ALL-STAR PARTY FOR FRANK SINATRA (TV)

Summary

This televised charity special, hosted by Jimmy Stewart, celebrates the long career of American entertainer Frank Sinatra. First, Carol Burnett declares that she is "the original bobby-soxer" and describes her early memories of attending a concert of Sinatra's in New York City. Sinatra introduces his family members, including wife Barbara Marx, and Dionne Warwick and Michele Lee take the stage to perform a medley of Sinatra's songs, including "Don't Fence Me In," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "I'll Walk Alone," "I'll Be Seeing You," "Long Ago and Far Away," "People Will Say We're in Love," "Nature Boy," "Now is the Hour," "The Trolley Song" and others.

Bob Newhart, a self-described member of the slightly nerdier "Mini-Rat Pack," introduces White House Head of Cultural Affairs "Neil Norstag," portrayed by comedian Foster Brooks, who unsteadily admits that his mistook the day of the event, hence his showing up "a little loaded," before he is finally pulled offstage by baseball player Tommy Lasorda. Ricardo Montalban introduces Julio Iglesias, who performs "Volver a Empezar," a Spanish-language version of "Begin the Beguine." Burt Reynolds discusses the great excitement from the crew when Sinatra appeared on the set of his film "Cannonball Run II" (1984) for a cameo role, noting that he has a talent for making even large-scale performances seem "intimate." Conductor Nelson Riddle introduces a "Sinatra From A to Z" medley, and Steve Lawrence and Vic Damone take the stage to perform snippets of 26 famous Sinatra numbers, including "Come Fly With Me," "Embraceable You," "A Foggy Day (In London Town)", "Get Happy," "The Lady is a Tramp," "New York, New York," "Strangers in the Night," "Young at Heart" and others.

Actor Richard Burton then discusses the generosity of "Mr. Anonymous," describing Sinatra as a "street-corner poet," and Sinatra is visibly moved by his friend's words. Monty Hall, president of Variety Clubs International, talks about the foundation's charitable events, explaining how various children's hospital wings have been donated in the names of the previous honorees. Cary Grant reads out a personal statement from President Reagan, complimenting Sinatra on the honor, and Hall explains that a new Frank Sinatra wing will be constructed at a Seattle children's hospital. Sinatra takes the stage and thanks his many friends, requesting that the wing be named in honor of his entire family, rather than just himself. Burnett then notes that the following day is Sinatra's 68th birthday, and all of the guests serenade him with "Happy Birthday to You." Includes commercials, promos, and a CBS News NewsBreak.

Details

• NETWORK: CBS
• DATE: December 11, 1983 8:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:59:11
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: 109369
• GENRE: Music/Variety
• SUBJECT HEADING: Music/Variety; Tributes; Specials; Entertainers
• SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1983
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - American Greetings cards
  • TV - Commercials - Cable L.A. television services
  • TV - Commercials - Diet Rite soft drinks
  • TV - Commercials - DuPont products
  • TV - Commercials - E.F. Hutton financial services
  • TV - Commercials - Enjoli fragrance
  • TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Jean Naté after-bath splash
  • TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
  • TV - Commercials - Pacific Bell telecommunications
  • TV - Commercials - Puerto Rico tourism
  • TV - Promos - "AfterMASH"
  • TV - Promos - "Circus of the Stars"
  • TV - Promos - "Cook & Peary: The Race to the Pole"
  • TV - Promos - "Domestic Life"
  • TV - Promos - "Emerald Point N.A.S."
  • TV - Promos - "Newhart
  • TV - Promos - "One Day at a Time"
  • TV - Promos - "The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas"
  • TV - Promos - "The Mississippi"
  • TV - Promos - "We've Got the Tough"
  • TV - Promos - Channel 2 News

CREDITS

• Paul W. Keyes … Producer, Writer
• Joe Kay … Associate Producer
• Dick McDonough … Director
• Nelson Riddle … Conductor
• Frank Sinatra … Honoree
• James Stewart … Host
• Dionne Warwick … Guest, Performer
• Michele Lee … Guest, Performer
• Foster Brooks … Guest, Performer
• Julio Iglesias … Guest, Performer
• Steve Lawrence … Guest, Performer
• Vic Damone … Guest, Performer
• Carol Burnett … Guest
• Barbara Marx … Guest
• Bob Newhart … Guest
• Tommy Lasorda … Guest
• Ricardo Montalban … Guest
• Burt Reynolds … Guest
• Richard Burton … Guest
• Monty Hall … Guest
• Cary Grant … Guest
• Ronald Reagan
• For "CBS News NewsBreak":
• Charles Osgood … Anchor