A Recently Discovered Frank Sinatra "Doodle"

by Don Altobell

Karl Malden Letter

I recently found a letter my father sent to actor Karl Malden.
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Mr. Karl Malden
"Streets of San Francisco"
ABC-TV
October 15, 1973

Dear Karl:
"Warden Harvey Shoemaker returned home to Alcatraz for a few minutes and once again, doing his duty unflinchingly, he brought the bad guys to submission, this time as Mike Stone!"

That's the way I'd report the action on last week's "Streets of San Francisco." Even with the great number of cops/dectives stories on TV, I think "Streets..." is a stand out, thanks to good scripts, lots of action, and of course to you and Michael Douglas.

But what a change in character Mike Stone is for you! In Birdman, you were more"uncompromising" than "mean," but Robert Stroud, even though a two-time killer, prompted so much sympathy, that I don't think anyone could like hardworking Harvey! We all hated you in Parrish (how could anyone be mean to Claudette Colgert?!)...and you were downright viscious in One-Eyed Jacks (when you whipped Marlon Brando, I squeezed the arm of my seat in agony, and then when you were brought down the butt of a rifle across his hand, I almost screamed in pain!).

So, after so many years of being so mean, so many times, and not to have everyone rooting for you each week, just shows what a super-actor Karl Malden is!

Your truely,
Don Altobell

PS As you chased Tom Bosley around Alcatrax last week, I could almost hear Telly Savals say, "Hey, Stroud...my bird don't sing!"
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Here's Karl Malden's reply:

Happy 71st Birthday, Dad

My parents, Pauline and Don,
and the only known photo of my father
after he's had one too many on his 36th birthday.

Have You Heard Sinatra?

Audio Magazine, December 1970

Thirty-eight years ago my father, Don Altobell, published his first Frank Sinatra article. The publication was Audio Magazine and I believe he was paid $45. Dad didn't care about the money. He was finally published and it was on a subject that he knew more about than most people.

Click each image to download and print the page.

Listen / Download:
Frank Sinatra - Jingle Bells

Rat Pack Night Martini Bar

Artist Jeff Craft has fun with my father's photo.

Visit: http://jeffcraft.us/elite/2008/06/rat-pack-night-martini-bar.html

Frank Sinatra Stamp Cachet

I recently gave eBay store owner Captain Kirk's Stamps permission to use dad's Frank Sinatra art in stamp cachets - sold exclusively on eBay. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines a cachet 1: as a design or inscription on an envelope to commemorate a postal or philatelic event 2: an advertisement forming part of a postage meter impression. All I asked for in terms of payment is that dad received proper credit. From the eBay listing:

CACHET CHAT: The late Don Altobelli's artwork is featured on this cachet [with special permissions granted by Paul Altobelli...thanx, Paul!]. We found Mr. Altobelli's style captured many of Sinatra's 'off camera' expressions. Can't you just see the 'wheels turning' in this captured moment?

Visit Captain Kirk's eBay store to view and purchase a Frank Sinatra Stamp Cachet featuring Don Altobell's artwork.

Frank Sinatra-In The Blue Of Evening

Today I discovered that Sugarbell99 used my father's pictures for a video. Here's the description Sugarbell99 left about the video:

I was requested to make a video on a rare song of Frank's so I picked this one. Hope you like it!

Frank Sinatra sings "In the blue of evening" on Reprise in 1961. Photos are of Frank Sinatra,Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Phil Silvers.

The majority of the photos are from 1959-1960 at the 500 club in Atlantic City.
Photos taken by Don Altobell

This video is dedicated to my dear friend. Here's to us buddy and to utter happiness in our futures!

Thanks Sugarbell99 for giving my father, Don Altobell, his due. My family appreciates it.

Happy 70th Birthday

Today would have been dad's 70th birthday. Here's a picture of dad on his 6th birthday -- January 6th, 1944.

click image to enlarge

'We're gonna hear Radames croak in a tomb"

As a follow-up to yesterday's post about my father's love of opera I give you my brother's email:

This is a message he left for me after he listened to a cassette of La Boheme that I made for him. He was mourning the death of the character Mimi at the conclusion, and in typical Dad fashion, refers to her as a living person. (I didn't know what the f' he was talking about at first and was really worried.) It sounds to me like he had been crying.

Then, he refers to Radames from Aida, another opera I gave him. He also dies at the end of the opera ("we're gonna hear Radames croak in a tomb").


Listen / Download:
Pop's Opera Phone Message (fall, 1991) - Don Altobell

"Who sent you?" asked the composer. "God?"

I was saddened to hear that Luciano Pavarotti passed away today at the age of 71. He was truly one of the great operatic voices of the modern age. There were tenors, and then there was Pavarotti. If my father were alive, however, he'd say there were tenors, and then there was Caruso.

A world of music opened up for dad when he heard the voice of Enrico Caruso pealing out of his father's Victrola.

I recall dad saying that as soon as he heard Caruso had the same reaction Giacomo Puccini experienced when the tenor auditioned for him. "Who sent you?" asked the composer. "God?"

Dad became so fascinated with Caruso, his mother took him to the Free Library of Philadelphia to read newspaper accounts of the tenor's death in 1921.

Every day when dad went to work in Philadelphia on the bus, he used to look down on the RCA Victor building and think of Caruso making his recordings there.

When I listen to Caruso or Pavorotti I close my eyes and think of dad listening to opera: Dad would mouth the words to the opera with so much intensity you'd think he was the tenor belting out Verdi's "La Donna e Mobile." I guess that's the operatic version of air guitar.

A few years before dad died I asked him to help me with compiling a CD worth of operatic arias. I didn't know anything about opera and thought this would be a great way to learn. Dad was so into this mix. He called me all the time with suggestions and ideas. What started off with me asking for a few suggestions turned into dad's vision. He was so proud of what we accomplished that when we finished he asked me to burn a bunch of CDs to give to his friends.

Here's a few of the highlights from dad's last great mix tape.

Listen / Download:
A'Vucchella - Enrico Caruso
Vesti La Giubba - Luciano Pavarotti
La Donna e Mobile - Beniamino Gigli
Core N'Grato - Tito Schipa
Notturno - Pietro Mascagni

Memories of Dean, Frank & Sammy at the 500 Club

by Don Altobell

I will never forget August 26, 1962.

I was 24 at the the time and after having the good fortune of seeing Dean Martin's appearance at the 500 Club in Atlantic City on Aug 19 -- his first solo gig since his split with Jerry Lewis -- the following week gave me an added treat.

Thanks to a drawing I did of Dean, I was able to see his opening shows and also attend rehearsals. And 500 Club owner Skinny Damato introduced me to Dean, who autographed my drawing, which still hangs on my living room wall.

Fans knew that Dean's pal, Frank Sinatra, would join him midweek to conclude the engagement. Atlantic City was bursting at the seams, with all hotels, motels, and restaurants jam-packed. At the club itself, tables were pushed together to make room for more patrons. It was a bonanza time for Atlantic City long before the first casino was opened.

That closing night after early dinner, I made my way through the block-long line and was ushered inside by a policeman who remembered me after seeing me at so many shows. I didn't mind that I had no seat.

Dean was introduced as the star of the show and opened with "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" followed by "Volare," "On An Evening in Roma" and "Goody, Goody."

Then Sinatra sang, "I Get a Kick Out Of You," followed by Sammy Davis' Jr. doing "The Lady Is A Tramp." (Davis also imitated some actors singing the song including James Cagney and Marlon Brando).

Then Frank, Dean and Sammy clowned around and sang "You Are Too Beautiful," "Love Walked Right In" and "This Is My First Affair."

While Dean and Frank sang, Sammy danced to "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Too Marvelous for Words," "It Had To Be You," and "I've Got the World on a String."

Then all three stars joined to close the show with "The Birth of the Blues."

We all left in the early morning sunlight of Monday morning before making our way to work.

It was the last time the Rat Pack ever performed as a trio in Atlantic City.

In retrospect, I must admit that their singing probably suffered, but the pure entertainment and thrill of seeing them all on the stage overcame any vocal lapses. It was a night that no one in attendance would ever forget.

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Click here to view more of dad's original "Rat Pack" photos and artwork.

Dear Richie Ashburn

Yesterday, I found a letter my father wrote to Philadelphia Phillies great, Richie Ashburn. Below my father's letter is Ashburn's reply written this very day 42 years ago.

July 30, 1965

Hi Rich,

The Pirates pitcher who struck out 27 in the minors was Ron Necciai. I think it was a no hitter, and it may have been a perfect game. A pitcher with a future like that, who doesn't make, brings to mind a Phillies pitcher from the early '50s, Niles Jordan. Do you remember his first game? A two-hit shutout against the Reds.

When I think of those super-catches you used to make, the one I remember the best were against the Giants and Bucs. The first was one of those back-to-the-infield jobs on Ray Nobley. I think it was a Saturday afternoon. The other was a night game, and also with your back to the infield. Don't remember the batter though. Do you?

Hope I've stirred up a few memories for you, you always to for me.

Sincerely,
Don Altobell

Peek-A-Boo

Joey Altobelli, 2007

Michael Altobelli, 2004

Grandpop Altobell, 1940

Remembering Don Altobell - One Year Later

I started my new job today with Harte-Hanks. Harte-Hanks is a global direct and targeted marketing solutions provider. I was hired as a Search Engine Marketing Manager. Its a great position with an respected global and public company. Sadly, my hire date also marks the first anniversary of my father's passing.

I still vividly recall the chain of events one year ago today. Around 6:30am I woke up and immediately looked for my cell phone. Dad had take a turn and we knew it was only a matter of time. When I picked up my phone I noticed that I had a message. I knew before I heard the message that Dad had died.

The night before I took my family, Lisa, Rachel, Michael, and Joe, over to say our goodbye. I saw Dad smile. His smile is how I remember him. Thankfully, I can't remember what he looked like when I raced over to his home after listening to the phone message. I miss Dad's smile.

I miss a lot of things about Dad. I miss how he would laugh so hard he'd cry. I miss how he would tell me how much he loved me. I miss talking to him about baseball and boxing. I miss listing to music with him. What I miss most about Dad on this day - the day I start a my new job - is him asking me "How's your job?" He'd always ask me that question - even when I wasn't working. I know that if he were alive today he ask me "How's your job?".

Listen / Download:
Frank Sinatra - Oh, How I Miss You Tonight

My First Christmas without Dad

Remembering Don Altobell

When Dad passed seven months ago my brother, Stephen, produced a ten minute long tribute using pictures and the music of (who else) Frank Sinatra. So, if you have a few minutes, sit back and enjoy 68 years of my father's life.

Dads say the Darndest Things

"How's Your Job?"

In the six months since my father passed I've been recognizing more and more how often I repeat things he'd say given a certain situation. "You know if my father were here he'd say..." I told my brother Stephen about this and he told me was doing the same thing. At any given time Dad would speak to us in German, Italian, Yiddish, and Pig Latin. Given the situation he'd say expressions he picked up as a teenager, in school, in the Navy, and friends. It's as if Dad spoke a different language that only those close to him understood. As Stephen and I reminisced and laughed about our father's sayings we decided to create a list of his favorite expressions and given this forum I decided to publish this list here.

• Whenever he'd greet you he say, "How's your job?"
• If he was admitally against something he say, "neigetz boats!"
• He referred to Stephen and me as
• Shorty and Izzy Bushkoff
• Primo & Segundo
• How strong was he? Dad would say (in a Russian accent) "He strong like dozen midgets."
• Sometimes when he was excited about something we'd hear, "Wazzy wazzy woo woo!"
• one dollar bill = "beansky"
• five dollar bill = "finsky"
• Dad would wet his lips and very slowly and carefully say "par-tic-u-lar"
• When Dad would say "my shoes" he basically was saying, "why, of course."
• When Dad said, "Oy Becky Madone!" he was pissed
• He refferd to Barry Manilow "Barry Mazel-tov"
• If you ever spoke while he was watching TV he say, "Hey, this is a talkie!"
• "What?" (after he'd burp)
• "Mach die Tür zu" meant close the door in German
• "schnicken" was a yiddish term for a pastry or dessert
• insanity or madness = "mishegosh"
• One who is crazy = "meshuggenah"
• darling boy = "boytchik" or "boychale"
• The Phillies = "Bums"
• Hey dummy = "Hey, stunod!"
• Too loud = "Too piercin'"
• If he ever saw a tv show or movie he didn't like he say, "That movie was stink-a-poots."
• He'd refer to lousy sport figures as “He’s a ham-and-egg-ers.”
• If you said something and he didn't understand you he'd say “The wha--?" If you repeated yourself he say, "The woo--?" Then he'd say, "the we--?"
• He referred to my mother as Picina which morphed into Picin, then finally, Cin.
• We'd say, "Hey, Pop what are you doing?" and he would reply, "I'm thin-king about it."
• If Dad ever saw you put milk/cream and sugar in your coffee, "What do you want a milk shake?"
• Whenever Dad watched a big time dramatic scene (be it tv show, movie, or even sports) he would take in a big breath, blow out the air very loudly.
• Whenever Dad would say “Phildelphia!” he'd say it doing a John Facenda impersonation
  
• "Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart?" was something Dad would say to us about once a month and always when we were about to leave with our jackets on and keys in our hands.
  
• In Dad's later years we'd hear him say "ohhhhh-kay" as his opening statement whenever he would leave a phone message
  
• Anyone who Dad did not agree with was a "chooch"
  
• In Dad's later years we'd hear him say "ohhhhh-kay" as his opening statement whenever he would leave a phone message
  
• Anyone who Dad did not agree with was a "chooch"
  

This is the beginning a what will become a very large list. If you know of a Don Altobell expression not listed here please share.

Artist and Writer Donald P. Altobell, 68, Succumbs to MS

Painter and illustrator Don Altobell, whose talents as an artist led him to camaraderie with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack in the early 1960s, died Sunday, May 7, at his home in Maple Shade, New Jersey, after fighting multiple sclerosis for more than 40 years.

Mr. Altobell was born in Philadelphia in 1938 to the late Paul and Anna Altobell. During his teen years, he was a body builder and frequent dancer on the original Bandstand television show. Following his graduation as an art major from Mastbaum Vocational School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, from which he was honorably discharged. In 1959 he embarked on a career in advertising, beginning at N.W. Ayer, where he worked on accounts including AT&T, Sealtest, and Atlantic Refining (now ARCO). He was also a copywriter and media buyer at other local agencies and an account executive at radio station WRCP, before his MS-imposed retirement in 1972.

Altobell’s talents as an artist opened doors for him, beginning at a very young age: At 12, a sketch of Rocky Marciano so impressed the fighter that he invited young Don to join him for breakfast. Later, Altobell’s passion for music—and especially his hero Frank Sinatra—blossomed in paintings of Old Blue Eyes, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Judy Garland that garnered him repeated backstage access at the original Latin Casino in Philadelphia and The 500 Club in Atlantic City. His drawings and writings about music and boxing appeared in publications including The Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, The Courier Post, The Burlington County Times, Audio magazine, and renowned boxing magazine The Ring. In addition, he wrote a column, “As I See It,” for the MSAA Motivator, the newsletter sent to Multiple Sclerosis Association of America members.

Mr. Altobell is survived by his wife, Martha (nee Mott), sons Paul and Stephen, stepdaughters Stephanie and Pamela, and grandchildren Rachel, Michael, Joseph, Ricky, Shelby, Nicholas, and Evan.

A viewing for Mr. Altobell will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church, 12 South Poplar Avenue, Maple Shade, on Thursday, May 11, from 9-11 AM, with a memorial service immediately following. The burial will be private.

Mr. Altobell has requested that tissue from his brain and spinal cord be donated to MS research. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Mr. Altobell’s name to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.

Click here to view Don's Art & Photo Gallery
Related post: Note to Self - My Dad