In honor of Dean Martin, whose 97th birthday was June 7 (hat tip to I Love Dino Martin):
Rare and Classic Photos of a Laid-Back Legend
Text for the collection of slides and a few music videos:
In the early- to mid-1960s, Dean Martin emerged as one of the most popular entertainers on the planet, starring in major films, knocking the Beatles off the top of the charts with what would become his trademark tune, “Everybody Loves Somebody,” defining an entire new genre of cool with Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack, starring in his own long-running TV variety show — achieving all of this with the air of a man who had just woken from a nap and was still charmingly groggy.
In 1958, meanwhile, when the pictures in this gallery were made, Dino – while famous as one-half of the Martin & Lewis comedy duo — had not yet crossed over into genuine superstardom. But he was certainly enough of a draw that LIFE magazine devoted a photo-filled seven-page feature to the man they dubbed “Make-a-Million Martin.”
[To] his skillfully used musical and comedy talents, he adds an ebullience that pervades everything he does. . . . Uninhibited, spry of mind and muscle, he maintains a state of relaxation that “makes Perry Como look like a nervous wreck.” Keeping carefree appears to be the common denominator of the many Martins — showman, businessman, prankster, family man, self-styled hell-raiser and Hollywood social lion. In each role he works hard at making hard work look easy.On what would have been his 97th birthday (b. June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio) LIFE pays tribute to one of show business’ enduring — and most laid-back – legends.
The Dean Martin song that nudged the Beatles out of first place on the Billboard charts on August 15, 1964:
Hi AOW.
ReplyDeleteDean Martin, one of my Fav singers & actor , 'Everybody loves somebody' brings back memories of staying at my grandparents listening to the 78 records she had among them several Dean Martin songs.
How the world has changed for the worse since those days.
I've been a Dean Martin fan since I was 14 years old. While all of my friends were listening to the Beatles, I was listening to Dean Martin's recordings -- and, of course, those of Frank Sinatra. But mostly Dean Martin, who was also a fine actor.
DeleteI learned about Dean Martin from a fellow teenager, not from my parents, BTW.
How the world has changed for the worse since those days.
We lost those days -- probably forever. **sigh**
Classic from Dean's show.
ReplyDeleteFoster Brooks made one of the best straight men in the business laugh till he cried.
DeleteThanks for linking to this video of classic comedy from the days when humor was appreciated.
I think I've already told you a few times but it can't be said enough.
ReplyDeleteA friend owned the pro shop at Mountaingate Country Club here in LA...Dean belonged to it; my friend was also a golf pro up there. he said you never met such a nice guy. He'd like a sweater Mike carried and he'd order them in every color....and personable, caring.
Until his son died. Still nice, but quiet...........always. Mike's heart broke seeing him like that.
what a show he had...what fun!
And OH yes, HOW the world has changed for the worse....who'd have thought it back then?
I didn't realize his son was a military pilot. F-4 was a hell of an aircraft.
DeleteMustang,
DeleteDean Paul Martin was a pilot in the Air Force Reserves, I think. He died when his aircraft crashed during a test run -- crashed on the same mountain where the airplane crash that killed Frank Sinatra's mother occurred. Terrible air currents there!
Dean Paul is interred at the Los Angeles Military Cemetery, which is right across the street from where is father is buried at Westwood Memorial Park. I've visited both their graves.
Z,
DeleteDean Martin lost his zest for living when his son died. His son had had a checkered adolescence, but had turned his life around -- only to die in that F-4 crash.
I know what you mean about Dean Martin's being nice. My father-in-law was a respiratory therapist at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles and gave Dean Martin breathing treatments in his latter days. My father-in-law said: "Such a nice guy. But he really didn't care about life anymore."
Hey pallie, likes Miss AOW, what a powerful post of Dino-adulation for "The Day That Coolness Came To Earth." Know your Dino-honorin' patter is bein' shared thid day with all the pallies gathered 'round ilovedinomartin. Keeps lovin', keeps celebratin' our Dino!
ReplyDeleteDMP,
DeleteThank you! I'll stop by your web site, which is a refuge from politics.
Dino was always one of. my favorites, he always seemed sincere, a real class act.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and thread!
RN,
DeleteThe time period during which Dean Martin performed were wonderful days -- the days of variety shows and joy.
Too bad that we can't turn time back to those days. Not perfect times, of course, but much more agreeable than today in that people really did know how to relax, to laugh, and to share good times without animosity.
Indeed it is so AOW. Many of us spend quite a bit of time contemplating why it changed so much. What are the drivers of the shift towards animosity. No one enjoys the shift yet here we are.
ReplyDeletePuzzling eh?
RN,
DeleteWhat are the drivers of the shift towards animosity.
Alinsky-ites or a similar group?
24/7 cable news?
The Internet itself?
It does seem as if there is an organized effort to keep WE THE PEOPLE discontented and gloomy.
I'm going to be spending this summer trying to get two things back:
(1) My health
(2) A more content state of mind
I do have to work (Damn taxes (local and federal)! and health-insurance premiums), but have drastically pared down my tutoring schedule.