Sinatra in Hollywood 1940-1964

This is quite literally a treasure trove for Sinatra fans. Fully 90 percent of the 160 songs, interviews, and promotional pieces included have never been commercially available before. It is, in a sense, the history of a parallel Sinatra universe, often sharply different--especially after he became a bona fide box office attraction--from the recording career it accompanied. While much of the early material displays the easygoing crooner-teen heartthrob who can often seem like yet another totally different Sinatra persona, the vibrant swing of WWII clearly begins to push him to greater heights. From precious, fly-on-the-wall moments (Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby goofing their way through a Robin and the 7 Hoods tracking session) to Frank hammering Broadway fare into his own likeness (Guys and Dolls, Carousel, On the Town, Finian's Rainbow) and the swinging heights of Pal Joey and The Joker Is Wild, this set offers a remarkably complete chronology of a crucial facet of the singer's legendary accomplishments. Insightful liner notes written by Leonard Maltin, Michael Feinstein, Will Friedwald, Didier C. Deutsch, Scott Nollen, and anthology producer Charles Granata help to focus the set's sprawling scope. -Jerry McCulley