Backstage at the Dean Martin Show

by Lee Hale, Richard D. Neely

This book lets you peek behind teh curtians at all the fun, friendship,a nd occasional star tantrums that went inot making this top-rated variety program.

Genres: Music, Memoir, Tv, Nonfiction, Biography

551 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[GoldGato]

Control Room:"Dean, your wife just called. She says when you get through here to get your tail down to the Biltmore Hotel."
Dean Martin:"Tell her that's where I always get it."

When the Dean Martin Show first appeared in the 1960s, it was a breath of fresh air for the declining tv variety show. At that time, the musical variety show was grounded in well-rehearsed and static formatting. The host would sing some songs, there would be sketches, and everyone knew what was going to happen. Then Dino came along. Instead of rehearsals, he played golf all week or worked on a movie or on an album. Then he would saunter onto the stage for the production and wing it. Since the audience never knew what he would do or say (or sing), it created a must-watch viewing that changed how variety shows were produced.



Dean Martin never wanted to do a weekly show, but when NBC asked him, he decided to call their bluff and ask for millions...plus some of their stock. They accepted. Overnight, Martin became one of the richest men in Hollywood, but he still refused to curtail his golf games. No wonder he was the King of Cool.

Guest Star:"Where's Dean?"
Producer:"He's sleeping."
Guest Star:"Sleeping? My God, he goes on the air in an hour."
Producer:"I know-he's resting up for it."

Author Lee Hale was the show's musical director and he writes about the Deanster, his guests, their antics, and successes/problems with creating a weekly blockbuster. Each chapter is devoted to a specific season, listing each show and some of the pain-in-the-butt guests. From the still-youthful and happy Dino to the sombre Dino who stopped caring after his parents and only sibling all died within months of each other, there are adventures galore.

(Dean) never thought of another performer as a threat - just someone to play with.

I enjoyed the premise of the book, as it provided a different type of bio without being a bio. Thankfully, YouTube has many of the show's episodes and highlights, so all generations can enjoy. Good read, ready for my hot brandy milk.

Book Season = Autumn (telly season)

[Charlton]

I've seen parts of the dean martin show and loved it so I had to read about it. The book was good, but there was a lot of name dropping and I just don't know that many people from that time period. Still a good book though!

[Joan]

Each chapter in this engaging book explores one year of the Dean Martin Show beginning in 1965 and running through 1974. Along with the details of the show are backstage tidbits, behind-the-scenes looks at both the regular show and the summer replacement show, and much more. Photographs of Dean and his many guest stars, including a special color section, enhance the narrative.

Fans of Dean Martin or of the variety show genre will find much to appreciate here.

[Harley]

I read this book after reading "Dean and Me" by Jerry Lewis and was disappointed. Hale simply recounts each year of the Dean Martin Show and basically talks about the guests and their behavior. He does confirm much of what Jerry Lewis says about Dean. Dean Martin was not interested in the behind the scenes aspect of show business. He wanted to show up, do his thing and leave. His contract for the Dean Martin show had a clause that he only had to work one day a week and that was Sunday. So the guests and crew would rehearse all week and Dean would show up without rehearsing. They would tape the show and it would air the following week. And it worked. Dean Martin worked best when the acting was spontaneous without rehearsal. Hale agrees with Lewis that Martin was a comic genius.