Backstage at the Dean Martin Show
Hale describes himself as the "Special Material by " writer, composer, and choreographer, not to mention stand-in for the star himself, for the 1960s and early 1970s television staple, The Dean Martin Show. In a book that captures the American variety-show era, Hale chronicles each year he spent on the show, with anecdotes about guest stars and various dilemmas and successes during tapings. He also gives an extensive history of the famous/infamous Golddiggers. Much is made of Martin's personality and his abilities as an entertainer who never needed to rehearse. Hale gushes at times about the star and many of his guests over the years, shouting sentiments at them from the page. Though Hale and Neely do a fine job of storytelling, this book is recommended only for fans and libraries with popular-culture or broadcasting collections.-Lisa N. Johnston, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VACopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.