BEST DEAN MARTIN MOVIES
“Living It Up” (1954)
Martin and then-partner Jerry Lewis were at their peak of tandem fame when they made this fine example of their teamwork, playing pals who get an all-expenses-paid trip to New York under false pretenses.
“The Young Lions” (1958)
Embarking on his own after the end of his partnership with Lewis, Martin had a lot riding on this World War II drama about soldiers in North Africa, and the positive reviews he earned for it set him up for a solo acting career.
“Some Came Running” (1958)
Before their “Rat Pack” days began, Martin worked with close friend Frank Sinatra in this adaptation of James Jones’ novel about a military veteran’s (Sinatra) complications upon returning to his Indiana hometown.
“Rio Bravo” (1959)
Martin and John Wayne worked together for the first time in director Howard Hawks’ great Westernabout a sheriff under siege from those who want his latest prisoner set free.
“Bells Are Ringing” (1960)
Martin was right at home starring in one of his few outright screen musicals, adapted from a stage hit about a tooinvolved answering-service operator (Judy Holliday).
“Ocean’s 11” (1960)
The “Rat Pack” movies began with the best of them, with Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, and company as military veterans who reunite to rob multiple Las Vegas casinos on New Year’s Eve. The film will be shown as part of a tribute to Martin in Turner Classic Movies on Friday, Nov. 26.
“Toys in the Attic” (1963)
Making a literally dramatic departure from his norm, Martin starred in the film of Lillian Hellman’s play about a man whose new marriage was threatened by his sinister sisters (Geraldine Page, Wendy Hiller).
“Kiss Me, Stupid” (1964)
Martin plays an exaggerated version of himself (even named “Dino”) waylaid in a Nevada town on his way back to Los Angeles in this Billy Wilder comedy.
“The Sons of Katie Elder” (1965)
Martin reteamed with John Wayne, with Earl Holliman and Michael Anderson Jr., also along, in the title roles of this genre-honoring Western classic as the troublefinding siblings try to honor the memory of the late Katie.
“The Silencers” (1966)
The first of the four Matt Helm secret-agent movies contoured the literary character to Martin’s breezy style ... complete with songs by him on the soundtrack.
“Airport” (1970)
Martin had a chunky role just made for him in producer Ross Hunter’s glossy, Oscarwinning adaptation of Arthur Hailey’s bestseller, casting him as a maritally unfaithful pilot who has to deal with a potential bomber (Van Heflin) aboard a flight to Rome.
“The Cannonball Run” (1981)
While he wasn’t the nominal star of the picture, Martin clearly had fun reuniting with “Rat Pack” pal Sammy Davis Jr. to play entrants – disguised as clergymen – in a no-holds-barred auto race.