I adore references to things I love and this one had my mom and me cracking up! Thank you Psych!
PS: I read some of the comments on the video and people had no idea who this was in reference too... hopefully you've been reading my blog enough to know, but just in case it's the Rat Pack. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop. Below they are pictured with another member of the Rat Pack, Peter Lawford.
We all know I love the Rat Pack - specifically Frank, Dean and Sammy. I've already done several posts on Frank and Dean (and I'm sure there will be more), but I've been neglecting Sammy. So here you go! My favorite Sammy songs. The man is talented.
I really enjoyed this book. That being said, I learned a lot of disappointing things about Sinatra. I also learned a lot of great things about Sinatra. I felt that this book was well researched and well written. The author sited hundreds of sources. He was very good a presenting all sides of a story, telling you what he feels is the truth and then letting you decide.
Sinatra led a very interesting life. He really did do it his way (as his popular song would say). He was married 4 times, had 3 children, was one of the greatest singers the world has ever known, an academy award winning actor, a loyal friend, caused several media scandals and so much more. He was a fascinating man.
As a caution; DO NOT read this book if learning of his down falls will hinder your enjoyment of his music. It's not worth it. Sinatra is an incredible talent, his poor judgement in life doesn't change that.
I love how nonchalant he is. He seems so easy going and happy. Off the top of my head I can't really think any songs that he sings that are heartbreaking or sad. When I listen to him sing I can't help but smile and dance, he just seems so darn happy!
You should probably just listen for yourself:
This one might be my favorite:
And here is a playlist of some of my favorites, just click on the link. Dean Martin Favorites
I am in the process of reading Sinatra: A Complete Life by J. Randy Taraborrelli. I am not very far yet (it's a huge book and I basically only get to read it when I'm eating, walking, before I got to sleep and (even though I shouldn't) 15 minutes to a half hour into my sleep time.
I have already learned all kinds of things about Frank Sinatra that should shatter my adoration of him. For a few hours I was pretty let down reading about how imperfect Sinatra was. I'm sure I've heard these things before but reading a book that includes first hand accounts is different. You might be wondering what things I'm talking about. Sinatra was a womanizer. He was also obsessed with sex (probably a sex addict, my friend pointed out to me). He cheated on his wife, probably hundreds of times. He always felt that it had nothing to do with her and whatever she didn't know won't hurt her, well she always found out and even then he didn't care. Not really the kind of guy you would want to be in a relationship with.
But as I listen to him sing "All The Way" and "Embraceable You" I don't care. For some reason I don't care.
Fantastic Movie. Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra star along with Shirley MacLaine. I think the characters are the reason I like this so much.
Frank Sinatra plays Dave Hirsh, an army veteran and a writer who returns to his hometown in Indiana. He's troubled. He's very much in love with a girl who refuses to openly love him back because she's ashamed of who he is.
Dean Martin's character, Bama Dillert, is a fun loving gambler who befriends Dave. He doesn't appear to have any troubles. He just loves bumming around and making money. Alcohol doesn't affect him in the slightest. Bama also tries to be the voice of reason when Dave is feeling overly lonely.
Shirley MacLaine is Ginny, a young girl who follows Dave. She is adorable. She carries around a little purse shaped like a bunny (or some creature). Ginny is painfully in love with Dave. She's so sweet.
There are several other characters very much worth looking at, but you should just watch the movie. Here is the trailer.
This movie is powerful. It's real life. Truth. It gave me a lot to think about. I can't wait to see it again.
I am always shocked when people say "what?" or "huh?" when I mention the Rat Pack. And probably some of you are doing that very thing as you read this.
Let me help you. Wikipedia says: "The Rat Pack was a group of actors originally centered on Humphrey Bogart.
In the mid-1960s it was the name used by the press and the general
public to refer to a later variation of the group, after Bogart's death,
that called itself "the summit" or "the clan," featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, and finally, Joey Bishop, who appeared together on stage and in films in the early-1960s, including the movie Ocean's 11. Sinatra, Martin and Davis were regarded as the group's lead members." I don't know much more about the history of the group beyond that. Currently I don't care, but I will likely pick up a book about it somewhere in the next year.
What I really want to do is introduce you to their humor, music, good looks and down right awesomeness.
And when I say "they" I mean Frank, Sammy and Dean. They are the ones I'm obsessed with.
First let me share with you a video and a song.
The video is the end number of The Frank Sinatra Spectacular. They have the whole thing on YouTube and I highly recommend watching it. This link will take you to the first part of the program. Johnny Carson Hosts. Frank, Dean and Sammy sing and make jokes. The whole program gives you a taste of their humor and friendships. So fun. Pure Brilliance.
I found this next on while listening to Grooveshark. I laugh every time. They are just too funny.
Besides the incredible talent that these men possess, I like them because they fun. They're just a group of friends doing what they love. You can tell they have a blast doing it.
There will be several follow up posts to this one. Hopefully by the time all the posts are published you'll understand why I love these guys so much - even though I've never met them. As Anne Shirley would say, they are "kindred spirits."
