O.T. PART 3 - DESK RATS

Now this is a fun little object - a "Rat Pack" glass candle holder. It's actually a sticker designed by artist Shag that someone stuck on one of those glass candles and marked up from 50 cents to $6.00 (for the imagery alone). But I love it - it's an image of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. aka, "The Rat Pack" - or at least, the three main members.

A bit of Hollywood trivia - Humphrey Bogart was the original leader of the "Rat Pack." Although Sinatra's "Rat Pack" was very different from his, Bogart was the official founder and leader of the "Rats" (as he called them), comprising a group of hard-drinking buddies in Hollywood. Frank, a friend, was a member of the "Rats" and, when Bogart died in 1957, Sinatra borrowed the title for his "Rat Pack." But they say he didn't care for the name - he would rather they be called "the Summit," being that they (Frank, Dean, Sammy, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford) were at the time in the top echelon of show biz.

I love Sinatra's music the best and feel his voice and style are almost magical - there has never been and may never be anyone like him. However, Dean Martin was my favorite "rat." I've seen and collected lots of old TV footage of his performances in video biographies and can even remember my parents watching his TV show and "roast" shows - but no matter what he was in, it was obvious that he was never happier or thoroughly enjoying life than he was when he was performing. If I am walking through a store at Christmastime and hear his distinct voice come over the speakers - it puts an instant, inexplicable smile on my face. I once saw Sammy drive by in a convertible along La Brea Ave when he was the Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade - he died shortly thereafter of throat cancer.



These were actually stars of my parents generation, but I have a fond appreciation for these classic artists. As of now, they seem to live on in contemporary pop art, which is a good sign that they'll live on for years to come. However, I often wonder if, let's say, 40 years from now, someone born many years after me will have a similar candle on their desk with cartoon images of George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Don Cheadle? Hmm....