Francis Albert Sinatra celebrates the century mark this Saturday. The late Grammy and Oscar winner — who died in 1998 after suffering a heart attack — introduced the world to an America where rats traveled in packs, and ladies were tramps, with both camps regularly convening over a smoke in one hand and a glass of whiskey (poured neat, with messy results) in the other.
Here at Best of NJ, while we like Frank for not doing it society’s way, but rather — hmm, how does that song go again? — we absolutely love him for being the skinny son of a boxer- turned-saloon-owner, born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey. Through the years, we all came to know his iconic, signature tunes: “Strangers in the Night,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” and so on, but there’s a lot more to Sinatra’s legacy than just the hits.
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So without further adieu (that’s Italian, right?), here’s our essential online Sinatra viewing, listening and — thanks to many Chairman Of The Boardâ„¢ impressions out there — laughing list, in honor of Sinatra’s 100th birthday on December 12.
The Beginning (1939)
The Hoboken Historical Society is not only hosting a big ole December 12 birthday bash for the city’s favorite son, but showcases all manner of offerings that focus on Sinatra’s early, more Garden State-centric years. To get you into the swinging swing of things, above is the then-24-year-old’s first commercial recording, titled “From The Bottom Of My Heart” — played on a restored RCA Victor, no less.
The Comeback (1974)
Sinatra was the crooning version of Brett Favre when it came to going into and out of retirement. This Madison Square Garden concert is generally regarded as the best of his many, many triumphant returns. Famed concert impresario Jerry Weintraub, who’d go on to produce the remake of Sinatra’s 1960 Rat Pack-packed Ocean’s Eleven, convinced the then 59-year-old legend to take back his belt at a concert titled “The Main Event.” The entire production came complete with a boxing motif (than stage was made to look like a ring) that included Howard Cosell doing the introductions. If ABC’s ratings, and the resulting album sales, were any indication? OBE won by TKO.
The Collaborations (1993)
The Albums (1955)
The arguments on where each Sinatra record rates are as long as the man’s patience was short. But we’ll tip our fedora to In the Wee Small Hours, which Rolling Stone called “the prototypical concept album.” It’s fifty minutes of Frank at his booming best.
The Parodies (1991)
Saturday Night Live devotees are in one of two camps when it comes to Sinatra impressions: Team Phil or Team Joe. And while Piscopo is a loud and proud Jersey boy, we gotta go with Hartman on this debate, if for no other reason than the above classic, and GIF-able, McLaughlin Group sendup.
The Homages (1973)
Hollywood’s Sinatra references are almost as legion as its many portrayals of the scamp. The two that best run the gamut between adorable to offensive have to be Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, (the Singing Sword lampoons the skinny, bobby sox-era crooner) and the character of Johnny Fontane in The Godfather (which plays up Sinatra’s alleged Mafioso sympathies). The latter is a thinly veiled allusion to the oft-rumored influences behind a then down-on-his-luck Sinatra landing a plum role in From Here to Eternity. Which brings us to…
The Accolades (1953)
Frank’s got ’em all: Grammies, Peabodies, Golden Globes, Dean Martin insults, but none meant more to the aural auteur than the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, which he received for From Here to Eternity. Oh, and the aforementioned “giving the film’s producer an offer he can’t refuse” story is probably apocryphal, as wife Ava Gardner was a Hollywood heavyweight who likely used her influence to land her husband his From Here to Eternity audition.
The Holidays (1964)
Of the many, many times Ol’ Blue Eyes got green and red at around this time of the year, we’ll go with a scene from the otherwise forgettable Robin and the Seven Hoods if, for no other reason, than the visual of three Rat Packers, (always better than Three Wise Men) prancing through the streets as morally ambiguous Salvation Army Santas.
The oft-repeated, and vaguely menacing, Sinatra quote: “May you live to be 100, and may the last voice you hear be mine” is, of course, apropos on this date of dates. And when you think about it? Listening to Ol’ Blue Eyes prior to your demise ain’t a bad way to go.
About the author: Bill Schulz is the former co-host of FOX News’s Red Eye and current New York Times and Daily Beast columnist. He’s also contributed to Maxim, New York magazine, The New York Daily News, Time Out New York, TV Guide, Men’s Fitness and Yahoo! Travel, among others. Bill is also a former summer share renter in Point Pleasant, and occasional nephew babysitter in Montclair.
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