.::SETTEMBRE 2008::.

Frank Sinatra’s Biggest Fan

by LindAnn Lo Schiavo

Born in Hoboken , Frank Sinatra [ 12 December 1915 — 14 May 1998 ] was a singer and an actor popular with an international audience.  His most devoted fan, however, was my Aunt Elena.  Born and raised in Brooklyn , my aunt enjoyed taking the subway with her neighbors to catch the top acts in Manhattan . On September 8, 1935 , my aunt experienced love at first sight.  She and her chums went to the Capitol Theatre [1645 Broadway] at the corner of West 51st Street . For years, Major Bowes was hosting a radio show featuring amateur talent. The success of any act was meant to be judged by audience reaction — — both from the studio and from phone calls by radio listeners. She was in the studio audience when The Hoboken Four — — a quartet with Frank Sinatra as their lead singer — — appeared on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, broadcasting from the stage. There was a huge audiometer used at the Capitol to gauge audience applause, while the at-home listeners could vote by dialing MUrray Hill 8-9933. My aunt clapped so hard that her hands still stung the next day. Arnold Shaw, in his book "Sinatra," explained the award’s potential: "The total tally gave first prize to the group, who then became part of a Major Bowes traveling unit. While on tour, each member of The Hoboken Four received $50 dollars a week plus meals. The quartet remained on the road for several months, eventually travelling as far as Hollywood , where mounting dissension and a fight let to Frank's abruptly leaving the group and returning to New Jersey ."  During the Depression, when $50 a week was a huge sum, the decision to walk away from that opportunity meant the 19-year-old figured he had better chances going solo. Before rising to the level of recording star, Frank Sinatra continued to seek exposure on radio; for instance, he sang on many WAAT and WNEW sustaining (non sponsored) radio shows. This air time enabled the blue-eyed crooner to be heard in the important Greater Metropolitan New York City area market. Harry James, while listening to a broadcast, traveled to the Rustic Cabin to hear Sinatra live and sign him to his first major contract. While appearing with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey from 1939 — 1942, Sinatra appeared on numerous radio segments.

When several radio shows featured the recurring appearance of Frank Sinatra, my aunt took a seat in the studio audience as often as possible. Her enthusiastic applause can be heard on "Reflections" [CBS Radio] in October 1942; on "Your Hit Parade" which was sponsored by Lucky Strike [CBS Radio] and was heard on Saturdays at 9:00 PM during 1943 — 1944; and also on January 1943, during a salute to the President's Birthday when Sinatra sang "Night and Day" [CBS Radio] with the Sammy Kaye Orchestra. Beginning in October 1943, my aunt would venture to CBS Studio to enjoy the series "Songs by Sinatra" broadcast on Sundays from 7:15 — 7:30 PM.  "Songs by Sinatra" led to the CBS Radio show "The Frank Sinatra Show" in 1944. My aunt also was a regular at the CBS Radio show "Frank Sinatra in Person" (1944).  After World War II ended, Sinatra was starring on the NBC Radio show "Meet Frank Sinatra" (1950 — 1951), which she attended religiously. "He would drink a cup of tea during the segment," she recalled. "By the end of the show, fans would always steal the saucer, cup, or spoon to take home.”  But she never did.  “I didn’t want a dish,” she laughed. “I wanted HIM!” Though there were other people on these shows, they left no impression. She only had eyes for Frankie Boy.  After hearing her lovingly recount these memories for years, Sinatra loomed large in my imagination.  And in 1968, I came face to face with her idol. I strolled out of The Drama Book Shop and on to a movie set. Frank Sinatra and Lee Remick were filming an outdoor scene for “The Detective.”  The scene called for his character, Detective Sergeant Joe Leland, to stand in the street eating a frankfurter from a hot dog cart.  Then 52 years old, Sinatra was no longer a bobby-soxer’s dreamboat.  It was surprising to notice that he wore a bad toupee and was so short that the director made him stand on a box.  Moreover, Lee Remick was much lovelier in person than she ever appeared onscreen. I was wearing an off-white cape and white boots. The lobby I had walked out of was where the extras were stationed. A group was supposed to exit the building and be seen in the background as Miss Remick’s character Karen Wagner Leland was arguing with her husband. As the cameras were rolling, I managed to merge with the extras.  As the crowd exits a building that is supposed to be a theatre in “The Detective,” Detective Joe Leland makes disparaging remarks about cultured individuals. My screen scene lasted seconds but you can clearly see me on camera — — except if you are my aunt. Lee Remick did not register with her nor did she notice the hotdog cart. Even at her age, she only has eyes for Frank Sinatra. Now that’s devotion.