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he was somewhat less than a model citizen or even a decent man. But he was a genius when he sang.

Here's a story. A close friend's family was in the livery business in Chicago. They were contracted for a theater opening back in the 60's to which Sinatra was present. My friend happened to be slated the driver of comedian Jack E. Leonard that stormy night. He picked up Leonard at the hotel just before Sinatra's driver arrived. All the way to the theater Leonard acted the big a$$ and by the time they arrived, my friend had had it with him.

Instead of driving up to the canopy over the red carpet, my friend pulled up across the street and made Leonard walk across in the rain. Just before pulling away, someone knocked at his driver window; it was Sinatra's driver. The driver handed my friend a $100 bill, saying it was with Mr. Sinatra's compliments. "He can't stand the SOB either".

Some years ago this story was supported by a TV special I watched about Sinatra. In it, friends told of how Sinatra would carry $100 bills with him, handing them to body guards or friends to see that someone who did him a good turn or provide service beyond that expected would receive this extra tip.

Sinatra may have had anger management issues, but he had a big heart. And he went out of his way to help others he found in need.

I've been a Sinatra fan since my early teens (I'm 65). There will never, ever, be another singer, IMHO, who reaches one's soul as Sinatra did with his ability to interpret music.

Regarding Jack E. Leonard, he was headliner at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club once. That Friday afternoon I was traveling through Lake Geneva and stopped at the Playboy Bar for a drink before the final drive home (12 miles away). Leonard just happened to be at the head of a table of about 6-8 people, the only ones in the bar at the time. I sat at the bar, some 30+ feet away, and couldn't hear myself think over his loud mouth and cussing.

The bartender brought my drink and said this had been going on for quite awhile. Leonard was well on his way to we all know where...

I finished my drink, paid the tab with a nice tip, and offered my condolences to the bartender who simply raised his eyes in disgust. Naturally, I remembered my friend's story, and put this down as further documentation.

"he had a big heart. And he went out of his way to help others he found in need."

He surely did. Great story, by the way.

I also talked to a Bartender in Palm Springs at a certain restaurant where Mr. Sinatra used to frequent. The Bartender couldn't speak highly enough of Frank.
In fact, he flat-out told me that he bought his first home, a Condo in Palm Springs, from the Chairman's tips.

Frank knew where he came from and never forgot. He was very generous towards people that he liked.

Sinatra may have had anger management issues, but he had a big heart. And he went out of his way to help others he found in need.

My mother tells me the story she heard Tina relate some years ago, Frank had a full-time cook, one year he invites the man and his wife to vacation on Frank's yacht, (I don't recall specifically, I believe it was a week), while Frank and daughter Tina did everything for them on the boat, the cooking included. Tina said it was just her father's way of not simply saying thank you, but showing his appreciation for the years of service the cook had given him.

There will never, ever, be another singer, IMHO, who reaches one's soul as Sinatra did with his ability to interpret music.

No matter some, even Frank Jr., can imitate him closely, none will EVER match The Voice fully -- and yes, as you say, touch the soul as well as his person touching the heart.

I have read of other incidents where Sinatra was quite generous with people. Apparently he was a Jekyl and Hyde type because he could also be very cruel and temperamental. None of this concerns me though. I just like his music and really admire his talent. The movie might be quite entertaining if done right.