly the Pistol. She steals the show and by the end of the movie I was totally crushing on her. I also read (thanks, Wikipedia!) that Marilyn Monroe was meant to play the role, but of course, she died during pre-production. Well, I could see why they wanted a Lemmon/Monroe reunion, but I'm glad Novak got the part, because she brought a soul to the character that I'm not entirely sure Monroe could have.

Dean Martin wasn't actually a huge part of the movie. He spends a lot of it sleeping, actually, occasionally waking up to sing a song or complain about not having had sex yet. I don't know how self aware of his character's portrayal that Martin was for this, but he comes across as a total creep. It seems to me that Dino might not have realized that Wilder was sometimes lighting and shooting him to look like a home invader or a rapist or something. If he was aware, that's awesome that he's willing to let himself be portrayed that way, but if he wasn't aware, that's kind of even more awesome.

Just like up above, I won't spoil the ending, but I was genuinely surprised at how adult it was! Things have come a long way in the nine years since the relatively chaste days of The Seven Year Itch. So to sum things up: Dino's a creep, Walston is hammy, and Novak steals it. The script is sly and edgy, but with a better protagonist, the movie could have been a whole lot more. Still, Wilder pulls it off and Kiss Me, Stupid is still a good time.


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

And Martin is particularly good, especially when he’s gallantly offering to pay for his knocked-up gal-pal’s Swedish abortion.

Hey pallies, likes it seems likes ilovedinomartin is always always playin' Dino-catch-up 'cause there is just so so much astoundin'ly cool Dino-news to shares with youse. Anywho, just a few ago the pallies at Universal released, as part of their 100 anniverary celebration, both blue ray and regular dvd ver-si-ons of that Dino-epic, "Airport."

Today we takes you to the blog "Metroland - The Capitol Region's Alternative Newsweekly," where scriber Shawn Stone has written a review of this big screen disaster flick. While Stone accurately reports that Airport "became Universal’s all-time highest grossing film," what he fails to lets his readers know that Airport was also our Dino's highest paid actin' gig, nettin' our most beloved Dino a cool 7 mil for playin' pilot Vern Demerast." And, to that 1970 date, that pallies was the most bread that any actor had ever ever been paid to make the scene in any flick! 'nother great first for our great man!

While this is pretty standard review fare, Stone pays homage to our Dino in notin'...
"And Martin is particularly good, especially when he’s gallantly offering to pay for his knocked-up gal-pal’s Swedish abortion." Hats off to Shawn Stone for lettin' the "Metroland" readership in on the new releases of "Airport" and encouragin' more and more Dino-devotion. To checks this out in it's original format, just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-lovin', DMP

Airport
by Shawn Stone on September 7, 2012

Airport
Directed by George Seaton

In 1969, Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider lured the hippies and fellow travelers into America’s increasingly empty movie theaters with its rangy story of drugs, sex and the search for freedom on the road. It grossed millions and shook up mainstream Hollywood. In 1970, old Hollywood fought back with a high-profile, all-star, based-on-a-glossy-best seller disaster flick that grossed $100 million and became Universal’s all-time highest grossing film: Airport.

Watching Universal’s remastered 100th Anniversary Blu-ray, it’s easy to see why it was such a hit—and why it would so quickly become a joke. (Also, how fleeting old Hollywood’s victory was. As the studio prepped Airport’s first sequel, Steven Spielberg was dreaming of a giant shark that would shred Airport’s box office records.)

What makes it worth watching? It celebrates that old Hollywood dictum that you should be able to see the budget up on the screen; here, spare-no-expense producer Ross Hunter’s often crass touch is a plus. Airport doesn’t have that baleful, late 1960’s Universal visual look, a flatly-lit studio style endemic to their TV productions—a look that often showed up in their feature films. And the action sequences, when not overwhelmed by fussy split-screen interruptions, are taut and exciting.

Now forgotten, author Arthur Hailey became wildly successful writing long, juicy novels which took readers behind the scenes of some big institution. He would build up a lot of interesting factual detail about the inner workings of a big-city hotel or major metropolitan airport, on which he would then hang a plot laced with sex, crime and struggles for power.

Here the heroes are played by a couple of established stars on their way down, Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin. They play middle-age men with wife trouble; of course, the solution is hooking up with someone more supportive, younger . . . fresher. Jean Seberg and Jacqueline Bisset bring a lot to these thankless roles; Seberg is wearily professional as Lancaster’s assistant, and Bisset is quick and authoritative under pressure as—you guessed it—a stewardess. And Martin is particularly good, especially when he’s gallantly offering to pay for his knocked-up gal-pal’s Swedish abortion.

What hurts the film is less the deeply square plotting than the way in which the filmmakers lose the human stories in the mechanics of making the disaster happen. And once the disaster happens—in this case, a bomb goes off on a Boeing 707—who even remembers the individual stories? How is Dino going to land the damn plane?

Airport was so successful that it spawned a series of increasingly ridiculous sequels featuring even less carefully drawn characters. (These were all helpfully titled by year, e.g., Airport ’75, Airport ’77.) But Airport also fathered an entire genre. Exploding planes were followed by city-destroying earthquakes, treacherous amusement park rides, flaming skyscrapers and . . . killer bees. In less than 10 years, the genre had devoured itself, with the blockbuster comedy Airplane! delivering the coup de grace.

The extras on the disc are the same as the extras on The Sting special edition Blu-ray—a couple of featurettes on the Universal lot and the studio in the 1970s—though there is a theatrical trailer that shows just how important the literary tie-in was.

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Sway"

Hey pals! Got us sum "Classic" Dino for today's Serenade! "Sway" is def in ate ly one of my all time favs! It's the kinda jam that wisks you away to that special place where it's just you & the music!


Picture yourself spinnin' round' the dance floor with sum special someone! It has a strong, cool cool power over ALL of us! That feelin' of never endin' excitment! Now believe me pallies...Danny G. is no great dancer ha ha ha...it goes beyond that! It's the kinda tune that's almost hypnotizin'!


It makes me think of many people in my life...the way I want to remember them always! Happy...Dancin'...Laughin'...Enjoyin' every note! Let's escape with our Dino, ol' pals o mine...together...just for a moment. Enjoy!

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
You know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

On This Day In Dino-history: September 8, 1961

Hey pallies, likes 'nother great day for our great man in all of Dino-history. From our capitol music history genius pallie, Mark over at "popculturefanboy," we learn that it was on this very date, September 8, in 1961 that our most beloved Dino recorded three croons that woulda be featured on his soon-to-be-released "Italian Love Songs."

Likes for anybody who doesn't believe that our Dino was a hard-workin' Italiano boy, alls theys have to do is look at the Dino-details below. Mark relates that the recordin' took place "between 8 and 11pm at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Workin' late into the night our amazin' Dino handcrafted these romantic tunes for his adorin' fans.

Thanks to our pallie Mark for keepin' us up-to-Dino-date on our Dino-musical-history-knowledge! To view this in it's original format, likes just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. And, likes as a added Dino-bonus, below is also a vid clip of
one of dem fab-u-lous Dino-croons from the original al-b-um, "Vieni Su (Say You Love Me Too)." Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP




1961 - Dean Martin (on vocals) with Gus Levene conducting the orchestra (Ken Lane on piano, Carl Fortina on accordion, Bob Bain, Al Hendrickson, and Allan Reuss on guitar, Murray Shapinsky on bass, Nick Fatool and Lou Singer on drums, Ann Mason Stockton on harp and a string section comprised of Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Kurt Dieterle, Jacques Gasselin, James Getzoff, Benny Gill, Anatol Kaminsky, Nathan Kaproff, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Mischa Russell, and Harry Zagon on violin, Joseph DiFiore, Louis Kievman, Virginia Majewski, and Paul Robyn on viola, Justin DiTullio, Armand Kaproff, Edgar Lustgarten, and Ray Kramer on cello), records the tracks "Take Me In Your Arms (Torna A Surriento)", My Heart Reminds Me", and "Vieni Su (Say You Love Me Too)" between 8 and 11pm at The Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood, California. Capitol Records will release all the tracks on Martin's album "Dino (Italian Love Songs)" (Capitol T 1659).

“Jumpology”: Our Dino and Jerry

Hey pallies, likes I have always always been intrigued and so so desirous of knowin' the history behind many many of our most beloved Dino's poses for the camera. We today through the courtesy of a photo blog tagged "Modernism," we learn the background of that famous pix of Martin and Lewis jumpin'.

In an article posted by Mr. Cosmin Nasui featurin' numerous celebs jumpin', we learn that the photos were snapped by "History’s Most Persuasive Photographer," Mr. Philippe Halsman. As you will read below Halsman did 101 covers from LIFE magazine, among them the one of our Dino and Jerry jumpin' for joy. Halsman often asked his subjects at the end of a shoot to jump for a photo, sayin' “When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears.”

Well, I dare say that Mr. Halsman indeed captured the real Martin and Lewis in his famous “Jumpology” photograph. And, likes how absolutely fantastic to learn the history behind this absolutely fabulous pose.

Hats off to the pallies at "Modernism," in particular scriber Mr. Cosmin Nasui for sharin' this history with us. To view this in it's original context and to see many other jumpin' pixs, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. How fab to keeps learnin' each and every Dino-detail! Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP



Celebrities Jumping for History’s Most Persuasive Photographer
Posted by Cosmin Nasui

You may be familiar with the iconic Philippe Halsman image of Salvador Dali in mid-air with flying cats, disembodied arms, and floating furniture. But did you know that the Latvian-born photographer created an immense portfolio of jumping celebrities and public figures?

At 22, Halsman was sentenced to four years imprisonment after his father died of severe head injuries when the two men were on a hiking trip in the Austrian Alps. The evidence against Halsman was circumstantial, and his imprisonment gained international attention. With the support of family friend Albert Einstein, Halsman was released, but ordered to leave Austria. Halsman relocated to France, fleeing to Marseille when France was invaded during World War II, and eventually making his way to New York.

During his time in France, Halsman had become a renowned portrait photographer, and in 1942, after moving to New York, was hired by Life magazine. Halsman’s work for Life was prolific, garnering him a record 101 cover photos.

When photographing , Halsman would often ask his subjects to jump for a photo at the end of the shoot. Most photographers would shy away from such a bold request of their subjects, but Halsman was a master of persuasion.

Halsman called this photographic technique “Jumpology,” stating that “When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears.”

For more jumping shenanigans, be sure to check out Halsman’s Jump Book (via mentalfloss.com)

Palm Springs Still Enthralled by Dean Martin

Hey pallies, likes this is so so stunnin'. From a real estate blog tagged "The Stanaland Group - Fine Coastal Properties," comes an amazin' piece of Dino-prose by the "John Stanaland News Team." Focusin' on the fact that our great man built a great house at Palm Springs durin' the height of the Rat Pack era, the post boldly proclaims that "Palm Springs Still Enthralled by Dean Martin."

Seems that in the Palm Springs area alone there are 41---count 'em---41 dudes doin' Dino-emulation for parties and the such. Now, likes how totally rad is that pallies?!?!?!?! As this Dino-reflection proclaims this "may be the ultimate tribute to the handsome Italian baritone." Likes this is very very excitin' Dino-news for sure. Simply more and more proof that the Dino-revolution is now in full tilt!

Hats off to the pallies of the John Stanaland News Team" for proclaimin' this stunnin' Dino-news to the world in this way. And, likes btw, I gained 'nother bit of Dino-knowledge through this prose as well...."Dean Martin along with his wife Jeanne would regularly host tea dances on Sunday afternoons at their Palm Springs home." Likes never knew that before...but likes how cool woulda it have been to have been invited to a tea dance at our Dino's Palm Spring pad?!?!?!?!

To view this in it's original format, as usual, just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Keeps growin' in and lovin' our Dino pallies! Dino-psyched, DMP

Palm Springs Still Enthralled by Dean Martin
by John Stanaland News Team on August 30, 2012



The Ultimate Homage

Palm Springs became renowned as a hideaway for Hollywood celebrities back in the 20’s, but the resort region received its biggest boost from celebrities when the Rat Pack began hanging out at the Chi Chi room and the Riviera Resort back in the 50’s. Several members of Hollywood’s earliest edition of bad boys ended up buying homes in the city after Sinatra took up residence here. Dean Martin was one who purchased a place here to be near his friend Frankie and other Rat Pack members.

In what may be the ultimate tribute to the handsome Italian baritone, there are now 41 Dean Martin celebrity impersonators that can be hired through the Palm Springs based talent agency Gigmasters. The agency promotes these “Dean Martin Tribute” acts as suitable for weddings, private parties, and corporate events. To take just one example, Kenton Weaver who bills himself as a voice impersonator is available for performances of a show he calls, “Dino “n’ Friends.” It encapsulates the sort of show that Dean Martin put on at the Riviera Resort in Palm Springs back in the 50’s and 60’s when Sinatra would often “just happen” to show up and join him on stage. Next thing you knew, Sammy Davis would be up there as well. Of course, happenstance such as that is no longer possible, but Weaver is said to do a credible imitation of all three. The Gigmasters website allows you to take a listen before you hire any of their artists for an event.

A Choice Locale with a Stunning Design

The house that Dean Martin bought in Palm Springs was situated in the exclusive Alexander Vistas Las Palmas subdivision. The house was designed by the renowned architect William Krisel who built a number of homes in the region in his signature California Modern style. This house is built in a “butterfly” arrangement that features two wings opening out towards each other. It is surrounded by the Washingtonian Palms native to the region from which the city takes its name. It is next to sere hills that form a dramatic desert backdrop.

Dean Martin had a hit back in the 50’s with the song, “It’s 1200 Miles from Texas to Palm Springs.” The lyrics continue on to add, “But tonight it’s right next door. For a week each year, it’s the old frontier.” The stanzas pay tribute to several spots around Palm Springs that the Rat Pack liked to haunt such as the Shamrock and Almiera nightclubs. He even mentions driving down Canyon Drive hoping to see the governor ofTexas because tonight Palm Springs and Texas are right next door.

Dean Martin along with his wife Jeanne would regularly host tea dances on Sunday afternoons at their Palm Springs home. This would come after they played a round of tennis at the nearby Racquet Club. Martin could easily be persuaded to sing a few songs at these events, and one could never say when other members of the Rat Pack might show up to join in on the show.

On This Day In Dino-history: September 5, 1976

Hey pallies, likes it was the most incredibly movin' moment in all of television history and Mr. Frank Sinatra's greatest deed for the good of all humanity. The event of which I speak happened 36 years ago this very Dino-day when on September 5, 1976, Mr. Sinatra orchestrated the reunion of our most beloved Dino and his ol' partner Mr. Jerry Lewis durin' the annual MDA telethon hosted by Lewis.

It had been a bit more then two decades since the split up of Martin & Lewis after their last performance at the Copacabana on that fateful day of July 24, 1956. Twenty long years had passed and many thought that our Dino and his sidekick woulda never speaks 'gain. But thanks to the valiant efforts of Mr. Sinatra, our Dino agreed to come out as a surprise guest at the telethon....and it was like this greatest comedic partnership had never been severed.

I never ever grows tired of viewin' this wonderful reunion of Martin and Lewis...all one has to do is simply glance at the wonderful way these two partners embrace to see the abidin' love between 'em....a love that 20 years of separation had not been able to sever.

So today, we remember and honor one of the most wonderful days in all of Dino-history....the day of reunion of our most beloved Dino and the man our Dino affectionately tagged Jer. Dino-enthralled, DMP



September 5, 1976 Martin and Lewis reunite for the first time in 20 years during a broadcast of Jerry Lewis' annual Muscular Dystrophy telethon, when Frank Sinatra brings a surprise guest, Dean, onstage with him.

I love Dean Martin, which I may or may not have mentioned before.

Hey pallies, likes devotion to our Dino comes in an unendin' variety of Dino-expression....and today we turn to a very simple and sweet post by Miss Jeanie Rhoades who blogs are the intriguin'ly tagged blog, "Thought Collage." My hunch is that Miss Rhoades is a long-time lover of our most beloved Dino, as she simply states, "I love Dean Martin, which I may or may not have mentioned before." That 'long with a classic pix of our great man, and a few phrases from the Dino-parody "I Love Vegas" pretty much make up her Dino-reflections.

But, Miss Rhoades post reminds all us Dino-philes that one does not need to prattle on and on 'bout their passion for our Dino, they simply need to be willing to state it boldly...so takin' a cue from Miss Jeanie, simply won't belabor the Dino-point and just says, thanks Miss Jeanie for sharin' your deep, pure, and true devotion to our Dino with your readership! To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies! Dino-always, only, and ever, DMP

Oh, Dino!
Posted on September 4, 2012 by Jeanie

I love Dean Martin, which I may or may not have mentioned before.



I just heard a song on Martini in the Morning ( the “lounge” sound, Rat-Pack music) called “I love Vegas” featuring Mr Dean himself. I’d never heard it, but guess what?!?

I love Vegas when I’m loaded,

I love it when I am not.

I love Vegas, just like Kruschev loves being indignant,

More than even my wife Jeanie loves being pregnant.

He sang my name. He gets points.

And I always did love being pregnant. :)

The dude was a damn rock star a decade+ before The Rat Pack ever existed as half of Martin & Lewis.

Hey pallies, likes I gets such a total total Dino-rush when I finds evocative evidence that massive quanities of pallies of all ages and stages are more and more turnin' on to the Dino-beat. Case in point, recently our pallies at google 'lerted me to a postin' at the swingin' musical pad, "The Aquarian Weekly," where long-term (38 years!) hipster columinst Mr. Mike Greenblatt scribed some deeply deep and purely pure wisdom on our King of Cool.

Tagged "Rant ‘N’ Roll: Dean Martin – Mr. Cool,: Greenblatt shares with today's coolsters reflections on the life, the times, and the teachin's of our most beloved Dino. This pallie Mike is truly and deeply in the Dino-know and he ain't afraid of sharin' his passion for our great man with his readership. "Rant ‘N’ Roll" is Greenblatt's regular "Aquarian" column and it is such a pleasure to have found this seasoned music reflecter's passion for all thin's Dino!

Youse dudes are likes simply gonna have to soak in each and every provocatively evocative Dino-thought penned by Greenblatt, but here are a few choice Dino-thoughts a la Mike likes to gets you started.....

"There’s a word in Italian that says it all and that word is menefreghista. It means someone who just doesn’t give a fuck. That’s what made Dean Martin so cool."

"He was so comfortable being himself, and so charming, he went through 30+ original albums, 50+ films, legendary stage shows and one of the most popular television programs in history."

"The dude was a damn rock star a decade+ before The Rat Pack ever existed as half of Martin & Lewis."

As you dudes can see, this Greenblatt guy is a true knower and a true lover of our King of Cool....a Dino-holic's Dino-holic. So be sure to takes ample Dino-time to revel in Mike's each and every Dino-detail.

ilovedinomartin sends out massive Dino-appreciato to Mr. Mike Greenblatt and all the pallies at "The Aquarian Today" pad for puttin' such a stunnin' accent on our most beloved Dino. Mike's massive missive on our Dino is certain to draw many many more pallies into the Dino-fold! To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP



Rant ‘N’ Roll: Dean Martin – Mr. Cool

—by Mike Greenblatt, August 29, 2012



An argument could be made that Dino Paul Crocetti of Steubenville, Ohio, just might have been the coolest white man in America. Playboy magazine called him “the coolest man who ever lived.” Steven Van Zandt of The E Street Band and The Sopranos once said, “He was the coolest dude I’d ever seen, period.” What made him so cool?

There’s a word in Italian that says it all and that word is menefreghista. It means someone who just doesn’t give a fuck. That’s what made Dean Martin so cool. Sinatra went out of his way to befriend gangsters. Dean couldn’t care less. Sammy Davis, Jr. went crazy with cocaine, watching his wife, Altovise, have sex with other men and dabbling in Satanism. [Your homework: read Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, Madness & The Mob by Matt Birkbeck.] Dean couldn’t care less. Peter Lawford was the presidential pimp. Dean couldn’t care less.

It was the effortless way he carried himself, his “casual grace,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Dean didn’t even take himself seriously. He never claimed to be a great singer (which he was) or a great actor (which he was) or a great comedian (which he was). He was so comfortable being himself, and so charming, he went through 30+ original albums, 50+ films, legendary stage shows and one of the most popular television programs in history. He played the role of the drunk so well, folks loved him for it, yet it was all an act. He played the role of the philanderer so well, cracking wise about it on stage all the time, yet he was devoutly true for 24 years to his second wife, Jeanne…well, almost. That’s partly because he had already been through all that. The dude was a damn rock star a decade+ before The Rat Pack ever existed as half of Martin & Lewis.

He was a skinny, struggling singing Italian kid—after being a bootleg liquor transporter, speakeasy croupier, blackjack dealer, steel mill worker and boxer—who hooked up with a funny Jew whose sole act was to bring a record player on stage and pantomime to songs. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were so fucking funny together they revolutionized the whole concept of what one was allowed and not allowed to do on a stage. They practically invented the now-dead art of the “publicity stunt.” To promote themselves in Atlantic City, Jerry would pretend to drown in the ocean. Dean would rescue him. When a crowd formed around them, they’d leap up, yell “MARTIN AND LEWIS TONIGHT AT THE 500 CLUB,” and run off the beach. Their New York Copacabana shows, especially the ones that started at 1 a.m., were surrealistic and impossibly hilarious. One forgets all these years later that Martin & Lewis enjoyed that rare type of transcendent fame that only folks like Elvis and the Beatles knew. When they broke up 10 years to the day they formed, everyone knew Jerry Lewis would be a big star. Dean Martin surprised ‘em all.

Now comes Collected Cool (Universal Music Enterprises), the first box to combine his Capitol and Reprise years: three CDs and a DVD that comes as close to approximating the cool as any set ever released. Here’s how cool of a dad he was. Check this out. In 1964, he was a 47-year-old crooner who hadn’t had a hit in six years. His son, Dean Paul, loved the Beatles. Dino hated the Beatles and told his son he’d cut a tune that would knock ‘em right off the number one spot on the charts. He goes and cuts a song written in 1947 that so many singers—including Sinatra—tried to have a hit with and failed. Sure enough, “Everybody Loves Somebody,” on August 15, 1964, knocked “A Hard Day’s Night” from its number one spot. And there’s a version of that song within this box—without the backup singers, without the strings—that is as spiritually moving and transcendent as anything he ever recorded.

Highlights include his Conway Twitty duet, “My First Country Song” (yeah, Dean made fun of it but he was one hell of a country music singer too), his song parodies (the politically incorrect “I Enjoy Being A Fag”), the Jerry Lewis duet (“Pardners”), and, of course, hits like “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head,” “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You,” “That’s Amore,” “Sway,” “Volare” and a ton more.

Sadly, Dean died inside on 1987, when son Dean Paul died in a plane crash. He turned reclusive, and was forced off tours when his not giving a fuck got totally extreme and resulted in him not finishing songs on stage and flicking lit cigarettes into the audience. He spent his last days as a semi-madman going to the same restaurant night after night and not eating, his soul eaten away by the death of his son. [Homework assignment number two: Dino: Living High In The Dirty Business Of Dreams by Nick Tosches.]

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Vegas Medley"

Hey pallies! It's great to be back at the good ol' Ilovedinomartin blog! I just flew in from Vegas...I didn't even take a plane, I just flew right in! Hahaha!!! Anyway pals, I'm like so so excited & so so inspired for this weeks Sunday Serenade!


Visitin' Dean's stompin' ground... that he DEFINATELY helped put on the map...was just so much fun & knowin' that our bestest pal once dominated the Strip just made it that much more awe inspirin'!!! There was so so much "Dino" everywhere I went! I was just simply in Heaven!


There are so so many vids out there of Dino doin' his thin' in Vegas that I had a hard time choosin' just the right one. I'm guessin' Dean's "classic" Vegas intro & medley should do the trick to get us all in that party mode! Now go pour yourself a martini & grab that Vegas groove! Enjoy pallies!

On This Day In Dino-history: September 1, 1949

Hey pallies, likes on this day, September 1, 1949, the weddin' bells did chime for our most beloved Dino and his beauty queen Miss Jeanne Biegger. Dino and Miss Jeanne, wife numero duo, tied the knot at the home of Herman Hover's pad.

As we devotedly remember this day of absolute bliss for our Dino, ilovedinomartin shares with you a post that Deanager Catie shared at her tumblr blog, "They always look better at night..," on this day of Dino-significance last year. We shared it here last September 1 and thought we'd share it 'gain for all who may have missed it the first time 'round.

Our Catie combines an outstandin' weddin' pix of the beau-ti-ful couple with some prose scribed by Mr. Jerry Lewis from his magnificant Dino-bio, "Dean and Me: A Love Story."

Just grooves to be likes readin' these kind of glorious Dino-details....and these reflections from Mr. Lewis notin' the extremely close relationship that our most beloved Dino had with his bestest of best pallie Jerry.

ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to Miss Catie for creatin' this Dino-memory on her tumblr account, sure to bring many of today's nouveau hipsters to the deep knowledge and total total adulation of our great man. Dino-rememberin', DMP btw pallies, if you clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram you will be taken to the Dean Martin Timeline...an essential pad for all those who are deeply devoted to our Dino!




You just got out of a marriage,” I said. “What the fuck are you rushing into another one for?”

He just stared at me, shocked that I had hit the issues on the button. I hurried to explain myself. “Forgive me, Paul.” I said. “Jeanne’s a great girl, and I think she would follow you to the ends of the earth. I know she would wait until you were ready. And there are four kids to think about.”

Dean thought for a moment. “Listen Jer,” he said. “You know me better than anyone, so what I say is between us. I do worry about my kids. But this feels so right. So strong.”

I nodded, finally understanding that he was really in love, and probably for the first time. “It’s your life, pal,” I told him. “And you have to do what’s best for you. You’ve always taken care of your kids; now it’s your turn to take care of yourself. Everything’ll fall into place.”

He threw his arms around me in a bear hug and whispered into my ear: “Thanks, Jer.”

As it turned out, Jeanne was the best thing that ever happened to Dean.

Jerry Lewis to Dean Martin on the day of his wedding to second wife Jeanne Biegger, September 1, 1949.

.....a combination of many of the previously released shows

Hey pallies, likes inquirin' Dino-minds wanna know 'bout what's gonna be on "Dean's Ultimate Collection," and doin' some quick Dino-searchin' I was directed to the tumblr pad of a Miss Brittany, who tags herself "fuckyeahthekingofcool" and it seems that this Deanager has been in communicato with the pallies at Time-Life 'bout this set and the reply she got is featured below.

As you will note, the new Dino-collection will be "a combination of many of the previously released shows for someone who wants to purchase them all at once." As Brittney said it so so well, "Not what I was expecting and I am not amused." My exact Dino-sentiments. HOWEVER, as you will also note, the set will include "a new Christmas Special DVD. That Christmas Special will hopefully be the amazin' one from '67, and the great news is that it will be not only available in the new set, but also on it's own.

Hats off to our bold Dino-holic Miss Brittany for searchin' and seekin' out this Dino-information for all of us Dino-philes. It is totally totally awesome to find so so many of today's youth so so hooked on our most beloved Dino. To read this in it's original format, please clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-sharin', DMP



I inquired about the new “Dean Martin Variety Show: Complete Collection” that is supposed to be coming out in October and here was Time-Life’s reply:

Hi Brittany! This collection will be a combination of many of the previously released shows for someone who wants to purchase them all at once. It will include the material from the three sets at the link - plus a new Christmas Special DVD. The Christmas Special will be available with the “Complete Collection” and on it’s own. We should have it on our site in October. Hope that helps!

Not what I was expecting and I am not amused. -_- If the Christmas Special they are speaking of is the one from ‘67, I will be extremely happy, but it’s still not enough!!!!!

DEAN'S ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Hey pallies, likes just a quick little Dino-gram to let's you know that our pallies at Amazon has put up the graphic for the Dino-collection of DVDs bein' released on October 30 by the dudes at Time-Life. Likes still no patter on what this 17 DVD set is gonna include, but here's the cover Dino-graphics. So so loves me a good Dino-mystery, so likes stay tuned for more Dino-details as they gets revealed. To view this graphics at Amazon, just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-reportin', DMP

DINO = COOL - - - 1966 - 1984

Hey pallies, likes today we head into the home Dino-stretch as we grooves together on Mr. Mike Cline's last entry in his marathon of Dino-flick poster sharin'. It was likes in this last quatre of our Dino's big screen romps that we see our Dino stage persona becomin' more and more the swingin' style of his big screen and personal life. Durin' this time our most beloved Dino starred in three of his four forages as spyster Matt Helm...includin' his groovest of groovy flick ever, "Murders Row."

This period is also marked by a goodly number of unusual western performances includin' "Rough Night In Jericho," "Bandolero,", "5 Card Stud," Something Big," and "Showdown." And, of course, it was in this period of his extreme star power, that he made 7 cool mil starrin' in his hugest of huge hits, "Airport."

His last major starrin' role was in our Dino's most unusual role as "Mr. Ricco."
And, our great man finished his great screen efforts in the swingin'est of swingin' road shows, "Cannonball Run I" and "Cannonball Run II."

Kudos upon kudos to our pallie Mike Cline for his thrillin' effort to share on our Dino's movie efforts with all of us. We at ilovedinomartin and so so delighted to have been able to share Cline's Dino-devotion with all the Dino-holics gathered 'round this Dino-waterin'-hole! Keeps lovin' our most beloved Dino! Dino-struck, DMP

DINO = COOL - - - 1966 - 1984


MURDERERS' ROW
1966


ROUGH NIGHT IN JERICHO
1967


THE AMBUSHERS
1967


HOW TO SAVE A MARRIAGE AND
RUIN YOUR LIFE
1968

Dean's great run continued throughout the remainder of the 1960s. The 1970s started out big-time as well with Dean top-billed with Burt Lancaster in AIRPORT, one of the year's biggest movies.

His weekly NBC television series ended in 1974, and the recording sessions became less frequent. Dean was nearly sixty at this time and decided to take it a bit easier with his work schedule. He did, however, continue to do sporadic celebrity roast specials for NBC until 1985.

Tragedy struck the family in 1987 when Dean's son, Dean Paul (Dino of the 60's rock band Dino, Desi and Billy), was killed in a military plane crash. Folks closest to him said that Dean pretty much threw in the towel after the crash.

Many accounts say that he spent much of his final years watching western movies at home, alone.

On Christmas Day, 1995, Dean Martin, died at the age of 78. His mother had passed away on Christmas Day 29 years previously.


BANDOLERO!
1968


5 CARD STUD
1968


THE WRECKING CREW
1969


AIRPORT
1970
Dean was paid 7 million for his services.


SOMETHING BIG
1971

The man born DINO PAUL CROCETTI had worked as a prizefighter, card shark, gas station attendant and a steel mill laborer before teaming up with nineteen-year-old Joseph Levitch, performing a singing / comedy nightclub routine. The world knew them better as Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. They ruled show business for a decade, then split, each striking out on their own.

Seems it worked out OK for each one of them.

Dean Martin is one of very few who have received not just one, but THREE stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for movies, one is for television, and one is for his recording career.


SHOWDOWN
1973


MR. RICCO
1975


THE CANNONBALL RUN
1981


CANNONBALL RUN II
1984

DINO = COOL - - - 1962 - 1966

Hey pallies, we again 'turn our Dino-lovin' pallie Mike Cline's blog, "Mike Cline's Then Playing" for a third helpin' of absolute fabulous Dino-admiration featurin' our Dino's flicks from 1962 - 1966. Likes as you can see, this was an era populated with several of our Dino's famous sex farces, topped of course with 1964's "Kiss Me Stupid." His lone "serious" role was in Lillian Hellman's "Toys In The Attic." Mix that three westerns and a rat pack flick, and top it all off with the first of the Helmer capers
you have an amazin'ly huge number of big screen appearances by our most beloved Dino.

These posts by Cline are so so Dino-educational gettin' to see the scope and sequence of our King of Cool's reign in the movie palaces all 'round the globe. I simply loves seein' the original posters that certainly enticed passerbys to come on in and gets them a cool helpin' of Dino-magic.

Many many thanks to our pallie Mike for creatin' such an amazin' of Dino-posts to helps us all grow in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our great man. To view this in it's original format, as usual, just clicks on the tag of these Dino-ruminations. Keeps lovin' our Dino and stay tuned for part quatre. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

DINO = COOL - - - 1962 - 1966


WHO'S GOT THE ACTION?
1962



COME BLOW YOUR HORN
1963
Uncredited appearance


TOYS IN THE ATTIC
1963


4 FOR TEXAS
1963

DEAN MARTIN's career continued to flourish during this period.


He was making two or three movies per year, doing Vegas, still making hit records ("You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You," "Houston," "Come Running Back," and a little diddy called "Everybody Loves Somebody"), and in 1965, began his Thursday night NBC hit variety / comedy television series (which would run for twelve seasons).


WHO'S BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED?
1963


WHAT A WAY TO GO!
1964


ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS
1964


KISS ME, STUPID
1964


THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER
1965


MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS
1965


THE SILENCERS
1966


TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER
1966

DINO = COOL - - - 1957 - 1962

Hey pallies, likes today we feature part duo of Mike Cline's hugest of huge Dino-homage to our great man's great flicks. From Cline's self-tag pad, "Mike Cline's Then Playing," comes the publicity posters, release year info, and patter for our King of Cool's big screen adventures for the years 1957-1962.

These are our amazin' man's first efforts sans Jerry Lewis, and there are some huge huge Dino-sucesses in the mix...."The Young Lions, "Some Came Running," "Rio Bravo,"
"Career," "Who Was That Lady," "Bells Are Ringing," "Oceans 11," "Ada," and "Sergeants 3." This was a golden period for our most beloved Dino as many many of his serious dramatic roles occured durin' this Dino-period...along with our Dino's only big screen musical and a variety of sex farces as well.

Again, ilovedinomartin salutes Mr. Mike Cline for his stupendous efforts in homagin' each and every flick that our Dino appeared in. To view this in it's original format, click on the tag of this Dino-message. Be sure to stay tuned from parts tres and quatre. Dino-devotedly, DMP

DINO = COOL - - - 1957 - 1962




After HOLLYWOOD OR BUST in 1956, DEAN MARTIN and JERRY LEWIS went separate ways to concentrate on their individual careers.


Jerry didn't miss a beat and continued to soar. Dean, however, stumbled out of the chute. His first feature, TEN THOUSAND BEDROOMS, might not have sold ten thousand tickets. Critics lined up to write that Dean was finished and couldn't survive without his ex-partner.


DINO = COOL - - - 1957 - 1962
TEN THOUSAND BEDROOMS
1957

\
THE YOUNG LIONS
1958

His shared the screen in his next movie, THE YOUNG LIONS, with heavyweights Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift. Dino gave a bravura performance and more than held his own on camera. Critics had to eat their words of a year earlier.


"Maybe this guy can really act," many wrote. And they were, oh so, correct.


Turns out, the crooner could do it all - - sing, dance and act. He also showed them he could be funny as well and not just the straight man.


SOME CAME RUNNING
1958


RIO BRAVO
1959


CAREER
1959


WHO WAS THAT LADY?
1960


BELLS ARE RINGING
1960


OCEANS 11
1960


ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK
1961


ADA
1961


SERGEANTS 3
1962


THE ROAD TO HONG KONG
1962

Uncredited appearance

Posted by Mike Cline at 3:25 PM