Posted on 11/18/2021 5:23:53 PM PST by nickcarraway
Not everything about “King of Cool” Dean Martin was what it seemed. The dashing playboy and heartthrob was actually a devoted family man to eight children. The legendary drinker — who always had a tumbler in hand —secretly filled his glass with apple cider. And that gleaming grin masked pain.
A new documentary explores the complexities of the beloved crooner, comedian and founding member of the Rat Pack. “Dean Martin: King of Cool,” which premieres Friday on TCM, features never-before-seen archival footage and delves into Martin’s strained relationship with Jerry Lewis, his bromance with Frank Sinatra and the personal tragedy of losing a child.
Born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1917 to Italian immigrant parents, Martin didn’t learn English until age 6 and was considered nearly illiterate. The hardscrabble life in his working-class town couldn’t have been further from the shiny patina of Hollywood, yet Martin’s irrepressible talent was undeniable. His seamstress mother, Angela, proclaimed that if her kid didn’t make it as a singer, nobody could.
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I watched an episode of Match Game (from the 1970s) recently and someone mentioned Martin’s drinking was for show (exaggerated). I forget which celeb said it.
Jerry Lewis wrote a great bio on those days, title “Dean and Me.”
That all changed when he lost his son, he never recovered emotionally from it.
Bookmark
“One of the top five coolest men who ever lived.
The other 4? 😎”
I will nominate Steve McQueen and John Wayne for 2 of the leftover slots.
Just like Foster Brooks was a teetotaler in real life.
McQueen, Lee Marvin, Yul Brynner, Clint Eastwood.
Paraphrase: I feel sorry for people that that don’t drink, knowing that in the morning that will be the best they feel all day.
He was training at Homestead AFB when I was there. His squadron, the 308th crashed too many jets.
There's a question for the ages.
My picks are (in no particular order)
Sammy Davis Jr.
Bing Crosby
Roger Miller
Andy Williams
In no particular order:
Bogart
Elvis
Sinatra
Wayne.
L
I loved watching his show - there was always a surprise guest behind the door. His skits were classic....I heard he would not rehearse and used to laugh during the show during each number. So funny.
And agree with Vision on McQueen and Lee Marvin - definite icons up there with the "King of Cool."
Cab Calloway would top my list.
James Dean
Steve McQueen
Paul Newman
Clint Eastwood
Thanks. Just set my TiVo.
Jerry was always annoying.
Don Rickles was insanely good at delivering roasts. That was his whole schtick.
I wholeheartedly agree on Steve McQueen being on the list - would rank him at top two.
When Sammy David Jr was roasted on Dean Martin’s show Rickles qipped about how Sammy tried got on a bus in Birmingham the driver told him to get in the back. Sammy said “but I’m Jewish” to which the driver said, “get off”! Those were the days when most people had the sense to realize they were just poking fun at each other, nothing more nothing less.
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