I am absolutely in love with this photo. It’s a total happy place photo. Look at Dino!! But look at both of them! Dino’s tux, Wilder’s checked cap, Dino’s handkerchief, the huge stage lights in the background, the air grimy with cigarette smoke … the smiles.
A world gone by.
It is so obvious that these two are up to no good. Whatever they are whispering is probably unprintable.
It’s a fascinating photo the more one looks at it; precisely for the reasons you outline. I’m guessing it was taken at The Sands when Wilder filmed the portion of Martin’s act that opened ‘Kiss Me, Stupid’ (have you ever seen that film? You probably have, but I’d love to know what you think of it), and the whole atmosphere on that picture was one of utter, gleeful subversion (Wilder knew his and I.A.L. Diamond’s screenplay was going to push the Production Code at least to its limits). In other words, they were indeed up to no good . . . and it was good. Very very good.
Tom – I haven’t seen that film!! I love Dean Martin (one of these days I need to do a big post on him) – so I really should see the damn thing!
Yup – they are two bad bad boys up to NO GOOD!! hahahaha Love it.
It is a great photo – definitely conveys a delicious sense of conspiratorial collaboration.
re: the production code. Fortunately the DVD release that’s available has the U.K. release, not the watered down U.S. version.
Sheila, I encourage you to purchase this one. Kiss Me, Stupid was the proof I’d been looking for to see if I was correct in thinking that Dino can make me weak at the knees even if he’s only singing something as simple as the alphabet song.
The beauty of watching Dean play Dino is a very happy place, indeed.