"You Had to Be There!"

 "You Had to Be There!" The Dean Martin Show taped every Sunday during the season. Rehearsal started early in the morning then taping usually began around 2pm. Les Brown's "Band of Renown," would be warming up early, Les, and some of his famous band members, Drummer Jack Sperling, the Candoli brothers, Bass Player Ray Brown "Playboy Allstars" all, were part of legendary memories we'll never forget. Dean and his crew made it look easy, most folks did not realize that weeks of homework went into every episode. Rehearsal halls were humming all week with Sunday's guests. The NBC Pages I worked with Jim Overman, the late Bob Gould, and Bill Woodley, we all finagled away to be there on Sunday's living the dream. Then there was Dino, "The King Of Cool." Dean's swagger, slang, self - confidence, those talents made us better men. Those moments will stay with us until "that day." You know "That Day!"

Our Love is Here to Stay.wmv

Two Great Legends. Standing next to Dean Martin, are you kidding me? He's in and out of rehearsals, then taping one of the most popular shows on Television and making it look easy. That was Dean Martin. If he wasn't huddling before every scene with Greg Garrison, he was kibitzing with us during commercials. Sitting on his bar stool on his opening set, right before we heard "Roll Camera, Action," Dean looked right at me and said "I've got soooo much gas." Of course he did. The other Legends parked right behind the partition separating Dino was "Les Brown And His Band of Renown.' The big band sound was like you died and went to heaven! Imagine kicking off a song, with Les Brown's band behind me and Dino singing in front of  the cue card, make-up guy, and me? It felt like I was part of history, watching and moving to the greatest talents of our time. Come to think of it, I need another Vino for Dino!

Floyd Jackson a Legend!

 My first day as an NBC Page I met Floyd Jackson, and his thriving "Shoe Shine" business parked in front of the Artists Entrance at NBC Burbank. Anyone who came through "Hallowed Artist Entrance Doors" had to get by us and the first "celebrity" they met was a Legend. I remember Floyd and I were on a first name basis, each week I felt compelled to get his "incomparable" shine. He was part of the history of NBC Burbank. You could imagine Pages getting paid $65 a week were not big "tippers" but I managed to dig into my pockets to find a five dollar bill for his work and listen to his stories about the famous stars he shined shoes for, Floyd Jackson as big as any star that worked at NBC Studios.

Missed an Opportunity!

 "Woulda Coulda Shoulda," The two seasons I worked standing next to the "King of Cool" on the Dean Martin Show brings back lots of memories. As time went by and Dean got older, (so did I) and living in the LA area, I felt it was my duty to track him down at some of his famous "watering holes." I missed a great opportunity. He spent most of his later years sitting in a back booth at "La Familia," but that wasn't the only place Dino hung out, Matteo's, Villa Capri, in the Palm Springs area, Alberto's-Rancho Mirage, Davey's Hideaway, so many places, and like a "goof ball," I could have been in a back booth talking to my "goomba." Didn't take my dads advice "Meglio Tardi Che Mai Fallo!" Top photo by Keith Valcourt.

Joe Scalissi as Dean Martin

 

Dean Martin Festival

 Would Love to Be There! The 2023 Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio for a performance by one of the finest Dean Martin tribute performers. Joe Scalissi as Dean Martin, along with the Rat Pack and a Marilyn Monroe tribute.

Mike Colonna Blogcast "Dean and Frank"

Frank Sinatra and the Dean Martin Show. Anytime  Frank showed up, studio 4 was a closed set. Only a select few of us would be allowed to stand on the side lines and watch these two great talents. One night when I worked late, I was picking up materials from the  Theater Arts Department, I was on my way back to the studio, when I noticed Frank entering  from the back parking lot with his entourage. Frank was in the lead, Now I'm moving toward Sinatra and his crew. He's moving toward me....as I passed Frank, rather than "Hi Frank" I lifted my eyebrows to acknowledge him.  I'll never forget, as Frank's eyes met mine with my eyebrows half way up my forehead, Frank returned the hello, our eyes and eyebrows met, did I know Frank Sinatra?..... Yes, I traded eyebrows with Frank Sinatra. 

Mike Colonna Blogcast "Dean at the Piano"

The Dean Martin Show. Everyone on the Show loved the Piano sketch with Kenny Lane. Dean would flick his cigarette ashes on Kenny's shoulder. "I'm gonna make you a General!" The rehearsal shots were blocked in the morning but Garrison had "stunts" up his sleeve. Most of the time Dean had no idea who was behind the door. Neither did we. During the Sunday Morning Rehearsals, and Afternoon shooting, I don't ever recall taking a break. Learning and watching Dean, the producers, writers, even Les Brown's Band of Renown making adjustments, I didn't want to miss a minute of this legendary event. Lot's of these moments are stored in my brain's memory bank. So pinch me, I got to work up close and personal with the "King of Cool," on the Dean Martin Show!

Mike Colonna Dean Martin Blog Guy Marks

The Dean Martin Show, Greg Garrison took a liking to one of our NBC Pages who was a high school and college golfer, Bob Chic. Chic was a great guy, and his golfing prowess gave him special privileges. Bob Chic got to play golf with Dino and friends at Riviera. None of our platoon of NBC Pages were anywhere close to being good golfers, kudo's for Chic to get a chance to spend time on the golf course with Dean. Next thing, Bob becomes one of the two or three stage managers on the Dean Martin Show. We were all envious. Should have taken advantage of our Golf Club at St. Anthony High and learned the basics at Long Beach State. I didn't.  Chic went from the Dean Martin Show to full time stage managing on the Dean Martin Roasts. Getting credits for his work was a great accomplishment. Bob is out there somewhere, would love to chat about our old days at NBC. Posting one of the funniest sketches during the Dean Martin Roasts! loved to watch Dean laugh and Rickles egging him on.

Dean Martin & Tommy Sands - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine

Dean and Charities

 

Nick Santa Maria

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According to my late friend, Miriam Nelson, who used to stage the shows for the charity, S.H.A.R.E....of all the big stars she'd ask to donate their time Dean Martin was the most gracious and easiest to work with . On top of that I find myself watching Dean more than almost anyone else on YouTube (maybe tied with Don Rickles). Dean had a warmth and an unpolished sense of fun that is intoxicating (so to speak).

When I was a kid watching Martin and Lewis movies on TV I usually got bored during Dean's stuff...now it's the complete opposite. Happy Birthday to Dino, a terrific singer and a very funny man.

Jim Mahoney author/publicist.

 Jim Mahoney and Dino getting ready to tee off!

Mike Colonna Blogcast "GetMahoney"

Get Mahoney Dean's Publicist

 My long time friend and personal publicist for Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson and other TV, Singers, and Movie stars Jim Mahoney has written an exciting book about his day's with Hollywood's rich and famous, A great read!

It's not easy being in the public eye. There's always someone watching, waiting for you to mess up. That's where Jim Mahoney comes in. For over 40 years, he's been the go-to guy for Hollywood's elite when they need to clean up a scandal or avoid one altogether. He knows all the tricks of the trade and he's finally spilling the beans in his new book, Get Mahoney!

Buddy Greco Dean Martin Show

 

Courtney Newman

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Go to https://gofund.me/fc9242fa We Found It !!!!! Our Buddy Greco documentary “ white whale “ … “ Holy Grail !!!” It’s video of Buddy and Dean Martin performing together!! We have searched and searched and finally found it on a very rare obsolete video format which we just got converted to digital thru a lot of expense and trial and error!!! Now you can see it … but I’m not going to show it yet !!!

Then we will be able to use it in the Buddy Greco A Swingin' World Documentary and it’s fantastic !!!!! So please contribute, no amount is too small or too big !!! Go here https://gofund.me/fc9242fa

Studio 4 The Dean Martin Show

 

Mike Clark

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Dean Martin had as much fun as the audience during his show. That's because most of what happened was new to him!

Running 9 seasons, The Dean Martin Show's success was due to the genius execution by Producer/Director Greg Garrison, who promised Martin he would only have to work on Sundays. Martin would get some show notes prior to tape day and approve the guests and songs for that week. Pre-records were rare with most of the musical numbers performed live. Deano would appear Sunday morning in the makeup chair at NBC, Burbank, and watch a monitor as his stand-in rehearsed with that week's guests. Garrison's 'live to tape' method meant almost no flubs were corrected, and that gave the show a spontaneous feel with the light-footed and witty Martin contributing a ton of charm and some pretty wonderful singing. The show was popular and even hit #1.

By the early 70's the format changed into celebrity roasts and for many that's how the show is remembered. I prefer the laughs courtesy Mr. Martin and guests like Bob Newhart or Dom DeLuise. I'm sure he made the most of this blue-screen magic carpet setup.

The show started off with TK-41s and in 1969 switched to TK-44s. Karl Messerschmidt was the T.D. and the deep talent on the stage and camera crew made it all look like a fun romp.

Addendum: Martin's former partner Jerry Lewis recorded his show at NBC from 67-68. No doubt Dean and Jerry were on different tape schedules and they never bumped into one another in the hall

Dean's Girls!

 "Watching all the girls go by." Lucky me! One Sunday afternoon during the taping of the Dean Martin Show, I was clearing a path next to Dean's set, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, a stunning blonde beauty. It didn't register right away, but within 10 seconds I recognized Angie Dickinson. Oceans 11 she was in our midst. Joey Heatherton, Lanie Kazan, and the parade of other lovelies would "hang out" watching Dean from the sidelines. Face it, Dean was a "Chick Magnet!" When the Sunday taping was over, reality set in. Within an hour, I hung up my NBC Page blazer, got in my VW Beetle, and drove back to my Belmont Shore digs. Just another day at the office. Two different worlds. Couldn't wait till Monday to get back to the "old grind!" What working conditions. Loved it! Let's have a Vino for Dino!