From Peter Bogdanovich’s wonderful Who the Hell’s in It: Conversations with Hollywood’s Legendary Actors
Excerpts from the chapter devoted to Jerry Lewis.
The last time I saw Dean was one evening in front of the Beverly Hills restaurant La Famiglia, less than a year before he died. This popular Italian restaurant was nearly always where Dean ate when he went out. Just as I was walking past, Martin started to come none too steadily out the front door. He looked alarmingly thin, face gaunt and pale. As he stepped onto the sidewalk, it seemed as though one of his knees gave out, and he had to catch himself by the door to stop from falling. He made a funny surprised expression and, looking down, said with a touch of dry irony, “Ooops …” Right up to the end, I thought, he’ll go for the laugh. Then Dean straightened himself to full height, shoulders back, and slowly moved toward a waiting car, weaving only slightly. The image had become the reality.
Or had the reality always been different than we thought? Five years after Dean died, I said to [Jerry] Lewis once that I had always had the feeling (right from the start) that Dean was usually kidding the whole crooning thing, that he was never really serious about it. “There’s a lot of truth in that,” Jerry said right away. “See, Dean could never ever sing and do it with a full heart because he wasn’t clear about his worth. He did not have self-esteem. He didn’t have self-esteem of any kind. So he would kid the singing and he would never allow it ever to get serious so that people would compare him to anybody. I don’t think he knew this.” I asked why did he think the self-esteem was so low, and Lewis said, “I heard about his demons, his fears, talkinga bout his mother. She was a two-fisted Italian woman who gave him one credo to take through life. And that was: you take money into your pockets, you never take it out. Take. You never give. You cry, you’re worthless. You have emotional feelings, you’re a fag. And all of that was ground into his head…”
And I, personally, will always love him for how he stuck up for Marilyn Monroe during her disastrous last moments at Fox. She was fired from her last movie – co-starrin Dean Martin – and he refused to continue if she wasn’t in it. Not a lot of people would behave that way – but he did. The draw for him was HER, being in a movie with HER. Funny thing: Marilyn Monroe was obviously a woman who “got around”, so to speak. She slept with a ton of people. People snickered about her. BUT: her friends, her good good friends, outside of Shelley Winters, were all men. Those guys might have passed her around … but they also recognized and loved talent. They protected her, an army of powerful men. Fox was fucking with her – and Dean Martin was disgusted by it. He walked off the set.
Here’s an excerpt from the book Marilyn Monroe: The Last Take
At 3:45 pm, Fox hairstylist Agnes Flanagan knocked on Dean Martin’s dressing room door to ask his opinion of the story that Kim Novak had been hired to replace Monroe.
“I don’t think so, honey,” Martin said. “I’d certainly have heard about that.”
But it wasn’t long before Buck Hall made it official by posting a notice on the call sheet next to the main entrance to soundstage 14. “Set Closed Until Further Notice – Per Instructions from the Legal Department.”
About the same time, Whitey Snyder got a tip from a source in the front office. Not only had Monroe been fired, but the studio had worked quickly to replace her. Lee Remick, who owed the studio two films, was already in wardrobe, being fitted for Monroe’s costumes.
Snyder approached Martin, who was still in golf clothes from a noon game at the Los Angeles Country Club. “Dean I think they’ve fired Marilyn,” Snyder said.
“What?” Martin said.
“Then Dean had his assistant run to the production to verify the story,” Snyder remembered.
A few minutes later, the assistant was back. “Yep,” he said. “Monroe has been fired and Lee Remick’s going to be your leading lady.”
Martin put his putter down, grabbed his coat and headed for the Fox parking lot. Snyder walked part of the way with him. “Whitey, I made a contract to do this picture with Marilyn Monroe,” Martin said. “That’s the deal; the only deal. We’re not going to be doing it with Lee Remick or any other actress.”
When Martin arrived home half an hour later, Vernon Scott, the Hollywood reporter for United Press International, coaxed a brief interview out of him. Martin told Scott that he had walked off the set and didn’t plan to return. “I have the greatest respect for Miss Remick as an actress,” Martin continued. “But I signed to do this film with Marilyn Monroe.”
Shortly after 6 pm, the UPI wires broadcast this bulletin: “Dean Martin quit the Twentieth Century-Fox film because Marilyn Monroe was fired.”
Thus began a long PR nightmare for Fox but Dean stuck to his guns. I will always admire him for that. Monroe didn’t have many friends at the end of her life. Now he might not have been her “friend” – his concern was that he wanted to do a movie with HER. The biggest female star in the world. But at that time – Fox was punishing her for her success. They saw her as a slut who got lucky. They trapped her in a horrible contract, where she was underpaid, and she knew it. Martin gave her the respect she deserved. A ballsy move – to just walk off the damn set.
More from Marilyn: The Last Take
Dean Martin never elaborated on his reasons for putting his career and his future on the line for Monroe, but it was typical of a man whose on-screen image as an easygoing good guy was identical to his off-screen persona. An ex-prizefighter and ex-cardsharp, Martin had been laboring in a steel mill when he began singing nights and weekends in small clubs. After he teamed up with frenetic comedian Jerry Lewis in 1946, he assumed the role of a handsome, not-so-bright straight man. The Martin and Lewis partnership endured for ten years, eleven films and a thousand appearances in nightclubs.
When the partnership collapsed in the mid-fifties, many Hollywood producers thought Maritn wouldn’t survive as a solo act. But half a dozen number-one hits, including “Volare” and “Memories Are Made of This”, smoothed his way to film and television superstardom. In 1958, his role in Some Came Running opposite fellow “Rat Packers” Sinatra and MacLaine proved his value as a dramatic star.
However predictable, Martin’s loyalty to Monroe was far from popular. “Nasty sayings were scrawled on his dressing-room door,” production secretary Lee Hanna remembered. “By insisting on Monroe, it seemed as if the film would shut down for good – with the loss of one hundred and four jobs.”
Hedda Hopper warned the actor in her Los Angeles Times column. “The unions are taking a dim view of Dean Martin’s walkout,” Hopper wrote. She quoted a union official as saying, “Dean’s putting people out of work at a time when we are all faced with unemployment.” …
Levathes, who flew back to Los Angeles on Sunday, was determined to change Martin’s mind but, just in case, had Ferguson begin drafting a $5.6 million lawsuit “for breach of contract”.
The three-hour meeting among Feldman, Levathes, Frank Ferguson, Martin and Herman Citron was an exercise in frustration. The executives were determined to sell Remick to the increasingly skeptical actor.
When Feldman tried to verbally recap Martin’s “rejection of Remick,” Martin interrupted him, saying, “I didn’t turn down Miss Remick. I simply said that I will not do the film without Marilyn Monroe. There is a big difference between the two statements.”
Levathes countered, “What kind of position does that put our investment in?”
Martin answered, “That’s not a fair question to ask me. I have no quarrel with anyone.”
Levathes forged ahead. “We think Miss Remick is of adequate stature,” he said. “After all, she has appeared with Jack Lemmon [in Days of Wine and Roses] with James Stewart [in Anatomy of a Murder], and with Glenn Ford [in Experiment in Terror].”
Martin patiently explained that he had taken the role mainly because “the chemistry between Miss Monroe and myself was right.” The actor also said that the whole point of Something’s Got to Give was Martin’s desertion of his new bride, Cyd Charisse, for Monroe, which was something which wouldn’t happen, Martin said, “with Lee Remick.”
The production chief disagreed. “This story is a warm situation in which th ehusband, with his children, loved his former wife, but was caught in an embarrassing position because he had remarried,” said Levathes. “This is not the case of a man who chucks one woman for a sexpot.”
Martin shook his head.
They went round and round, at a total impasse. Martin would not budge. He would not do the film without Marilyn Monroe, and that was final.
Balls. Integrity. I totally admire that.
More from Bogdonavich’s Who the Hell’s in It: Conversations with Hollywood’s Legendary Actors
When I asked Jerry to take me behind Dean’s supposed coolness, he said, “Dean had a wonderful device in his life. ‘Recluse’ was wonderful for him. ‘Above the crowd’ was wonderful for him. The best thing he ever had working for himself was his way of standoffishness. And I think throughout all of it, he must have peeked through the door to see what everyone was doing. I never knew that he did that, but I always wondered if he did. And did he come away from the door saying, ‘Whew, I don’t need that.’ Or did he come away from the door saying, ‘Why can’t I be with them?’ If you know about his background, you’ll see the complicated is simple. He came from a Mafia-like upbringing – an insensitive set of parents. And certainly sad to have to say they were also incredibly dumb … Then, at his twentyninth birthday, he put his arms around me because I got my arms around him. And he liked it. And then he would push me away like I’m the kid brother: ‘What’s with the hugging?’ And he loved it. He used to do what his grandmother did. He pushed me with this hand and pulled me with that hand. Because I was the only human on God’s earth that he would communicate with then. He was kind, he was generous, he was silly, he was simple. He read comic books because that was easy. And I used to say to him, ‘Will you stop sending people for comic books? Go yourself and buy them. What are you hiding?’ He said, ‘Aw, you know, Jer.’ I said, ‘”You know, Jer”? my balls! This is something an individual, who has the inalienable right to live as a human being, with the pink slip on himself, won’t go over to a stand and buy what the fuck he wants with his own hard-earned money?’ He said, ‘Can I please send out for them?’ And I said, ‘OK.’ He was so fuckin’ cute. He loved sitting in the corner and having a beer and he had his fuckin’ comic books. And if a Western was on, he tabled that and the Western is on!”
That Dean Martin died on Christmas Day was the kind of black joke he might have made. It didn’t seem real to me until I heard that all the casinos on the Vegas Strip had turned off their lights for one minute to commemorate Dino’s passing. You could almost hear Dean saying, in amazement, “One whole minute? I must have been a big shot.” He was.
Great post Sheila, thanks.
I have a ‘martini mix’ on itunes…and it’s all Dean.
That’s what I’ll be listening to tonight.
Yay!!! Makes me smile. :)
The mention of the martini? :P
I love thinking about martinis at 9 a.m. ha!!
If we were a little younger I’d say meet me in the village in 30 minutes; I’m sure we could find a decent ‘tini at this hour!
Thanks for this, Sheila. I even love the Matt Helm movies. There’s a scene in one of them where Dean and I think Stella Stevens are driving in a car listening to music on the radio and Sinatra comes on and Dean’s character says, “Oh, change that, he’s terrible!” and she changes the station and it’s Dean himself and he’s like, “Now, that’s more like it.” Throwaway gag, but I thought it was cute and funny.
Thanks for this tribute to Dino, Sheila. I really like the guy. And you KNOW how much I agree with you on his attitude towards Marilyn. The integrity, the BALLS, as you so well put it… But also, he knew that the movie would only work with Marilyn. You watch those two on screen, and you can feel their beautiful chemistry, it is amazing. How I wish they had finished that film, the few remaining fragments are delicious to watch (though very sad at the same time).
*sigh* Dino… He’s SOOOO on “the list”.
Thanks for this. Wonderful.
Ceci – ha! I added all that stuff about Monroe after I originally posted this- because I remembered how strongly he stood up for her, even with eveyrone pissed off at him. He had that kind of quiet “Nope. Non-negotiable” thing in that situation – and I just think he’s so great for that.
Oh – and I left a note for you on the post way below called “bragging rights” – did you see it?? :)
Ceci – I’m sure you’ve seen this series of photos.
hahahahaha Look at her face!!! I mean, look at all their faces – but I love hers in particular.
What a great series of posts!
Based on your writings here a while back, I bought
that Bogdonavich book. A terrific read!
Ended up buying Rio Bravo but haven’t watched it yet.
Also read the Jerry Lewis chapter.
Came away thinking Martin was quite a guy and Lewis was a jerk, an extremely profane one at that.
Do I recall correctly that someone arranged
an on stage re-union years later where they both
appreared to be happy to see each other but one ( Lewis I think) turned to the host (away from the audience) and silently scolded him?
Regards, Hank
Hank – yes – if I recall correctly: Frank Sinatra organized (ambushed) Dean Martin at one of his Vegas shows, and had Lewis come join him onstage. Sinatra was always a manipulator like that – the fix-it guy – “let’s get these two onstage together again.” Martin was the one who scolded Sinatra. He was embarrassed – it was a forced reunion – but apparently, even with their awkwardness – they started doing some bits, and totally KILLED.
No…it happened live on stage during one of Jerry Lewis Telethons. Frank Sinatra was doing a brief segment with Jerry and then said he had someone he’d like to bring out. It was Dean and yes, it was a bit awkward but they did KILL it!
Yes Sheila, I do indeed know that photo! In others of the same series they are all goofing around with a trophy or something. It is obvious they had a lot of fun and that Marilyn felt very comfortable around Dean.
Oh, and yes, I read what you wrote in “Bragging Rights”! I have commented on it too… It makes me happy that Buenos Aires received Michael well and that he has nice memories from his time here. Well-deserved, I’ll say! :)
Fabulous work, Sheila. Thank you. It’s so evident from watching his celebrity roasts and clips from his variety show – that “hey, let’s all enjoy ourselves!” vibe. No matter how corny the joke, I have to smile. I didn’t know about how he stood up for Marilyn against the studio, though. Excellent stuff.
Wonderful post
Dean and Marilyn
had crappy parents
had crappy childhoods
had low self esteem
were kindred spirits?
Nightfly – those roasts are classic. hahahaha
steve – maybe so! I don’t know if they had a close relationship – she was really close to Frank, I know that. He would stay on the phone with her deep deep into the night, because she couldn’t fall asleep – and I think he barely slept himself.
PS – manual trackback, so my fifteen readers can wander over and join your vast following. =) (Well, actually, Bings is already here, so fourteen.)
Martin was extremely underrated in the Lewis and Martin team. After Jerry split, Dean was relieved and excited to start his life over. The brilliant thing about him was that he not only a billiant, brilliant straight man, but truly one of the funniest guys on the planet.
His TV Variety show was hilarious.
Like Gleason, Dean never rehearsed anything. Not ever. The geust stars would arrive, get their lines, he’d block the scenes that day, rehearse his music at home, and show up, and do the show. His improvisational skills were truly unparralled.
And his voice.
No one sings like that anymore. Dean was a true crooner. Soft, melodic, and at times, powerful and forceful. He was a Man. A real Man. There was something unmistakably masculine about him. Nowadays, we’re smothered with a lot of androgynis, pussy footing, leather wearing pseudo-gang boys squealing and squelching out high notes like Clay Akin in a hot shower.
That was NOT Dean.
He came from a time when tuxedos and loose ties were cool. And his voice and his vocal prowess showed that.
He had many, many talents. Too numerous to mention.
What a hot guy. He’s missed.
//psuedo-gang boys// hahahaha so true.
Thanks for the insights. I knew he was basically a master at improvisation – but he had that right brain/left brain thing going on – like most great improvisers do. An unbelievable understanding of structure, and what is NEEDED – and then also: total freedom to just GO.
His career would not happen today. It was just so of that time. Also – there was a lack of self-importance.
Reading what I have read about him, I almost wish he had a little bit MORE of a sense of self-importance – at least of his own worth!! He seems to have been tormented – but I think that comes into his work. His work in Rio Bravo wouldn’t have been as good if he were truly sure of himself in every moment. He really had to SHOW UP for that part. Brave.
God, I just love the guy. What can I say.
He was a bit tortured. Lots of deamons.
The death of his son hit him so hard, and he never really got over that.
Interestingly, all that booze on stage, wasn’t ever really booze. It was colored tea. He loved his image. The sort of laid back, half drunk playboy. I think it caught up to him eventually.
And he cheated.
He cheated ALL the time. That was a big, big problem for him.
Alex – the picture I found to put into the first post on my page – the one of him coming out of the audience and up onto the stage … is that Judy welcoming him?? It looks like it’s her – but I can’t be sure.
I need to get some of his variety shows on DVD – I loved how he would come on to do his “welcoming monologue” – and he’d have the cigarette, the drink – and make his legs all rubbery and wobbly – He was such a good drunk. Also, so jolly. That’s what was so brilliant about the casting of him in Rio Bravo – that dude was NOT a jolly drunk. It was the dark side. Hawks loved to do that – mess with audience expectations.
I love the story of Dino doing a show in Vegas at midnight, hiring a plane to fly back to LA to meet with Hawks at 9:30 … like it was that important to him.
I wondered the same thing, Sheila: is that Judy Garland in that photo? I would love to know! Can you imagine, being in that audience? Having THOSE TWO singing in front of you??
I can’t find the pic Sheila. You mean the link at the top of your first post? It won’t connect. RATS!
But here’s the thing:
Judy, Dean, Frank, Sammy and Peter Lawford were the ORIGINAL Rat Pack. Judy, in fact, was the one to coin that phrase. She was definitely one of the boys.
Sinatra is Liza’s Godfather (literally).
Dean LOVED Judy. They had a ball together. And Judy and Frank had a very public, torrid love affair for many years. After all the gay men Judy seemed to marry, obviously she needed a heterosexual every once in a while.
Have I showed you the fabulous special they all made together? It’s wonderful. Dean, Frank and Judy. It’s terriffic. The three of them look like they’re having so much fun together.
Alex –
This one!!
http://www.sheilaomalley.com/archives/006943.html
And no – I did not see that special! Show it to me next time I’m out there.
AWWWwwwww!!!!
YAYYYYYYY!!!
Yes, that’s Judy.
In the late 50’s Garland made several appearances at The Coconut Grove (a big BIG deal nightclub) and many times the rest of the Rat Pack would visit and sit in with her. Not many people know what a great imroviser Garland was as well. That’s Dean coming up on stage joining Judy for a little musical duet.
That’s the outfit Judy always closed her concerts in. She wore it while she sang “Get Happy” (with her chorus boys) and the ususally into “Rainbow”. She called Dean up before “Rainbow” I’m sure. That she always did alone.
It wasn’t uncommon for that to happen. Back then, since no one lip synched and din’t have a hundred back up danceres and smoke machines, you could actually get up on stage, ask the band to play something, and jam. Those sessions usually lasted up to 4 hours.
Judy’s un cut Carnegie Hall Album is actaully almost 3 and a half hours long.
Dean adored musicalizing with Judy. You can tell. Look how happy they both are there. Fantastic picture Sheila!!!!!!!
…I didn’t show you the special?????
I’m an ass.
I know – I just love how the light is catching his back – and how she stands up there, just grinning ear to ear, watching him come to her.
I so want to be in that nightclub.
So we’ll watch the special and then get in the car and drive to Vegas and see Liza. it’ll be PERFECT!
…..don’t say that unless you mean it.
…. gimme 3 days and I’ll confirm with you. Promise.
My knees are shaking.
Still no word on my end, DAMMIT. Make up yer dern mind already.
FWIW YouTube.com has a gold mine of clips from Deano’s show.
Jerry Lewis is an asshole. Check out the way he treated Ali on his failed talk show. I was hoping Ali would slap the wise ass but he didn’t.
About 1972 Harry Shearer wrote a very interesting review of the telethon……it is easy to find on google and also on his website
Love all the gang! Would love to see the Dean Martin Show with all the great guests…they sure don’t make ’em like that anymore.
Dean Martins parents were not as described by Jerry Lewis. There are a few existing interviews with Deans mother and she comes across as likeable and intelligent. Like most who endured the depression she was mindful of her money and a hard worker as was his Dad.
Lewis claims to have done loved Dean like a brother but after he’s gone misses no chance to demean his parents. What kind of person does this?
Dean loved his parents and provided for them . He lost them within a year of each other and also lost his older brother Bill who died from a brain tumor at age 52. Bill was an anchor for Dean and was there for him at crucial moments.
Dean was extremely talented and had a remarkable career but he was not immune from personal tragedies. To demean his family is unfair.