THE SPIDER AND THE MARIONETTES (1965)

ANATOMY OF A REBELLION (1967)

MY AMERICA!  (1969

Alan Dale: Autobiography
 Articles And Photos



Some Of Alan Dale's Awesome Discography's
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Alan Dale
The man many consider to have possessed the greatest
voice EVER in popular music, Alan Dale's career
spanned three decades and 16 record labels. At age 17
he was a big-band vocalist; first with Carmen Cavallaro,
then George Paxton. In 1948 he achieved stardom via
CBS's musical quiz show "Sing it Again" (this is the
 program referred to in the James Stewart film "Jackpot").
 His own Alan Dale Show (Dumont and CBS) was the
FIRST television program kinescoped for showing in
other parts of the country. By 1951, Dale was one of the
hottest singers around. Then fate dealt him a terrible blow.
Overwork, combined with unhappy events in his private
 life, aggravated an ulcer condition, and Alan collapsed
during one of his live TV shows. By the time he had
recovered his health he had lost all of his shows. His climb
back began with old friend Bob Thiele, then A&R chief of
Coral Records. Previously, Thiele had produced many of
Alan's hits, and proceeded to do so again with: OH,
MARIE; I'M SORRY; CHERRY PINK; SWEET AND
GENTLE; ROCKIN' THE CHA CHA. The success of
the latter led to Dale's starring in the 1957 film "DON'T
KNOCK THE ROCK." Unfortunately, the dark and
seamy side of show business eventually caused Alan to
become disillusioned (for the candid details read his
autobiography "THE SPIDER AND THE MARIONETTES")
and, quite deliberately, he gradually faded from the spotlight.
Which is our loss, because ALAN DALE was one of the very
best (Mel Torme  mentioned him in his book "My Singing
Teachers"), and he deserves to be rediscovered, just as
Tony Bennett has been.

In 1955 Alan Dale was approached by producers who
were planning a film on the life of legendary crooner Russ
Columbo, who was a major romantic idol in the early
1930s. Columbo was in the midst of a well publicized
romance with Carole Lombard (which her studio was
said to be strongly against) when he was killed in a bizarre
shooting "accident" at the age of 26. Alan Dale's voice
had a quality reminiscent of the ill-fated singer's, and in
view of the dramatic facts of Columbo's life, a picture
about him seemed a good bet. For some unknown reason
the project never materialized.

In 1953, gossip columns reported that Universal Pictures
was floating the idea of teaming Alan Dale with his pal
Buddy Hackett, as their studio's answer to Paramount's
box office sensations, Martin and Lewis. Nothing came of
the idea because Alan preferred to remain a solo act.

One of Alan Dale's great allies was the record producer
(and husband of singer Teresa Brewer) Bob Thiele. In his
book, "What a Wonderful World: A Lifetime of
Recordings", Thiele writes admiringly about Dale, and
offers his thoery of why Alan's career crashed. He said
that Alan was adamant in refusing to accept "help" from
mobsters --- who not only owned a large number of
nightclubs, but also influenced record sales (through their
control of the juke box industry, etc). Thiele lists several
other Italian singers who had hit records partly due to
mob influence. Dale was not only stubbornly independent,
 he was daringly outspoken in his disrespect toward these
 would-be mentors. Thiele claims that the 1960 incident at
the Latin Quarter nightclub was no accident [After
performing at a benefit, Dale was attacked by an
unknown assailant, and sent hurtling through Latin
Quarter's plate-glass window. Fortunately, Dale's reflexes
were quick; he raised his hands over his face, and thus
was spared more serious injury]. But this headlined
 incident sent a message to all the other nightclubs: To
avoid trouble, stay away from Alan Dale.

Only child of Agatha and father Aristide, who was a
comedian in Italian theaters in New York.
Started his career at age 9 when he ran up on stage to
sing when open invitation to audience was offered.
Graduate of Brooklyn's Lafayette High School and
long-time resident of Sheepshead Bay, Bklyn.
In the late 50s, Alan appeared in a lead role in a
completed film, which starred ex-boxer Peter Savage
(who also directed), Jane Russell, Carleton Carpenter,
Betty Bruce, Rocky Graziano. It was never released to
theaters, but it has been reportedly shown on TV.
Original title was The Honorable Frauds.

Alan Dale also appeared in an off-Broadway version of
the film 'Susan Slept Here'. He played the hero.
Alan Dale also wrote "Anatomy of Rebellion", a
sociological tract on problems in the country.