The Dean Martin Christmas Show

whats not to like with dino and all the stars and a time when shows like this made you feel good.

1968 was a turbulent year, but it ended on a high note in December when the three-man crew of NASA's Apollo 8 circled the Moon for the first time. It was also the "December to Remember" because of the release of a string of superb holiday offerings on television and on record--such as Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Christmas L.P. album. Included in the "December to Remember" of that year is Dean Martin's video celebration. Christmas specials such as Dean's just aren't made anymore. It's a vanished video art form. These old shows were truly period pieces even if they look brand new in their remastered, home-video reincarnations--eerily so. Honestly, watching this edition of the Dean Martin Show, nearly a half century after it was recorded, looks even better than it did when first broadcast on NBC-TV on Dec. 19, 1968 (I know, I viewed it on my parents' circa-1957 Ford Philco monochrome T.V. set as a 14-year-old)! This is a sterling DVD edition. Lots of laughs, songs and cute girls to help Dean fumble his way through songs (while glancing at his clear fingernail lacquer). Yet, there is a certain sadness in viewing this special. It's from a period of time that is rapidly receding from us--a kind of nostalgic doppler-shift, like the fading sound of a lonely, distant steamtrain whistle in the night. While we'll never see the living likes of Dean Martin and his 1968 cast again in this world, at least their electron ghosts live on--if but for a few more years, constrained only by the misty amber of the video-playback media in which they are preserved.

Finally, they got the songs, the clarity and PRICE to match up! Now keep in mind this is NOT the 1967 Sinatra & Martin Christmas special that we all want. From what I have gathered for so many years, the two families can't agree on it so we might have to wait another 45 yrs for that to happen. Get it together and make it happy please!!But if you want to have fun, kick back with a cocktail you will enjoy this.Brief description:Dean singing Marshmallow world with two hot cuties and a smoke in hand, awesome!Bob Newhart skit returning an item to a store, Dean as your store clerkGoldiggers doing a medley of songs with and without Dean, thanks ladies!Comedy of Dom D. by himself.Dean at bar then with Ken Lane at piano a brief hello with Bob Hope but NO COUCH SCENE DAMN IT!AGAIN TIME LIFE-DO ONE DVD OF JUST DEAN ON THE COUCH FOR $10!!!Silent Movie skit with Jack Webb and Dom D.Dennis Weaver singing with kids (go make another drink and take your time!)Cast singingDean sings-AWESOMEMany guest-fundraiser.Ok Time-Life, your back on track! Now each year give us another Christmas special, Thanksgiving and keep it as original as possible. Neil D. whatever role you played in this, THANKS!! And again to the family members of Dean, we all THANK YOU for keeping Deans fans in your heart and wish you all the very best in 2013.

How can you not like Dean Martin? Always half in the bag! Surrounded by beautiful women! And always lots of celebrities in his tapes! *****

My family always watched "The Dean Martin Show" when I was growing up; I am sure I saw this when it first aired in December of '68. It's fun to see Dean, Bob Newhart, Dom Deluise and Bob Hope in all their variety show glory. The songs are well produced (I always wanted to be a Gold Digger when I grew up) and the skits are silly and dated (but who cares?); the only complaint is that at times the sound and picture show signs of age and wear. As an adult, I have missed those yearly Christmas specials - so it is nice to be able to re-live those days with this DVD. And you get an extra treat with an introduction by the old NBC Peacock announcement that "the following program is brought to you in living color". Yes, in hind sight what might have once been 'cool" and cutting edge is now slightly cheesy - but that is what makes this even more endearing. I also appreciate that this DVD contains an entire show - and not just a "best parts" version, which has been the standard with reissues of Dean's shows, Red Skelton's and others.

Even though I wasn't even born yet when this show first aired on TV, I grew up listening to Dean Martin in our home, and have recently rediscovered him (among others like Sinatra, Como, Williams and Bennet). I bought this dvd because I thought it would be a fun holiday show, and I was right! I shared it with my mom who has Alzheimer's Disease, and her face lit up and she smiled and sang along with some of her holiday favorites. My favorite is "Marshmallow World" and I was glad to see it included on this dvd. The program ends with a bunch of stars naming where they are donating toys (mostly children's hospitals and orphanages across the county). They don't show the names of the people as they talk, and the dvd notes just calls this part "Dean and 39 stars"... I was only able to identify 25 of them (some were obvious: Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, etc.). My mom knew more of them than I did! We only had the dvd for two days so far, but we've watched it three times already. I highly recommend it.

A trip down memory lane of the greatest all round entertainer of his time, Not just for Christmas.Fist class delivery and price.

I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my mother who in her younger years always enjoyed Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. I was expecting this to arrive on December 24, just in time for Christmas but to my pleasurable surprise, it arrived a full week ahead of schedule! Fantastic delivery service and the video brought back many wonderful memories for my mother. Fantastic find, Excellent service and highly recommend Layger, the seller! Most likely this will be the first of many purchases from them.

I'm a big Martin fan, but this Christmas show falls flat of the shows we remember. The best sketch is with Bob Newhart in (toupee). The rest of the show is drivel. To get in the Christmas spirit put an album on, you'll feel better in yourself then.

It is only 1 show, but the charm is worth it. The quality is good and the sound is perfect.

Fine family show. Everything I expected from a class act like Dean Martin. We miss him.