Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim (1967)

I'll tell you why so serious

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Third and final "A Man and His Music" television special from Frank Sinatra changed networks (from CBS to NBC) and also added a live audience in the third act: a series of wonderful duets between Ol' Blue Eyes and Ella Fitzgerald. Opening the special with 'music' from our daily lives, Frank segues easily into "Day In, Day Out", backed with Nelson Riddle and his orchestra against a blood-orange backdrop. The visual effect is stunning, however Sinatra makes some missteps in the musical program from here. "I'm Getting Married in the Morning" is fine on its own, but as the lead-in for a too-upbeat "What Now, My Love?" it gets lost. "Ol' Man River" is a good showcase for the dramatic Sinatra, yet the simple presentation here doesn't lend the song any punch. Ella then joins Frank for some 'impromptu' renditions of current songs (circa 1967) and one is keenly aware of Sinatra's condescension towards trendy pop (his contempt for "Downtown" in 1966's "A Man and His Music Part II" still reigns supreme, however). A quick trip through the bossa nova songbook accompanied by Antonio Carlos Jobim is extremely pleasant, leading to the finish with Fitzgerald which is truly stunning. Frank is ingratiating and chummy, as usual, but he really comes to life when there's an audience to sing for, which makes one wonder why so much of this program has canned laughter and applause (following in the footsteps of his two previous specials). At one point, Sinatra can't even be bothered with his prop microphone and sets it down. The camera-work and editing are not as sharp as one might hope (particularly in the piano-duet with Fitzgerald), however there's much to enjoy here. Sinatra remarks at the close how fast the hour went, and he is precisely right. It flies right by on a jazzy magic carpet filled with songs and love.

Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim (1967) *** (out of 4)This is the third concert special the superstar did in three consecutive years. This time out he's joined by Ella Fitzgerald and Antonio Carlos Jobim and the overall show is really punched over over the previous two, although the second one is still my favorite. This time out the music has more of a Jazz sound to it and Sinatra plays it up loud and really fast. Jobim only plays on one song and I think this is the weakest part of the show as it appears this scene was just thrown in at the last second. The performance between the two isn't really bad but it does stop the show in its tracks. Sinatra performs "What Now My Love", "Old Man River", "Change Partners", "Quiet Nights" and a few more. Ella gets to sing a rousing version of "Body and Soul" and also joins Sinatra on duets of "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and "The Lady is a Tramp". The highlight actually isn't the music but the kidding between Sinatra and Ella in between the music. The way Sinatra is able to joke on himself and poke fun of a few of his films is very funny and charming.

Not only did Frank Sinatra have a great singing voice, the guy knew how to put over a song. His dancing, and other movements around the stage are just a joy to watch. Why he had to smoke while singing The Girl from Ipanema was beyond me. Poor Antonio Carlos Jobim had to be subjected to second hand smoke.Ella Fitzgerald was absolutely fabulous here but why did she have to sing with those eyes wide shut during her first and second numbers?It's really a shame that all 3 major talents are gone now. We need more of this type of singing. These 3 artists represented fine class in the musical world. Nice to see Nelson Riddle get the necessary recognition that he so richly deserved for arranging the music of The Great Chairman of the Board.

Most of this 6o-minute made-for-TV concert footage involves Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Jobim was thrown in for a quick medley of Bossa Nova songs, which the rage at this particular time. It had a nice, pleasant sound and I wish they had spent more time with that music, but it didn't last long in this concert. Sinatra did sing the then-famous "The Girl From Ipanema" while Jobim accompanied on guitar.The rest of the tape are the two heavyweights: Frank and Ella, two of the best pop singers ever. It's almost always a pleasure to hear Sinatra. His voice is so good and the way he "jazzes" up a number in excellent. He was a great showman, not just singer. Ella had a great voice, too, but, frankly, I would have preferred more of Sinatra. The by-play between the two singers was terrible at times. Ella was no talker, just a singer and Frank's constant fawning over her was overdone. His jokes were lame, too. Still, where you can find a tape with these two "giants of the business" singing together?