TV Radio Mirror (Jul - Dec 1961)

Dean Martin: The Father Behind the Playboy (Continued from page 24) get right down to it, Dino never really tries to fool anybody — therefore he manages to fool everybody. Sure, he exaggerates and embroiders a little, as with the drunk pose. You might say he does it all up bigger than life. And he does it well, with the sure yet easy touch of an innate clown. Dean is one of the greatest natural wits in the business and his sense of timing is superb. "But, basically," the friend continued, "Dean never pretends to be something he isn't. More important, he never tries to fool or impress himself. Now, in a town where phonies are cheaper by the dozen, you'll have to admit that Old Dino is a rare one!" However, this same friend is quick to add that, despite Martin's basic honesty, he still is not an easy man to understand and there are few who ever really get close to him. "Dino is a paradox. He's amiable, easy-going, unconcerned and casual. At the same time, he's determined, hard-working, extremely intent and very well organized. He couldn't be the former if he weren't the latter. He's such a complex person. I think Dean is extremely sensitive, and he's not a man who can readily talk about his innermost feelings. "But make no mistake about it," he concluded, "this fellow knows just what he's doing, where he's going, and how he wants to get there. In fact, there seems to be considerable evidence that he's already arrived." Another friend points out that — while Dean appears warm, cordial and even out-going, with acquaintances and strangers — at the same time, he manages to hold something back. "Those meeting him for the first time never realize that Dean is actually restrained and aloof. In fact, I'm not so sure that he does. In the first ten minutes with Dean, you get as close to him as you'll ever get." Whether or not this is true, Martin is extremely popular with his colleagues and with members of the Hollywood press corps. Unlike his "Clan" chum Sinatra, Dean enjoys the unanimous respect of the scribes, who find him polite and usually available. Old Dino is a sure bet when it comes to bright, amusing comments. Even those who are aware that his easygoing chatter serves as an effective barricade against their more searching personal questions, don't repair to their typewriters in a pout. The Martin charm and the Martin wit usually add up to an interesting story. Like Bing Crosby, whom he admits he once copied, Dean has mastered the art of magnificent nonchalance and it serves him well when he's being interviewed. He makes it all seem casual and easy, maybe even a bit lackadaisical. But the sharp reporter quickly realizes that Dino is in control all the way and is saying no more than he intends to. When dealing with a scribe he likes and trusts, Dean will lower the barricades a little. But he still throws in so many gag lines that you have to be on guard to catch the straight ones. These reveal him as a man possessed of common sense and an uncommon candor. Though not a braggart, Martin has at last developed confidence in his talent, a confidence which his friends say was 58 PLAY EDITOR MY FAVORITE STARS ARE: ACTOR ACTRESS (2) (3) (4) (2) (') (2) (3) (4) >IV FAVORITE STORIES ITS THIS ISSUE WERE: (3) (4) Nome Address Age Paste this ballot on a postcard and send it to TV Radio Mirror, llu, 2150, Grand Central Station. New York 17. N.Y. definitely lacking at the time of his bitter break-up with Jerry Lewis. Dean's great success in every medium has not only brought him financial security, it has given him a new emotional security, as well. His wife feels that he's finally found faith in himself as a person. And Dino candidly admits that he thoroughly enjoys his stardom and is deeply grateful for all it has brought him. "I know I'm riding the high time of my career," he says. "I only hope it continues. I'll do my best to see that it does. Of course, you realize I'm somewhat handicapped— after all, I'm lazy, lackadaisical, and always half-swacked!" Growing serious again, Dean adds: "About my drinking — it's strictly a pose, for laughs. I don't drink as much as they say I do or as I say I do. Let's face it, I wouldn't last very long if I did. I know there are people who watch me, convinced that I'm really stoned. And they love it — they're waiting to see what happens next. What they don't know is that you have to be pretty sober to keep pulling those adlibs out of the thin air. A performer has to be in control of the situation every minute. You can't do a good job if you're really fuzzy." Songwriter Sammy Cahn, one of Dean's close pals, agrees that Martin talks a better bottle than he drinks. "Truthfully, Dino's not a great elbowbender in private life," Sammy says. "He doesn't need to drink when he's among friends. When he's appearing in public, he'll take one to bolster his confidence. I think Dean is really rather shy underneath it all, and that glass in his hand helps him get up there and perform." Of course, Dean no sooner refutes the grog gossip than he turns right around and makes with the 100-proof jokes again. "Why, every night I go straight to the refrigerator and get a bottle of milk," he assured me. "I give it to the cat, then I go back to my drinking." Jeanne Martin wasn't present during this particular interview, but the next day she asked for equal time. "This is one subject on which Dean and I definitely disagree," the petite blonde explained. "I think it's in bad taste and that he should tone the whole thing down. After all, he's the father of seven children — and a very good father, too. But I'm sure there are many who would never picture him as a good family man. It's time we showed them the other side of the coin. Why, do you know we even get A.A. literature in the mail? And I receive well-meaning letters from women who sympathize with me over poor Dean's 'problem'!" Jeanne sadly admits that so far her