Christmas with Frank & Dean
by Karen Morris
Christmas with The Martins and The Sinatras (1967)
Let's Celebrate Christmas in July!
It may be summertime now, but we can all agree that when the fall and early winter months arrive, things become busy, as we plan family gatherings, shop for gifts, or decorate our homes.
All the non-stop yuletide activity leads us to easily forget to slow down and enjoy the many sentimental moments this meaningful season brings.
Like many other families, traditions include baking yummy cookies, sipping on hot chocolate, and being couch potatoes while tuning in to our favorite television shows to celebrate the joy and sounds of the season.
Those festive thoughts led me to recall a broadcast of an endearing Dean Martin Christmas program filled with the holiday spirit.
The Dean Martin Show was must-see TV in our household, as we were loyal fans of Dean and his long-time pallie, Frank Sinatra.
But not to be missed was The Dean Martin Christmas Special TV Show, which showcased Dean's family with Frank Sinatra's family.
Christmas with The Martins and The Sinatras originally aired on December 21, 1967 on NBC-TV. (And again airing in 2021 via PBS as a fundraising special event.)
The hour-long program featured Dean and Frank, debonair in their tuxes, performing a variety of songs and holiday melodies, delighting all with their ongoing camaraderie as their families joined in for the musical celebration.
The jolly TV show opens with a light-hearted duet featuring Dean and Frank, singing one of my favorite tunes, Marshmallow World.
Following that song, Dean and Frank sweetly introduce two of their daughters, Nancy Sinatra and Gail Martin. Both Nancy and Gail entertain with It's a Most Unusual Day, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, with their dads joining in to sing along.
Soon after, Frank Sinatra, Jr and Dino Martin appear to rib their dads with the charming song "How Do You Talk to Your Dad?" Listen closely and one can hear a bit of Frank, Sr. in the smooth vocal delivery of Frank, Jr.
Not to be outdone, Dean's daughter Deana, and Frank's daughter Tina amusingly decide to show their dads how to sing properly, sharing the stage to perform, Do-Re-Mi, a classic melody well-known from The Sound of Music.
A fun segment spotlights Dean and Frank reading jovial letters that were written to Santa; and a surprise celebrity appearance when Dean opens his door (an often quick scene each week) to find Sammy Davis, Jr. stopping by and dressed as Santa Davis, Jr!
The program turns quietly serious as Dean dedicates the touching ballad, I'll Be Home For Christmas, to all the servicemen who are not home for the holidays, with the hope they will be soon.
A change of pace as more swingin' tunes delight with Dean and Frank, as they offer a medley of familiar and favored songs including Can't Give You Anything But Love: Just Too Marvelous: Pennies From Heaven: A Foggy Day; Embraceable You; Lady is a Tramp; Where or When: World on a String; All of Me; and When You're Smiling.
Nearing the closing of the show, the entire clan of Martin and Sinatra families are lovingly re-introduced: Nancy Sinatra, Jr, Craig Martin; Dino Martin; Tina Sinatra, Deana Martin, Gina Martin, Claudio Martin, Gail Martin, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Ricci Martin and Dean's wife Jeanne.
Both families unite and sing a host of Christmas Carols, including Home For the Holidays; Let it Snow; The Christmas Song; White Christmas; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Frank); Deck the Halls; Oh Little Town of Bethlehem; and Joy to the World.
After the song Silent Night is performed by Dean and Frank, a tender and benevolent moment occurs with all family members sharing gracious tidings about Christmas toys being donated to charities all across the U.S.
The festive show wraps up with Dean and Frank singing, We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Watching this program is just a good old-fashioned way to ring a ding-ding in the holidays!
In a 2021 interview by People Magazine, "Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin's Daughters Reminisce on Their Fathers' Classic Christmas Special: 'A Hoot!', Tina Sinatra and Gail Martin shared this
With both families located in and around the Beverly Hills area, Tina remembers the Martins home as "a happy household — albeit large! Dinner at their house was exactly what you think it would have been...My dad liked that kind of commotion, so having a lot of kids around was great. We did spend time and holidays together and it was special. The privilege was a given, but remember we didn't know any other way, until we matured and then we could see how fortunate [we were]."
"It was so fun to be with Dad and Uncle Frank, because they were just so funny," remembers Gail. "And they had the best time – but they always had the best time together."
Watching Christmas with The Martins and The Sinatras remains a special heartwarming Christmas in July treat!