The Dean Martin show first aired in 1965 and ran until 1974. The theme tune was Martins hit 1964 single, Everyone Loves Somebody.

By the time he got his own show, Dean Martin was already a famous American singer, comedian and actor. He was one of the leaders of the Rat Pack and had a very successful career in the 1950’s and 60’s. He worked the same circuit as many other famous men of that time i.e. Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis. In fact it was meeting Jerry Lewis that pushed Martin into the big time. Jerry was a comic and together they appeared in each other’s acts eventually winning TV deals. They were good friends both on and off the stage and great entertainers and worked together for ten years. Martin always played the straight man and critics thought Lewis was the star of the show but Lewis maintained that Martin’s comic genius was unrecognized.

Martin also starred in films such as The Young Lions, Some came running, Rio Bravo and The sons of Katie Elder when the dark swarthy Martin was chosen to play John Wayne’s brother! He also continued singing and was influenced by Harry Mills and Bing Crosby. Elvis Presley said that Love me Tender was based on Martins style of singing.

In 1965, the Dean Martin show was first aired. Martin wasn’t too keen on having his own show and famously asked for a very high salary and said he would only turn up for the actual taping of the show with the intention of putting the producers off. But they loved the idea and despite his outrageous demands the show was born.

Martin, who was never afraid of sending himself up, exploited his public image of being a carefree drinker, although his glass on stage usually contained apple juice. He played a role of a drunken charmer successfully using lines on the ladies that would have got someone else their face slapped. Although he famously played an alcoholic and was very friendly with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr, he often preferred to go home early to spend time with his family.

The Dean Martin show was often very funny but occasionally he would curse in Italian prompting angry letters from the Italian community. He used a lot of physical comedy, entering every show via a fireman’s pole onto the stage. He didn’t learn his lines preferring to read them straight from cue cards. If he messed up, the show would still be taped. His mistake and rapid recovery would go out on air.

For one Christmas episode of the Dean Martin Show, he invited his and Frank Sinatra’s children onto the stage. This was a huge hit with the viewers. On the show, a regular slot was filled by surprise guests who answered the knock on the closet door. Most of the time even Martin didn’t know who the guest would be. This ensured his reaction would be more normal and spontaneous.

Tagged with: • • • • • •

Filed under: Dean Martin Variety Show

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!