Posted on 03/08/2013 6:16:39 PM PST by nickcarraway
Las Vegas is home to some of the most exciting entertainment in the country; no other place in America rivals the rich history and variety of thrills located within the limits of Sin City. But just as much as people love to come and lose themselves in this modern adult wonderland, they owe the good time to a few key players in the entertainment industry who helped immortalize the city.
From singers, producers, club-owners and showgirls, talented people from all walks of life helped to establish Las Vegas as the party capital of America. While you could make a list all day long of those who contributed to the city we have today, we are going to feature one of the men who helped bring a little humility and even a little love to an industry known for being morally cut-throat!
That man's name was Dean Martin, and to this day his songs are still on the radio like his heart had never missed a beat. With so much adoration and an entire generation of fans who worshiped the wide eyed crooner, it's no wonder Dean Martin became the first triple threat in modern entertainment by becoming a hit on television, radio and even major motion pictures.
Dean's movie career was first centered on comedy, and that was all because of the man who helped Dean rise to fame and sat right alongside him enjoying the ride the entire time, Jerry Lewis! It was said the duo first began when they landed a gig together in Atlantic City, now it's said they got this job due to Jerry and Dean's expansive amateur careers: Dean had played a number of local dive bars and small clubs in Chicago due to his mafia connections, and Jerry was a comedian following suite except he happened to be in New York instead of Chicago.
One day they both would catch each other performing on the same night at a popular club in New York City, and from there it was history as the two immediately began talking about putting on a show featuring the both of them. It was only a matter of time until somebody noticed what these two had, so they were given a shot at a small casino showroom in Atlantic City.
Signed to perform every night, the two put together a routine they were sure was going to be a hit. Their very first performance they were nearly booed off the stage and the producer told them if they did not come up with another act by the end of the night they were fired and done in the world of Showbiz! In one of those historic moments of things just "working out," the two would together make a vow outside behind the casino to "Go for Broke!" They did just that, improvising a routine they had no forethought about. Dean simply started singing on stage while Jerry pretended to be a clumsy bus boy running around the showroom. The show ended with Dean pelting Jerry with dinner rolls whilst chasing him out of the showroom.
The audience couldn't get enough, and it was said no showroom had heard so much laughter until the fateful night those two "went for broke!" After that Dean and Jerry would manage to get signed into a contract doing two movies together while being in charge of all their touring.
The movies didn't pay too much yet, but their tours are where the two raked in their millions and became national sensations. In 1956 the two went their own separate ways after Dean told Jerry "All you are to me is a money sign!"
Dean was good at playing drunks. At least I think he was playing.
Two Dean Martin threads posted by two different posters within two minutes of each other. I had to double check to see it he just died again.
bump and mark
Steubenville’s finest.
Lewis resurrected the Martin half of the team via the character of Buddy Love in The Nutty Professor.
The remakes don't deserve to have the same names.
IIRC, he never got over his son’s death in 1987.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Paul_Martin
This is my favorite drunk act.
To Be Is To Do: Kant
Do Be Do Be Do: Dean Martin
I adore Dean Martin, thanks for posting. Two things, no, three. Lewis stole a lot of his act from a black comedian who was much funnier than Lewis. Their career as a duo was made by their agent, Freddie Fields. And ”the both of them” isn’t correct English - it’s ”both of them”, no ”the”.
Hey Leni, d'ya like Martin too? ..................................................................................... FRegards
Coolest human being who ever lived
Not to be picky, but “do be do be do” was Sinatra. He sang it in the final seconds of “Strangers In The Night,” back in 1966.
I thank he also threw in a “ram scam scuttle dee” for good measure; the DJ usually talked over it though.
I only really remember him for the hilarious movies I saw him in when a kid. That, and faintly his singing from way, way, back when.
Apparently, he was a fairly devoted family man, and not a committed :Rat Pack" member, to Sinatra's annoyance.
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