[sinatraphiles] March 17 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY

From: Scott Henderson <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 2023 11:48:10 -0400

Studio

NONE

Radio

1950 Light Up Time
Sponsor: Lucky Strike Cigarettes
Network: NBC
Show #140
Broadcast: 7:00-7:15 PM EST (Repeat: 9:00-9:15 PM PST)
Starring: Frank Sinatra & Dorothy Kirsten
Skitch Henderson And The Orchestra
1. opening
2. Can I Come In For A Second - Frank Sinatra
3. commercial
4. Kerry Dance - Dorothy Kirsten
5. A Little Bit Of Heaven - Frank Sinatra
6. commercial
7. Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy - Frank Sinatra
8. Why Do I Love You - Frank Sinatra & Dorothy Kirsten
9. closing

Television

1951 The Frank Sinatra Show
Network: CBS
Location: New York City
Script Dated:
Show: #24
Sponsor: Bulova Watch Company (30mins)
Time: 9:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M.
Writers:
Producer: Jack Donahue
Director: Jack Donahue
Announcer: Ken Roberts
Orchestra Conducted By: Axel Stordahl
Guests: Jackie Gleason, Mary McCarthy, June Hutton, The Heathertones
1. It's The Same Old Shillelagh - Frank Sinatra
2. A Little But Of Heaven - Frank Sinatra & June Hutton
3. That Old Black Magic - Frank Sinatra
4. Walkin' My Baby Back Home - Frank Sinatra
5. Faithful - Frank Sinatra & The Heathertones
6. Get Happy - Frank Sinatra

Concerts

1940 Paramount Theatre, New York City (March 13 - April 9)
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Frank Sinatra

1942 Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (One Night Only)
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra with Frank Sinatra
Emacs!

1943 Riobamba Club, New York City (March 11 - May 4)
10 week engagment
3 shows a night
Nat Brandwynne's Orchestra
Also appearing: Walter O'Keefe, Sheila Barrett,
The Cerney Twins, Russell Patterson Magazine Girls
Songs sang during the engagement:
You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
That Old Black Magic
Night and Day
Where or When
Embraceable You
I Only Have Eyes For You
The Song Is You
As Time Goes By
Imagination (not verified)

Ed O'Brien noted:
I have Frank discussing this engagement in 1959.
He wanted very much to play to an adult audience so
he accepted a meager, for him at the time, $800.00
per week. He told the interviewer he didn't like the
way the room was laid out. The audience on both
sides of the stage were too blocked from his view.
He made it a habit to always sing to the room and
felt frustrated by his inability to make eye contact
with many of the customers..

1958 Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Florida (11-17)
Jack Stuart and his Orchestra
Also appearing:  Maria Neglia & Sacasas and his Latin American Orchestra

1960 Fontainbleau, Miami, Fla, (March 8 to March 27)
26 piece orchestra conducted by: Morty Stevens
Also appearing:  The Duquaines & Sacacas and his Latin America Orchestra
Bill Miller (piano)
among the songs:
I Love Paris
I Thought About You
I've Got A Crush On You
Road To Mandalay
River Stay Away From My Door
All The Way
High Hopes
medley: A Foggy Day, I've Got You Under My Skin, Angel Eyes
Come Fly With Me.

1968 Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Florida (March 3 - April 6)
Lenny Dawson's Orchestra
Opening Act:  Pat Henry

1977 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
First Show
Orchestra Conducted By: Bill Miller
1. Night And Day
2. Where Or When
3. Embraceable You
4. Heres That Rainy Day
5. I Sing The Songs
6. I Love My Wife
7. For Once In My Life
8. monologue
9. My Kind Of Town
10. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
11. A Foggy Day
12. See The Show Again
13. My Way
14. Everybody Ought To Be In Love
15. Send In The Clowns
16. The Lady Is A Tramp
17. Ive Got You Under My Skin
Notes: TT 61mins.

1977 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Second Show
Orchestra Conducted By: Bill Miller
1. Night And Day
2. Where Or When
3. Embraceable You
4. Heres That Rainy Day
5. I Sing The Songs
6. I Love My Wife
7. For Once In My Life
8. monologue
9. My Kind Of Town
10. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
11. A Foggy Day
12. See The Show Again
13. My Way
14. Everybody Ought To Be In Love
15. Send In The Clowns
16. The Lady Is A Tramp
Notes: TT 70mins.

1979 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
First Show
Orchestra Conducted By: Vincent Falcone, jr.

1979 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
St  Patrick's Day
Saturday evening
Second Show
Orchestra Conducted By: Vincent Falcone, jr..
Al Viola, guitar, Charlie Turner, trumpet ( F.S. intros him as the greatest
he has ever heard )Gene Cherico, bass, Irv Cottler, drums
O.A. Pat Henry ( F.S. calls him Patrick O'Henry )
1. New York, New York
2. At Long Last Love  ( Is it the Daniels that feeling . . . )
3. The Lady Is A Tramp
4. Here's That Rainy Day
5. This Is All I Ask
6. Theres Something About You
7. All I Need Is The Girl
8.. Send In The Clowns w/Al Viola
9. I Have Dreamed
10. monologue
11. Thats Life
12. medley: The Gal That Got Away / It Never Entered My Mind
13. Ive Got The World On A String
14. You And Me
15. Where Or When
16. Second monologue
Notes: TT 85mins.

Ed O'Brien:   I have corrected the song list.
   Frank was in fine form on St. Paddy's Day, 35 years ago tonight.
He told a number of stories including a few revealing anecdotes
about Sammy Davis: The previous day Sammy called and tried to
convince him that they should buy the for sale Aladdin Hotel. Frank
then shared a real insight into Sammy concerning a night at the Copa
in N.Y.C. Laurence Olivier was in attendance and so was Sinatra.. Sammy
was talking jive when he noticed the great English actor. Sammy invited him
up on stage and for 20 minutes he spoke to Larry with a perfect English accent.
"Francis Albert Sinatra" was introduced with that impeccable English accent.
After Olivier left the stage, Sammy went back to jive talking. Frank told the Caesars
crowd "There ain't no Sammy Davis." Then he explained why Sammy was the world's
greatest entertainer.
Before singing "There's Something About You," he told the audience he had recorded
the song and hoped it would be out soon. Then he said, "I'm in no hurry to record. What
the hell difference does it make ?" The assembled group let him know it made a huge difference
to them. Frank then assured them an album would be out soon, and added that it was almost
finished. By mid-March he knew Carol Bayer Sager was the lyricist. After singing the song,
he offered up the following:"I think when the people who wrote the song, hear the record, they ain't
goin' recognize it. Because when I recognized it the first time, it was a rock song. We
threw the rocks out the window and made it properly."
Frank has very kind words for Ethel Merman and Stephen Sondheim. Told the audience that
"You And Me" has a chance to be a number one song. Praised Anwar Sadat for his vision
and great courage. Lauded Carter for handling the mideast talks competently. Then he had
a lot of fun discussing Jimmy's family including Brother Billy and Lillian Carter.
Frank wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day and let them know it is a wonderful holiday.
He was going to do "My Way," to conclude the show, but the Sammy stories were long, and
he had been onstage for almost 85 minutes.

1981 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Orchestra Conducted By: Vincent Falcone, jr.
1. Ive Got The World On A String
2. Pennies From Heaven
3. The Best Is Yet To Come
4. Heres That Rainy Day
5. Come Rain Or Come Shine
6. 'S Wonderful
7. Angel Eyes
8. monologue
9. September Song
10. Luck Be A Lady
11. I Get A Kick Out Of You
12. Street Of Dreams
13. Fly Me To The Moon
14. As Time Goes By
15. You And Me
16. New York, New York
Notes: TT 67mins.

-----------------------------------------

Extra

1942 Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (One Night Only)

Emacs!

---------------------------------------------------

1943 Riobamba Club, New York City (March 11 - May 12)
10 week engagment
3 shows a night
Nat Brandwynne's Orchestra
REVIEW FROM VARIETY
3-17-43
RIOBAMBA, N.Y.
Sheila Barrett, Walter O'Keefe, Frank Sinatra, Russell Patterson,
Magazine Cover Girls, Nat Brandwynne Ork. and Chavez Rhumba
Orch.     minimum $2.50

The new show at this class east side spot marks the entry into a new
field for Frank Sinatra, ex-orchestra vocalist, now also on Lucky Strike
Hit Parade, CBS sustaining, doubling into theatres, etc. Since Sinatra
severed relations with Tommy Dorsey's band, his rise has been swift.
The reception accorded him opening night here unquestionably make
it clear that what he has to offer is as strong for Park Avenue as it is
among the Tenth Avenue coin machine set.
Emacs!

Variety
3-17-43
note: The first paragraph would  not have been
legible on the list. I typed it out and inserted
the rest of the review.
Ed
Emacs!

Here are two reviews of Frank from March of 1943,
including one from the esteemed jazz critic Leonard Feather.

HE CAN'T READ A NOTE BUT HE IS DETHRONING BING,
AND FRANK SINATRA IS "WUNNERFUL" TO THE GALS

From the ladies who sigh through five shows a day at
the Paramount to the pugs and characters over at Still-
man's muscle emporium on Eighth Avenue --- Sinatra
is terrific. This viewpoint is also shared by a growing
number of other solid citizens. For two years Frank
Sinatra has won both the Downbeat and Metronome
polls as the best popular vocalist, taking away a crown
that everybody considered Bing Crosby's permanent
acquisition.
Sinatra also recently finished an eight-week run at the
Paramount Theater in New York City, the first time any one
performer has stayed there that long since Rudy Vallee was
the nation's vagabond lover in 1929. This summer he will
make a picture for RKO. When the Petrillo ban is lifted(if ever)
he will start making records for Columbia. On Saturday nights
he is featured on the Lucky Strike Hit Parade. Last week he
made his debut as a Manhattan nightclub entertainer at
the Riobamba, where he will stay for three weeks.
"O-o-o-o-o-oh, " breathed 17-year-old Blanche Karo,
who was present at the opening. "This is the most wunnerful
thing that has ever happened to me. Crosby's not in it with
him. I'll never get to school tomorrow." Miss Karo is pres-
ident of a Frank Sinatra fan club.
Sinatra's vocal style is way over on the sweet side --
vaguely reminiscent of a Crosby attack with the b-b-b-boos
left out.He is at his best in numbers like "You'd Be So
Nice to Come Home To," "That Old Black Magic" or "Night
and Day." His Victor records of two such ballads -- "I'll
Never Smile Again" and "This Love of Mine" ---- made while
he was a featured soloist with Tommy Dorsey, were impor-
tant beginnings of the current Sinatra boom.
When Sinatra( now 25) left the Dorsey band last Sep-
tember to start on his own, the first thing he did was to
take a vacation to get reacquainted with his wife and
2 1/2-year old daughter, for he had been touring and
playing for most of three and a half years. The son of a
Hoboken, N.J. fireman, he decided on a singing career
when he heard Bing Crosby. It looked so easy. He still
can't read a note of music and has never had a voice
lesson.
Outside of his family and his new house in Hasbrouck
Heights, N.J., Sinatra's favorite passion is prizefighting.
His two greatest friends are Tami Mauriello, the heavy-
weight contender, and Al Silvani, his trainer. Tami gave
him a gold bracelet and Al put 10 pounds on the half-
pint Sinatra frame. He's always boxed since the early
days with the Hoboken back-alley gang. "If I didn't know
how," he recalls, "that was the end. Somebody else always
did."

Newsweek
March 22, 1943

FRANKLY SPEAKING
by Leonard G. Feather
"Shut up, will you? Sinatra is singing!"
The beautiful and bejeweled young lady
turned away from her escort, nose in the
air, as a respectful hush settled over the
Riobamba. A smart, over-sophisticated
night club crowd fixed its attention on
the thin young man with the progressive
ears, who had just stepped to the micro-
phone.
You can hardly be surprised at the young
lady's reluctance to let her escort talk while
Sinatra was working. For Sinatra, my children,
is the new idol-the man who, in a few months,
has stepped from the role of band singer into
a solo spot on a major network show, top billing
in one of New York's fashionable night clubs,
and a publicity build-up which now has him
out on a limb as the biggest thing since Crosby.
I sat watching Sinatra as he weaved his head
around in that gentle, persuasive manner while he
sang "As Time Goes By" and "Embraceable You."
I observed the way he leaned back, swayed slightly
and gave the general impression that he was in a reverie.
This, I reflected, must be what gets the women. A
good voice, plus a sexy delivery. Freud would see it all
clearly.
I liked Frank's frankness when , after the show, he
answered my questions about the report that a woman
had fainted while he was singing. "She was simply over-
come by the heat. One of the columnists picked up the
story and twisted it around...."
Whether or not he can make women faint, Sinatra
today is undoubtedly a subject worthy of study. Unable
to read or write music, with no musical training or voice
study to his credit, he might never have become a singer
if he hadn't gone to a Bing movie one night and decided
that was the career for him.
Born Dec.12, 1917[sic], in Hoboken, N.J., he is an only child.
At Demarest High School in Hoboken he sang with the school
band and helped form the glee club, but he achieved more
prominence as a swimmer, track man and basketball participant.
His parents wanted him to go in for civil engineering, but after
school hours he worked on a news truck of the Jersey Observer,
throwing the papers off the truck to corner newsstands, and
through this he became a copy boy with the paper after graduation.
Later he became a college sports reporter for the paper, after a
study of shorthand and journalism at Drake Institute.
TOURS WITH MAJOR BOWES
"Then came Major Bowes," he recalls. "I sang "Night and Day" on
the amateur hour, and it's been my favorite song ever since. It got me
a tour with a Bowes unit, headed for the coast. But I got homesick after
three months and came back home to do some sustaining radio work."
"Boy, was that a routine.. It sustained everybody but me. I was on
four local stations and sometimes had it planned so I'd be on the air
somewhere or other every three hours all through the day. But the
only money I got out of the whole thing was 70 cents carfare from
Jersey to the Mutual studios. On top of the 18 sustainers a week I
landed a paying job at the Rustic Cabin and earned myself a three-
day honeymoon with Nancy."
Then came the curious era when he was dividing his time between
three jobs and wound up with a fourth, better than any of them. Still
working at the Rustic Cabin, in May, 1939, he went into New York
every morning to rehearse with Bob Chester's band. Around 2:30
he would excuse himself and slip off to another studio where
another band was rehearsing. All of which triple-life routine turned
out to mean very little, since Harry James offered him a job a couple
of weeks later !
Frank enjoyed those six months he spent with the early James band.
Connie Haines was also with Harry when he joined. The band was still
recording on Brunswick, switching to Columbia later that year, and Frank
waxed a number of sides with Harry, most of which are obscure and hard
to
get nowadays. They included "From the Bottom of My Heart," Melancholy
Mood," "My Buddy," "Street in Singapore," "It's Funny to Everyone But
Me,"
"Who Told You I Cared," "Every Day of My Life," the vocal version of
"Ciribiri-
bin," and the song which Frank has lately revived, "All or Nothing At
All."
While he was in Chicago with James, Sinatra took an offer from Tommy
Dorsey. Then came the lush era of "I'll Never Smile Again," " Night and
Day" and "Stardust," of the Sinatra-Pied Pipers alliance, of the
public's
realization that a brilliant new baritone was in bloom.
Frank was dubious when I asked him which was his own favorite recording..
"Don't know whether I have a favorite myself, but Nancy prefers "This
Love of
Mine"- because as well as singing it, I wrote the number in
collaboration with
Joe Bushkin. Only song hit I ever had."
"Well, I left Tommy September 10, 1942, in Indianapolis, and went to
L.A.
for a vacation. I did a bit part in "Reveille with Beverly" at
Columbia. No,
that
wasn't my first movie; I'd done "Las Vegas Nights" and "Ship Ahoy" with
Tommy."
Frank came East to go on sustaining at CBS, where he stayed from October
to February. He put in a record eight-week stint at the Paramount and
will
return there on May 19. "Gene Krupa's band will be there, so I'm adding
five
strings of my own. I'm crazy about strings for a vocal background. Tell
you
the truth, if James had had strings at the time I was with the band,
maybe
I'd never have left."
He goes back West June 15 to do a big part in RKO's "Higher and Higher,"
a title that sounds symbolical of his own career at the moment. He has a
daughter, Nancy-Sandra, 2 1/2., so he'll be around awhile yet.
Despite his lack of technical knowledge, Frank is a discerning music
lover.
Out at the country house near Passaic, N.J., which he bought in
January, he
has a fine collection of records; about 250 classical albums and 1,000
jazz
discs.
His number one band? "The Duke, of course. I did three day at Hartford
when
he was there, and believe me, it was one of the biggest kicks of my
life. And
from a singer's standpoint, I'd say Tommy has "the" band. There's a
guy, now,
who was a real education for me, in music, in business, every possible
way.
I learned about dynamics and phrasing and style from the way he played
his
horn; and I enjoyed my work because he always sees to it that a singer
is
given the perfect setting."
FAVORITE SINGERS
Bob Eberly is his favorite singer, after Bing; as for the girls, he
describes
Jo Stafford as "the unfound star," adding:-"Catch her on the Jolson
show..
She'll knock you out."
He hates loud drummers[speaking from bitter experience, he says] and
loud clothes. He prefers night club work to theatres, because he likes
to
be close to an audience. An exception to this rule is the Paramount,
where
you're "right on top of em."
Right now he's pretty happy about the whole thing. "The "Hit Parade"
gives him national publicity, even if it doesn't give him a real
personal
build-up. The Riobamba gives him the audience and atmosphere he wants.
The movie contract gives him something important to look forward to. And
when recording starts again he will make solo waxings that are sure to
increase the gravity of the shellac shortage situation.
All of which adds up to a pretty bright picture for someone who only
recently completed his first quarter-century on earth. The only question
that's still hotly debated is:-"Do you think Sinatra will ever replace
the
Bing?"
Time will tell.
Leonard Feather
DOWNBEAT
May 1943

--------------------------------------------------

1951 The Frank Sinatra Show
Emacs!

Frank and Jackie

------------------------------------------------------

1980 Hilton Hotel, N.Y.C.
SONGWRITER'S HALL OF FAME
Monday evening
Sinatra receives the first Johnny Mercer Award
for his "Lifetime Romance With The American Songwriter."

Emacs!

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Sinatra Archive)

[sinatraphiles] March 17 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY

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