Sinatra: The Myth Behind The Legend

Thu., Dec. 12, 1996

John Martin New York Times Syndi

Talk-show host Jane Wallace has a great line about how the Washington press corps’ battle cry is: “Come on gang, let’s get out there and scratch the surface!”

It might apply to Judd Rose tonight as his “Turning Point” (ABC at 10) profile of Frank Sinatra reveals little about the singer-actor in “Sinatra at 81: The Man Behind the Legend.”

Today is Sinatra’s birthday and Rose’s report is a gift. It glosses over Sinatra’s alleged mob ties almost with an apology and barely mentions his reputation for brutish behavior.

Mostly the hour deals in the familiar: The kid from Hoboken; the screaming bobby-soxers; the ups and downs of his career; and his extraordinary way of interpreting a song.

It’s all viewed from a distance, never reaching intimate depth.

Author David McClintick does shed light on how Sinatra became such a sensation by evoking “sexual abandon in people in a way that really hadn’t much precedent at that time.” Adds actress Janet Leigh, “In all women there is always that thing of wanting to mother someone … and so there was always that quality of vulnerability.”

Rose lobs softball questions to Sinatra admirers Liza Minnelli, Don Rickles, author Gay Talese, producer Phil Ramone, writer Pete Hamill and others. Sinatra is not interviewed.

This hour is about the legend - not the man.

Highlights

“Diagnosis Murder,” CBS at 8: Dick Van Dyke’s real-life daughter Stacy guest stars as Sloan’s estranged daughter. She needs dad’s help when her abusive husband is murdered. The plot thickens when it appears she’s the killer’s next target.

“The Single Guy,” NBC at 8:30: Suzanne Pleshette - forever Emily Hartley to fans of “The Bob Newhart Show” - guest stars as Jonathan’s (Jonathan Silverman) mother. Mom is determined to find “Ms. Right” for her chronically unattached son. And she goes looking under very funny circumstances.

“Murder One,” ABC at 9: To the faithful who care, Gov. Van Allen’s murderer is revealed in this episode as Wyler (Anthony LaPaglia) and Biggio (Clayton Rohner) bury the hatchet.

“ER,” NBC at 10: Greene (Anthony Edwards) continues his power struggle with Weaver (Laura Innes) while longing for Lewis (Sherry Stringfield). Also, he finds time to snoop into Jeanie’s (Gloria Reuben) medical records to find out if she’s HIV-positive.

“48 Hours,” CBS at 10: The newsmagazine uses now-familiar scare tactics to get viewers “into the tent.” Producers promise a report on lethal defects in cars kept secret by auto manufacturers.

xxxx For the kids: “The Grinch: Special Edition” will air tonight at 8 on TNT. One of the highlights of the season is the classic Dr. Seuss tale. TNT repeats this special that packages the animated story with a “making-of” minidocumentary hosted by funnyman Phil Hartman (“NewsRadio”). Stay tuned at 9 for another family favorite, “Flintstones Christmas.”

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = John Martin New York Times Syndicate

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