I talked about how being around Frank in an interesting experience because of his "presence" and "charisma". It is overwhelming to many.

I told about walking around The Sands with him and the effect it had on those that would meet him. Example: Frank and I would be walking from the casino to the Garden Room. We leave the pit and head to the lobby. As we walk, people in front to us are parting and stepping aside to let us (really him) through. I mean it is a sight to see. People ahead of us, not looking or standing in our direction are all looking around because they sense something is happening. People 10 feet in front of us are getting out of the way because they feet "something" is coming in their direction.

I have walked with many entertainers. This doesn't happen with them. Dean and I would walk to the Garden Room and people ahead of us don't know we are there. As we walk past them, they love seeing Dean and always say hello. He is always nice. Will not stop to talk because he will draw a very large crowd, but he always smiles and keeps going. By the way, that smile he gives, does create an effect. I've seen many woman almost faint as he walks by.

With Frank it's an "aura" of some kind. A powerful presence that fills the room.

Last year I told about walking with Frank and Dean through the Sands. As we walk, Frank usually a bit in front (very Frank) , we come into the lobby and people start parting like some powerful presence is coming by. Dean will look over at me and smile. I tell you, it is something to see. Ask other entertainers or anyone who has dealt with Frank and I'm sure they will confirm this.

I was asked about the comparison to DeNiro and how they differed. That came up when I answered a question about 'does Frank ever rehearse and why does he do only do one take in filming pictures?'

I explained how I went over to the Rivera when they were filming "Casino" to talk to Rickles about something. When there, I asked Don where was DeNiro. He said he was over there - about 10 feet from us. I was thinking at the time, what a difference between him and Frank.

If Frank was 10 feet from me. I would know it, shit, everyone would.

I watched them shoot a scene. DeNiro works at it. Does the scene 3 or 4 times just warming up. And I must admit it gets better each time.

He is a guy creating an "aura", a "presence". He works at it and develops it. And he is one of the greats. Sinatra brings his presence to the scene. Frank will rehearse a bit, mostly to let technicians and the camera people know where he's going and how. The director talks to Frank about all that. He "walks" through a lot of this and then he and the director know their going for a take and Frank puts it there and it's usually all there. One take because he has grown up as a singer and performer. He doesn't go into a concert and sing "Fly Me To The Moon" 3 or 4 times to get it right. He opens his mouth and it's there.

He did rehearse, he did prepare. I have never seen Frank do a show that he wasn't prepared for. Talk to the musicians who have played for him or the lighting people or the sound people and listen as I have to him demanding more or less of this or that. Let me tell you when he does a show, he is prepared and you don't want to be the person in his group that isn't.

By the way, from my talks with Frank, he used to rehearse a lot in movie scenes and did may takes. Especially when he was getting started or working with a big star he respected (Gene Kelly, etc.). But a few years ago he worked with a very big star, very big cowboy star and saw how he was allowed to wait for final setups and not really do his scene till it "was for the money". Frank then adopted that style for him. Remember that was the about the time Frank was producing or has some type of control of the picture so all concerned cooperated with it.

So DeNiro works on developing a strong presence and personality that will communicate to the audience. Frank has all that going in.