ShulmanSays:  Ok, Deana – let’s do some word-association…  I’m gonna say a name or place, and you just tell me what comes to mind.  Let’s start with Las Vegas.

Deana Martin:  Rat Pack

SS:  The Sands

DM: Copa Room

SS:  Jerry Lewis

DM:  Oh, funny.  A nine-year-old kid, with the heart of a child, and a jar on his desk

SS:  Sammy Davis, Jr. (or in your case, "Uncle Sammy")

DM:  I just think of him as amazing. And a tuxedo, actually. When I think of him, I think of a tuxedo, because I wore his tuxedo, and it fit me perfectly

SS:  Frank Sinatra

DM:  I just think “Uncle Frank,” and that's, that's who he was to me

SS:  Music

DM:  Dean Martin

SS:  Home

DM:  Love

SS:  Record

DM:  Memories Are Made of This

SS:  Crooner

DM:  Dino

SS:  Judy Garland

DM:  Dorothy.  Oh, I just loved her.

SS:  Marilyn Monroe

DM:  In our living room, watching my brothers and me do The Twist, while Bobby Darin sang

SS:  Ella Fitzgerald

DM:  None better.  The queen.

SS:  Mel Tormé

DM:  Oh, just too too fantastic!  I think of Christmas, come to think of it…

SS:  Hollywood

DM:  Changed (laughs)

SS:  Joe Mantegna

DM:  A good pal

SS:  Rosemary Clooney

DM:  Singing with us, on Christmas Eve

SS:  Your dad

DM:  His cologne.  He wore Woodhue for Men, by Fabergé; and whenever he’d hug me, I’d just inhale it.  And there’s still a little bit in the bottle that he had in his dressing room, when he passed.  So, whenever I’m feeling like I need a little bit of Dean Martin, I remove the top, and take in a big whiff, and he’s right there, with me; and we’re back at 601 Mountain Drive, and it’s just wonderful.

SS:  What do you feel is your father’s legacy?

DM:  Oh, gosh, there's so much, because of all that he did in his life.  I think he brought so much pleasure to people.  He brought so much joy, and I think about all the songs, and just his music, and the charm about him, and how cool he was, and the TV shows, and the movies.  And when I think about him, when I hear him sing, I know that he has that smile on his face.

SS:  He always seemed to be having fun.

DM:  He was always having fun.  He was just the coolest, Michael.  There’s no one else like him.  If he wasn't happy doing it, he just wouldn't do it; and that's the way he was.  Everything was kind of okay with him.  And he was so funny.  God, he could make anything funny.

The Deana Martin Celebrity Roast honoring Man-of-the-Hour Joe Mantegna
The Showroom | South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa
Click HERE for info and tickets

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