However, there is great pleasure in seeing Martin playing a role of depth and complexity.

Hey pallies, likes today it is the extreme pleasure of ilovedinomartin to return to the really classy classic movie blog, "CINEMA RETRO," where a pallie tagged Lee Pfeiffer has scribed an intriguin'ly insightful review of recently-released-to-DVD Dino-classic, "Mr. Ricco." As all you Dino-holics knows this is one of our great man's most overlooked big screen efforts, and indeed his last major starrin' role behind the cameras.

Mr. Pfeiffer's review is all too brief in words, but likes so so wonderfully wise in it's deepest of deep devotion to our most beloved Dino. Likes ilovedinomartin certainly encourages you to delve deeply into Lee's reflections, but here are a couple of his very insightful thoughts that I want to make sure to lift up in these here Dino-comments:

" However, there is great pleasure in seeing Martin playing a role of depth and complexity."

"I liked Mr. Ricco more than I anticipated. Martin fans will want to sample this entertaining footnote in his remarkable career."

It appears that Mr. Lee Pfeiffer is one of those folks who truly "gets Martin" and desires that others would make great effort to view our great man in his extraordinary performance in "Mr. Ricco."

ilovedinomartin thanks the pallies at "CINEMA RETRO" and Mr. Pfeiffer in particular for sharin' such a favorable review of our Dino in "Mr. Ricco" with their readership. To view this in it's original format, simply click on the tag of this Dino-report. Keeps lovin' our most beloved Dino pallies! Dino-awed, DMP

DVD REVIEW: "MR. RICCO" (1975) ...

Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s

DVD REVIEW: "MR. RICCO" (1975) STARRING DEAN MARTIN



By Lee Pfeiffer

The Warner Archive has released the little-seen, little-remembered 1975 crime thriller Mr. Ricco as a burn to order title. The film is notable primarily for being Dean Martin's last starring role. (He would only be on the big screen twice more in extended cameos for the Cannonball Run films). The MGM production is set in 1975 and finds Martin as a high-powered defense lawyer who helps his client- a black militant (Thalmus Rasulala) - beat a murder rap. Shortly thereafter, Ricco inexplicably finds that an assassin is stalking him and there are several attempts made on his life. Circumstantial evidence points to his militant ex-client, but Ricco can't imagine why this man has marked him for murder. The plot takes a few clever twists in what is otherwise a relatively undistinguished, low-key crime drama. However, there is great pleasure in seeing Martin playing a role of depth and complexity. Ricco is unlike most other parts Martin had been gliding through on automatic pilot for many years. He occasionally seemed to awaken from his predictable patterns and give an impressive performance. This is one such occasion. This time around there are no home bars with endless drinks, no circular water beds and no comely women who think he's a chick magnet. In fact, Ricco has only woman in his life and she's appropriately middle-aged. (Matt Helm would never approve). Furthermore, although Ricco can duke it out with the bad guys, the film's one fight sequence finds him on the short end of the conflict, a welcome and believable development. The film is ably directed by Paul Bogart and moves at a brisk clip, utilizing the San Francisco locations in an effective way. A climactic shootout in a posh art museum is especially well-staged, as is the relatively downbeat ending. There are some popular TV actors in supporting roles: Denise Nicholas (Room 222), pre-Laverne and Shirley Cindy Williams and Philip Michael Thomas (billed here as Philip Thomas, still years away from stardom on Miami Vice.)

Frank Sinatra once said of his adopted "brother", "Dean Martin does not like to work." Martin, like Sinatra,tired of the drudgery of making films and retired from the business to concentrate on crooning. One can only wonder how many good performances he still had in him. Many of his films were disposable and forgettable, but they were always entertaining. I liked Mr. Ricco more than I anticipated. Martin fans will want to sample this entertaining footnote in his remarkable career.

The DVD includes the original trailer.

And Dino gives a strong performance as he fights off the shakes and set-backs that keep pointing him back to booze

Hey pallies, likes this is likes just so so fabulous. Y'know our great pallie Mr. Ryan Ebelt over at his blog, "Friends Of Junior," has been featurin' reviews of the Matt Helm spyster capers....well, likes while we wait with great anticipation of his fourth and last installment of Helmer reflections on "The Wrecking Crew," our Dino-devoted pallie Ry had decided to turn his Dino-attention to a great dramatic screen performance of our great man.

In his review, ""A game-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?" (likes I just loves the creativity of Ry in his marvelous review tags!)....you guessed it pallies...Ry takes on our main man in his main dramatic role...that of the Dude in "Rio Bravo."

Ebelt does 'nother outstandin' wordsmithin' on "Rio" that you will want to read fully below. And, likes I 'specially digs how Ry puts the accent on the vulnerability of our Dino's Dude character. And Ry simply simply nails it when he speaks of our Dino as the center of this entire classic western sayin', "He's Dino's) essentially the heart of the picture."

Likes be sure to takes a great gander at Ry's revealin' review below...it's really a beaut! And, to view this in it's original format, as usual, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-focused only, DMP

"A game-legged old man and a drunk. That's all you got?"

We're gonna take a break this week from Matt Helm, but I haven't forgotten that I still have The Wrecking Crew left to cover. See, that's the only way I know Dean Martin: from comedy. Though, I'm sure Dino wouldn't have any problem with that legacy. I first saw him as a kid in the Cannonball Run movies, and then later from clips of his old roasts on PBS, and later on it was with the rest of the Rat Pack in the original Ocean's 11. So, since I like to fill in the spots where I see gaps in my experience, I decided to take in the serious side of Dean Martin and watched Howard Hawks' 1959 western, Rio Bravo.

The movie opens with Dude (Dean Martin), the town drunk, reaching for a dollar that's been mockingly thrown to him into a nearby spittoon by Joe Burdette, the brother of the town's wealthy rancher, when John Chance (John Wayne), the sheriff, kicks it away out of pity. Dude hits Chance knocking him out, and Burdette's men hold up Dude for Joe to go to work on. When a bystander tries to intercede, Joe shoots him in cold blood. This leads to Joe's capture and the start of a long stand-off between the sheriff and Nathan Burdette, the wealthy rancher while they wait for U.S. Marshalls to come for Joe.

With all the singers, John Wayne fights to keep the movie from becoming Paint Your Wagon...

For the most part, the movie is good fun if a little slow for a couple of jags. It never exactly gets tiresome, but every now and again, I felt like I kept waiting for something to pep things up just a hair. There's a lot of walking from the jail to the hotel, banter in the hotel, walking back to the jail, banter in the jail, and then walking back up the street again. Now, when I say it's a stand-off, that's because Nathan stashes men in the town to make sure that the sheriff doesn't try to sneak his brother off to the authorities under his nose. The only problem is, his men largely just stand around and aren't really all that intimidating until they finally make a move here and there.

A lot of this is because the movie was in reaction to the western High Noon (1952). High Noon starred Gary Cooper as a marshall who had to face down the vengeful members of the Miller gang all alone when no one will come to his aid. It's long been known to be an allegory of the House of Un-American Activities hearings in Hollywood that led to the black-listing of the Hollywood Ten, a group of filmmakers who had affiliations with the Communist Party. John Wayne was famously not a fan of High Noon, and enlisted Hawks to help him make Rio Bravo as a response. So as the sheriff who can't help but turn down help, Bravo definitely wins the "feel good" prize, but it simply can't compete with the desperation and suspense, the palpable dread, of High Noon.

But it does feel good, and it is nice and enjoyable to see a movie that's not so jaded and shows a whole town pitching in with its sheriff to keep the rich guy from bullying his way into setting his murderous jerk brother free. It's just not very nail-biting.

Considering his reputation, Dino deserved an award for this scene alone....

The only thing that had me nervous was Dino's character, Dude. He's essentially the heart of the picture. See, the problem too often with Wayne is that he's always John Wayne in nearly every picture, and the "Duke" is almost a little too indestructible. I can only think of two exceptions where he wasn't Wayne: 1) The Conqueror (1956), the strange movie that saw him playing Genghis Khan, and 2) my favorite Wayne picture, The Searchers (1956), which was one of his most complex and extremely unlikable characters. Dude, on the other hand, is all too vulnerable, though he's greased lightning with a gun. The sheriff explains that Dude was a former deputy who ran off with a girl who was no good only return to take up his new position as the town drunk. And Dino gives a strong performance as he fights off the shakes and set-backs that keep pointing him back to booze. It was the surprising amount of screen time they gave his resurrection that had me waiting for the inevitable fall...but I won't say how or to what degree the movie delivered on that score.

The movie gave the ladies Ricky, I'll leave this for the fellas...

The supporting cast also does a fine job. The obvious stunt casting of Ricky Nelson as the new kid with a pistol only really grates during a song number late in the film; however, having both Ricky and Dino in the movie, I knew they had to sing something at some point. But it arrives late, and just when you feel the final action should be swinging into motion. Angie Dickinson is very enjoyable as the Duke's love interest, the gambler's ex-girl, Feathers. The scene where she has Wayne on his heels suggesting he give her a strip search is quite a corker. Unfortunately, her fast paced dialogue, a Hawks' trademark, seems a little ill-at-ease as the movie wears on, especially in a western setting, and it seems like the tender scenes are being forcibly wedged in there for the benefit of the women in the audience. As if throwing them Ricky wasn't good enough.

Looks like Howard would concur...

In all, for soaking up a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, you could do a whole lot worse than this relaxed and enjoyable picture. After all, Howard Hawks and John Wayne must've been happy with it as they more or less remade it two more times.

VOTE DINO!

Hey pallies, likes as I was ponderin' what to post on this day of huge, major elections in the good ol' USA, likes I simply was drawn to share this wonderful Dino-clip from the recently released-onto-DVD flick "Ada." In this clip our most beloved Dino plays politician Mr. Bo Gillis who on the election trail sings "May The Lord Bless You Real Good" to his many many followers.

Likes as we all knows, over the years many many stars of stage and screen and the tube have entered the politico scene, and likes 'though I know our great King of Cool woulda never ever aspired or desired to be King of the USA, I can't help but wonder pallies how much greater woulda the country have been if our most beloved Dino was elected prez of our most beloved USA?

Likes as all you Dino-holics knows, ilovedinomartin tries very hard to stay a politico, so all we sez to likes youse is go vote....and by all means, keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-only, DMP

Dean Martin Signatures

Hey pallies, likes times to put on your Dino-thinkin' caps dudes! Today we goes to the "Autograph Magazine Live!" forum where a pallie tagged Mr. Steve Viola is askin' other site members 'bout the authencity of several autographs attributed to our most belove Dino. Likes wonderin' what your Dino-inquirin' minds think 'bout each of the Dino-graphs presented below?

Besides likes givin' all us Dino-philes a chance to test our wits of Dino-encity, likes gotta 'fess up that likes this dude has never ever (likes that I can remember) seen the third stunnin' pix of our great man. Likes any of you pallies sent that Dino-pose before?

Hats off to pallie Steve for seekin' to grow in his Dino-awareness in this way and for such a cool site to pose such Dino-quires! To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-scribin'. Dino-discoverin', DMP

Dean Martin Signatures

Posted by Steve Viola

It has been known Dino used a secretary for his through the mail requests. I'd like to know what your opinions are on these 3 items. The first 2 are Lps, the 2nd being signed in ballpoint on the back. The 3rd item is a photo. Thanks.







and another!

.

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino: (Duetin' with Dino) "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone"

Hey pallies! Hope all is well with mi amici (my friends). So what do ya thinks bout doin' a little "Duetin' with Dino" this week? Now youse knows as well as I Knows...that NO ONE does it like Dean does it...but what's wrong with throwin' a little twist in the Serenade, from time to time, to keep us ALL on our Dino-lovin' toes???...Nuthin'!

 Wasn't to difficult for me to pick a cool cool tune. After all pals...ALL Dean's tunes are DEF cool cool tunes! The hardest part was tryin' to pick which other artist is worthy of duetin' with our King of Cool??!!! I found myself goin' back to the "Forever Cool" cd and I plucked us a juicy little number called "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone".

I'm sure everybody knows & loves this one...maybe haven't listened to it in a while...but see what youse thinks bout Dino sharin' the microphone with this lucky fella & croonin' over some swingin' new musical tracks! I got my opinion...what's yours??? Ready pallies...Here we go!


Lyrics to Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone :

Please don't talk about me when I'm gone
Oh honey, though our friendship ceases from now on
And listen, if you can't say anything real nice
It's better not to talk at all is my advice
We're parting, you go your way I'll go mine
It's best that we do
Here's a kiss I hope that this brings lots of luck to you
Oh makes no difference how I carry on
Remember, please don't talk about me when I'm gone
We're parting, you go your way I'll go mine
It's best that we do
Here's a kiss I hope that this brings lots of luck to you
Makes no difference how I carry on
Remember, please don't talk about me
Please don't talk about me
Please don't talk about me when I'm gone

Dino, of course, is Dino.

Hey pallies, likes true to his Dino-word, our great pallie Mr. Ryan Ebelt has continued his reviews of our Dino as spyster Matt Helm . From Ry's outstandin' blog, "RJE's Friends of Junior," comes his most intriguin' insights on Helmer numero tres, "The Ambushers." And Ry's remarkable remarks, as always, are right on the Dino-money.

For most of us Dino-lovers, "The Ambushers" is the least of quartet, and Ebelt's wise words say it all, "Third movies usually tend to be a let down, especially if the second movie outdid the first." And, of course this is simply and purely the Dino-truth for "The Ambushers." Truly, truly numero duo, "Murders' Row" is the bestest of the best.

Ry sums up his Dino-assessment with the ultra ubber Dino-truth, "Dino, of course, is Dino." And, on the whole Ry ponticates, "In all, The Ambushers isn't a terrible entry into the series, but the magic has definitely faded." Likes, of course, what truly makes "The Ambushers" a pleasurable view is 'cause Dino is present.

Wanna encourage all youse pallies to takes the time to read each and every groovy thought that our great pallie Ry 'xpresses on "The Ambushers." Gotta tells you dudes, it's a great read! Hats off to our pallie Mr. Ry Ebelt for continuin' his excellent series of reviews of the Helmer classics. Likes can't wait to gets my eyes of his comin' review of "The Wrecking Crew." To checks this out in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-scribin'. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

"What's the Matter with a Broad in Daylight?"

The movie poster: the only place where they toned down the innuendo.

Careful what you wish for, as the saying goes.

Last time we visited the Dean Martin series of Matt Helm Movies with 1966's Murderer's Row, I complained that the lack of coherent plot spoiled some of the fun. 1967's The Ambushers definitely managed to fill some of the plot holes (though the story is just as ridiculous as ever, which is a good thing), but managed to lose some of the fun in the process.

Pictured: The hard life of silver screen espionage

Don't get me wrong. The filmmakers piled on even more girls and even weirder gadgets, and the innuendo continued to flow fast and furious. This time, however, it just didn't seem to be as much fun as the previous two outings. I suppose it's the curse of second sequels. Third movies usually tend to be a let down, especially if the second movie outdid the first. Superman III (1983) immediately jumps to mind, although re-watching the second Superman movie showed that the bar wasn't necessarily that high. Rocky III. The confusion that was the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie. The palpable letdown of the third Nolan-helmed Batman. Usually, it's an attitude of keep everything the same while trying to pile on more of what everyone's supposed to love about it, which often results in a semi-stale "here we go again" feeling.

"The propulsion, gentlemen, is a crane and a series of wires..."

The third Matt Helm movie opens with the launch of a new American flying saucer that's pulled from the sky by a powerful electro-magnet (read: model truck that shoots sparks). We find Dino training female cadets at I.C.E (Intelligence and Counter Espionage) HQ when he runs into Sheila Sommers, the pilot of the saucer, who escaped her captors but has been rendered insane. Matt is assigned to find out who drove Sheila crazy and to find the missing saucer. This takes him below the border to a brewery in Acapulco which puts him on the trail of Jose Ortega, the exiled ruler of an outlaw nation.

Insert your own "air-bags" joke here

Like I said: The Ambushers piles on the girls. Lots and lots of girls. But while eye candy is always nice, the movie's slow to start and much of the innuendo starts to get forced. Janice Rule's fine as Sheila Sommers, but the abused and mentally damaged character feels heavy in what's been a farcical series so far. She doesn't quite fit in with the fast quipping Dino in the same way that Stella Stevens or Ann-Margaret did in the previous movies. Senta Berger fares better as the femme fatale, but never seems all that involved in the story and functions largely as a way to wedge the arch-villain operation of Big O into the story.

The special effects are particularly laughable this time around, but it probably would've been less fun had they been good. The visible wires, rotoscoped glows, and laser guns that shoot sparks add to the charm. And though there's only a few scenes this time around that stretch suspension of disbelief to the breaking point, the addition of at least some logic still can't keep this from feeling a little stilted.

Hey Dino, Smokey the Bear would like a word with you about forest fires. Dino, of course, is Dino. And while he's comfortable and cool in the role of Helm, even he seems like his mind might be somewhere else.

In all, The Ambushers isn't a terrible entry into the series, but the magic has definitely faded.

However, the last Helm movie, The Wrecking Crew (1968) faced the most dangerous foe of all: A Change of Direction!

Hand Stenciled by Ryan at 10:10 AM

On This Day In Dino-history: November 1, 1940

Hey pallies, likes I continue to be so so grateful to our pallie Mark R. over at his blog, "popculturefanboy" for his on-goin' remembrance of great historical dates in the life and times of our most beloved Dino. Today, Mr. Mark reminds all us Dino-holics that likes it was on this very date, November 1 in the year of our Dino 1940 that our great man offically changed his tag from Dino Crocetti to Dean Martin.

ilovedinomartin 'gain thanks our pallie Mark R. for keepin' all us dudes up-to-date on all these memorable dates for our Dino. To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Dino-awed, DMP

ON THIS DAY NOT QUITE IN CAPITOL RECORDS HISTORY 1940 - Future Capitol Records artist Dino Crocetti legally changes his name to Dean Martin

“Just an easy guy to get along with.”

Hey pallies, likes all youse devoted Dino-holics knows how grand it is to discover yet 'nother person who spent time in the immediate presence of our Dino speak of just how great our great man is! Today ilovedinomartin takes you to the blog "Carnage and Culture" where the blogger has reposted an article from The New York Post tagged "Sin City Sheriff."

The focus of this prose is none other then former 'Vegas sheriff, Mr. Ralph Lamb," whose life and times is the focus on the new CBS drama, "Vegas." The cool thin' dude is that Lamb was overseer of the law durin' the time that our Dino made 'Vegas his play ground...and as you will note below, Sheriff Lamb has nothin' but the highest of admiration and praise for our most beloved Dino.

Likes how refreshin' to find 'nother knower of Dino who speaks with the deepest of deep respect for our amazin' Dino! Below is the excerpt from the interview that puts the accent on our King of Cool. ilovedinomartin thanks Mr. Brain McDonald and the pallies at the New York Post for liftin' up the life and times of our Dino in this way, and to the blogger at "Carnage And Culture" for puttin' us on to the original post. To view this at the blog simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-delightedly, DMP

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Sin City Sheriff

By BRIAN McDONALD

New York Post

http://www.nypost.com

On a recent episode of “Vegas,” CBS’ new period drama, Sheriff Lamb, played by Dennis Quaid, punches out a Chicago hood, cuffs him and marches him out of a casino. The Post asked the honest-to-goodness Ralph Lamb, now 85, if that event really happened.

“Yes it did,” he says. “His name was Johnny Roselli.” Roselli was then an underling of Sam Giancana, who ran the Chicago mob. “We never meant to get him hurt,” says Lamb. “I just give him a whoopin’ right there in front of everybody.” From 1961 to 1979 Lamb was the law in Sin City. “I was the youngest sheriff in the United States,” he says in a soft, Southwestern drawl. “And I was there longer than anybody’s ever been there by 12 years.”

Lamb, who’s a technical adviser on the series, can spout stories about the old Las Vegas like the fountains in front of the Bellagio. He first met Sinatra in the 1950s. “He’d get full of whiskey and like everybody get a little tough sometimes,” Lamb says of Ol’ Blue Eyes. “But he was all right; he wasn’t hard to handle.” Lamb developed a particular fondness for Dean Martin. “Dean was the kind of guy that would sit down and have a cup of coffee and visit and talk in between shows,” he says. “Just an easy guy to get along with.”

Get "Scared Stiff" On This Dino-ween

Hey pallies, likes Happy Dino-ween to all you sold out Dino-holics! And, likes what better way to celebrate this Dino-holi-day then sharin' this stunnin' Dino-lantern that likes puts the accent on our Dino's amazin' Dino-buddahgrin!

And likes, for your total total Dino-viewin' pleasure here's that ultra ubber Dino-dramady, "Scared Stiff" where our great man goes likes spookin' 'round with his great pallie Jerry Lewis. "Stiff" is such an absolute gas and our ever lovin' Dino and his ever funny partner have never ever had better chemistry then in this cool caper of scare!

So, likes Happy Dino-ween dudes and always, ever, and only keeps the lovin' focus on our most beloved Dino! Dino-spookin', DMP

Send Dino-ween greetin's to all your pallies!

Hey pallies, likes Dino-ween ain't far off now pallies, just a day away actually! So, likes I thought I would reminds all you dudes 'bout a great Dino-resource that ilovedinomartin discovered couple of Dino-weens ago for all us Dino-philes to use to send Dino-ween wishes to our fellow Dino-addicts.

From the "Dean Martin Informationscenter Deutschland"... www.dean-martin.de, comes a great collection of Dino-ecards, likes just waitin' for youse to share with all your pallies on this special Dino-holi-day!

And, likes besides sendin' to all the Dino-philes you know, likes how 'bout sendin' to some of your pallies who are yet to be sold-out to our Dino...certainly a great way to encourage 'em in growin' in their personal Dino-devotion!!!!! I've included some of the coolest of the cool Dino-ecards with this post, but to view 'em all and make your Dino-selections, just click on the tag of this Dino-report to goes to the original site.

Happy Dino-ween to all our ilovedinomartin Dino-holics...and as ever, keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-weenin', DMP

Welcome to the reunion of two friends, two figures, two friends, two unique voices: Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. May 28, 1977, New York.

Hey pallies, likes dudes this very Dino-day likes are we in for a great great Dino-treat. Our Spanish pallie Mr. Marcos Callau at his Sinatra-focused blog, "Frank Sinatra, the best voice of all time," has posted the entire 1977 concert featurin' our most beloved Dino and his best pallie Mr. Frank Sinatra.

The concert was filmed in Westchester, New York on May 28, 1977 and it filled with a ton of classic croons by our great man and his great pallie. Likes indeed our Dino and Frank certainly has such wonderful chemistry together...truly thrillin' to see 'em in action.

ilovedinomartin thanks Mr. Callau for puttin' this outstandin' Dino-performance up for all his readership to enjoy. But, likes just gotta 'fess up that I have only one disagreement with Callau, all true Dino-holics likes youse and me knows that truly truly our Dino is "the best voice of all time"! To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-review. Dino-only-focused, DMP

Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra in Concert (1977) The complete concert of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin



Welcome to the reunion of two friends, two figures, two friends, two unique voices: Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. May 28, 1977, New York. Full Concert.

Part one:



Part two:



Part three:



Part four:



Publicado por Marcos Callau en 21:13

Etiquetas: Dean Martin, los setenta.

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino Halloween Special: "Blue Moon"

Hey pals! I gots to admit...I'm REALLY a nut for the whole Halloween season! Love the costumes, the scary movies, the ghosts & goblins...you name it! If it's Halloweeny...I'm diggin' it!

Now, I was havin' a bit of a problem comin' up with the perfecto tune for this week's Serenade! I wanted to incorporate the spooky, cooky, eerie & scary feel with our numero uno swoonin' crooner! Man...that was a mouth full!

Anyways pallies...I musta summoned the ghost of Dean himself...cuz all of a sudden... it hit me...BLUE MOON!!! Can't think of anythin' that gives me more of a thrill & a chill than a big, bright full moon on a cold Halloween night! OK pals o mine...lets get into this creepy & fun time of year & get Scared Stiff with our ghostly pal! Happy Halloween you Dino-holics! 

Blue moon you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart without a love of my own
Blue moon you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms could ever hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
When I looked to the moon it turned to gold

Blue Moon now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart without a love of my own

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked the moon had turned to gold

Blue Moon now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart without a love of my own
Without a love of my own without a love of my own            

Dean did it all with style and grace and usually with a glass of scotch and soda in his hands.

Hey pallies, likes there simply just ain't no end to the ubber unique ways of homagin' our most beloved Dino! Case in point. Through the magic of google blog search I recently ended up at a pad tagged "VINYL PAIRINGS.COM," where an unnamed blogger has developed the very very cool concept of pairin' a liquid libation with a vinyl al-b-um. Well, likes it simply had to be a matter of time before this swingin' blog-o gots 'round to puttin' the accent on our Dino.

Likes in their blog post, "Everybody Loves Somebody" this dude has had the wondrously wise Dino-creativity of pairin' a Mexican al-b-um import edition of our great man singin' his signature croon with a tumbler of our Dino's fav liquid refreshment...some J&B (Justerini & Brooks) Blended Scotch Whiskey with a dash of club soda. Obviously this blogger is truly truly in the Dino-know!

ilovedinomartin raises a toast to "ilovevinyl" for such usin' such Dino-creativity to homage our King of Cool. These Dino-reflections are sure to send many of this dude's readership on a search for growin' closer to our most beloved Dino! To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Dino-awed, DMP

Everybody Loves Somebody

Posted on October 26, 2012 by ilovevinyl

A Justerini & Brooks Blended Scotch Whiskey with a splash of Shasta Club Soda paired with a Mexican import edition of Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody”

Talk about classy entertainment. There haven’t been many like Dean that have come around. An all around entertainer, Dean did it all with style and grace and usually with a glass of scotch and soda in his hands. According to his son, when he did drink was it was typically what you see here, J&B blended scotch whiskey and a splash of soda.

His son Ricci Martin is quoted saying the following, “While it was true that Dad drank, the drunky routines were an act. On stage, and later on the set of his TV show, Dad usually had a J&B scotch and soda he nursed through the performance. It was almost always a weak scotch and soda. Other times it was just apple juice. I never saw Dad drink a martini, although the martini glass logo was frequently used in his TV show promotions and there have been countless martini bars christened in his honor. I suppose much of the association came from the last name he took, but he was never much of a martini drinker.” So there you have it, from a source that should indeed know the story.

As for the J&B blended scotch, just the fact that this company began making whiskey in 1749, and are still producing the same classic blend should tell you something.

From the distillor: Each time you sip J&B RARE, 42 different whiskies pass your lips. They are carefully blended together to create a subtle, smooth and complex flavour. The delicate balance is what gives J&B RARE its distinctive character. If we took even one whisky away you would taste the difference. The heart of J&B RARE is formed by Speyside Malt Whiskies. They provide the fruity, fresh quality you can taste, and give J&B its light colour. Speyside is recognised as the superior area in Scotland for making malt. Added to that are some of the finest grain whiskies Scotland has to offer. They help reveal the individual flavours of the various malts, unveiling the pleasant, smooth character of J&B.

The two in my opinion are indeed timeless. Dean’s character and his music will always be around and I would imagine that J&B will be around making scotch whiskey for quite some time to come as well.

Here’s hoping that all of us can enjoy it as long as we want and truly do so with someone that we love! Till next time! Salute!

Hand Made Wooden Dean Martin Kleenex Facial Tissue Box Cover

Hey pallies, likes only 2-count'em-2 months 'til Dino-winter-day, and so likes it's time for ilovedinomartin to start sharin' with youse some unusual and unique items to gift all the Dino-holics on your Dino-winter-day list. We begin by turnin' to the blog-o, "Fluffy Puppies Mosaics," that is featurin' "Hand Made Wooden Homemade Christmas Gifts For Sale."

Below is an intriguin' item for a pallie who wants their Dino-giftin' to serve a useful purpose. The pallies at "Fluffy Puppies Mosaics" have crafted by hand a wooden Dean Martin Tissue Box Cover. And, likes not only is this box handy to hold your tissues....it offers Dino-philes likes you and I a simply way to publicly show our Dino-pride off!

Hats off to the "Fluffy Puppies" pallies for their crafty Dino-creation. To view this, along with price and other info for orderin', simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-report. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-ever, only, and always, DMP

Fluffy Puppies Mosaics



Hand Made Wooden Dean Martin Kleenex Facial Tissue Box Cover

What happened to Dino?!

Hey pallies, likes I totally digs how Dino-devotion comes in innumerable and oh so varied Dino-dimensions. Case in point, likes today ilovedinomartin takes you to Miss Jessica Ayers' intriguin'ly tagged blog, "Irascible Jots" where her unique Dino-devotion is tagged "What happened to Dino?!"

Seems that Ayers has recently viewed the Dino-western, "Rough Night In Jericho," where our most beloved Dino plays a real baddie kind of character..."a rather nasty town boss" and Miss Jessica found it "VERY upsetting" that our great man was "actually pretty good at" "actually beating people up."

So, in her Dino-distress Ayers went in search of that classic Dino-clip where our Dino croons "The Christmas Blues." And Jessica took deep comfort in "keep looking at the beloved, slightly buzzed Dean Martin that we’re all used to."

It might comfort Miss Ayers that many many of the most deeply devoted pallies of our Dino are also distressed by the violent nature of our man in "Jericho." Thanks to Miss Jessica Ayers for sharin' her Dino-distress with her readership showin' what passion she has for our great man. To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Dino-reportin', DMP

What happened to Dino?!

October 10, 2012 by Jessica Rose

I recently watched “Rough Night in Jericho”, which has nothing at all to do with Joshua and the titular city, although if you really wanted to and had some time on your hands, you could draw some loose metaphorical connections.

There.

Not quite a run-on sentence, but I’m getting there.

Anyway, Dean Martin plays a rather nasty town boss who gets put in his place by the perpetually golden haired George Peppard.

Can you imagine Dean Martin actually beating people up?

Not just throwing a punch, but full on going to town on someone’s face?

No?

He’s actually pretty good at it, which I found VERY upsetting.

I found myself hoping that he’d get soused (per his usual) and start belting out a rousing Western number.

It never happened.

He simply continued to be the most likable horribly violent person this side of the Mississippi.

To make myself feel better, I went looking for THIS



Let that image burn into your brain. Never mind the fact that he slapped Jean Simmons (the beautiful actress, not the creepy, fuzzy-haired, be-leotarded exercise guru). Never mind his particularly sticky end (it’s a 60′s Western… everyone ends up covered in ketchup). Just keep looking at the beloved, slightly buzzed Dean Martin that we’re all used to.

There.

Better.

For The Silencers, that meant a $1.2 million paycheck, more than twice the money Sean Connery got for doing Thunderball.

Hey pallies, likes today's Dino-patter from the blog pad "HMSS Webblog - Official Blog of the James Bond E-zine Her Majesty's Secret Servant," takes a stunnin' perspective on our most beloved Dino's spyster's Matt Helm films that this Dino-holic never ever thoughts 'bout before. The editors of "HMSS" pose the provocative study of "The non-Bond film that had the biggest impact on 007.

Likes what non-Bond spy flick that had the hugest inpact on the Bond franchise? Well, the answer these Bond expert dudes comes up with is none other then our great man in the great first Helmer, "The Silencers." Likes you Dino-philes are certainly gonna wants to read "HMSS" very evocative reasonin' below.

Today's Dino-reflections from this Bonded source simply proves the undisputable power of our Dino....only our King of Cool was able to hugely impact 007! ilovedinomartin sents out our deepest of deep Dino-appreciato to the editors at "HMSS" for such a wonderfully wise witness to the transformin' power of our Dino! To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-devotion. Keeps lovin' our Dino! Dino-livin', DMP

The non-Bond film that had the biggest impact on 007

Posted on October 12, 2012 by The HMSS Editors

Dean Martin as Matt Helm during a dramatic moment in The Silencers.

With the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series, we got to thinking about the 007 film competitor that had the biggest impact. It’s really not much of a contest. It’s 1966′s The Silencers.

Now, other spy films had an impact on the style of Bond films. Studio executives told The New York Times (without letting their names be attached) in 2005 that The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy comprised the model for Daniel Craig’s rebooted 007, beginning with 2006′s Casino Royale and especially with 2008′s Quantum of Solace. Even non-spy films influenced earlier 007 films such as Live And Let Die (Shaft, Super Fly), The Man With the Golden Gun (Bruce Lee kung fu films) and Moonraker (Star Wars).

But The Silencers rocked the Bond franchise in ways other films didn’t. The 1966 movie was the first of four Matt Helm movies produced by Irving Allen, once the partner of Albert R. Broccoli, the co-founder of the 007 film franchise. Allen (dismissed as a “blowhard” by current Eon Productions co-boss Barbara Broccoli) had been skeptical of 007′s film potential and had insulted Ian Fleming.

Allen, presumably realizing the scope of his mistake, got the film rights to the Matt Helm series of paperback novels by Donald Hamilton. To make a Helm film series a reality, Allen needed a star. He got one — Dean Martin. But to get Dino into the fold, Allen made the Rat Packer a partner. For The Silencers, that meant a $1.2 million paycheck, more than twice the money Sean Connery got for doing Thunderball. To top it off, the Helm series found a home at Columbia Pictures. That was the same studio that passed on doing business with 007 producers Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, who ended up taking their project to United Artists.

The Scotsman didn’t like that and tensions accelerated between the star and 007 producers Broccoli and Saltzman. Perhaps Connery would have tired of the role anyway. But the conflict over money — fueled by The Silencers — caused Eon’s relationship with its star to rupture. Broccoli’s relationship with Saltzman was already getting tenuous and making Connery a partner in the enterprise wasn’t going to happen. Broccoli eventually would be proven right in one respect. Once Dean Martin lost interest, the Helm film series went away.

Still, had Allen not brought The Silencers (retooled from Hamilton’s serious novels to almost an extension of Dean Martin’s variety show) to the screen, much could have been different. Perhaps Connery would have stayed longer. Perhaps On Her Majesty’s Secret Service would have been a lot different with Connery, rather than George Lazenby. The point is, things got a lot bumpier for the franchise as The Silencers worsened tensions lurking beneath the surface.

Other films affected Bond films but The Silencers affected the business of Bond. The new Everything Or Nothing documentary references this in an indirect way. But in a way, the impact of The Silencers is part of Bond film history.

The Power of Dean Martin

Friends, it is always refreshing to hear another admirer of our Dino speak about the transforming power of Dino in their life. And, today ilovedinomartin is privileged to share such a testimony. Her name is Ivonne Olguin and her blog, "Life With Mother," details the struggles of living with and providing care for a parent experiencing dementia.

In Miss Olguin's prose, "Power Of Dean Martin" we are offered her very heartfelt honesty about trying to care for her mother in the throws of progessive short term memory loss and more and more erratic and intense mood swings. Obviously life is most often intensely difficult as Miss Olguin cares for her mother.

But in the midst of her real struggles in being there for her mother, Ivonne found immense comfort of late by listening to the soothing sounds of our great man. She warmly writes these words of deep, pure, and true Dino support: "This morning, amazingly, Dean Martin was on the record player. The sound of his crooning voice made me smile inside and out. He made me breathe out so slowly. He soothed my soul."

Miss Oguin gives profound testimony to the transforming power of Dino! How wonderful to know that our Dino is being such a comfort to her as she tries her best to give comfort to her mother. ilovedinomartin thanks Miss Ivonne Olguin for scribing her candid thoughts on "Life With Mother" and the amazing power of our Dino to help her cope with it all. To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this message. In awe of Dino, DMP

Friday, October 19, 2012

The Power of Dean Martin

For the last few months things have been progressing, badly. Her short term memory is becoming shorter and shorter. Her moods swings have become a bit more erratic and intense. Her desire for immediate gratification and/or attention is becoming more childlike.

My patience is worn so thin, on some days, I could actually scream out loud (I have made fine use of a couch cushion more than once. It’s surprisingly cathartic!) I am changing. Los Angeles Ivonne is being beaten up every day. I’m becoming short tempered, irritable and so angry. There are days I’m so emotionally beaten up that I just can’t stand her, this house or even being here. Then, of course, I feel guilty for it. Ahhh, the Catholic Latina upbringing!

Every morning is a surprise – it’s unsettling. Will she be angry? Will she be happy and pleasant? Will there be a reproach for a long ago slight? Will there be tears with a childhood memory of her mother? Will her tea taste “Awful!”? Will she be confused and achy?

This morning, amazingly, Dean Martin was on the record player. The sound of his crooning voice made me smile inside and out. He made me breathe out so slowly. He soothed my soul. Wafting through the kitchen and down the stairs he and his backup singers brought to mind the smell of cake, a mother singing/dancing in the kitchen, an after school snack waiting for me on the dining room table, light flooding in from all the windows ‘cuz the curtains were being washed . . . the feeling of love and happiness, kindness and care.

When I was little, my mom got Wednesdays off from work. They were my favorite days. I felt “normal”, like all the other kids whose moms were always home. The light and joy of those Wednesdays has been compressed into Dean Martin today. Powerful. Warm. Homey. Kind. Cheers, Dino!

Kiss me, stupid is an opportunity to pay tribute to Dean Martin.

Hey pallies, likes I always loves to share more and more 'xamples of internationale extraordinare devotion to our most beloved Dino. Today ilovedinomartin takes you to the French blog, "Regards d'ailleurs" (Regards elsewhere) where blogger monsieur Johanne Basile shares the thoughts of monsieur Michel Ciment, the editor of Positive cinema. As you will note ilovedinomartin has posted both the original French as well as an English translation.

Ciment shares wise words filled with incredible insights into the nature of Billy Wilder's cinematic classic, "Kiss Me Stupid." Michel has many wonderfully reflective thoughts on this much misunderstand film, but in essence the core of his evocative epistle is summed up in what ilovedinomartin has chosen as the tag of this post, "Kiss me, stupid is an opportunity to pay tribute to Dean Martin."

Likes how cool is that dudes. "Kiss Me Stupid" is a Wilder's deep, pure, and true homage to our most wonderful Dino! In KMS our Dino is simply playin' his ever cool, hip, and randy Dino-self.....and likes what coulda be better then watchin' our Dino bein' himself on the big screen.

ilovedinomartin thanks the pallies at "Regards d'ailleurs" 'specially monsieur Johanne Basile for sharin' the wonderfully worldly wise reflections of monsieur Michel Ciment. This prose certainly makes huge Dino-sense and will certainly bring many to a deeper and truer understandin' of KMS and our great man himself. To view this in it's original format, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-sharin'. Dino-lovin', DMP

Kiss me, stupid, Billy Wilder - SPECIAL LIGHT FESTIVAL

Billy Wilder is the author of many of the greatest American comedies (and short) in the history of cinema. Here by Michel Ciment, the editor of Positive cinema, the projection of this little gem of humor what Kiss me, stupid is an opportunity to pay tribute to Dean Martin.

Photo credits: Allociné

Billy Wilder is at the top of his art and of his glory when it leaves room in his film "Kiss me, stupid" after the resounding success that was "Some Like It Hot," "The Bachelor" or " 7 years of reflection. " However, at its output, the new comedy from director will be considered scandalous and decried as detrimental to morality, to the extent that some managers of theaters refuse to distribute this pearl film, which will be subsequently recognized as one of the greatest films of its author.

Dino Martino, cartoon or accurate representation of Dean Martin?

The film tells a fantastic story that weaves following arrival in the popular village of Climax (it does not take long to realize that the atmosphere there is an antithesis to the name of the city) Dino Martino. Dean Martin has agreed to assume a role, which in the words would hardly be exaggerated relative to the true character of the actor, the name of his character Dino Martino is also a slight change from that of actor. This great music star charm devastating insatiable seducer is then received by Mr. Spooner and his sidekick, pathetic and hilarious two characters, who alone has the dream of one day knowing they compose their songs without the shadow of any success. Both are in the passage by chance Dino the opportunity to know their art, and try every possible trickery to encourage the crooner to stay Climax. It will be collected by Spooner for the night, time to concoct a tactic to make him listen to their songs. Only problem in this case: Spooner, married to the most beautiful woman in the village, is pathologically jealous. Face womanizer Dino what he fears losing Zelda and will make every effort to keep it for the evening. He even frivolous to engage a waitress in order to pretend to be his wife, leaving her to be seduced by Dino maliciously to make him listen to his songs.

Misunderstandings serial background of social satire

The film is a perfect example of the genius of Billy Wilder in the art of comedy, and he chained tasty misunderstandings and comic situations, involved the fast pace of the film. The petulant Kim Novak, actress recognized especially in Hitchcock, is literally electrifying and brings a dose of charm and humor in this farce delicious. Ray Walston and Cliff Olsmond are also great mischief in situations where the funniest roles are exchanged to end in total confusion when the feelings of each other are made alive, alongside the melancholy humor so brilliantly detonating the film. The hypocrisy, jealousy, and sensitivity mingle with finesse in this clever satire which social classes also collide: the gaze focused on the classes of this city somewhat pleb Nevada irony is crazy never exalt without any contempt (must see Spooner, professor of piano embittered, sweater display of the image of Beethoven), and one focused on the status of Dino Martino is no less scathing. A famous comedy, punctuated by the unforgettable replica which gives its name to the film "Kiss me, stupid."

Johanne Basile

Kiss me, stupid (Kiss me, stupid) by Billy Wilder (1964, 2H6)

Embrasse-moi, idiot, de Billy Wilder – SPECIAL FESTIVAL LUMIERE

Billy Wilder est l’auteur de bon nombre des plus grandes comédies américaines (et tout court) de l’histoire du cinéma. Ici présentée par Michel Ciment, directeur de la revue de cinéma Positif, la projection de ce petit bijou d’humour qu’est Embrasse-moi, idiot, est l’occasion de rendre hommage à Dean Martin.

Crédits photo : Allociné

Billy Wilder est au sommet de son art et de sa gloire lorsqu’il sort en salle son métrage « Embrasse-moi idiot », après les retentissants succès qu’ont été « Certains l’aiment chaud », « La Garçonnière « ou encore « 7 ans de Réflexion ». Pourtant, à sa sortie, la nouvelle comédie du réalisateur sera décriée car jugée scandaleuse et portant atteinte aux bonnes mœurs, à tel point que certains directeurs de salles de cinéma refuseront de diffuser cette perle du cinéma, qui sera reconnue à posteriori comme l’un des plus grands films de son auteur

Dino Martino, caricature ou représentation fidèle de Dean Martin ? Le film relate une histoire rocambolesque qui se tisse suite à l’arrivée dans le petit village populaire de Climax (on ne tarde pas à comprendre que l’atmosphère qui règne là-bas est une antithèse au nom de la ville) de Dino Martino. Dean Martin a accepté d’endosser un rôle, qui selon les dires serait à peine exagéré par rapport au véritable caractère de l’acteur ; le nom de son personnage Dino Martino n’est d’ailleurs qu’une légère transformation de celui de l’acteur. Cette grande vedette de la musique au charme dévastateur, séducteur insatiable, est alors accueillie par M. Spooner et son acolyte, deux personnages pathétiques et hilarants, pour qui seul compte le rêve de faire un jour connaitre leurs chansons qu’ils composent sans l’ombre d’un quelconque succès. Les deux voient dans le passage par hasard de Dino l’occasion de faire connaitre leur art, et tentent toutes les fourberies possibles pour inciter le crooner à rester à Climax. Celui-ci sera recueilli par Spooner pour la nuit, le temps de concocter une tactique pour lui faire écouter leurs chansons. Seul hic dans l’affaire : Spooner, marié à la plus belle femme du village, est maladivement jaloux. Face au coureur de jupon qu’est Dino, il craint de perdre Zelda et va tout mettre en œuvre pour éloigner celle-ci pour la soirée. Il ira même jusqu’à faire engager une frivole serveuse afin de la faire passer pour sa femme, la laissant se faire séduire par Dino afin de lui faire malignement écouter ses chansons.

Quiproquos en série sur fond de satire sociale Le film est une illustration parfaite du génie de Billy Wilder dans l’art de la comédie ; il enchaine les quiproquos savoureux et les comiques de situation, qui participent du rythme effréné du film. La pétulante Kim Novak, actrice reconnue notamment chez Hitchcock, est littéralement électrisante et apporte une dose de charme et d’humour dans cette farce délicieuse. Ray Walston et Cliff Olsmond sont également géniaux de malice dans les situations les plus cocasses où les rôles s’échangent pour finir dans une confusion totale où les sentiments des uns et des autres sont mis à vif, la mélancolie côtoyant alors avec brio l’humour détonant du film. L’hypocrisie, la jalousie, et la sensibilité s’entremêlent avec finesse dans cette habile satire où les classes sociales également s’entrechoquent : le regard porté sur les classes populaires de cette ville quelque peu prolo du Nevada est d’une ironie folle, sans exalter jamais un quelconque mépris (il faut voir Spooner, ce professeur de piano aigri, arborer des pullover à l’effigie de Beethoven), et celui porté sur le statut de Dino Martino n’en est pas moins cinglant. Une comédie fameuse, ponctuée par l’inoubliable réplique qui donne son nom au film « Kiss me, stupid ».

Johanne Basile

Embrasse-moi, idiot (Kiss me, stupid) de Billy Wilder (1964, 2h6)

Danny G's Sunday Serenade with Dino: "That's Amore"

Hey pals...we gonna have ourselves a little laugh today! I stumbled across this great little vid from youtube and at the suggestion of a very dear pal...and a TRUE TRUE Dino-holic...I decided to use it for this week's Serenade.

It's probably Dino's mostest popular song ever...It's from "The Caddy"...it mentions a yummy pizza pie...any guesses??? I'm sure youse all know where I'm goin' with this..."That's Amore!"

Here's the funny part! Seems some mornin' T.V. show has a weekly segment called "Can U Sing?" Well looks like they picked none other than our bestest pal for this weeks tune & definately somethin' worth sharin' with all youse up & comin' crooners out there!Enjoy pallies!          
 

(In Napoli where love is King, when boy meets girl, here's what they say)

When the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
That's amore

Bells'll ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita bella"
Hearts'll play tippi-tippi-tay, tippi-tippi-tay
Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool joost-a like pasta fazool
That's amore
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet, you're in love
When you walk in a dream but you know you're not dreamin', signore
'scusa me, but you see, back in old Napoli, that's amore

(When the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie, that's amore)
That's amore
(When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine, that's amore)
That's amore

Bells will ring
ting-a-ling-a-ling
ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita bella"
Vita bell-vita bella
Hearts will play
tippi-tippi-tay, tippi-tippi-tay
Like a gay tarantella
Lucky fella

When the stars make you drool just like pasta fazool
That's amore (that's amore)
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet, you're in love
When you walk in a dream but you know you're not dreaming, signore
'scusa me, but you see, back in old Napoli, that's amore

Amore
That's amore

.....but keep Murder's Row nearby as just the right chaser.

Hey pallies, likes just as he promised our new Matt Helm diggin' pallie Mr. Ryan Ebelt at his personal blog, " RJE'S Friends Of Junior," has returned with his seond Helmer review. After findin' and so so immensely enjoyin' pallie Ry's take on "The Silencers," I made my personal Dino-request that he would use his creative talents to do a review of my fav of fav Dino-flicks, "Murders' Row."

And likes below is Ry's randy review of our great man as James A. Peters, swingin' spyster extraordinare. Gotta sez how extremely pleased I am that Ry so so graciously gave a nifty nod to our humble little ilovedinomartin blog.."(thanks to encouragement from ilovedinomartin' blog)." Indeed ilovedinomartin tries to encourage as much Dino-action on the web as Dino-possible!

Ry totally totally gets our Dino as Helmer and the total groovy-ness of this Dino-scene..."Like it's predecessor, The Silencers, Murderers' Row features a non-stop barrage of swanky scenes, snarky dialogue and snappy gadgets." Certainly Ebelt has a wondrous way with words when it comes to these Dino-capers!

Likes I totally totally agree with Ry's analysis that "Murders' Row" is stronger plot-wise and in many other ways then Helmer uno. And Ry continues to show his deep understandin' of our Dino and company when he sez, "In any event, a great deal of the fun is found in the genuine chemistry of Martin and...uh... -Margret. Even though Dino's hilariously out of place in her psychedelic discotheque world, he's never not cool." Likes coulda our most beloved Dino ever be "not cool"?!?!

So pallies, gets a cool way and spend some time soakin' in the pleasure of our pallie Ry Ebelt's stunnin'ly stellar prose on "Murders' Row." Indeed, ilovedinomartin does have 'nough words to express our Dino-appreciato for pallie Ry's time and effort in sharin' his passion for our Dino as Helmer with his readership. To read this in it's original format, per usual, simply clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram. Long live our Dino...long live the Matt Helm capers! Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP

"Matt, They Can Brainwash a Vacuum Cleaner!"

No, from the well. I like my innuendo fresh...

As promised (thanks to encouragement from ilovedinomartin' blog), I've returned to the wacky world of Matt Helm, with Dean Martin's second outing as the I.C.E. counter-agent against the evil machinations of Big O in Murderers' Row (1966).

This time, a super weapon, the Helio-bomb, threatens to wipe Washington D.C. off the map after the scientist who invented it is kidnapped by an agent of Big O. Matt is reluctantly returned to service after faking his death to rescue Dr. Solaris (naturally a guy named Solaris captures killer sun rays. What's he going to make? Moon-bombs?) from an island fortress off the French Riviera. So Dino spends some time in the sun in the south of France and gets caught up in the wild swinging scene of the lovely Ann-Margret.

Wood-paneling: the essence of chic.

Like it's predecessor, The Silencers, Murderers' Row features a non-stop barrage of swanky scenes, snarky dialogue and snappy gadgets. Though it again tosses aside the grim and grimy underworld of Hamilton's original Matt Helm novels for more colorful settings and a host of fashion magazine glamor, this one seems a trifle less full of the fluff than the first film. It definitely has a more early Bond film vibe, but doesn't skimp on Helm's endless one-liners, the drinking and driving, and the occasional jab at fellow Rat Packer Frank.

In fact, that almost ends up being the problem: It definitely features a stronger plot than the original, but still features plot holes that one could drive a tricked-out hovercraft over and through. The one that plagued me most was that after Ann-Margret disables the machine the refines the ore that powers the Helio-bomb with a bobby-pin (ok, fine, fair enough), moments later, the men guarding her still leave her loose enough to power the electro-magnet that aids Dino in fending off the character I refer to as Quarter Destro (the credits call him Iron Head...see if you can spot him in the accompanying photos). Wait, what? She just blew up one machine, and the armed guards let her play with the magnet for several minutes to take out their boss. Guess it's true what the say about finding good henchmen.

When Shop Class goes terribly awry...

That's just one, there's several other gaping gaps in logic. Now, don't get me wrong, in the generally fun-filled light atmosphere, these heavy suspensions of disbelief can't spoil the fun (and a belt or two of gin will have you giggling over most of them after a wry retort from Dino). What bothers me, in retrospect, is that this could've been a solid action story above and beyond being a light afternoon's entertainment if only someone had seen to it that the script made a little more sense where it counts (like when Matt's got a cover story for his cover story that isn't spoiled by Big O's inside man in Washington). All of this could've been avoided, I suppose, if they'd headed off into the bizarre anything goes tone of the 1967 version of Casino Royale, but since they played it more by the numbers, I couldn't help but notice it. I know that consideration for pop culture longevity has only become a recent concern, but I like to think that for all the talent involved, they'd want a movie that over time would appeal to more than just guys into nostalgia or goofy cinema...oh yeah...like me.

In my dreams, I wake up to this sort of thing...

Karl Malden, the all too serious star in On the Waterfront and Patton, does an entertaining turn as the villain, Julian Wall. His strange relationship with his mistress Coco is surprisingly risqué for the era of married couples in seperate beds. You'll just have to see the movie to see what I mean. The only odd mis-step with his character is his introduction where he's given the Blofeld treatment. For those who don't remember, Ernst Blofeld was James Bond nemesis in the Connery run of movies, but until You Only Live Twice (1967) where he's played wonderfully by Donald Pleasance, he's only shown from behind or in shadows. Problem is: a) Malden has a very distinct voice, and b) when they semi-reveal him, Malden also has one of cinema's even more distinctive schnozzes. So even if you don't know who he is, when you see him as Wall...you're not likely to not be able to figure out he's the ominous shadow from the opening.

"What?! I thought it was Telly Savalas...I'm serious!"

In any event, a great deal of the fun is found in the genuine chemistry of Martin and...uh... -Margret. Even though Dino's hilariously out of place in her psychedelic discotheque world, he's never not cool. But at the same time, the filmmakers don't go out of their way to make her world seem like some idiotic fad either. It's a far more diplomatic trade-off of the generation gap than was served up in most movies at the time. In all, you can't help but wish that you could quip off to nearly every bit said to you like Dino can, and you sure wouldn't mind have a kooky beauty on your arm like Ann-Margret while doing so. (I got to work on a film with Ann-Margret, and I can assure you, she's continued to be every bit of the lovely lady she was then.)

Also, for a silly 60's swankfest, one can't ignore that the first film had the great Elmer Bernstein at the musical helm, and the second features the also dazzling Lalo Schifrin. So I say, see The Silencers to ease into the world of Matt Helm...but keep Murder's Row nearby as just the right chaser.

Bonus: The ideal substitue for the pool noodle.

I will return...at some point...and so will Dean Martin as Matt Helm in The Ambushers (1967).



Hand Stenciled by Ryan at 5:11 PM