Modern Screen (Jan-Dec 1960)

know the truth of it, there's nothing about her father that Nancy doesn't dote on, and that goes double as far as Frank's love for her is concerned. This may sound sentimental to you, but I can't help it. I honestly believe that some of Frank's love of his oldest daughter stems from his memory of the unspoiled time in his life when she was born. He wasn't the Frank Sinatra then. He and his young bride, Nancy, were so in love. They were having a rough time, financially, but nothing mattered less to them then than money. They had occasional opulent weeks when Frank made a whole S25. They had other weeks when it was a good thing they were Italians and loved spaghetti, for which they couldn't even afford meat balls. Little Nancy was born during this happy time. By the time, Frank, Jr. came along, fame was rolling for Frankie. By the time Tina was bom, the Sinatra marriage was all but over. Say what you want about Frank, he has always been a wonderful father to his children, all of whom he loves, but little Nancy is definitely the flawless apple of his eye. Thus, when just before her wedding she confided to her father that she had unavailingly hunted all over Los Angeles for a watch like his for her bridegroom, Daddy went into action. It was after hours in the jewelry shops but a thing like that can't stop a devoted father named Sinatra. Frankie had them all opened up, or perhaps I ought to say love laughed at locksmiths. Anyhow, Tommy got his watch. It was Frank, Sr. who expressed it best when Tommy took Nancy into his arms for their first dance together as Mr. and Mrs. Sands. "Stardust," murmured Frank, looking at their radiantly happy faces, and I'm sure he was proud of his daughter and his new sonin-law, when he noted how politely they were behaving, even at this most bemused moment of their young lives. Because, once around the floor, Nancy and The groom lightly brushed a tear of happiness from his wife's cheek. Tommy, very correctly separated, and Tommy stepped across the room to dance with the mother of the bride and Nancy with the father of the groom. Then they switched again. Tommy dancing with his mother, Grace, and Nancy with her father. Then as they separated from those partners, the dramatic moment came. Frank Sinatra stood there, facing his exwife, Nancy. It certainly can be no secret to him that she still loves him, and on this particular day, she looked very beautiful. She was wearing a gold satin dress, with a matching mink-collared jacket. Near her stood lively Tina Sinatra, wearing a yellow organza dress that was the prettiest. At her side was Frank, Jr. who is a double of his father and who seems to have inherited his musical talent to an extent that may well make him surpass the original. There's no telling what Frank must have been thinking as he looked at Nancy, Senior. He's always told everyone how great a mother he thinks her. But I'm sure there were other, deeper emotions in that wandering heart of his, there at his daughter's wedding. Later that night in the Copa Room at the Sands he told the audience, "I'd like to take just two minutes to say I am one of the happiest men in the world today. My daughter, Nancy, married a wonderful fellow named Tommy Sands and I wish them all the happiness they both deserve so much." He said nothing like that, however, as he danced at the reception with Nancy, Sr. What was touching to the observers was that they both smiled and talked so lightly, not like lost sweethearts but with the careful good manners of any lady and gentleman ^dancing together at any party. Besides, they have always remained good friends, and Frank is very generous with her. It was Frank, with his characteristic smooth ness who, somehow right then, threw the party open to everyone. Gary Crosby was there with his bride and he started dancing. In an instant, everyone was on the floor, dancing with whomever they chose and protocol was forgotten. People smiled at one another, repeating young Nancy's remarks about how she had to start furnishing Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Sands' apartment immediately after their one-day honeymoon. That was all the time Tommy could get off until his separation from the Army in November, after which the blissful couple are going on a real honeymoon trip to the Orient. Said Nancy, her eyes shining like star sapphires, "I have to learn to cook and to keep house. After all, I'm a married woman now. I'm Mrs. Tommy Sands. That's a lot to live up to." Then . . . Nancy and Tommy were alone; time belonged only to them. The gorgeous tiered ivedding cake tvas cut carefully by Tommy and Nancy, to insure future good luck.