Arriving at the Warwick Hotel for the interview with Deana Martin
A Day with Deana Martin
At 3:00 pm on the dot Deana Martin, accompanied by her husband producer John Griffeth, walks into the lobby of the stylish and revered Warwick Hotel in NYC. This is, after all, an historic building; the hotel built by William Randolph Hearst for his paramour Marion Davies, the hotel where Cary Grant lived in a luxurious suite. It is a perfect setting for Deana Martin. She is exactly on time for our interview. My husband Alan, who is my photographer, and I shake hands with Deana and John and we're off to the elevator which will take us to their suite.
Preparing for the interview
I have no idea what to expect but I am impressed by two things: one - Deana Martin introduced herself to me by simply saying, "Hi, I'm Deana" and two- she was on time for the interview. To me that is what makes a person a star. I later learn that is something she learned from her famous father: Arrive on time, know what you're supposed to do, and be professional. Like father, like daughter in the best possible way.
Talent and graciousness.
In the hotel suite, her husband offers us something to drink and both Deana and I choose water. Me, so that I can easily talk during the interview, Deana because she has just come from another business meeting and interview! She makes sure I'm comfortable, John repairs to the bedroom to place a few calls, and we begin.
Deana Martin is a petite brunette beauty with expressive eyes and a melting smile. She answers every question I ask with an openness I find refreshing and is quite at ease as the photographer clicks away with the camera. She bonds with me easily. We find out we have a few things in common. She's "half and half" the same as I am. With Deana it's half Italian, half Irish; me it's Italian and Dutch. We both have pasta e fagioli recipes given to us from our grandmothers. And we both say a Hail Mary before take-off on any flight. Girlfriends already. She has put her interviewer at ease.
Her husband, John had told me in a previous phone conversation that there were no topics off limit. I could ask her anything. He is right; Deana Martin is candid and completely honest while discussing her life as Dean Martin's daughter and her career.
I ask her about growing up in Hollywood, her school years, and her relationships with her Dad and step-mother Jeanne, whom Dean Martin always referred to on his popular TV show as "Jeannie." Taking nothing away from her feelings for her mother Betty, she has a real affection for Jeanne whom she also calls Mom. She answers my questions about her brothers and sisters and the well-known celebrities who populated her life without hesitation.
Loyal and honest, her life is an open book and she portrays her family matter-of-factly, "warts and all."
We talk, get serious, and laugh for over 2 1/2 hours. John joins us and we talk about how they met, their love of flying and the day Deana soloed to get her pilot's license. Another 30 minutes go by. Truly one of the most enjoyable celebrity interviews I have had the pleasure to do and the most fun.
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Martinis with Martin
As I get up to go, thanking her for the interview, she asks me where we're going. I half-kiddingly tell her "to the lounge for a martini" and am pleasantly surprised when she and John say they'll join us!
We socialize over martinis; one lasts Deana two hours. No more an interview, it has become a meeting of friends over drinks. We talk about our marriages, our children, and our lives as friends do. The four of us enjoy each other's company. Deana and John are down-to-earth people who really are fun to be around.
At 8:30 PM we reluctantly get up to leave. Deana has two radio interviews that night, one at 1:00 AM. Plus, she is leaving for Chicago the next afternoon as part of her tour for her CD. Hugs and kisses in the lounge and promises to meet again soon bring the evening to a close.
What a great way to spend a working summer day in NYC! Many thanks Deana and John!
Do you sabotage your own happiness in order to make other people in your life happy? Learn how to put your own life first! Read Kristen Houghton's new book, "AND THEN I'LL BE HAPPY!" due in stores in Fall 2009. Pre-order it today. Available at Borders, Amazon, and all bookstores.
email Kristen subscribe to Kristen's column
related articles - Interview With Deana Martin Part Two
- Interview With Deana Martin Part One
- The Love and Friendship Marriage
- Fathers and Daughters, the Relationship
*** © copyright 2009 Kristen Houghton all rights reserved
Comments
Our time together was highly enjoyable and did not at all seem like work. I consider the experience as "being on holiday", meeting new people and establishing relationships.
Deana is making every effort to keep the memories of her Dad and his music alive for present and future generations to enjoy. She along with her husband, John have delivered dividends in the form of providing new listeners not only for Dean's music but also for her highly delicious renditions of classic standards.
John and I discussed their schedule and their life in what Kristen describes as a "love and friendship marriage". We also talked about his life as a youth in Florida. We shared experiences and knowledge of the sunshine state, most particularly Boca Raton.
I asked John if Deana was normally accessible for the amount of time as was allocated to Kristen. He replied "No, we very rarely get to relax and enjoy company as we have today." To relax, they more often than not, cuddle up to a good movie.
I also told Deana that I had the habit of asking what one might consider to be the "obscure question", the one no other person had ever asked her. Knowing that she had spent many hours on the set of Dean's NBC set, and also knowing that Ken Lane was Dean's pianist, I asked her with great relish if she ever had the opportunity to slide across the piano as her Dad had done so many times. Her reply, enthustiac with laughter was "No. But I remember Dad doing it so very many times."
Deana and John, we look forward to seeing you again.
Great article and series Kristen. You write real news about real people not "reality" idiots. "Everything's" back next week and all is right with our little world. Lunch!! No one got pinked, yay!! Barb & the crew
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