Product Details

• Actors: Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Juliet Prowse
• Directors: Kirk Browning
• Writers: John Bradford
• Producers: Henry W. Sanicola, Jimmy Van Heusen, Murdo MacKenzie, Sammy Cahn, William Self
• Format: Closed-captioned, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Mvd Visual
• DVD Release Date: October 25, 2005
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000ASAU0W
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,566 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Frank Sinatra Show - High Hopes - With Dean Martin & Bing Crosby" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

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

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Look into the Golden Age of Television, April 17, 2006

By	Warren Kelly (Southern Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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."

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, September 25, 2005

By	A. Auriemma "Tony" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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..

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sinatra and the gang, front and center, September 6, 2007

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Although this is called The Frank Sinatra Show, you'll see plenty of Dean Martin and Bing Crosby when you watch this great DVD. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby all star in this excellent one hour televised program from 1958 copied here onto DVD. Of course, because they digitized this from archival film you just won't get the same picture and sound quality as you would with today's DVDs. Nevertheless, I was thoroughly entertained and the song and dance numbers completely held my attention. This is also a great look at some remarkably talented people working hard to entertain in the late 1950s.

Frank, Dean and Bing sing lots of great songs and they interject a few lines written for them along the way to make it all look so natural. Look for Frank to perform an especially fine trio of songs; he sings "It Was Just One Of Those Things;" "Angel Eyes" and "The Lady Is A Tramp" along with members of the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. The audience loves every minute of this and the applause proves it!

Mitzi Gaynor also does some great work on this show. She does a fantastic job dancing with four men for a number called "Hurricane;" the choreography couldn't be better! Look for Jimmy Durante himself to do a surprise brief walk on role right at the very end of the show, too.

Other memorable moments include Frank singing "High Hopes" with an adorable children's chorus sitting all around him; and Bing, Frank and Dean perform an especially upbeat rendition of "Old Man River." Great!

Another plus for this DVD is that they included the Timex watch commercials that aired with the original television show. The commercials truly create that "retro," nostalgic feel and I like this very much.

All in all, this is a fine document of what great talent could do on television near the end of the 1950s. Sure, the set designs are rather plain compared to the audio-visual computerized effects we enjoy today; but the quality of the actual entertainment is five stars plus!

I highly recommend this DVD for fans of The Rat Pack; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will hold onto this DVD for years to come.

Enjoy!