Dean Martin is at ease as a headliner with no need of his usual Rat Pack buddies.

Hey pallies, likes woo-hoo dudes...likes how cool is it that the big news of the release of our Dino's western, "Something Big" is startin' to be shared all over the 'net. Today we turn to 'nother review of this fabulous Dino comedic western at "Blog Critics." From the pen of Miss Elizabeth Periale, "artist, blogger, and culture critic," comes a very cool review that is sure to send many many pallies out in search of their very own copy of this swingin' flick.

Periale shares some very interestin' details 'bout this early '70's big screen effort that I had not known...likes "The filming locations of Something Big outside of Durango, Mexico, add another layer of authenticity to the film." And, it is clear that Miss Elizabeth enjoys viewin' our Dino as she states, "But the intention of the film is to amuse, and it manages to do that with good humor. Dean Martin is at ease as a headliner with no need of his usual Rat Pack buddies. He helps make Something Big an entertaining experience."

ilovedinomartin expresses our Dino-appreciato to Miss Elizabeth Periale and the pallies at "Blog Critics" for helpin' get the word out that "Something Big" is finally available for Dino-viewin' pleasure. To reader Periale's Dino-reflections in it's original format, as usual, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Dino-delightedly, DMP

DVD Review: Something Big

The newly released on DVD Something Big is a comic western from 1971 featuring Dean Martin.

Practically every character in the film gets a chance to utter the two words "something big," as they describe bandit Joe Baker's (Dean Martin) scheme to pull off one more big heist. His brilliant plan is to trade a woman for a Gatling gun. But the woman he ends up choosing when he ambushes a stagecoach is Mary Anna (Honor Blackman), the wife of the territory's retiring U.S. Army colonel. Colonel Morgan (Brian Keith) hadn't exactly been eager to retire or see his wife again, who he had described to all of his men as a "cold fish." Baker forms a very different impression of Mary Anna after traveling with her on the way to the exchange. And he starts to wonder if his goal of a Gatling gun is so big after all.

But Baker's kidnapping isn't the only "something big" on the horizon. Making her way westward is Dover McBride (Carol White), a woman that Baker pledged to marry many years before who is determined to hold him to that promise.

Director Andrew McLaglen is no stranger to the Western genre. A veteran of such television series as Gunsmoke and Rawhide and films featuring John Wayne, like McLintock! and Chisum. The filming locations of Something Big outside of Durango, Mexico, add another layer of authenticity to the film.

The film is widescreen with a sharp transfer that looks crisp and clean on a large-scale high-definition television screen. The title song, "Something Big," was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and performed by Mark Lindsay. The film runs approximately 108 minutes, with Dolby digital (mono) sound and subtitles. The film is rated PG-13 for some violence and adult themes. The DVD includes a theatrical trailer, but no other extras.

Movie buffs will love seeing the many assorted character actors who round out the cast: Ben Johnson, Joyce Van Patten, Harry Carey Jr., Albert Salmi, Merlin Olsen, David Huddleston, and Paul Fix as an American Indian chief.

The film is definitely dated. Its portrayal of Native Americans is far from what modern audiences would consider politically correct. Most of the characters are broad caricatures, and Something Big has to be viewed in its context of the late '60s, early '70s. But the intention of the film is to amuse, and it manages to do that with good humor. Dean Martin is at ease as a headliner with no need of his usual Rat Pack buddies. He helps make Something Big an entertaining experience.

Dean Martin smirks his way through the entire thing—and that’s what Something Big is; a fun time.

Hey pallies, likes Tuesday of this Dino-week was 'nother great day for all us Dino-philes as the long anticipated release of that swingin' Dino-western, "Something Big" became a Dino-reality! And, likes here's a swingin' review of said from the flick pad, "MOVIEGAZETTEONLINE" by Miss Rebecca Wright, founder and Editor-in-Chief of this movie blog site.

Likes it seems obvious that Miss Wright digs our most beloved Dino and our fav line in her review that ilovedinomartin has used as the tag of this post is just so so groovy ol' pallies of mine...."Dean Martin smirks his way through the entire thing—and that’s what Something Big is; a fun time." Indeed Dino is where it is at and how grand for Dino-holics likes youse and me to gets our greedy little Dino-hands on 'nother great big screen Dino-epic!

Thanks to Miss Rebecca Wright and her pallies at "MOVIEGAZETTEONLINE" for puttin' the accent on our Dino in this way and perhaps leadin' many of their readership into knowin', lovin', and likes totally diggin' our most diggable Dino! To view this in it's original format, as usual, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-message. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

DVD Review: Something Big (1971)

Written by Rebecca Wright

In 1971, Dean Martin was near the height of his fame. His variety show on NBC had been a hit for NBC since 1965, and he had become one of the highest paid performers on television. Fans loved his cool, smirking, devil-may-care attitude. Martin used his summer hiatus’ from the show to do nightclub appearances and makes films. One such film was 1971’s Something Big, a light-hearted western.

Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen (Shenandoah, The Rare Breed) and written by James Lee Barrett (The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Green Berets) Something Big offers a rather simple story. Dean Martin plays Joe Baker, an aging bandit determined to accomplish “something big,” before his fiancé Dover McBride (Carol White) arrives from Pennsylvania. He was supposed to have made a fortune, but he’s come up empty. Colonel Morgan (Brian Keith) knows that Baker is planning something, but the details remain sketchy—it’s simply “something big.”

As it turns out, Baker is planning a raid on a famous Mexican outlaw’s remote treasury. With the treasure well guarded, Baker is forced to make a deal with the vulgar and lonely bandit Johnny Cobb (Albert Salmi), to purchase a Gatling gun in exchange for a woman. Baker’s gang holds up a series of stagecoaches but leaves them untouched after Cobb is unable to find a suitable woman. He finally finds a suitable gal, who turns out to be Colonel Morgan's wife Mary Ann (Honor Blackman). She quickly takes a liking to Baker, who treats her with respect.

To say much more would give the entirety of what little plot there is away. Something Big doesn’t take itself too seriously; written as a bit of a parody of the western genre. Martin’s character is a bit of an eccentric. Dressed in a well-cut suede coat, he carries a small dog in a special saddle pouch. His horse’s two front teeth are capped with gold. His second in command is a kilted Scotsman who plays the bagpipes at nearly every turn.

Martin, along with a talented supporting cast that includes Ben Johnson, Denver Pyle, Merlin Olsen, Robert Donner, Harry Carey Jr. and Joyce Van Patten clearly had a lot of fun making this film. Dean Martin smirks his way through the entire thing—and that’s what Something Big is; a fun time. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, harmless movie, give this one a try.

Presented in the full screen format, Something Big looks okay. Colors aren’t particularly vibrant, but there not faded either. I didn’t notice any real digital anomalies except for a couple of scratches.

The audio is presented in a straight forward Dolby Mono. While nothing special, it does provide clear and concise dialogue throughout.

English SDH subtitles are available.

The theatrical trailer is included.

I went back and dug out my review of the 1966 Dean Martin vehicle The Silencers, blew off the dust and gave it a revamping.

Hey pallies, likes if today's post looks somewhat familiar, it is 'cause it is actually a revision of our new pallie Ryan Ebelt's expose on Helmer numero uno that was shared here on October 4. Faithful readers will remember that on October 3, ilovedinomartin shared Ry's short version of Dino-patter on "The Silencers," and then the next day dug back in the recessess of his blog," "The B-List Super Hero Roll Call," to find a December 2005 review of the said Dino-classic.

Well it seems upon both posts bein' shared here at ilovedinomartin, Ebelt wisely decided to revisit his 2005 Dino-scribin' and below is a "revamping" of same. Though Ry doesn't mention ilovedinomartin directly in his openin' remarks, when he says "As there's been a considerable reaction to my coverage of the 60's super-spy scene on both blogs" it is clear that ilovedinomartin has played a major role in encouragin' Ry to revisit his original Dino-work.

So, sits back dudes and enjoys a refined review of our most beloved Dino as Matt Helm in "The Silencers"...and likes 'specially enjoys the very very groovy tags that pallie Ry has placed on the pixs that he has chosen to highlight his review with.

Thanks to Ry Ebelt for reworkin' his Dino-devotion for his faithful readership to grow in their passion for our great man. And thanks Ry for the promise to review Helmer numero duo, this pallies most fav of the quartet, "Murders' Row." Will certainly be waitin' with much Dino-anticipation to your wise words of wisdom on this one as well. To read this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this Dino-missive. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

"Big O..? You're Sick!"

As there's been a considerable reaction to my coverage of the 60's super-spy scene on both blogs, I went back and dug out my review of the 1966 Dean Martin vehicle The Silencers, blew off the dust and gave it a revamping.

The Silencers was the fourth novel to feature Donald Hamilton's counter-agent Matt Helm. Hamilton's hardboiled take on the spy thriller genre was a popular pulp staple from his first appearance in print in 1960 up through his 27th appearance in the 1990's. Even moreso than Fleming's Bond novels, the movies took a far more lighthearted tone with the character than the bullet-riddled, bone-crunching, punch-throwing stories of the books. Produced by Albert "Cubby" Broccoli's former partner, Irvin Allen, the filmmakers felt that the only way to compete with Bond was to do stick to a more comedic vein.

A cover that screams "light-hearted romp"...

In a similar fashion, James Coburn's Flint vehicles often get called parodies of the spy-flick genre, but I don't believe they were. I think it was the desire to give into the Swingin' Sixties Beach Party movie vibe, and camp it up...maybe just a little too much. For one thing, Coburn plays it straight, and there's no nodding or winking at the camera. Plus, it has all the usual elements of a Bond moive, only it would appear that everyone making the movie thought that the only way to beat Bond was to go farther, to a point the Bond movies themselves would eventually reach (see The Spy Who Loved Me). But, is over-the-top or more over-the-top a crime? Considering that none of the super-spy flicks, at least the early ones, ever had anything to do with real Cold War threats, the tone fits the total comic book nature of the beast. It just got turned up too high.

Hell, Marvel comic's superspy, Nick Fury, fought more Russians than any of his movie counterparts did. But, as per usual, I digress...

Could I have a second helping of innuendo?

Matt Helm, as envisioned by his creator Donald Hamilton, is a fairly dark character: a man of action, an antihero whose moral code makes him a valiant warrior but also a cold hearted killer. Now take a moment, read back over that description, and tell me honestly if Dean Martin is the first person that comes to mind. So if you cast Dino, can you keep the movie true to what it was supposed to be at least as far being an adaptation of the novel? The book version Matt Helm was a photographer, but the movie version Matt Helm...well, he has to be a Playboy-type photographer. (Maybe this movie should've been made by Russ Meyer...a marriage of form and function.)

The story is fairly thin. There's a threat to the U.S. There is a big bad villainous consipiracy. Do you need to know more than that? What the movie has is banter...by the truckload. Dean Martin spends nearly the entire run of the movie spitting out one-liners that range from good laughs to the nearly painful. Now, you can't say the movie is a character study, because it's not exactly an in-depth study of Matt Helm, nor does it waste any time delving into anyone else. It's more like a movie of archetypes, characters we already sort of recognize so the filmmakers don't have to say more about them. We've covered Matt Helm, but Daliah Lavi is the dark femme fatale, and Stella Stevens is the ditzy sidekick.

The man who would be King...King Tut on Batman...

Then there's Victor Buono, the main bad guy, who is referred to as Tung-Tze. I assume he was meant to be Asian (and if you see him, you'll know why I say "assume"). Now You Only Live Twice may have contained the silliest Asian make-up job on a white guy (turning Sean Connery "Japanese"), but Tung-Tze...hmm...well, it's not even fair to compare them. At least they were trying on Connery, on Buono they put some dark eye-liner and stopped. It's not even in the same ballpark. And though I've found Buono entertaining in other roles, his sort of shrill distinctly non-Asian accent was for the most part anything but threatening. That's not to say it was bad. It certainly fit in with the rest of the movie. It just wasn't terribly threatening...at all.

Which leads me to the funniest aspect of the movie: Do we care? Do we care that Lavi turns out to be the enemy agent, Cowboy? Do we care that Matt's going to be melted by what was perhaps the funniest early interpretation of a laser I've ever seen? Do we really care if the Big O detonates the missle freeing the underground fallout (is that an oxymoron?)? The answer is...well, no. Did that stop me from enjoying the hell out of this movie? Again, the answer is no. Was it a good movie? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Do you see where I'm going with this?

That's what the 60's called feminism...

To be fair, maybe this movie is only as enjoyable as it is because of hindsight. Thirty years later and it's sort of funny to watch nearly every character light up a cigarette every five seconds. This is particularly funny when looking at the efforts of anti-smoking lobbyists over the past few years when you don't have nearly the volume of smokers on screen. Nothing, however, nothing beats watching Dino and Stella having a drinking contest while driving! Driving! And we won't even get me started on the...well, I wouldn't call them mysognistic tones (Ok, there is the dress ripping scene)...or even chauvanistic tones exactly...but something says that your average feminist would not go in for Dino's almost constant carousing with all too willing female companions. But in this day and age, it sure is fun to watch!

Looks like my average Tuesday...

Now, most importantly: Do I recommend it?

If you're looking for Bond, you're going to be let down. And though Austin Powers was more obviously inspired by Matt Helm than Bond or Flint, you're not going to exactly find that kind of humor either. Certainly, if you were old enough to have seen the movie in it's initial release, you may or may not see what I find so funny and/or entertaining about it in the first place. You have to take it for what it is. It's a product of it's time, star, and studio in much the same way as say Indiana Jones (not that there's any comparing the two in terms of quality).

Basically, a good rule of thumb is: If you can enjoy Death Race 2000, Gamera Vs. Guiron, and Santa Clause Conquers the Martians then you can certainly enjoy The Silencers. I say that because I enjoy all of those movies.

Give me some time, and I'll return to cover Muderer's Row the Dino's 2nd Matt Helm adventure...and who know, from there I may do the whole series.



Hand Stenciled by Ryan at 10:26 AM

"I remember when I first really started to love Dino..."

Hey pallies, likes oh the amazin' rewards of searchin' the web for more and more and more Dino-testimonials Likes I simply plugged in Dino Martin into the good ol' google search box, and likes within moments I landed at a pad inhabited by a young dude tagged Richard L. Sykes who is solidly sold out and solidly smitten by our most beloved Dino. Sykes pontificates 'bout himself, "I'm Richard, I live in Village Suites and my major is undeclared. I'm from Roswell, Ga but i was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. I play guitar and I'm awesome."

His devotion is deep, pure, and true as exhibited by his Dino-adulation shared below. Richard is a true Deanager collegiate and likes as you will read..."it wasn’t even a year ago" when our Dino welcomed Sykes into his world and make him his pallie. This Dino-prose is quite short in scribin' but oh, so long in awe-struck-ness of our Dino!

A few of Richard's thoughts...

"I cannot even begin to describe how much i love this artist."

"He’s the best, the classiest, most talented man to have enver lived."

"The way he sang, the swave of his voice, the smooth classy feel to him brought chills to my spine."

"I remember at that moment, I wanted to be him, and ever since that, I have promised myself that I would transform myself to a man of his caliber."

"There are just aren’t enough words to describe it."

Likes dude is our new pallie Richard a true Dino-devotee or what?!?!? Trustin' that he will become Dino-connected here at our humble little ilovedinomartin Dino-pad.

Mucho kudos for the mucho love that Richard Sykes has for our most beloved Dino. How stellar to have this nouveau hipster so so bold in openin'ly announcin' his passion for our King of Cool in such a supremely Dino-devoted way. To view Richard's patter in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Dino-always, only, and ever, DMP

Dean “Dino” Martin: The King of Cool

Dean “Dino” Martin

I cannot even begin to describe how much i love this artist. He’s the best, the classiest, most talented man to have enver lived. Okay that might be opionated slightly but I think many would agree that Martin is a class act. I remember when I first really started to love Dino, it wasn’t even a year ago when I clicked on a video posted on my blog. The video was of the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin) playing at a gig with Ed Sulliven. The way he sang, the swave of his voice, the smooth classy feel to him brought chills to my spine. I remember at that moment, I wanted to be him, and ever since that, I have promised myself that I would transform myself to a man of his caliber. There are just aren’t enough words to describe it.

A note from Dean Martin to Chad & Jeremy

Hey pallies, likes in doin' some Dino-researchin' to see if I coulda find anythin' more 'bout the Chad and Jeremy Dino-connection, likes I came 'cross a Chad and Jeremy blog tagged "Jason's Chad and Jeremy Archive" where a dude tagged Jason Rhoden features all thin's Chad and Jeremy." Mr Rhoden is "their business manager/attorney/biographer/archivist/webmaster/Electric Paintboxer.".

Well likes when I googled Chad and Jeremy and Dean Martin I came to Jason's page that features "Chad and Jeremy Liner Notes" from each of their swingin' '60's al-b-ums. And, likes guess what dudes?!?!?!?! The liner notes from YESTERDAY'S GONE gives some very cool details 'bout each of these musicians and how they came together, but also "A note from Dean Martin to Chad & Jeremy" which our great man wrote to 'em after they had guested at his fabulous Dino-pad.

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As you will read below, our most beloved Dino sez some very cool stuff 'bout the duo, but also quires which of 'em went off with one of his possessions. And, of course the liner notes also include a response from Chad and Jeremy 'bout the Dino-missive.

Likes what a total gas is this pallies....how totally totally hip to have our King of Cool write such cool prose to be shared on the liner notes of one of their al-b-ums. Likes this simply makes me forge Dino-ahead to likes see what other amazin' Dino-finds await on the ol' web!

Likes just thinks of the huge huge number of pallies that our amazin' Dino interacted with in his life time and likes the huge number of Dino-encounters still waitin' to be uncovered and shared. Hats off to Chad and Jeremy's man Mr. Jason Rhoden for sharin' such cool stuff on his blog just waitin' for us Dino-holics to find and embrace. To read this and more from the original source, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-only, DMP

Chad And Jeremy Liner Notes It can be very interesting to read liner notes to old records, giving you a feel for where the artists career was at that point, the record label's attitude, and sometimes (as in the case with Chad and Jeremy) what the artist thinks about the record. On this page are the liner notes to all of Chad and Jeremy's 1960's LPs.

YESTERDAY'S GONE The music industry as well as the public are always looking for a fresh new talent. We here at WORLD ARTISTS RECORDS are proud to present two of the most refreshing personalities from across the sea.

Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde made their mark with their very first release, entitled, "Yesterday's Gone," introducing "The Oxford Sound" to the American public. During their only trip to date to the United States, both Chad & Jeremy were overwhelmed by the reception they recieved. They made appearances on "The Hollywood Palace," "The Steve Allen Show," and "The Mike Douglas Show," (for which they were held over).

Here are some pertinent facts on Chad & Jeremy:

Chad was born 21 years ago in Windermere (outside of London). He was educated at the Durham School, followed by brief excursions at the Art School and The Sorbonne in Paris. To achieve his musical ambitions he joined a music publishing house as a copyist and arranger.

Jeremy was born 22 years ago at Buckinghamshire. He was educated at ETON followed by a formal education at Grenoble in France. He also attended a school for Speech & Drama, where there he played in a "rock-n-roll" group in his spare time for two years. Jeremy's modesty most often hides the fact that he is the grandson of the Duke of Wellington.

"The boys" met about a year ago at a party, started discussing music, and found that their views were compatible. Henceforth, the birth of CHAD AND JEREMY!

A note from Dean Martin to Chad & Jeremy

"I had an excellent chance to get to know Chad and Jeremy, both personally and professionally while they stayed here in my home during their first visit to the United States.

They are great guys and fine musicians, I have no doubts that they will go a long, long way and if I had the fare I'd go with them.

P>S> I don't know which one of you took my tennis shoes --- but please send them back!!!" - Dean Martin

In a recent letter from Jeremy about their first album,

"...About half the songs in this album are standard tunes, that both Chad and I have always wanted to record. The rest of the songs are new ones. I believe we have captured 'The Oxford Sound,' as you Americans call it. In the song, 'Only For The Young,' Chad has a guitar solo, neither of us sing on this particular cut, but we liked it so much we had to include it. We hope all our fans like our first album, and we'll be back in the United States soon to see them all. Sincerely yours, (signed) Jeremy Clyde.

P.S. Dean, we didn't take your tennis shoes!"

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino: "I Wish You Love"

  Welcome pals...found us some great great stuff for today's Serenade! This time we is goin' "old school!" I'm talkin' bout' that "vintage" Dino sound thats simply PERFECT the way it is! It's just an "old vinyl record" kinda day!

Now if your a completely sold-out Dino-holic like me...then youse ab so lute ly KNOWS... that youse needn't look any further than that magical al b um... "The Very Best of Dean Martin"! Is "needn't" even a word pals??!! I'M GETTIN' DRUNK ON DINO HERE!!!

 Anyways..."I Wish You Love" is just what I was fiendin' for! No digital remasterin' on this one o friends o mine! Just our great great pal doin' what he does best...weavin' us into nother' time & place with his inimatable vocal. Let's get that retro groove goin' for this tune...close your eyes & let Dean take you away...

I wish you bluebirds in the spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss
But more than this
I wish you love

And in July a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade
I wish you health
And more than wealth
I wish you love

My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never be
So with my best, my very best
I set you free

I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all
When snowflakes fall
I wish you love

I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all
When snowflakes fall
I wish you love

"I came out of nowhere and we ended up as house guests at Dean Martin’s house."

Hey pallies, likes can you 'mage yourself bein' a house guest at Mansion Martin? Likes wouldn't that be likes totally totally the best?!?!?!?! Well in doin' my usual Dino-searchin' of blogs, I came 'cross a very recent interview by Miss Gianna Volpe of "The Suffolk Times," with Chad Stuart of Chad and Jeremy rock and roll fame. Seems that the duo was playin' a gig in the area and Miss Volpe was able to speak with Stuart in her report, "British Invasion comes to the Vail-Leavitt with Chad & Jeremy."

Likes a wee bit of the interview puts the accent on our Dino. Seems that Chad's parntner Jeremy was "connected" and "his mother, the Lady Ms. Clyde, was pals with the Rat Pack." So when Chad and Jeremy were in sunny Cali for the first time, of all thin's dudes likes they became house guests of our most beloved Dino. Now, likes how totally rad is that!?!?!?! What I woulda gives to be able to honored by visitin' family Martin at home.

So, likes below is a couple of Q&A's between Miss Volpe and Chad 'bout his Dino-experience. To view the entire interview, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Hats off to the pallies at "The Suffolk Times" and particularly Miss Gianna Volpe for this totally groovy Dino-remembrance. Keeps lovin' our Dino pallies! Dino-awed, DMP

COURTESY PHOTO | A recent photograph of Chad Stuart (left) and Jeremy Clyde in London.

Q: Sounds like they took you to the cleaners. A: They took everyone to the cleaners. It wasn’t just them. That’s just the way it was because we were kids and didn’t have the faintest idea what we were doing, so that was hopeless. Jeremy’s connected — his father was a movie producer and partner at Douglas Fairbanks studio and his mother, the Lady Ms. Clyde, was pals with the Rat Pack. She was amazing. I came out of nowhere and we ended up as house guests at Dean Martin’s house.

Q: What was that like? A: It was amazing. They had a huge house with two laundresses, a housekeeper and a cook in Beverly Hills. The kids were great, too. They had this huge garden and a tennis court and a swimming pool. I’d never seen anything like it. I’d never seen houses with bug screens on the window. I was in my room with its own bathroom, which is unheard of in England, and I was looking out through the bug screens thinking “Gosh, what are they keeping out?” It was crazy. Uncle Frank [Sinatra] would come over and I remember sitting on a couch talking to him.

On This Day In Dino-history: October 5, 1953

Hey pallies, likes gotta 'fess up that I didn't likes plan to have 'nother post this Dino-day, but google 'lerts likes sent me over to our great pallie Mark R.'s cool cool pad, "popculturefanboy" where Mark has scribed 'nother great Dino-historical note.

Likes dudes, likes it is on this very day, October 5, in the year of our Dino 1953 that our most beloved Dino recorded that fab jazz croon of "The Christmas Blues." Likes truly digs how Mark shares all the folks who played with Mr. Dick Stabile's orchestra. How fabulous woulda it be to be one of those pallies recordin' with our great man?!?!?!?!

Below is the the Dino-scribin's from Mark R. as well as the vid clip of our Dino singin' the blues of Christmas. ilovedinomartin sends our our bestest of best Dino-appreciato for the on-goin' work of our pallie Mark for keepin' us all up-to-Dino-date! To read this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-learnin' and Dino-growin', DMP



1953 - Dean Martin, with Dick Stabile and His Orchestra (Walter "Pete" Candoli on trumpet; Milt Bernhart, Tommy Pederson, George Roberts, Si Zentner on trombone; Harry Klee and Warren "Champ" Webb on saxophone; Walter Weschler on piano; Bob Bain on guitar; Joe Comfort on bass; Frankie Carlson and Alvin Stoller on drums; Ann Mason Stockton on harp; and on strings: Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, Nathan Ross, Mischa Russell, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin, and Gerald Vinci on violin; Paul Robyn and David Sterkin on viola; Cy Bernard and Eleanor Slatkin on cello), records the track "The Christmas Blues" in Los Angeles, California. Capitol will issue the track as a single (Capitol 2640) with "If I Should Love Again" on the flip side.

Yet 'Nother Dino-flick Releasin' On DVD-R

Hey pallies, likes here is simply more evidence that the Dino-revolution is truly in full tilt! Likes was 'gain perusin' the Dino-DVD listin' at Amazon for any possible new Dino-treasure and found that yes, yet 'nother Dino-flick will be releasin' on DVD-R for our total total Dino-viewin' pleasure.

From the Universal "Vault Series" that outstandin' western, "Texas Across The River" is bein' promoted at Amazon, but without a release date as of yet. Likes the Dino-news just gets better and better every single Dino-day! Likes over the course of the past few weeks there are now three Dino big screen efforts that are comin' available for each and every Dino-holic to add to their Dino-collection..."Something Big," "Mr. Ricco," and likes now "Texas Across The River." Likes am waitin' with bated breath to get my greedy little Dino-hands on all three!

To view this Dino-news at Amazon, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Keeps lovin' our Dino and keeps sharin' that Dino-devotion with the pallies you know! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

I'm gonna go ahead and confess that any movie whose primary concern is moving it's protagonist from one hot 60's babe to another while at the same time blowing things up that threaten truth, justice and the American way...well, it's my kind of movie.

Hey pallies, likes I'm thrilled to return youse Dino-philes today to Mr. Ryan Ebelt's swingin' blog, "The B-List Super Hero Roll Call," where we are goin' to be treated to an extended review of "The Silencers." Likes after sharin' Ry's recent prose on Helmer numero uno, I chose to delve deeper into Ry's blog to see if perchance he had scribed other Dino-prose....and indeed I unearthed several of Ebelt's writin' a la Dino, includin' the followin' in depth reflections by Ry from way back in December 2005. So, likes today we gets treated to Ebelt's wise and wonderful words on Helmer uno.

Ry is right on the money when he encourages his readers to see "The Silencers" as a swingin' 60's flick and enjoys it with that focus in mind. He sez, "I'm gonna go ahead and confess that any movie whose primary concern is moving it's protagonist from one hot 60's babe to another while at the same time blowing things up that threaten truth, justice and the American way...well, it's my kind of movie."

And further Ry pontificates... "Which leads me to the funniest aspect of the movie: Do we care? Do we care that Lavi turns out to be the enemy agent, Cowboy? Do we care that Matt's going to be melted by what was perhaps the funniest early interpretation of a laser I've ever seen? Do we really care if the Big O detonates the missle freeing the underground fallout (is that an oxymoron?)? The answer is...well, no. Did that stop me from enjoying the hell out of this movie? Again, the answer is no. Was it a good movie? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Do you see where I'm going with this?"

Ry so so wisely advises his readership to simply enjoys the pleasures of our Dino in Matt Helm for simply, the pleasures! Again, ilovedinomartin salutes Mr. Ryan Ebelt for such pleasurable pontifications on our most beloved Dino in "The Silencers." To view this in it's original format, likes simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-sharin'. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

Thursday, December 15, 2005

"Big O..? You're Sick!"

America's...ahem...answer to James Bond

Ok. We interrupt the crushing wait of the second Lee Van Cleef double feature review (...I watched one...but not the other yet...) to bring you a review of...well, something else.

I believe it was in my review of Temptress of a Thousand Faces or perhaps Angel with Iron Fists (Did I review that one?) that I may have mentioned my growing love for the James Bond knock-offs from around the world in the 60's. The funniest thing about them is that even the best with comparable budgets still fall far short of the mark. Was it Connery? Was it 'Cubby' Broccoli? Was it Fleming's source material?

Actually, I feel I have to answer that in a way before I go on. Part of it, I think was Connery. Few of the Bond knock-offs feature an actor with comparable charisma who can be taken seriously as an action star, a lover, and a wit. He had the looks, the style and the growl. Second, I think it was also producer Broccoli who was already a firmly established professional in Hollywood, and who showed an obvious love for the series which he worked on for 30 years. As for Fleming's source material, it's a tougher call. I've only read Goldfinger, but from what I understand, nearly every Bond movie was quite a departure from the source material; however, I believe it was the considerable amount of work and the imaginative nature of it that the filmmakers were able to create one of the most successful film franchises of all time.

The knock-offs however lack most of this...today's review on the other hand, seems like it could've made it there...or at least come a lot closer. But don't let that fool you, it's still a good watch.

The Silencers (1966, d. Phil Karlson)

The Story: Photographer/Playboy Matt Helm is called back into espionage action when a leader of the nefarious Big O plans release the poisonous fallout from an underground nuclear test.

The Review: Now without doing a pesky thing like...um...proper research, in some respects I can't tell if this is honestly mean to be a parody or not. Most of the reviews or mentions one finds of this flick on-line refers to it as a parody, but having seen it now I'm not entirely sure. In fact, in many respects, I think the tone of the film could be ascribed in part to the stuido and it's star.

Lemme make my argument.

In a similar fashion, James Coburn's Flint vehicles often get called parodies of the spy-flick genre, but I don't believe they were. I think it was a lack of control in the humor department. It was the desire to give into the Swingin' Sixties Beach Party movie vibe, and camp it up...just a little too much. For one thing, Coburn plays it straight, and there's no nodding or winking at the camera. Plus, it has all the usual elements of a Bond moive, only it would appear that everyone making the movie thought that the only way to beat Bond was to go farther with it. But, is over-the-top or more over-the-top a crime? Considering that none of the super-spy flicks, at least the early ones, ever had anything to do with real Cold War threats, the tone fits the total comic book nature of the beast. It just got turned up too high.

Hell, Marvel comic's superspy, Nick Fury, fought more Russians than any of his movie counterparts did.

Matt Helm, as envisioned by his creator Donald Hamilton, is a fairly dark character. He's a man of action, an antihero whose moral code makes him a valiant warrior but also a cold hearted killer. Now take a moment, read back over that description, and tell me honestly if Dean Martin is the first person that comes to mind. So if you cast Dino, can you keep the movie true to what it was supposed to be at least as far being an adaptation of the novel? (After all, though the Bond movies leave the source material, they still hold true in ways to tone and character.) The book version Matt Helm was a photographer, but the movie version Matt Helm...well, he has to be a Playboy-type photographer. (Maybe this movie should've been made by Russ Meyer...a marriage of form and function.) So is it spoof, or is it character vs. actor?

In any event, let's see what we've got left.

I'm gonna go ahead and confess that any movie whose primary concern is moving it's protagonist from one hot 60's babe to another while at the same time blowing things up that threaten truth, justice and the American way...well, it's my kind of movie. Note I said 60's babes. Andy Sidaris movies don't count. (Ok, Ok...I like those too...but for different reasons...actually similar reasons...in terms of cheese...) So in other words, this movie was a jackpot of sorts.

The story is fairly thin. There's a threat to the U.S. There is a big bad villainous consipiracy. Do you need to know more than that? What the movie has instead is banter...by the truckload. Dean Martin spends nearly the entire run of the movie spitting out one-liners that range from good laughs to the nearly painful. Now, you can't say the movie is a character study, because it's not exactly an in-depth study of Matt Helm, nor does it waste any time delving into anyone else. It's more like a movie of archetypes, characters we already sort of recognize so the filmmakers don't have to say more about them. We've covered Matt Helm, but Daliah Lavi is the dark femme fatale, and Stella Stevens is the ditzy sidekick.

Then there's Victor Buono, the main bad guy, who is referred to as Tung-Tze. I assume he was meant to be Asian (and if you see him, you'll know why I say "assume"). Now You Only Live Twice may have contained the silliest Asian make-up job on a white guy (turning Sean Connery "Japanese"), but Tung-Tze...hmm...well, it's not even fair to compare them. At least they were trying on Connery, on Buono they put some dark eye-liner and stopped. It's not even in the same ballpark. And though I've found Buono entertaining in other roles, his sort of shrill distinctly non-Asian accent was for the most part anything but threatening. That's not to say it was bad. It certainly fit in with the rest of the movie. It just wasn't terribly threatening...at all.

Which leads me to the funniest aspect of the movie: Do we care? Do we care that Lavi turns out to be the enemy agent, Cowboy? Do we care that Matt's going to be melted by what was perhaps the funniest early interpretation of a laser I've ever seen? Do we really care if the Big O detonates the missle freeing the underground fallout (is that an oxymoron?)? The answer is...well, no. Did that stop me from enjoying the hell out of this movie? Again, the answer is no. Was it a good movie? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Do you see where I'm going with this?

To be fair, maybe this movie is only as enjoyable as it is because of hindsight. Thirty years later and it's sort of funny to watch nearly every character light up a cigarette every five seconds. This particularly funny when looking at the efforts of anti-smoking lobbyists over the past few years when you don't have nearly the volume of smokers on screen. Nothing, however, nothing beats watching Dino and Stella having a drinking contest while driving! Driving! And we won't even get me started on the...well, I wouldn't call them mysognistic tones (Ok, there is the dress ripping scene)...or even chauvanistic tones exactly...but something says that your average feminist would not go in for Dino's almost constant carousing with all too willing female companions. But in this day and age, it sure is fun to watch!

Now, most importantly: Do I recommend it?

Hmmm, that's a matter of debate. If you're looking for Bond, you're going to be let down. And though Austin Powers was more obviously inspired by Matt Helm than Bond or Flint, you're not going to exactly find that kind of humor either. Certainly, if you were old enough to have seen the movie in it's initial release, you may or may not see what I find so funny and/or entertaining about it in the first place. You have to take it for what it is. It's a product of it's time, star, and studio in much the same way as say Indiana Jones (not that there's any comparing the two in terms of quality).

Basically, a good rule of thumb is: If you can enjoy Death Race 2000, Gamera Vs. Guiron, and Santa Clause Conquers the Martians then you can certainly enjoy The Silencers. I say that because I enjoy all of those movies.

Besides which, I'm halfway through Muderer's Row the 2nd Matt Helm adventure. So far it's been worth it for Ann-Margret (who I'm also working with currently) and a character I just refer to as 1/4 Destro. You can figure that out for yourself.

Cheers.

Martin is good fun, the gadgets wacky and vehicles bizarre

Hey pallies, likes the web is full of unendin' homagin' of our most beloved Dino as super spyster Matt Helm. Today we takes youse to the blog, "The B-List Super Hero Roll Call," where multi-talented Mr. Ryan J. Ebelt holds forth. Ebelt is a man of many many talents includin' scriber and artiste.

Likes a huge part of why I chose to share Ry's talents with all youse Dino-philes is 'cause likes I totally totally digs Ebelt's absolutely rad sketch of our Dino and Miss Janice Rule on the 'cycle in "The Ambushers." Hopes that Ry will use his Dino-creativity to share more and more Dino-art with us!

Anywho, below is Ebelt's oh-so-short, but oh-so-cool review of the Helmer quartet. Totally totally grooves on these Dino-reflections...." Martin is good fun, the gadgets wacky and vehicles bizarre (Helm's first vehicle is a trick-filled station wagon!), the movies are completely watchable and hilariously awful." Obviously Ry "gets Martin" and digs watchin' our great man playin' his great cool, hip, and ever randy self!

ilovedinomartin salutes Mr. Ryan J. Ebelt for usin' his multi-talents to put the accent on our Dino and this way and draw his readership into knowin', lovin', and honorin' our most honorable man! To view this in it's original format, likes simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-delightedly, DMP

The Silencers

Having written a review of Our Man Flint on my review blog (click here to read!), I decided to revisit the 60's world of super-spy adventure! James Bond has been a hot property since first appearing on the printed page in 1953, and the movies have been a pop culture staple since Dr. No (1962). And as has been the case since the dawn of Hollywood, success breeds imitation. And while many of the Bond knock-offs have long been forgotten (no one I know who loved Austin Powers knew where half the references were coming from), the craze was pretty widespread.

One series seeking to cash in were the Matt Helm movies, starring Dean Martin, and produced by Irving Allen, former partner of Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, producer of the Bond films. Based on the long-running series of novels by Donald Hamilton, the movies took on a swinging sixties tone compared to the dark and violent atmosphere of the books. Martin is good fun, the gadgets wacky and vehicles bizarre (Helm's first vehicle is a trick-filled station wagon!), the movies are completely watchable and hilariously awful. Think of them, if you will, as James Bond as created by the makers of the 60's Batman Tv series.

Posted by Ryan at 10:46 AM

On This Day In Dino-history: October 2, 1941

Hey pallies, likes our great pallie Mark R. over at "popculturefanboy" has apprised us that on this very day in the year of our Dino 1941 our great man married for the first time. His bride was Miss Elizabeth (Betty) Anne McDonald. And, as you will note below, four offspring were born to our Dino and Betty...boypallie Stephen (Craig), Claudia, Barbara (Gail), and Deana.

ilovedinomartin sends out our appreciato for how on top of Dino-history our pallie Mark R. truly is, helpin' us all Dino-holics to grow in knowin' the life and times of our most beloved Dino. To view this in it's original format, likes clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-learnin', DMP

1941 - Future Capitol Records artist Dean Martin marries his first wife Elizabeth (Betty) Anne McDonald who will become mother of their children Stephen (Craig), born June 29, 1942; Claudia, born March 16, 1944; Barbara (Gail), born April 11, 1945; and Deana (Dina), born August 19, 1948

DVD ON DEMAND: MR. RICCO

Hey pallies, likes dudes, likes I have huge huge Dino-news to share with all you Dino-philes. Likes I was perusin' Amazon to see if there way any news of new Dino-releases on DVD, when I was likes totally totally blown away to find that our Dino's last dramatic effort and his lastest of last starrin' roles in "Mr. Ricco" has indeed been released on DVD.

Likes if you clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram you will see that Amazon is now sellin' as "DVD on Demand" this 1975 Dino-flick. And, likes dudes, when I did a google search for "Mr. Ricco" I also discovered that some dude has placed the whole flick on youtube for all our Dino-viewin' pleasures.

So, likes below is youtube vid of "Ricco" for your instant Dino-gratification. But, likes pallies, we alls knows that youtube vids don't always stay on youtube....so don't delay in orderin' a copy of "Mr. Ricco" for your Dino-own. Slowly, but surely, each and every one of our great man's great flicks are bein' released for Dino-posterity! Keeps lovin' our Dino...always, ever, and only! Dino-psyched, DMP

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino: "Who Was That Lady?"

 Hey Pals! I am still completely diggin' on Dean's 1966 al b um, "Relaxin". I simply HAD to stick with it for today's Serenade! After readin' our most gracious host's blog bout' that great great Dino-flick..."Who Was That Lady?"...I knew that THIS tune was my Dino-callin'!

What a tune it is to pallies! Haven't really listened to it since the "Forever Cool" cd came out a few years back. Man o man...how could I have forgotten this cool cool gem of a song?!

I guess when there are so so many unbelievably great Dino-jams out there...this type thin' may happen! So so glad I stumbled cross' "Relaxin"! Hey...that's nuff' outta me...let's enjoy the Dino flowin' through the air!

Lyrics to Who Was That Lady :

Who was that lady
That fabulous lady
That lady I saw you with last night

Tell me, was she an angel
If she was an angel
She sure kept her wings out of sight

Pardon my asking but was she thrilling
And was she willing to kiss the evening away
Say who was that lady
I knew such a lady
And foolishly let her out of my life
So if she's the one
Please spare me the pun
I'd sure miss the fun in that was no lady
That was my wife

Who was that lady
I knew such a lady
And foolishly let her out of my life
So if she's the one
Please spare me the pun
I'd sure miss the fun in that old crawler
No joke is duller
Than that was no lady
That was my wife

Dean Martin - Box Office History - The Numbers

Hey pallies, likes dudes, likes this is so so totally totally rad. Likes true Dino-holics likes youse and me can't likes ever get's 'nough Dino-details, and likes if you clicks on the tag of this Dino-report you'll winde up at our Dino's page at "The Numbers" and will likes be treated to great Dino-details 'bout Box Office Tallies for nine-count 'em-nine of our Dino's big screen efforts.

Actually the post includes eleven films, but one of 'em ain't our Dino's (Deadly Renovations) and one of 'em (Come Blow Your Horn) our great man has only a wee cameo. But you will learn cool Dino-numbers for a variety of our Dino's flicks...from "Airport" to the two "Cannonball Runs"; to two Helmer capers, "The Silencers" and "The Wrecking Crew"; to three westerns, "The Sons Of Katie Elder," "Bandolero!," and "Rio Bravo," to "What A Way To Go."

Likes sorry that I couldn't post the actual charts here, but likes I ain't that proficient on the 'puter. Anywho enjoys learnin' more and more great facts 'bout our most beloved Dino! Thanks to the pallies at "The Numbers" for sharin' these Dino-historical facts with their readership. Dino-ever, DMP

Dino was very rich, very famous, and very talented, but not very focused.

Hey pallies, likes today we gets to likes put the accent on our most beloved Dino's most beloved boypallie Dino Jr. Likes it is always so so cool to know that not only is our Dino never ever to be forgotten, but also that his prodigy, 'specially his name sake is continuin' to be remembered and honored as well.

Today ilovedinomartin takes you to the very very evocative blog, "Boomer Beefcake and Bonding" where blogger Jeffery P. Dennis has created photo/prose essay on our great man's great son. Dennis shares thoughts on Dino Jr. that likes I have never ever heard before, and thus this is a rather provocative post to say the least. Willa be very intrigued to hear all youse pallies responses to Jeffery's focus.

To read this Dino-material in it's original format, just clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Keeps lovin' our most beloved Dino! Dino-awed, DMP

Dean Paul Martin

The Desi in the 1960s boy band Dino, Desi, and Billy was Desi Arnaz Jr., of course, and the Dino was Dean Paul Martin (left), the 13-year old son of famous crooner Dean Martin. Dino was very rich, very famous, and very talented, but not very focused.

After his group disbanded, Dino played professional tennis and semi-pro football; he got his pilot's license; he studied medicine and joined the National Guard. He started calling himself Dean Paul instead of Dino. He changed into a blond. He developed a spectacular physique.

And he acted, of course. Not a lot -- he was too busy. 7 movies, mostly in roles as playboys or a woman's illcit lover; some guest spots on tv shows (including his Dad's Dean Martin Comedy Hour), and some "as himself" appearances on talk shows and game shows.

Dean was married to women twice, briefly, but rumor has it that he enjoyed the company of men and women both. He appeared in a 1979 issue of After Dark, the interview-and-revealing photo magazine aimed primarily at an audience of gay men.

Dean's least heterosexist role was in Misfits of Science (1985-88), part of the mid-1980s fad for science fiction comedies (others included Automan, Max Headroom, and The Greatest American Hero). He played Dr. Billy Hayes, a young scientist who travels around in an ice cream truck with a group of mutants with weird powers. 15 episodes appeared during the 1985-85 season, and another in 1988. A lot of homoerotic buddy-bonding (notice the number of people who can't keep their hands to themselves in this photo), and not a lot of heterosexual machinations.

He died in 1987 when the small plane he was flying crashed.

Posted by Jeffery P. Dennis at 6:52 PM

"Who Was That Lady" with Dean Martin, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, James Whitmore and many, many more.

Hey pallies, likes gotta 'fess up that today's Dino-gram is so low in actual Dino-devotion that likes I almost passed it by, but it is such a cool photo essay from that so underrated Dino-flick, "Who Was That Lady?," that likes I simply had to share it with all youse Dino-philes. From the blog pad, "Bella Boho - Stylish Living," where Interior Stylist Miss Tamara Conrad, hangs her hat comes "classic movie interiors: "who was that lady?"

Obviously Miss Conrad is a style maven of interior design, and as you read below, she just happened on to a viewin' of "Who Was That Lady?" on the Antenna T.V. channel and she was totally totally smitten by the "amazing set design that just made me absolutely giddy!"

Likes when I view any Dino-flick, I'm only, always, and ever smitten by spendin' time with our Dino, this chick makes a great point 'bout the absolutely stunnin' set of this swingin' comedy. Next times I view "Who Was That Lady?" likes I am goin' have to spend some time explorin' the Dino-surroundin's.

ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to Miss Tamara Conrad for this most intriguin' photo essay includin' some great shots of our great man. To view this in it's original format, as usual, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-missive. Keeps lovin' our most beloved Dino o'pallies of mine. Dino-only, DMP

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

classic movie interiors: "who was that lady?"

While stretching this morning, I was treated to an amazing set design that just made me absolutely giddy! Thanks to the awesome oldy but goody Antenna T.V. channel, where I get my nightly Hitchcock fix, I found the apt. home of my dreams!

The 1960's film, "Who Was That Lady" with Dean Martin, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, James Whitmore and many, many more. The set designer was James Crowe, and I think him to be brilliant!

Tony and Janet live in a one bedroom apt.; the living area is on one level, the kitchen on another and the bedroom is a loft! They have a huge wall of bookshelves, with a library ladder to boot. Lots of art for a super parlour wall. The decor is the perfect balance of curvy Hollywood Regency, clean modern lines and lots of stylish worldly goods. Take note of the hanging fixtures in the kitchen and loft.

The photos are not great, I cut them from a clip on YouTube, but you get the idea of how classically stylish this home is!

Stairs up to the kitchen, love the white brick wall. Janet is rocking her LBD like nobodies business!

I'm so loving the little metallic Chinese cabinet in the foreground.

Notice the curtain beyond the brick wall? I'm guessing there is a balcony on the other side of it.

An unfortunately fuzzy pic of the bedroom loft, but isn't the lighting fixture stunning?!

His name? Dean, as Dean Martin.

Hey pallies, likes I simply loves! loves! loves! findin' others who are so so deeply devoted to our most beloved Dino that they simply have to find very very public ways of homagin' our great man. Likes today, we goes to a French blog tagged "leral people" where we learn of Tunisian-French vocalist Mr. Dany Brillant and his ultra ultimate passion for our King of Cool.

Seems that Mr. Brillant has recently had a second boypallie born, and as you will read below Brillant has brillantly chosen the name Dean for his youngest prodigy. In Dany's own words, "Dean Martin, he is a different character, more relaxed, but with a lot of charm.

Likes ain't it likes just the coolest dudes to know this present day crooner has gifted his wee one with the name of our most beloved Dino. How truly blessed this kid is gonna be as a livin' tribute to daddy-o's amore of his Dino-hero!

Kudos to the pallies at "leral people" for sharin' this Dino-homagin' prose with their readership. And, huge huge appreciato to Mr. Dany Brillant for so openly and fully expressin' his love for our great man by giftin' his new boypallie with the tag of Dean! To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-awed, DMP

Dany Brillant has changed the name of his son without the consent of his wife

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Father of two boys with Nathalie, Dany Brillant has been a blow to the mother immediately after birth of the first.

On that shot, Dany was not very brilliant. We apologize, it's easy, but it is not he who contradict us. On the occasion of the anniversary release of his album (yes, already twenty years career for the singer's shirt open to the navel), he gave a long interview in Gala. But first, we're not talking music, but diapers and bottles. Because Dany is the father of a second boy for three weeks. His name? Dean, as Dean Martin. To believe that the crooner Saint-Germain is fascinated by the big players, his first son called Lino. "Ventura is righteousness, honesty, the guy who can be trusted. Dean Martin, he is a different character, more relaxed, but with a lot of charm. These are names that reflect the two sides of my personality and also tell a universe of values ​​and this is important to me, "said he to the weekly.

Dany Brillant >>> "With my wife we ​​made room apart"

Looks like it's Dad who chose the name of children. Nathalie and his wife, she had his word to say? Not really, if one believes Dany. "I'll even tell you a secret: in fact Lino would not have been called as well, it was not the choice of Nathalie, he revealed. But when I went to register the birth of the baby ... I could not resist. I know it is not terrible terrible, I do not boast beyond. "Except in the columns of magazines. The reaction of his wife? "She has wanted a little, he has confessed. But today, it is the very cute name. I was sure my thing, sure it would be fine for my little boy. "It was worth it to negotiate for hours to agree.

Already the father of a teenage daughter, Leah, born from a previous marriage, the singer of 47 years is pleased to have his boys the forties. "If I had son earlier, I do not know if things would have gone well, there would surely have been conflicts as I had with my own father. I am glad that life has given me so late, because I'm ... calmed available. I finally found a form of serenity. "His meeting with Nathalie has also been crucial for him. "She taught me to love myself. [...] Thanks to her, I do not have to beat me, His love and that my son would have appeased. I have long been hostile to marriage and commitment before the meet. I've also been single for twelve years and very happy to be, I was like a teenager who was accountable to anyone, decided to live out all the adventures that came to him. "Today, Dany Brillant acting responsible father.

Dany Brillant a changé le prénom de son fils sans l’accord de sa femme Mercredi

26 Septembre 2012

Papa de deux garçons avec Nathalie, Dany Brillant a fait un sale coup à la maman juste après la naissance du premier.

Sur ce coup-là, Dany n’a pas été très Brillant. On s’excuse, elle est facile, mais ce n’est pas lui qui nous contredira. À l’occasion de la sortie de son album anniversaire (eh oui, déjà vingt ans carrière pour le chanteur à la chemise ouverte jusqu’au nombril), il a accordé une longue interview à Gala. Mais pour commencer, on ne parle pas musique, mais plutôt couches et biberons. Car Dany est papa d’un second petit garçon depuis trois semaines. Son prénom ? Dean, comme Dean Martin. À croire que le crooner de Saint-Germain est fasciné par les grands acteurs, son premier fils s’appelle Lino. « Ventura, c’est la droiture, l’honnêteté, le type en qui on peut avoir confiance. Dean Martin, lui, c’est un caractère différent, plus décontracté, mais avec beaucoup de charme. Ce sont des prénoms qui reflètent les deux facettes de ma personnalité et qui racontent aussi un univers, des valeurs et ça c’est important pour moi », explique-t-il à l’hebdomadaire.

>>> Dany Brillant : « Avec ma femme on fait chambre à part »

On dirait bien que c’est papa qui a choisi le prénom des enfants. Et Nathalie, son épouse, a-t-elle eu son petit mot à dire ? Pas vraiment, si l’on en croit Dany. « Je vais même vous faire une confidence : en fait Lino n’aurait pas du tout dû s’appeler ainsi, ce n’était pas du tout le choix de Nathalie, a-t-il révélé. Mais lorsque je suis allé déclarer la naissance du bébé… je n’ai pas pu résister. Je sais, ça n’est pas terrible terrible, je ne m’en vante pas d’ailleurs. » Sauf dans les colonnes des magazines. La réaction de sa femme ? « Elle m’en a un peu voulu, a-t-il avoué. Mais aujourd’hui, elle trouve le prénom très mignon. Moi, j’étais sûr de mon truc, sûr que cela irait bien à mon petit garçon. » Ça valait le coup de négocier pendant des heures pour se mettre d’accord.

Déjà papa d’une grande fille, Léah, née d’une précédente union, le chanteur de 47 ans est heureux d’avoir eu ses garçons la quarantaine passée. « Si j’avais eu des fils plus tôt, je ne sais pas si les choses se seraient bien passées, il y aurait sûrement eu des conflits comme j’en ai eu avec mon propre père. Je suis heureux que la vie me les ait donnés sur le tard, parce que je suis… calmé, disponible. Je découvre enfin une forme de sérénité. » Sa rencontre avec Nathalie a d’ailleurs été fondamentale pour lui. « Elle m’a appris à m’aimer. […] Grâce à elle, je n’ai plus à me battre, son amour et celui de mes fils m’ont apaisé. J’ai longtemps été hostile au mariage et à l’engagement avant de la rencontrer. J’ai d’ailleurs été célibataire pendant douze ans et très heureux de l’être, j’étais comme un ado qui n’avait de comptes à rendre à personne, décidé à vivre à fond toutes les aventures qui se présentaient à lui. » Aujourd’hui, Dany Brillant agit en père respo

Thinking About Dean Martin

Hey pallies, likes it is so so amazin' the absolutely huge huge role that our most beloved Dino plays in the life of his devotees and those who love them. Case in point, today we meet up with Miss Lisa Lavia Ryan and learn how a singin' Dino-doll helps bring back important memories of her father.

From her blog, "Lisa Lisa No Cult Jam," and her prose "Thinking About Dean Martin," we are gifted with learnin' a bit 'bout her father's love of our Dino...includin' homagin' our great man by namin' the family pet dog after him. And, we discover the role that her dad's singin' Dino-doll is playin' in her remembrances of her father.

Likes I am always always so moved to learn of others who lives have been touched deeply by their devotion to our King of Cool. ilovedinomartin sez our thanks to Miss Ryan for sharin' her memories with her readership. To read her thoughts at her blog, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-message. Likes pallies, keeps lovin' our Dino and sharin' him with others you love! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

Monday, March 21, 2011

Thinking About Dean Martin

Several years ago, my dad and his wife bought a dog from a pet store. They took the dog to a veterinarian for his shots, and someone there asked what the dog's name was. Dad and Maxine hadn't yet discussed names, but my dad found himself saying, "His name is Dino."

Later, when I asked him how he had come up with that name, he responded, "Well, I guess I was just thinking about Dean Martin."

That always struck me as funny, mainly because I couldn't imagine a situation in which I'd find myself thinking of Dean Martin. But my dad was about 44 years older than I am, and we didn't share many cultural reference points.

Today, though, Dad is gone, and I find myself thinking of ... Dean Martin. When Dad became ill about a year and a half ago, he and Maxine moved from their townhome in Johnston to independent living in a senior facility in Clive. Shortly before the move, Maxine's daughters held a garage sale to minimize the number of items that would have to be moved to the new place.

We all had an opportunity, the night before the sale, to browse the tables and choose anything we wanted to take home. Dad had accumulated a lot of stuff over the years, and he was a bargain kind of guy -- there were tables and tables of videos, tapes, DVDs, small appliances, towels and sheets, curtains, and bric-a-brac of all types. I didn't see much I wanted or needed ... until I spotted Dean Martin.

Dean is made of plastic and some rubbery-type substance, and he stands about 13 inches high. When you press a red button in his base, Dean sings "That's Amore." His arm and mouth move. He has a five-o'-clock shadow. Someone had given him to Dad as a gift, but there he sat in the garage, alone, on a table. I scooped him up, put $10 in the cash box because it felt like the right thing to do, and went home.

The next day, I brought Dean to my office and placed him on my conference table, where he still sits. I was looking at him as I talked to my sister on the phone at lunchtime today about such things as Dad's will and his remaining belongings. She was asking if I could think if anything I wanted, and I said I couldn't -- maybe his jewelry box, if Maxine didn't have any use for it.

Dad didn't attach personal sentiment to material things. After my mom died, he donated her belongings; apparently if she wasn't there, he didn't want her things to be there, either, as reminders. I understand that. I have a few things of sentimental value I pilfered over the years -- some photographs, a tape measure with the name of one of his employers on it, and a toy tractor on which he stored his toupee in the '70s -- but I can't think of anything else I want or need. The memory of Dad is alive and well in my head, and the many picture frames I keep throughout my house.

And, of course, in Dean Martin. It's funny; I never saw Dad once push the button and make Dean sing. But long ago, I would watch him as he listened to recordings of Dean, or of Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra, and he would have a far-away look in his eyes. I know he and my mom went to dances at various ballrooms around town, but she was gone by the time I was old enough to be conscious of such things. But after Mom died, as I grew from toddler to little girl, I became pretty sure there were other women and other parties.

I would imagine them on Saturday nights as I sat on his bed and watched him get ready to go out. He never actually told me he was going on dates, but I determined at a young age that the suits from Tursi's Park Avenue Shoe & Clothing, the gold chains and the Old Spice were not for his best buddy, John Burroughs. He'd say he was going out with John, but once in a while, a woman would call, and he'd act embarrassed.

So all those years ago, as he looped his Italian horn around his neck and fastened the garters on his gold-toe socks, I sat on the bed watching him and fantasized about the glamorous "dances," whatever those were. He would be whistling, and I remember asking him once, "Is that your favorite song?" He responded, using his nickname for me that I really didn't care for: "Punk, I like 'em all."

It's an ongoing theme of my life that I really never knew much about my dad. I grew up with him, and he was a constant presence; it just wasn't in his nature to share his personal thoughts or feelings. I'm made up of nothing but those things, so Dad and I sometimes were a prickly pair.

And now I'm left with Dean Martin, a talisman on my table, prompting my memories. Months ago, his battery wore out and he was silent. I've often thought that perhaps I should replace it, and maybe someday soon, I will. But for now -- fittingly, perhaps -- I find some comfort in the fact that Dean, like his former owner, doesn't seem to have a whole lot to say.