Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25399 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-03-09
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Frank Sinatra had sung on television and even hosted variety specials and series, but when he strutted through the empty hallways of NBC studios, took a stool next to a lonely microphone, and belted out the opening lines to "I've Got You Under My Skin," it was a TV revelation. Here was the mature, confident, at times even swaggering saloon singer and balladeer in a solo showcase: literally, the man and his music. The mix of classic tunes ("I Get a Kick Out of You," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "Witchcraft"), key songs from his 1950s reinvention ("Come Fly with Me," "You Make Me Feel So Young"), and 1960s standards ("My Kind of Town," "This Is All I Ask") is mirrored in an effective medley anchored by "It Was a Very Good Year," giving us a brief tour of his career from the bobby-soxer heartthrob crooning hopeful ditties ("Young at Heart") to the reflective maturity of the artist in 1965 (the melancholy "Last Night When We Were Young"). Vocally, Sinatra is in excellent form--clear and bold, with the dexterity of his 1950s recordings now colored by phrasing at once thoughtful and seemingly spontaneous--and the combination of top-notch arrangements and impeccably chosen material makes this special Sinatra's finest televised hour. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

That's Entertainment
This is the first and possibly the best in a line of Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music series. Watching this DVD one has to think what a groundbreaking innovator that Sinatra was. With both his music and his acting, he pushed the limit and this disc is no exception. Granted, this is from the 60's, off television, but that does not take away form how spectacular he is. Sinatra is in exceptional voice, arguably the best era of his music. He has just enough age in his voice that you can hear the heartbreak when he sings a ballad but he still can belt out the classics like Witchcraft, Come Fly With Me, and You Make Me Feel So Young. With the Nelson Riddle / Gordon Jenkins arrangements and orchestras, accompanying him, he is an unmatchable performer. I own all of the discs in this series and I would rank this, Volume II, and + Ella + Jobim all equal. This is the way that Sinatra liked it. From the very beginning, when he walks into the soundstage, sits down, and belts out I've Got You Under My Skin, to the very ending of Put Your Dreams Away (which he ended all of these special with) it's nothing but perfect. If you consider yourself a fan of Frank Sinatra then you MUST own this disc.

The show's great, but deserves better treatment.
This DVD rates 5 stars on the exceptionally quality of Sinatra's performance and the historical value of preserving this masterful career highlight. One might have hoped, though, that some more attention could have been made to restoring some fading of the print. The sets remain beautiful but a bit muted. The sound, though mono, is terrific. Another quibble : although Sinatra fans will be familiar with all the details, there could have been more to the packaging, such as original recording and air dates, some text that puts this program into the context of Sinatra's career, anything. All one gets is a list of song titles. This performer deserves better.

Frank at his absolute best! Get it!
This is the first television special and in many ways it it unequalled (although I haven't seen them all yet). Sinatra is in great form, his voice powerful and playful. He appears to be having a great time and it is well communicated. The opening with "Under My Skin" is exhilirating and goes down in Television history as "one of those moments". By all means...order this DVD if you haven't seen it. Also, check out A Man and His Music +Ella +Jobim; it is just as wonderful!