Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Dining With Dino

A good place to visit and cool off is Coloradolady's Vintage Thingies Thursday. Just her name makes you think of a cooler place and many cool friends. Join her at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com.
As I have mentioned before, I have always been a big fan of Dean Martin. He was performing at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas in the early 70s. My husband and I and another couple ventured out into an unknown world for us. Our main purpose was to attend his show.

The menu we had for the dinner performance.
Back then was very different than now. We booked our reservations at this hotel in order to hopefully see him. That was the policy back then, stay at the hotel of the performance if you wanted to get in. We elected to see the dinner show. Even though you had a ticket, you still had to stand in line for the seating. We found out the reason standing line. When you got to the door, the more you tipped the maitre d, the better table you got. We pooled our resources and got a good table, not front row, but better than in the kitchen. They also had a dress code back then. We dressed up in our best and enjoyed every minute of it. No cameras were allowed.
I even brought home the shoe shine cloth in the room
as well as the ash tray.
Dean on movie location. Wish my vintage brain could recall the movie.

These are just a few of his many albums I have.

24 comments:

Joy Graham said...

I just love Dean Martin! Wow, what a great collection you have! Thank you for taking me back in time. You just don't see shoe shine kits or ash trays any longer.
Blessings-Joy

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Lavoice, This is my favorite meme that you participate in.. This one is so interesting.. Loved hearing about your experience in Vegas --to see Dean Martin... I'm sure that was a very special time.... Thanks for sharing...
Hugs,
Betsy

Ginny Hartzler said...

Gosh, you really were a fan! I remember everyone from the rat pack quite well!! Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis...too bad they didn't allow cameras!

The Old Parsonage said...

Well I have to admit, I'm not too familiar with Dean, but he sure was handsome;)

Leann

Lee said...

Terrific memories-Dean had much charm!
Always fun to look back on adventures...
Thanks so much for sharing!

George said...

Dean Martin was a very good singer (and actor). We used to watch his television show all the time. I'm glad you got to see him in person.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Good memories.

farmlady said...

You were a true fan to collect all those record albums. Cool!
I loved to listen to him too and slow dance to some of his songs.
He was quite handsome too.
Never saw him in person. Glad you got to do that.

Leckeres für Mensch und Katze said...

Nice rememberings :) LG Tina

bj said...

I, too, was totally in love with him. Squalled my eyes out when he passed away.
I never got to see him in person but I had most of his records.
He was one of the most talented men I ever saw and always seemed so happy and full of fun.
Thanks for the memories, dear one.
xo bj

Under Her Wings said...

That's how I feel about Harry Connick, Jr. and Josh Groban! Never seen either of them in person, though. You go, girl!

jeanne said...

Who doesn't love Dino? I am a real fan of his too. Your post makes me smile this morning. We experienced the same tipping thing when we were in Las Vegas. It worked!
Hugs, Jeanne

MomWaldsPlace said...

What a fun story! I have a newly released CD of his, and my kids think I am crazy. There's just something about his voice...

Oklahoma Granny said...

Times have certainly changed. I can remember watching Dino's tv program. He was one of a kind.

Jocelyn said...

Very nice collection LV. I remember when they used to play his music all the time at Olive Garden :-) Wishing you a happy VTT.

Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Dorothy said...

I always liked to watch his programs! Good looking guy and funny, too!

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

What great memories! (and what a terrific memory you have!) Stay cool!

Tete said...

LV- I love Dean Martin! I used to swoon over him when I was just a little bitty thing. Loved all his movies and his show. Love his voice and all the oldies with Jerry Lewis.
When he did the Matt Helm movies, my dad was hooked, too and we watched his stuff together.
Just look at those prices on the menu! Whew that was a ritzy show you got to see.
Dinner for 2 would have been a weeks worth of groceries!
Even though he was a drinker and I really think most of that was for show- he was the best of the brat pack.
Those were the days.
I still love his christmas songs.
Hugs- Tete

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What wonderful memories. I was checking out the prices on the menu, filet mignon dinner $13.50!! That might buy you a small appetizer these days. Isn't it nice to have those souvenirs?

Heartfelt living said...

What a wonderful collection you have and how exciting you got to see Dino in person!!!
I have always loved him, even as a little girl.
Last year my parents gave my husband and I tickets to see a dinner show starring "The Rat Pack." They were really good but how I would have loved to see the real gang!
On any given Sunday you will find me in my kitchen cooking up a storm singing along with Dean. Especially when I'm baking a lasagna...I'm Italian too! : )
Hugs,
Karen

Ivy and Elephants said...

I was just talking about the loss of real stars now a days. Everyone seems to be such a flash in the pan. But Dino, that was a real star! What a wonderful memory.
Thanks for visiting!
Hugs,
Patti

Maureen said...

Wow - a trip down memory lane. I remember his variety show when I was little and he was even intriguing to a little girl. Such a velvety voice.

Rebecca said...

Great collection of items-and they mean so much to you!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

How awesome that you were able to see Dean Martin perform and act. I love his voice...it is so smooth.

Blessings & Aloha!