Product Description

In 1957, Timex sponsored a series of TV Variety Show Specials starring Frank Sinatra broadcast on The ABC Television Network. This show was taped on October 19, 1958. The special guest stars are Dean Martin and Bing Crosby and includes a Dean Martin's l

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6328 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-10-25
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 30 minutes

Amazon.com
For all his dominance of showbiz during the Eisenhower era, Frank Sinatra never quite mastered a regular TV gig. This hour-long live variety special from 1958 at least provides top-of-the-line talent, even if its lackadaisical approach gives a hint of why Sinatra didn't take to the small screen. The show consists almost entirely of song, with banter squeezed in around the edges--but with Bing Crosby and Dean Martin flanking ol' Blue Eyes, that's a pretty decent collection of pipes. The three boys goof early with "Together," a slaphappy number with special in-jokey material by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. The Rat Pack aura peaks with the threesome doing a medley of songs with "old" in the title. Dino, who solos on "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams," looks especially loose and ad-libby throughout the program, as though he dropped in between highballs at the Copa. The other main guest, Mitzi Gaynor, does some dancing and lends her brittle brand of pertness. The best section is a three-tune Sinatra solo stint (Nelson Riddle leads the band) including "The Lady Is a Tramp" and the torch-burner "Angel Eyes." Picture and sound quality are ragged, but at least the spirit is infectious. Added treat: John Cameron Swayze manning the live commercials for Timex watches, which do indeed keep on ticking. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

A Fun Look into the Golden Age of Television
This is an episode of The Frank Sinatra Show that was originally taped on October 19, 1958. Guest stars are Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, with Mitzi Gayner and a cameo from Jimmy Durante.

They've remastered an archive tape, and it shows. You still see the fuzz and occasional black spot on screen, but that's to be expected from anything that was taped in 1958, so I wasn't bothered by it - just be aware that this isn't video quality like you're used to from modern DVDs. The sound quality likewise is passable, but isn't quite digital quality.

Dean, Bing, and Mitzi kick things off with "High Hopes," as they wonder where Frank could possibly be - he's late for his own show! Frank arrives in time for a final verse and chorus, then perform "Day In and Day Out."

John Cameron Swayze does his patented "Takes a Licking and Keeps on Ticking" Timex schtick - attached to a motorboat engine that doesn't really want to start. The watch survives, AND stays on the propeller. The ad geek in me loved seeing this. A LOT more facts than are ever given in a modern commercial.

Dean, Bing, and Frank do a little talking (I stop short at calling it 'comedy') and launch into "Together." Dean Martin is, throughout, his usual flamboyant self - at times, he comes close to upstaging Bing and Frank. Bing gets more comedic lines than he ever did working with Bob Hope, but he seems uncomfortable with the roll. Mitzi Gayner's classic burlesque performance of "Hurricane" is tame by today's standards, but I cannot imagine what was said about it in 1958.

Classic songs like "Dancing Cheek to Cheek" and "Old Man River," and of course Frank's "The Lady is a Tramp," round out this hour long Variety Show Special (sponsored by, of course, Timex). The performances are solid from each of the stars, and the supporting cast is outstanding as well.

The DVD is a complete copy of the original broadcast, commercials included. For TV history buffs, TV historians (yes, there's a difference), and fans of the Rat Pack this is a must-have DVD. If you've always been interested in early TV, you should check this out as well. It offers a remarkable contrast between TV of today and TV of the "Golden Age of Television."

Simply the best
This show has everything...from the 3 stars doing songs together - to Sinatra's 3 song tribute to saloon singing at the end - to a cameo with Jimmy Durante w/ Dean and Bing...
don't miss it..

Slighty disappointing
I had hoped this would be a great one as we are big fans of the rat pack and Bing Crosby....but the quality was sub-par. I know the label says it is done that way on purpose...but I cannot even imagine it looking that bad on tv back when it was originally aired...it looks more like someone backed a tank over it again and again. Really too bad considering the show was a good one. The sound quality is much better than the picture and the 3 stars are quite humorous and entertaining. Hopefully any future episodes would be remastered in much better fashion!!