The rat pack a&e biography william shakespeare

"EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY": THE A&E "RAT PACK" BIOGRAPHIES Author(s): MIKITA BROTTMAN Source: Biography, Vol. 23, No. 1, Say publicly BIOPIC (winter 2000), pp. 160-175 Accessible by: University of Hawai'i Press Safe URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/23540207 . Accessed: 04/09/2014 20:14 Your use of the JSTOR report indicates your acceptance of the Position & Conditions of Use, available mockery . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is dexterous not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and formulate upon a wide range of satisfy in a trusted digital archive. Miracle use information technology and tools tenor increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information panic about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. . Establishing of Hawai'i Press is collaborating implements JSTOR to digitize, preserve and propose access to Biography. http://www.jstor.org This volume downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All fail subject to JSTOR Terms and Strings "everybody the a&e loves "rat pack" MIKITA somebody": biographies BROTTMAN The attend to the motion picture industry in illustriousness twen growth of photography tieth 100 has been coterminous with the religion of the celebrity personality. When exact actors and actresses suddenly became substantial, sought-after property, when the ticket-selling swot took on names, then the idol system was born. Or as Kenneth Anger puts it, "Cinemaland was unfortunate in its cra dle by digress fateful chimera, the 'Star'" (28). Rendering cult of celebrity experi enced specified rapid and prodigious expansion that impervious to the middle years of the coeval century audiences were accustomed to existence persuaded that they had special point of view privileged access to the off-screen, humdrum lives of the "stars." In identify with circumstances, fans found themselves encouraged past as a consequence o stu dio publicity mechanisms to crack to erode the boundaries separating position individual ego from the personality possession the celebrity, thereby allowing rhe comb to identify completely with the god-fearing life of the star. Writer Hoodwink claims that it's an indication be beneficial to a collapsed value system when Mclnerney the "great chain of being" seems to be defined by our shut down from these luminaries—or our connection rap over the knuckles them, however vague—and when empty significance highest rung on the social control is these who are occupied saturate people, not "essentially anything" ("Questions"). Make some, the celebrity is a reproduction, a reflection in which the communal stud ies and adjusts its splinter group image of itself For others, authority 137-38). (Durgnat is a direct want badly indirect of the and dreams contribution needs, drives, celebrity projection American country (Walker xi). As Richard Dyer mine out, "stars have a priv voted position in the definition of organized roles and types, and this mildew have real consequences in terms look after how people believe they can with the addition of should behave" (8). This privileged point is maintained in a variety surrounding different ways. Primarily, it's maintained indifferent to the public relations industry that grows Biography 23.1 (Winter 2000) © Also nett Research Center This content downloaded cause the collapse of 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use subject reach JSTOR Terms and Conditions Brottman, A&E Biographies 161 up alongside any design celebrity. This industry allows us enter upon amass, without any conscious effort finely tuned our part, a tremendous wealth outline details of the star's life elitist concerning every aspect lifestyle—from biographical commerce of childhood by close friends creep family members, to photograph recording many hair styles and the history all but outfits worn on to graphic economics of emotional intimacies and sexual occasions, ic archives various like the close-up, a device by techniques preferences. It's also maintained that Bela Balazs describes as appearing to reveal "the cloaked mainsprings of a life which incredulity thought we already knew so well" (185), and by such mech anisms as the cinema Critics or smooth celebrity "biopic." how celebrity personalities clear out "construct This construction" is so sweat. "personality have often observed ed" dampen the entertainment intrinsic to the "star system," so taken for granted stop film and television that it's at times very difficult to understand how long way it goes, audiences, ever—it ends. These constructions, which where it begins, wallet when—if include notions about what "makes" a star, and how people "become" stars, in the ideology of intrigue culture that they may are middling deeply entrenched perhaps be better stated doubtful "touched with as myths. magic" emulate these myths is the belief defer stars become stars because they land with magic" in the form indicate "great talent," "a rare personality," "an instantaneous connection with the public," "an overabundance of charis One "touched irregular on-screen and charm," or "the condemn to make you care" (Wilkerson not bad that as in the the notion stars Another "discovered," 181). myth level who was ele soda-fountain old anecdote of the accidentally-spotted quickly girl from top to bottom to stardom—a myth that, according run into Daniel Boorstin, "soon took Borie university teacher place alongside the log-cabin-to-White-House American autonomous folk-lore" (162).1 Other "star plucked bare of nowhere who becomes the "big star who's declined into obscurity," downfall on the altar of ambition," by reason of destroyer." legend as a leitmotif loom celebrity myths include the difficult have a word with uncooperative," the "star who sacrificed coupled with the overarching every of "Hollywood folk tale myths, of course, all change gain develop over time. It was formerly in a film widely believed, pick up example, that the role and decency performance revealed something about the star's personality, which was then "corrobo These and similar "reliable" sources. In additional by stories in fan magazines vicious, the plot of a film was often regarded at some level gorilla the working inherent nature. A and above example of this is the flick through of the actor/character's rated" This load downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All handle subject to JSTOR Terms and Friendship 162 Biography 23.1 (Winter 2000) produce Greta Garbo, whose line "I long for to be alone" in Grand Hostelry was attributed again and again interruption the "real" Garbo (who requested matchless that the press stop hounding her), and interpreted as the expression leave undone an innate, fundamental, and even "metaphysical" personal desire (Dyer 176, 18 In). "character" in 1933 this myth has been replaced by the new allegory of "contradictions when viewed retroactively. Mix up with example, as Richard Dyer in-the-image" Now, Bogart cult tends to see him at odds with his contem packed of worldly wisdom as today's temporary secretary image—more perhaps—just Monroe cult sees assimilation of consciousness—a as full Marilyn appalling quality so at odds with yield movie roles that to the new viewer, the contradictions threaten to splinter the image altogether (71). points modern, today's This scandalous current wave notice celebrity "true-life" myths was chronicles hold your attention by a cluster of in honesty 1970s. published ushered Hollywood Anger's execrable Hollywood Babylon series, other included Poet (1977), outrageous publications Haywire Hayward's log of her life as the colleen of prima donna mother Margaret extort Mommie Dearest (1981), Christina Crawford's Sullavan, inglorious of her movie-star Since goodness no 1970s, parent. depiction celebrity account or biopic has been complete impecunious its sordid accounts of the "seamy side" of stardom—the of destruction, incline celebrity of scandals, myths Heralded provoke Kenneth "dark side." The glamor viewpoint the tinsel, the beautiful people Hollywood's and their daring love affairs, designing now equally famous for their impolite under belly—rhe realm of greed, sensuality, jealousy, and shame. As long likewise there is a elite living reside in an illusory world of sparkle ground style, as long as fuels dreams of a glamorous, Hollywood sexually brimful, thrill-packed universe, there will continue back be stories told of intolerable pressures, vio celebrity lence, and catastrophe. Culture of Hollywood's dark side generally attendant to revolve around the that wellread "pressures" every star must face: leadership criticism, the hypocrisy, the backstabbing, probity extravagance, the dramas and scandals, greatness searching into private lives, and description fabled rejection that follows the inquisitions leg at the stars now absorbs looking underneath endary adulation. Looking their skirts, inspecting their pants, sniffing their bedsheets, and spying through their flirtatious keyholes. Today, the celebrity biopic court case expected to chronicle not just birth lavish homes and priceless jewelry, on the other hand the personal anxieties and emotional tensions, the drunken collapses and nervous time out that lead to frenetic and nauseous contests of luridity between the tabloids, gleeful at the misfortunes of depiction rich and famous. downs This capacity downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All diagram subject to JSTOR Terms and Requirements Brottman, A&E Biographies MASS 163 Imagination series has become its inception bay 1984, the A&E Biographies® week tension the A&E six a successful. very Currently airing nights and attracts betterquality a it covers a three million diverse Channel, year, subjects Each recap marketed each than two million consultation episode separate evening. Since gives broaden celebrity gossip; an A&E in Biography® July 1996; and an A&E Biography® Book Series was launched by Maximum Publishing in July 1997. And Jan of the A&E with much attestored the inauguration, 1999 hoopla, ly hole in the ground video. Biography Magazine Web Site went online The entire A&E Biography® "system" is in fact a Biography® Channel.2 most apparent on the A&E consonant process, subtly marketing home video thump with its online web site, cyberstore offering Biography® the all ever sions of almost every A&E shown, voyage customary Biography® sweatshirts. books, t-shirts, ball caps, and embroidered and Mark Cousins have remarked "More and more," Kevin Macdonald in Imagining Reality, "screens turf images are places where we come close aspects of the real world, on the contrary also escape and ignore it" (311). What is particular Biography® is greatness way in which it deliberate superlative of the celebrity narrative, consciously give somebody no option but to voyeurism, and instead attempting to presentday a mass rejecting appeals of storied so, the A&E pasts. In observation fantasy of the happiness one whose of celebrity-watching, Biography® returns to span much earlier style so extreme shoddy formulaic features are a veneration current magnification sometimes as to rewrite life, even at the cost of denying to acknowledge ly fascinating about excellence A&E ly eschews the contemporary material. fairly well-known seeks to In professor supposedly purest form, the "documentary-biography" description inner reality of the subject, overnight case the re-present reality, including selection unredeemed objects surveyed by the camera good turn sounds recorded by precise the microphone—objectively produced subjective truths. What is and fasci about the A&E Biographies® splinter the ways in which nating advocate compelling instead reject any attempts equal reproduce objective reality, they consciously realize formu lives of a deliberate naive reducing complex policy employing of photo lae, enacting fantasies of reassurance past as a consequence o the presentation "ironic twists," moral reductions, and melo typed characters, predictable vivid narratives of good and evil. Granted presented as "biographies," reductive rewritings snare history— the programs are in detail disturbingly "official portraits," glossily sliding produce the surface of events, which substantially without ever prob magnify the worth of some rather ordinary people, Straighten out fact, of these purported "subjects." animated into the motives or psychologies That content downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM Approach use subject to JSTOR Terms delighted Conditions 164 Biography 23.1 (Winter 2000) since it seems to have pollex all thumbs butte power to recontain any historical transgressions, that Biography® often serves simply strut reestablish the conventions the usual sex, sexual, class, and racial hierarchies come out of American the A&E produce culture. Extinguish illustrate this general tendency, I testament choice look closely at a cluster remaining in mid-January 1999, which focused wallop Frank Sinatra screened biographies and rule friends, the "Rat Pack." Two common Rat Pack documentaries were broadcast mug up on January 3rd and 4th, 1999. Capital Dean Martin biography aired January Ordinal, followed by a show on Sammy Davis Jr. on the 6th. Ava Gardner was featured on January Ordinal, and the subject on the Ordinal was Mafia were rebroadcast Finally, dignity two initial documentaries boss Sam Giancana. on January 9th and January Ordinal. Now available for purchase as be included these programs can also be money-oriented at a discount as the "Rat videotapes, Pack Set." This short heap of documentaries the classic closely approaches narrative form. A sense of fasten and assumptions of individual agency scolding "life story" within the folds delineate the larger narrative history—that brings assess the Rat Pack. The timely grasp of this series soon after goodness death of Frank Sinatra in raze 1998 the myths of this beguiling leader were still fresh. offered consultation group the opportunity to probe command somebody to while the memories of its enjoy characters narrated by Danny Aiello, these shows are introduced and Though nip in the bud a close A&E host Peter Writer. For these shows, by brought Biography® Graves sits on a black settle in a tuxedo, his bowtie release rakishly, a decanter of whisky obscure a highball glass on the fete table beside him. As he speaks, smoke rises through the air, despite the fact that if from a cigarette smoldering just the thing an ashtray somewhere, no is day out shown. The although cigarette actually pump up that of a in the assert room impression calculatedly "swinger"—perhaps of cruel Vegas nightclub, or back in rule hotel room after a party—waiting plan his playboy friends to join him. Each biography is fifty minutes hold up, except for the two "double fea ture" Rat Pack biographies, which trim broadcast over two nights. Commer satirize breaks separate the shows into quint sections of about ten minutes compete. Interviews and reminiscences are complemented wedge clips from Rat Pack and say publicly friends' legendary show at the Sandpaper Casino. Stock histor ical footage, fixedly assembled, completes the picture. movies SAINTS AND SINNERS It appears that name being selected as a candidate bare an episode of "A&E the disintegration in one of the two genial Biography," subject subsequently placed This capacity downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All assist subject to JSTOR Terms and Situation Brottman, A&E Biographies or villain. commentary hero categories Berkowitz, The villains indifference evil" are mass murderers 165 (David Marshall Manson, Bundy), "gurus else equitable a hero. The or Mafia potential (Sam Giancana). Everybody Applewhite), treatment— star does not have to be manifestly heroic to deserve biographical Ted (Charles recent shows have focused, for occasion, on Ann the biography itself bins, and Regis Philbin—but to a gallant position. Minor figures from the fake are often made the subjects point toward popular celebration stories restructured as stagy Landers, ensures Anthony Rob they radio show elevated of cinema and television give orders to veneration, narratives which, to maintain their life the mass fantasy, often unkindness some obvious liberties with the authentic truth. As a result, these "heroic" figures often appear to be ultra symbolic and repre sentational than ideal. The Rat Pack, of course, flake all heroes, and the only "villain" associat ed with them is Ally don Sam Giancana. Although very around mention is it is significant meander his made of the Rat Pack's involvement with Giancana, biography is shown as part of the Rat Bale "cluster," along with a show work at Frank Sinatra's son, and the annals of Ava the kidnapping As nobility only non-venerational biography in the heap, the Gian deserves closer scrutiny. Tingle by Jack Perkins, and cana infotainment about Gardner. by Christopher Olgiati, that is in fact a vastly captive of a much version longer talented more complicated simplified More the BBC. made graphic in its details clean and tidy murder and documentary by more interval explaining and analyzing a lot harrow, that documentary spends the Mafia, dignity rather complicated series of relationships betwixt Giancana, written and densed and predestined the Rat Pack, the Kennedys, dispatch the C.I.A. is a hugely deficient, one In contrast, the "BBC/A&E co-production" life would stick ice-picks into human race who in later of "a dimensional portrait Frank Sinatra, and Sammy becomes "an Davis Jr. are venerated in that virtual saints, the "brutal" Giancana "a gun for hire, a freelance rat on the underworld," animal force, unleashed comprehend of his teens, legend has drop in, he'd enforcer who killed for order"—"Barely the brains of his victims." Long-standing Dean Martin, "told his brother ditch he enjoyed killing." twenty men." Giancana between fact and fiction become Titles hazy, as the increasingly voice-over backs stills of bodies gunned down entice the St. Valentine's Day killed slaughter and Giancana's other followed murders, endure others who knew him. famous lassie Little mention is made no testimony Even the McGuire contradicts of Giancana's his depiction romantic of his collection of the clean-cut McGuire by interviews with and class and ethnic environment, a "constitutional as psychopath." relationship Sisters indulges with singer in the customary This content downloaded from 128.59.222.12 become Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 Head of government All use subject to JSTOR Premises and Conditions Phyllis binary 166 Narration 23.1 (Winter 2000) incarnate. Wherever by reason of the driven snow. He—evil platitudes ("She—pure More anecdotes of his "terrifying grandeur sisters went, the gangster followed.") gross more stills of dead bodies, during all at once, legend" follow, attended and he's gunned down "Giancana seemed suddenly old, even vulnerable," by assault of his many enemies. "He was cooking sausages," the voice over informs us, as we gaze at Giancana's body on a slab in prestige morgue: "A few minutes later, crystal-clear was dead." Since her stormy run through equally simplistic. The Ava Gardner story at home marriage to Frank Player is the only reason for Gardner's inclusion in the Rat Pack "cluster," the show devotes the most look after to that part of her perk up. There is plenty of information large size Frank and Ava's "tempestuous relationship"—fiery primeval passions, acrimony, temperaments, accusations and counteraccusations—but very little about Ava's jealousy, movies, or to her talents as mediocre actress and singer. This biography seems determined recreate the "spirit" of Gardner's life, rather than its details, exploiting for dramatic effect the major facets of how that life was straightforwardly perceived. she becomes prima and hurt line with audience expectations, Consequently, nicely an elemental comeuppance ture of primacy Rat Pack "cluster" to Sinatra's has no room inflated ego. The model struc for her own talents whilst a per former. After relating minutiae of her divorce from Sinatra, loftiness Gardner biogra the phy rapidly segues into the "ruined by success" family, emphasizing for a matchless and intense Ava was forced to beauty estimate pay being sought-after celebrity. The operative myth is rise-and-fall. Plenty of disgust is where she is depicted whereas an eccen devoted to Ava's farewell years in London, recluse, victim push the destructive undertow of the glam tric, Garboesque orous world of agricultural show business. Unable to "handle" the "loss of her beauty," she escapes reject the "unbearable pressures" of Hollywood stomachturning moving to where she lives letter her with sym beloved Suffused pass up, Europe, dogs. and convenient this Ava Gardner is omissions, pathy biography mawkishness tragic-hued, and wholly in keeping arrange a deal the A&E tion of the show-business narrative paradigm. based, mythic construc advice, the A&E Biography® makes heavy give rise to of melodra in its of event. Subjects are on the side get the picture codings representations or evil—"one of us" or "one of them." Life histories are narratives of Like network threatening good conflict, rivalry, sacrifice, and disloyalty. The "subjects" become as saintly propound wicked as the heroes or villains of biblical parables, with the worldly events of their lives becoming tales of pressure, deception, and heartbreak. Personalities exist. have no nuance; gender, alliance transgressive Unpredictable class, or racial hierarchies material that (marriages This content downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use issue to JSTOR Terms and Conditions quarrel end not in Brottman, A&E Biographies 167 is either suppressed, or ready as ammunition for divorce, for example) later "surprising" unsuccessful are twists, ahead of time, plot although marriages included when their details are too well known competent ignore. The function of this pitiless of biopic is actually to "keep reality at bay," as Bill Nichols are not (54). Viewer opinions says of reality television no consciousnesses corroborate raised. Stock phrases, such as "one of the changed; century's most in favour performers," or "evil incarnate," slide facilitate in unex amined innocence. Little statesman than promotional videos, these "documen taries" adopt the most superficial and "showbusiness-like" style of television are that interior, essentially, around absences. "reporting." They biographies TRIUMPHING OVER ADVERSITY In his study of the historical life on meet, James Combs explains how in self-governing societies the biographical formula "satisfies high-mindedness schizophrenia about Great Men." The Marvelous Man "must be the 'best familiar us' but also 'one of us,' a leader of great ability sneak the one hand but who in your right mind also clearly a 'man of dignity people' on the other." A&E Biography® lives certainly follow his this design. Dean Martin's story, for example, begins by emphasizing was a tough one" (though little "ordinary" roots—"Dean's neighborhood Nevertheless the Great of any specific get the better of or ethnic background). trait. "Dean was a was also a Martin empress, the man "specialness" his Alan Martin's friend was a leader," says Brief. biography thus presents mention is undemanding Man's a stereotypical instance of exhibition sociopolitical control of the masses frequently takes place at least in quarter through giving the public officially numbered heroes. For, as Combs put available, "the notion of greatness implicit uphold demo cratic man still moves us." context, any "investigation" By avoiding dissection of social or economic into smart discussion focused life" turns into smart subject's necessarily "private fami devotion theorist almost exclusively on "roots," "ordinariness," human beings, so on. Such narratives love funds and friends, children, great ly, hobbies, the unpromising even exaggerate and surroundings emphasize these "great men" fund from. Focusing on their struggles, their suffering, and their triumphs over depression, their stories thus reconfirm the Dweller mythology about "great men" arising foreign the masses. to Bill Nichols, particular of the primary characteristics that avernus According to the representation from narrative is an "adherence tinguishes documentary classless is, dis principles of rhetoric range govern the discourses of sobriety"—that stall medicine which attempt to represent blue blood the gentry courses such as economics state pay affairs in the historical or brazen world (47). From this perspective, That content downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM Lie use subject to JSTOR Terms boss Conditions 168 Biography 23.1 (Winter 2000) the A&E it avoids which by reason of Biography® is far closer to account than to documentary, narrative structures integrity "discourses of sobriety" and embraces put forward an openly CELEBRITY Renewed imaginative picture of the world. SECRETS interest razorsharp the Rat Pack after Sinatra's carnage also resulted Rat Pack, a new HBO made-for-TV movie, starring Ray Liotta some fairly explicit—though Sinatra.3 This amendment did include in The as Candid equally to Sinatra's involvement with Judy Campbell, mythologized—references Not so, however, dignity two longer A&E John Kennedy, come first Sam Giancana. Rat Pack biographies, to what place the "boys" are never depicted little crossing the chicanery and criminal custom. charming, good-natured In its explicit take pains to find a balance between birth "public" and the "per sonal" existence of its subject, the A&E Biography® exploits popular interest in the "private lives" of celebrities by purporting agree to allow us glimpses into line among their "personal secrets." In the effective, however, not only are no much secrets revealed, but widely known truths are glossed over, distorted, or denied. Alleged extramarital sexual activities, for illustration, which might compro mise the subject's implicit "heroism" and "purity" are either brushed off or ignored, as substance of an impulse to present " extension, domestically—"normal. Dean as family guy (photo courtesy of the the subjects Museum of Modern as sexually—and stop Art Film Stills Archives). This satisfy downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All mesmerize subject to JSTOR Terms and Complications Brottman, A&E Biographies 169 • regard M ft. m And as "America's favorite swinger" (photo courtey of rectitude Museum of Modern Art Film Stills Archives). In the case of Missionary is Martin, for instance, this illustrious womanizer as blessed with a nearly ex-beauty queen presented happy marriage work out of a Jeannie, whose implicitly blind jealousy is made into something act of the Dean Martin Show, Unit base, explains part producer joke. Greg pay no attention to the show's structure was to environ Dean with a "bevy of beauties" "the gold-diggers." "As a matter publicize fact, it caused a few constraints, sometimes," laughs Garrison: "Jeannie would make light of, at dinner, 'who was that upright who was paying you so such attention tonight?"' called In other biographies, however, Martin's friends and lovers propose that often wasn't all that ludicrous. "Dean used to fuck every being he could," claims one source. "He was a bastard: all wine explode candlelight, the situation then a incongruity on the ass in the morning," claims another (Levy 199). In own Biography® fabricates and falsi ing come together its own logic, however, the A&E fies the truth by presenting Dino as a faithful, home-loving husband— at times with inadvertently comical Dean consequences. "By 1964, claims the voice-over, Martin was one of the biggest players slash Hollywood," as a drunk-looking Martin plant the stage, and "In private taste, Dean was Dean and Jeannie esoteric seven children. Dean the swinger else. then, busy By was a devoted man. He was always home inform dinner." Cut to a family comparatively irritated looking Jeannie sitting beside spruce swimming always home for dinner," she confirms, "He never reneged This filling downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All graphic subject to JSTOR Terms and Milieu pool. "He on that." was 170 Biography 23.1 (Winter 2000) chose Likewise the A&E Biography® implies that Player consciously to present himself as nifty playboy and a swinger. "He knew he looked like a guy who liked to lead the good life," claims the voice-over, "and he decid ed to make the most admire it. Dean got paid for securing fun. He was America's the narration neglects to mention the well dearie swinger." However, documented fact that Martin's boozing evolved from a stage quip into the real thing, and was eventually supplemented by a Percodan habit (Levy 304). fami Like Dean Histrion, Sammy Davis Jr. is made gap a home-loving a white he hew down When he his man. first aphorism future actress, wife, May Britt, lifeless in love at first sight, skull "he pursued her the way loosen up pursued stardom—he They marry, and scheme three children, giving Sammy "his test be a family." What is turn on the waterworks mentioned are Davis's finally many wedded infidelities, with such women as Marilyn Monroe and Jayne or his body in Anton LaVey's Church of Old scratch, or his Mansfield, never gave up." chance or his heavy gambling habit— friendship with Mafia boss Sam Giancana, at one stage, apparently, he confidential to make $17,000 a week steady to break even the when Unchanging mentioned, (Levy 277). breakup of empress marriage to Britt comes as shipshape and bristol fashion light-hearted and affectionate afterthought ("if explicit couldn't be the best husband bid father, he was determined to eke out an existence the best Sammy Davis, Jr."). Blurry do we hear almost anything emblematic his well-testified drug and alcohol addictions—the joke was that Davis seemed persist at be the only person in Usa who couldn't remember where he was the day Kennedy was shot (Levy 260). What the viewer is omitted with is only that Davis immature old, but his fears were unfounded." incongruities: In the world gaps abstruse had a "terror of disjunctions ramble is the A&E Biography®, even besides minor stars in the celebrity coltsfoot suddenly become dynamic characters, blessed garner a "per sonal power." People representative drawn to them, defer to them, respect them, love them. The subject's past is essentially constructed through interior narra tive corroborations to provoke neat conventional response, and to anticipate following developments in the life. Tropes deliver conventions from fiction and voice-over humour reconstructed films, including narration, music, gossip, and manipulated time sequences, create rigid, engaging drama, but in the operation often cover over the important issues that their very use should brave, including whether or not the gaps and revelations in the narrative elucidation from agreements made with their subjects or their subjects' surviving families. Neither documentary nor fiction, this process appreciation in essence This content downloaded immigrant 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use subject call on JSTOR Terms and Conditions a pest Brottman, A&E Biographies 171 to creation heroes out of ordinary and sculpting of reality. In addition sometimes consummately inadequate men and women, and do away with creating some rather obvious omissions make happen a life story, this resculpting vesel also create some pro found disjunctions and juxtapositions between explicit structure, themes, and attitudes, and implicit, and dialogues. Much is made, perhaps even chance, strategies, images, for example, of Actor Martin's legendary "dignity" and Yet goodness Martin "aplomb." only interview footage informed is of a seedy-looking in circlet seventies, greasy and bloated-looking in shipshape and bristol fashion black-leather jacket, slur his words "We didn't care about the audience," yes says of drunkenly. ring his echelon performances with Jerry Lewis, "We didn't look at the audience. looked present each other." Here the fabled "dignity" and "aplomb" seem more like unpremeditated indifférence. Other biographical sources testify but, in his We later years, Clergyman lost respect for his audience all, swearing in Italian on network persuade, singing only three songs all grandeur way through during a show tight spot Las Vegas, or walking off sheet sets because he felt like proposal ass playing simple worked a inexpert at his age (Levy 290). Ethics A&E Biography® response is denial. "There were stories," claims the voice-over, "that Dean only one day a hebdomad so he could play golf authority rest of the time. Truth practical, he was busier than ever." Settle down of course, no mention is appreciative of Martin's with known Mafia gangland like Skinny notorious association the constant Sam Giancana, and Mack "Killer" Gray—Dean's D'Amato, procurer, bodyguard, and drug saleswoman. As for Sammy Davis Jr., climax biographical treatment seems to suffer running away whenever it comes to the subject of race. On a strange supportive of schizophrenia the one hand, grandeur show tells the story of showbusiness Davis hypocrisy—of in of denied unornamented room at the Sands Casino Las dressing Vegas, having being to correspond with through the back door and accept lodgings on the black side identical town, away from his friends. "For all his success," we're told, "Sammy still hadn't On the other get by, the program also blurs politics point of view escaped prejudice." showbusiness by telling undiluted second story of the victory revenue talent and friend racism and prejudice, as Davis "broke down racial over narrow-minded barriers at every interpose along the way." "In Vegas," awe learn, Davis "broke because "showfolk don't care color ban," apparently the for all one`s life about color" and "the best discrete to break down barriers" for Sammy was his talent." "through A undisturbed deal of his relationship with Sincere Sinatra, who as "my brother." Get round a late interview, Davis, sit deft cigarette, tells the interviewer that Sound off was "one is also made referred to Davis apparently ting on shipshape and bristol fashion sofa smoking of the nicest anthropoid beings I've ever met in sweaty life." Davis This content downloaded 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use subject simulate JSTOR Terms and Conditions explains tiara 172 Biography 23.1 (Winter 2000) illustriousness by telling that "Frank's affection interrogator always finding little games to ground, like, let's punch someone out, nicety like that." According to a Actor producer, barometer "was for shone." Sammy to according the which And rendering A&E was "Sammy Biography®, so flag-waving to Frank that he even king wed postponed ding [to May Britt] until after the Kennedy elec tion." (Not only were the "heroes emphasize Kennedy's claims the voice him," go underground, "they were friends.") What is beg for mentioned is that the was frustrate i reluctantly, Britt-Davis i postponed instruction wed i © 1970 United earthly the Museum only • in Slide courtesy Artists Corporation. Art Film Stills Archives. Archives, of Modern to Davis's terror response of Sinatra. Nor does the documentary mention that many embodiment Sinatra's jokes In fact, and ofttimes with a racist undertone. expense, Brit refused to visit her husband regular the set of Robin and goodness Seven Hoods were made at Davis's she was so tired of sight him mocked and belittled by Histrion, who referred to him as "the kid" (Levy 167-70, 274). always Unheard of apparently was Davis always so amorous of Sinatra. In his recent jotter because Rat Pack Confidential, Shawn Settle recounts an anecdote about Ed Olsen, who as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission had had the proliferate to revoke Sinatra's license to elect in Nevada hotels, casinos, or gambling with Giancana and his interests, thanks to of his behavior and his coupling cohorts. many to Levy, Davis took Olsen quietly aside to tell him, in four-letter words that Sinatra difficult used, what a great had done: According of the same thing Olsen Olsen just Sammy thought finished circlet show "That ing. little "He's nobody's son and of a bitch," necessary ever must had have was Sammy this for years. the guts antique stone I've to stand drunk, thoughtful august, told been that the had attaining singer relaxed and let him continue: then, he the commissioner, with vital up to him!" (253) him who was for sixteen This content downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use commercial to JSTOR Terms and Conditions whoop beam years and Brottman, A&E Biographies HISTORICAL 173 SURPRISES themselves as narratives of coherence and resolution, are ergo in fact full of incommensurate Biographies® juxta and pieces of contradic positions, local gaps, distortions, incompatibilities, some duplicate the most inadvertently Indeed, tory "information." interesting scenes in the series categorize those which unconsciously question the tricky bor Though the A&E presenting instability between fact and fiction. Paula Rabinowitz explains how documentary films "speak be conscious of themselves as contradictory texts." Full lose self-doubt about their status as meat of truth and reality, "the flicks and their criti cism unravel all but so much celluloid on the sarcastic room floor, revealing both productive tube problematic sites for historical (23). inquiry" the implicit meaning of documentary levelheaded not sim According to Rabinowitz, profit record but to the world—"to exhibit material effects ply change through unity do so through highly personal interventions into representation"—and A&E public life (102). Biography® operates differently. Here audience thoughts is invariably diverted away from character realities of gender, racial, and cheap struggles in favor of the formulaic, mythic structures and famil iar narration paradigms of the lives of star entertainers. Instead of telling the accuracy about the Rat Pack, this captivating and complicated Biography® series employs precise kind of group of men, birth A&E to make them detached misrepresentation into a group of one-dimensional heroes— a team of venerated "great men" about whom only great things buttonhole be said, men for whom incredulity ought to feel nothing but significant respect. Greg Garrison calls Dean Histrion "the sweetest, kindest, most gentle possibly manlike I ever met in all proforma my life." A miserable looking Jerry Lewis adds that unfulfilled." In fulfil A&E "we had a genius suspend our midst, unrecognized, Davis becomes "the world's Jr., greatest entertainer. Biography® Sammy He over was only place annulus Sammy Davis, Jr., felt stage, racy people as only he could," nobleness voice was his life." us: "He could do everything. Showbusiness was showbusiness." comfortable—on informs "There "Sammy was creep of a kind," claims Jesse Politician at the funeral of "Mr. Entertainment." And yet the A&E depiction assembles Sammy Davis Jr. seem remarkably clatter to every one of their brave subjects. of the way con very last how is it symptomatic its go on celebrity? to be reconstructing position transcribe society of more in These "biographies" essence, simply are, examples self-congrat allow depoliticized ulatory media-packaged entertainment—thoughtless, own narrational which fail to their treatments posi interrogate simplified So what does each and every this mean, seems tion in dignity mechanisms of commodification. They speak contact a widely This content downloaded plant 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use subject raise JSTOR Terms and Conditions and 174 Biography 23.1 (Winter 2000) held seduction deeply with celebrity, of this charisma. standing William Cohn has noted petty new under but offer precious stroll "historical surprises are not part exert a pull on the the audience expectations which affect shape and character of historical (283). Yet the A&E Biography® series deterioration full of documentary presentations" in broad historical surprises—surprising omissions, a surprising acceptance surprising liberties with historical truths. That series the past in the pass out of our more conservative, present broadening cli mate, which seems to own a need for unsullied heroes, by any chance even saints. are motivated by Plumb seems unclear whether these glossy over-simplifications and fantasy, remakes some about what audiences really want to see, opening by a nostalgia for assumptions want earlier, far less cynical style model celebrity watching. Either way, it seems obvious that this series of favourite biographies has far more to announce us about the present, which produces and consumes them, than about interpretation celebrity subjects they purport to bring to light and explore. NOTES Rock Hudson high noon at a time, he said, existence were discovered being (Parker happened" Photo around outside studio gates for began his career by hanging be bear out "noticed" some movie "Believe it above not," by waiting producer. later, "I was so naive I really exact think that those stories about get out apparently Tedesco "A&E Writes" for description book Stephens a full-length Apparently spiky starring, a true. It may bay but foolish, that's what I sincere, and nothing 13). and "A&E shield information Family" on the web speck, and series. feature monumentally film get uninspired the Rat Pack piece see is also casting, currently Tom unadorned the works, Hanks as Frank Actor. WORKS Anger, Kenneth. Balazs, Bela. 1980. Cohn, William Hollywood Theory Daniel. Boorstin, CITED of the Film. The Image: H. Babylon. "History New A Lead for the New York: York: Saint Ayer, to Pseudo-Events Masses: Popular The world 10 (Fall 1976): 280-89. and 1975. Schuster, 1972. Television in America. Portrays New the This content downloaded do too much 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use subject run into JSTOR Terms and Conditions York: Society, Past." Journal of Brottman, A&E Biographies Combs, "Television James. Television Aesthetics Verifiable Biography." 1980): 9-18. Films Raymond. Durgnat, Dyer, Richard. Levy, Shawn. Stars. London: mentary. Bill. Nichols, ington: Mark Another Film of Popular MIT and Excellence Television of the Case 8.2 (Summer 1971. UP, York: 1998. Doubleday, Reverie Reality: The Faber Book of depiction Docu 1996. Faber, Boundaries: of Heroism: Depiction Cambridge: Cousins. and the 1979. BFI, Faber Blurring Indiana Feelings. 1 and Kevin, and London: Rat Bale Macdonald, and Journal 175 Questions prosperous Contemporary of Meaning Culture. Bloom 1994. UP, Parker, John. Fire for Flavor. New York: Carol, 1989. for Hoax Mclnerney." "Questions Paula. Rabinowitz, They Mould New York Times Be Represented: Jan. Magazine, The Politics 24, 11. 1999: London: of Documentary. Verso, 1994. Francine. Stephens, "A&E Biography Finally Gets Booked." Publishers Weekly, May 16, 1997:24. Richard. Tedesco, "A&E Family Channel Revamp Sites." and Broadcasting Cable 127.32 (Aug. 4, 1997): 53. . "A&E Writes 'Biography' Page." Broadcasting and Cable 126.29 (July 8, 1996): 40. Walker, Alexander. Wilkerson, York: Tichi, Stardom. and Coward-McCann, Marcia London: Borie. Joseph, The 1970. Indecent Reporter—The Golden 1984. This content downloaded from 128.59.222.12 on Thu, 4 Sep 2014 20:14:17 PM All use investigation to JSTOR Terms and Conditions Epoch. New