Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Happy Frank Sinatra Night and Day

I sit here, in the wee small hours, listening to "The Wee Small Hours." I'm finishing off my cocktail, trying to keep my droopy lids open just long enough to pay a tribute...
with my tribute... ...to Frank.

Having basked in the joyful celebration of my one and only on National Frank Sinatra Day, my night winds down, and I contemplate the happiness his voice has given me all day long.

There goes the last of my lemony scotch. I wonder where he must be right now, and if he knows he's loved...

Hope your holiday was as marvelous as mine.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

WHAT'S YOUR CUP OF TEA?

That's not tea, pal, it just looks like it.

The official Frank Sinatra Day is quite upon us! A mere 4 days away! And many of us are still without a good idea of how we will celebrate. It could only be proper to include a lot of cigarettes, a fedora, and some amount of brown liquor... which brings us to the question, "what will I be drinking on May 13th, the official Frank Sinatra Day?"

As most avid Fan-atras (you like that? i just made it up.) may already know, Frank was a big fan of the Jack Daniels. It seems only right that JD should be brought into the celebration then. Right?

Alas and alack, I shall have need to celebrate with a JD lover, for I haven't the palate myself for Bourbon. I do, however, appreciate a cheap scotch. For this reason, I think I'll be having my other boyfriend, Johnny Walker, over for dinner.

I know, you're asking "won't your first boyfriend (Frank) be a little upset about you partying with another man?" My answer to you is, Frank and I have a long distance romance, and we recognize the need to resume an open relationship to avoid the pitfalls of extreme loneliness. Don't worry though, the aforementioned bourbon lover who'll be celebrating with JW and I will be purely platonic.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Author's Note

I should adress the folly I noticed on the link below. May 8th as Frank Sinatra Day was a curiosity... I found a couple references to that date, but overwhelmingly, the majority of notices on Sinatra Day I found refered to the 13th. Sorry for any confusion.

Further, please be aware that the depreciating tone in that link does not reflect the opinions of this blogger. Quite the contrary; I realize that that writer will not be invited to that Big Casino in the Sky when her time comes--the unholy broad.

11 days and counting!

Friday, May 1, 2009

A COUNTDOWN TO FRANK SINATRA DAY

Happy Mayday everyone!

You may or may not know this, but May is Frank month! There is an official Frank Sinatra Day, approved by congress. May 13th in fact. That means, 12 days and counting down until Frankfest...

You may be wondering, "but how should I celebrate Frank day?" Well, THIS LINK will take you to a cornucopia of wonderful ideas.

As far as I'm concerned... a tall drink, an old movie, and dancing the foxtrot all night long.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

FINALLY GONNA CLASS THAT JOINT UP, 'EH SIMON?

Alright pallies,
I know there's some folks amongus that must be fans of American Idol. G'head and admit it; we're all friends here. Good news for you... this week on AI, our boys' tunes are gonna be featured! S-wing Baby!
Perhaps now, Frank'll make a comeback and turn some of the heads of 2009 popular culture?
I know AI is taking a bit of flack from other folks for this incredibly fortuitous executive decision. That's just because those other folks aren't hep to the scene, right Mac?
Don't forget to check out American Idol on Tuesday... especially for those of you who are relatively unfamiliar with Rat Packer's standards.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

HE CAN CURE WHAT AILS YOU... OR HIM... OR THAT SEAL...

Who says sinatra never helped anybody?!

I've dedicated this post to links to news and information that proves that Sinatra, even dead, is a greater help to humanity than the average Joe.

Here ya go, pallie~

#1 Sinatra music is shown to help stroke victims in a therapy known as the KENNY ROGERS EFFECT. Why they would have given Kenny top billing is beyond me; but Sinatra music soothes the ailing...

#2 Sinatra also soothes the savage. Here is an article about how the legend HELPS SOCCER STAR(or football star in the UK) deal with his savage temper. What a hero our boy is... For more details and personal quotes from Barton, click here.

#3 Sinatra's love for the ailing reaches beyond humanity, and extends toward our furry (and not-so-furry) friends. Our buddy's crooning can SOOTHE THE SEALS as well!

I'm sure the resources are endless, and the man's philanthropy should not go underrepresented. The future holds follow-ups that will include the man's mighty works with regard to helping others.

Don't forget to stay human folks, and treat your fellow man with goody-goodness. If it's good enough for Frank, it's good enough for you!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

A glimpse of history

Check out this great link for Rat Pack history and information!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

WHAT A SWELL PARTY THAT MUST'VE BEEN!




One of the best musical numbers from any of my favorite musicals. I hope you can appreciate the brilliance of it too! Compliments of Frank (quite the youngster) and his old hero Bing--High Society.

I've heard that drunkenness is one of the toughest theatrics to pull off as an actor. I'd say Frank's got it in the bag... Sometimes it pays to study the part!

Monday, March 30, 2009

ORIGIN UNKNOWN...

We'll chalk this one up to divine intervention...

You may be wonderin' how an otherwise relatively hip chick like me would become an adoring fan of such an old-timer...
Well, it was merely a matter of time.

My childhood experience of watching the classic musicals that my parents so adored created a subtle sense of nostalgia for the bygone days. However, my parents weren't nearly as cool as I in their musical tastes, preferring Yani (they call him that cuz it's what he makes you do!) and, what's that sax player's name? to the super style of my boys. My grandparents--really more of the Sinatra fan base peer group--were either into barbershop quartets (such as grampa the preacher) or old school country (such as granny the arkie). So where did the influence come from? I guess it might have been a gift from above...

As a bartender in Wichita, Kansas at the premier dead-head/biker bar, Downtown Wally Brown's, I was shooting pool in a local competition dive bar--i mean seedy!--when I stumbled upon a Sinatra CD in their juke box--is that cosmic placement or something? It was just like the Universe slipped it into that brief moment in time, just to change my life!--and decided, "what the heck; let's see what that era was all about!" I don't remember just what song it was... I've heard so many of his songs for years not even realizing who I was listening to, like the Married With Children theme song, Love and Marriage. Maybe it was World on a String. Whichever the case, it was like an immediately heart-melting moment, and I knew that no other man, not Jerry Garcia himself, would ever hold a candle to this one.

I returned to my own dive bar the next day and demanded that SOME album be taken off the jukebox so that SINATRA could be put on!

OK, so the bikers and the hippies gave me funny looks for quite a while after that, but man I tell ya, something otherworldly happened, and it caught on. Imagine the bearded, burly, bikers singing in unison,
I got the world on a string
Sittin' on a rainbow
Got the string 'round my fi-i-inger
What a world, What a life
I'm in love!

Then I discovered his theatrical line-up. He was really quite good. Check out my review of certain films, 3 posts down, called "what mood moves you?"
Lori, to you I recommend "High Society." It's a musical, if you can handle that! But Frank's performance is top notch. Plus, he sings some wonderful tunes.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

THE VOTES ARE IN

Well folks, we've cast our votes and here are the results of SURVEY 2: WHO MAKES THE BEST MRS. SINATRA?

one of you (i know it's you justin) cast a vote (that's 16%) for the lovely Ava Gardner. She was quite a looker, was she not? And my, how she had Frank in a lovestruck way. In fact, long before they met, while playing with Dorsey, he pointed out Ava's photo and said "I'm gonna marry her someday." That must've been in the 30s. Of course, he had quite a list of ladies he'd like to get with, and likely managed to get 'em all... the ol' dog.
Dean-o once introduced him: "A man whose outlook is never narrow but who sees everything in terms of the broad."
three of you (that's 50% folks!) voted Barbara Marx. I know nothing of Babs, but that she was his late-in-life-love. Probably a pretty good bet that he'd have cooled a few degrees by then to make it last with her. In fact he showed her unending adoration, toasting to her whereever they went: "I drink to you, my love, because I adore you!" While dating, she'd receive wires from him daily as well as flowers, whereever he was. And he'd often call to say "I love you," and hang up with no further conversation. (sigh) what a romantic!
two of you, bless your hearts (that's a third) voted ME... and I do appreciate the astuteness. Ok, one of them was me, but that leaves one person that feels my love. While I've had many dreams about the man (not dirty ones, thank you very much), we never truly were married. Although, I do maintain that he's my boyfriend... we have a long distance relationship.
As far as Mia and Nancy? Nuttin'. Sorry sucka's!

resource: The Way You Wear Your Hat

Monday, March 9, 2009

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY...

The following is an excerpt from spiritofsinatra.com regarding his biography. I thought it was a poignant statement because many people are misled as to the life of the man, believing him to be a less righteous cat than he truly was! Read on...

"Many people overlook the generosity of Frank Sinatra throughout his life. He was a favorite of the media due to his alleged mob ties and the focus usually centered on what he did wrong instead of the many things he did right. In 1971, the Motion Picture Academy awarded him the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his many charitable deeds. He received the Kennedy Center Life Achievement Award in 1983 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. In 1987, Sinatra was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the N.A.A.C.P. If any of those accolades can be topped, they were in 1997 when Frank Sinatra received the highest honor the U.S.A. can bestow upon a civilian in a Congressional Gold Medal for his countless accomplishments as a singer, actor, and humanitarian."

Thursday, March 5, 2009

WHAT MOOD MOVES YOU?

When it comes to Sinatra movies, it's all about mood.
What emotion are you looking to appeal to when you're going out to rent a Frank flick? Here's a quick rundown of potential movies for your potential moodies.

FRANK THE LOVER


Definitely go for Anchors Aweigh. He's cute as a button, unassuming, and in love with the lady who loves another. He gets his comeuppance, though, and finds the perfect girl. This movie also features (sigh) Gene Kelly. If you've never seen a Gene Kelly movie, OMG, after this one you'll be a believer. He's the singularly greatest dancer/choreographer of all time. He's like Astair, only HOT!
Anchors Aweigh also features the very famous dance scene with Jerry the Mouse. This is the film that pioneered mixing real film with animation. The sequence with Jerry was the first to incorporate a cartoon character interacting with a filmed figure.

FRANK THE PARTIER



Robin and the Seven Hoods, all the way! This movie has Dean and Sammy in it too, as well as Bing Crosby. The musical numbers are glorious--especially "You either got or you haven't got style." The comedy is sheer hilarity! They make you want to be there having a good time with them, law-breaking, mob-dodging, and shooting pool.

FRANK THE SINGER



Many of his films feature his voice, but for all intents and purposes, High Society rocks the boat! This Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby (and... what was that other gal's name... I don't remember, but I love her! ) film is a musical spin off of the Hepburn/Grant/Stewart classic The Philadelphia Story. I LOVE THIS MOVIE!! The songs are AWESOME! Including Porter's marvel, "What a swell party this is." Frank's journalist partner (I wish I could remember... OH YEAH), Celeste Holm, are magic together! And who doesn't swoon when watching the supremely graceful Grace Kelly?

As a side, Guys and Dolls is a great film with Sinatra as supporting actor alongside the wonderful Marlon Brando. Brando, I love you. But God bless him, he's just no singer. Somehow (cuz he's so dreamy), he got the lead role and the lead vocals on a Sinatra standard, "Luck be a Lady." Kinda infuriating, but I suppose Sinatra had a decent role nonetheless.

FRANK THE RAT



There's a tie here between Marriage on the Rocks and The Tender Trap. These two movies ('65 and '55 respectively) will truly offend the delicate feminist sensibilities. But that point is an interesting illustration of what was considered appropriate gender ideology of the time. Marriage on the Rocks features Deborah Kerr (From Here to Eternity) and Dean-o and makes bold statements about what a wife should be willing to accept. The Tender Trap costars Debbie Reynolds (from the alltime greatest, Singin' in the Rain) and the wonderful Celeste Holm, and tells the tale of a womanizer falling in love.
Whatever mood moves you to the movie store, check it out, there's a Sinatra gem that's just right for you.

Monday, March 2, 2009

HE MAY BE SKINNY, BUT HE'S SCRAPPY


Sinatra was a most noteworthy singer, incredibly prolific and wildly successful. He was also a movie star, equally prolific. The VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever lists 49 (what, couldn't belt out a 50th buddy?) between Strictly G.I. in '44 and Who Framed Roger Rabbit in '88.
Many of his films featured him purely for his voice, I'm sure. But the one that won him the most critical acclaim did not. In fact, he was but a supporting actor (the best that year, by Oscar's account) who was killed off much too early! oops. Maybe I shouldn't have given that one away. But come on, who here hasn't seen From Here to Eternity? Not the '79 Basinger remake. The classic '53 Lancaster/Clift chick or Rick flick.

Frank plays a part made for him: the scrappy-little-Italian-tough-guy that any girl would adore, whose continual trouble-making earns him black eyes. Oh, the character was fantastically easy to like, and he added the perfect amount of flare to an otherwise dangerously dramatic LOVE STORY.
But even with the Oscar, it wasn't From Here to Eternity that Frank felt deserved his award. Rather, a lesser known film with Kim Novak called The Man With the Golden Arm. Why was his arm golden? That is a cunundrum. It could be his marvelous talent for drums... or it could be his talent for dealing cards and always winning... or it could be his heroin addiction. At any rate, you want drama? You want to see Frank in a truly exceptional display of thespi? Check out this legendary addict performance! Pretty good for a Pretty Boy!

As for my personal favorite?

Anchors Aweigh.
Cuz it's got the singularly most perfect pair of man legs in all filmdom in it...
Gene Kelly... sigh.

OMG! I think I'll start up a Gene Kelly section for this blog!
Oh, And Frank sings and dances in a sailor uniform.

Monday, February 23, 2009

A BITTERSWEET DISCOVERY




i've long wished that i could take one sinatra song i've never heard and wrap it up in a beautiful box and never open it, just so i'd always know that i hadn't heard them all.
i've never heard this song before!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A HAT'S NOT A HAT 'LESS IT'S TILTED

So what, the way he wears his hat counts fer nuttin?

The polls are in and ya good fer nuttins didn't come thru quite as i'd hoped. we got 6 votes this time, but next time there'll be more, right?

What is it that makes us swoon?
3 votes--that's 50% for you non-math wizards--for the voice. ah that sultry, sensual, deep and boundless voice. it comes so naturally and effortlessly, and yet there's not another like it.
1 vote--that's 16%--for the eyes. oh those smashing clear blue (though watery drunk at times) blue eyes.. well that must be where 'Ol Blue Eyes got the name!
2 votes--that's 33%--say the swagger. Boy howdy, swing, baby! We love to see that air of confidence in the ones we admire. Ladies, who among you doesn't find that sort of thing sexy (fellas, don't be confused between confidence and conceit)?
0 votes--that's 0%, genius--say the way he wears his hat. Well I'll say, nobody but nobody can wear it better.

Stay tuned for the next big survey...

TOO MUCH LOVE TO GIVE

Sinatra was married 4 times.




His first wife, Nancy Barbato, was also (this is so cute) his first girlfriend at age 16. They married at 20 and had Nancy Jr. a year later. It was no time until he was noticed by the public, and (unsurprisingly) the ladies loved him... perhaps too much. It was a real threat to the marriage. Time was quoted:

"Not since the days of Rudolph Valentino has American womanhood made such
unabashed love to an entertainer."
Frank Jr. was born 4 years later, and Tina, 4 years after that.

His popularity led to a big head, not big enough britches, and big time contacts... like the lovely Ava Gardner, and Frank soon began running around with her very publicly (the rat). He was behaving quite badly in other ways too (I sense there must have been profound emotional troubles, not ratty cad-ness at all), like getting arrested and punching people and whathaveyou. It didn't take long for Nancy to file (the insensitive dame).





A week after the divorce was final, Frank married Ava (the cad). He got what was coming to him though. They were deemed "Swingin' Sinatras" because of their dramatic and jealous reactions to each other--even to the extent of suicide attempts (both phony and genuine) by the man himself. Their marriage lasted 2 years.





Our guy had lotsa lady friends but didn't marry again for 13 years (learn his lesson?)... this time to the precious little hippy chick (30 years younger) Mia Farrow. They tried to make it work but couldn't (didn't see that comin'--actually, that's unfair because Charlie Chaplin and Oona Oneil lasted forever and they had, like, a hundred years age difference), and 16 months later ended it.




In 1976, 9 years later, Barbara Marx (ex of Zeppo) became number 4 and number last.

Although he couldn't seem to cut the mustard with his wives, he was a great buddy to his ex-wives. He tried it. He wanted it (bless his romantic heart), but it didn't seem to suit him in his youth. At least he and Babs made it last.

Love and marriage, love and marriage
go together like a horse and carriage.
This i tell ya brother,
ya can't have one without the other.

Love and marriage, love and marriage,
it's an institute ya can't disparage.
Ask the local gentry,
and they will say it's elementary.

Try, try, try to separate them
it's an illusion.
Try, try, try and you will only come
to this conclusion:

Love and marriage, love and marriage
go together like a horse and carriage.
Dad was told by mother,
you can't have one without the other.


See, the man just had too much love to give. That's why the 4 marriages.

Friday, February 13, 2009

As Time Goes By, I just love him more!

Yes, he loved the ladies


FIRST AND FOREMOST

Frank was an actor. Much like Dean, the ruse he played out was a self-depreciating kind of humor meant to reflect his human quality. As an example, Dean was famously an unqualified drunk... Always sipping a cocktail during his act, slurring his words, forgetting the songs... In fact, Dean did not drink while he performed, and was, for the most part, never drunk during performances. It was an act. As Sinatra once said when asked about Martin's drunkenness, "I spill more than he drinks." Sinatra was no less an actor. And his jokes about women were for the purpose of comedy (which got lots of giggles from the ladies, by the way). Here's personal testimony, quoted I believe from Playboy--someone correct me if i'm wrong here.
"I’m supposed to have a Ph.D. on the subject of women. But the truth is I’ve flunked more often than not. I’m very fond of women; I admire them. But like all men, I don’t understand them."


It's not hard to believe that he did appreciate women, he married 4 times! And Ava Gardner, in particular, tormented his delicate sensibilities. I will admit that begrudging Mia Farrow for not giving up her career was a slap in the face of women's lib, but come on, it was the 60s! And Mia, always remembering Frank fondly:
"TV in bed, our puppies, his incredible sweetness, the purity of his feelings. His smile. Our ages finally mattered. [he was 50, she 21] I was too ill at ease with his remoteness and unable to fathom his complexities."

Sinatra's exes all shared this sentiment. And he got along smashingly with all of them. How many people do you know that can say the same?
(quoted from Remembering Sinatra)

BTW, if anyone is judging him based on his famous "The Lady is a Tramp," check out the lyrics:

"She gets too hungry, for dinner at 8
She loves the theater and never comes late
She'd never bother with people she'd hate
That's why the lady is a tramp

Doesn't like crap games with Barons and Earls
Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls
That's why the lady is a tramp"

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

here's to cole!

a note to Don Key's topic...

cole porter was a marvelous songwriter. i particularly like "what a swell party this is" and "anything goes," both CP songs, yes? (please feel free to correct me if i blunder; i'm only right 87% of the time so i must be told about my other 13% if i am to ever amend that percentage! ) While sinatra was no songwriter (that i know of, but that makes swell chum for further research), he was a gifted musician... his instrument being his voice. he played that instrument with incredible finesse, devotion and intuition. there is a reason such an incomparable voice is, at the same time, so effortless. he is a prodigious example of vocal expression. All that and songwriting too? save that for jesus, cuz only HE could top our guy!

PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN LIVING-STATUS

i feel i must post to don key's points, made in the comment section at welcome friends. the same point was raised by mjzmusic in a different post comment:

let me be frank... since he's not here to be (or defend) himself...
the notion of sinatra's racism is, in my opinion, not properly considered.

it's easy for us to believe now that the things sinatra said were racist or politically incorrect, but i believe his love for jr. was real and deep, and there was not a bit of frank that appreciated sam any less for his race. check back in for sinatra quote on the subject once i've researched it. remember, sammy was just as much a participant in the rat pack act as anyone else, and likely had as much fun with it (though further research into sammy's bio is due this point).

the key to being able to joke about race is having a pure heart with regard to it, and recognizing it as simple comedy, not agenda-pushing--this is the reason we can joke about our own race today without offending others of the same race. they know we aren't really degrading ourselves and others like us, but rather bringing comic relief to otherwise ugly disparities. while it is true that i haven't experienced all the pack's bits, from what i've heard, it was never truly meanspirited or deliberately insulting to brownness.

it was commonplace at that time to make comments that today are considered crass or inappropriate. consider jokes about women--girlfriends vs wives--or even the jokes made about being an alcoholic, and how inappropriate that might come off as now. conceptions of race and stereotyping, were not considered the icky subject that they are today. That's not to say that a man is justified in racist notions simply because it is the majority perspective. simply, that an evaluation of the man's heart cannot be made based on the way he behaved 50 years ago measured by notions of a today's taboos.

thanks for raising the subject, don and mjz

Monday, February 9, 2009

Enhanced Communication

Sinatra was a man of many words. He sang 'em. He mangled 'em. And he created 'em. Much of the language we think of as quintessential to the 50s swinger was brought to you by this fine sponsor of Americana. Whether or not he coined 'em... I may never know. But he certainly brought a charming flair to our comfortable lingo with these choice tokens (as quoted from Remembering Sinatra):


  • broad (n): a sexy woman

  • charlies (n): sexy breasts

  • chick (n): a sexy young woman

  • clyde (n): means anything

  • crazy (adj): cool

  • crumb (n): a creep

  • gasoline (n): booze

  • gasser (n): a great person

  • harve (n): a square

  • mouse (n): a small woman

  • ring-a-ding (adj): terrific

  • twirl (n): a chick who loves dancing

  • -ville (suffix): many uses; bombsville, endsville, splitsville

Friday, February 6, 2009

May I extend an invitation?


I invite anyone to openly participate in this, our discussion of all things Sinatra. But never believe you love him more than me! It is my plan to offer insight on this blog that may be less known, about his life, his death, the world now without him. I graciously accept any new information that might come by way of comment, and will artfully (after investigating the allegations) incorporate the worthwhile substance into this shrine.

Thursday, February 5, 2009


ring-a-ding-ding baby!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A VERY WARM WELCOME TO OUR FRIEND... YOU

WELCOME FRIENDS to at least one of the non-official Sinatra blogs on blogspot or elsewhere. For anyone who has a love for sinatrobilia, frank talk, and swooning to his toons... here's one for my baby, one more for the road, and this one's for you!
 
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