Ol’ Blue Eyes would have been 97 years old today! He’d also probably have me slapped around a bit for opening my post with his 1938 mug shot. He still looked good though!
I’m not going to go to great lengths to post a bio about Frankie. It’s all been said before and will continue to be said for a long time. Born in Hoboken, Frank came out swingin’ with Harry James’ and Tommy Dorsey’s bands and stayed an international superstar for decades. Always at the top of his game, he even had time to be a serious, well-regarded actor. His performance in “From Here to Eternity” was great but I’ve always loved his portrayal of Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls” to be the highlight.
Frank as Nathan Detroit confronts “Big Julie” in “Guys and Dolls”
Frank lived the good life and was a Vegas staple. He was the star of the Rat Pack and even today people use the phrase “he shook Sinatra’s hand” to be a sign of connection and respect.
I was never a huge fan of Frank’s private life and off-screen antics but I love his early big-band works and many of his long time classics.
Enjoy the selection below!
- “Sue Me” – from “Guys and Dolls”
- “The Lady is a Tramp” (live)
- “The Summer Wind”
- Frank & Don Rickles on Johnny Carson
- “The Way You Look Tonight”
Videos
