Dean Martin Expo is amore in Manhattan
Dean Martin in 1955. Credit: Passport International Productions / John Springer
The moon won't hit your eye like a big pizza pie, but the sight of one of Dean Martin's gold records just might if you're in Manhattan next Saturday.
The record will be one of the items on display at the Holiday Inn on West 57th Street for the Dean Martin Expo and Nostalgia, Comedy and Comic Convention, a daylong flashback to the 1950s and '60s featuring autograph signings, live comic performances and "the largest collection of Dean Martin memorabilia," says Jerry Nolan, co-organizer of the event.
EVERYONE LOVES SOME MEMORABILIA SOMETIMES The first sight greeting Expo visitors will be the Dean Martin Museum, an exhibit featuring Dino-rabilia valued at close to $1 million. It's owned by James Monaco, host of the event and an avid fan. Monaco is also friends with Martin's daughter, Deana, who will be at the show.
In addition to the gold record, the "museum" will feature a gun and costumes used by Martin in the 1959 Western "Rio Bravo," movie posters, photographs, magazines and more Martin artifacts.
None of Monaco's pieces will be for sale, Nolan says, but there will be another area where guests can purchase non-Martin collectibles, including comic books, movie posters, toys and lunchboxes.
WHO WAS THAT LADY? AGENT 99 Rat Packers weren't Martin's only pals. Several of his famous co-stars will be on hand to greet their fans and sign photos ($25 a pop) at Saturday's expo. Among those scheduled to appear are "FTroop's" Larry Storch, Martin's co-star in "Who Was That Lady?" (1960); impressionist Marilyn Michaels and "Get Smart" star Barbara Feldon, both of whom guest- starred on Martin's variety hour; Caroll "Big Bird" Spinney; and, to celebrate "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." turning the big 5-0, series star Robert Vaughn.
And holy guacamole! The Batmobile will be parked in front of the hotel.
'THAT'S AMORÉ' AND THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT You'll hear the dulcet tones of Dino's voice piped throughout the show, plus clips from his TV show, but there also will be three live comedy performances by tribute artists saluting Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.
"We want to take people back in time," Nolan says, "to when it was a simpler life, and things were fun."
WHAT The Dean Martin Expo and Nostalgic, Comedy and Comic Convention
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on June 28, Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St., Manhattan
INFO $15; 2cms3.webs.com
