On November 8, 1992, CBS aired “Sinatra,” a two-part TV movie that chronicled Francis Albert Sinatra’s turbulent career and personal life.
The film depicted the crooner’s scrappy New Jersey youth; his early success in the big-band era; his comeback as an Oscar-winning actor; and his boozing and womanizing.
Critics gave “Sinatra” mixed reviews; USA Today’s Matt Roush called it “a great soundtrack that keeps being interrupted by a pesky movie.”
Star Philip Casnoff received universal raves: the Associated Press’s Scott Williams praised him for radiating Sinatra’s essence “so intensely … that their passing physical resemblance suddenly becomes uncanny.”
Casnoff’s costars included Olympia Dukakis as Sinatra’s mother Dolly, Gina Gershon as his first wife Nancy and Marcia Gay Harden as Ava Gardner, his second.
The first installment was seen in 16.5 million homes, ranking third in the weekly ratings; two nights later, part two drew 16 million homes, ranking eighth.
“Sinatra” won a Golden Globe for best TV movie and Emmys for direction and costume design.
See for yourself: “Sinatra” is on DVD.
On TV
Here’s the prime-time lineup for Sunday, November 8, 1992:
7: “Life Goes On” (ABC), “60 Minutes” (CBS), “Great Scott!” (Fox), “Secret Service” (NBC)
7:30: “The Ben Stiller Show” (Fox)
8: “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC), “Sinatra, Part 1” (CBS), “In Living Color” (Fox)
8:30: “America’s Funniest People” (ABC), “Roc” (Fox)
9: “Willing to Kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story” (ABC), “Married … With Children” (Fox) “The Hard Way” (NBC)
9:30: “Herman’s Head” (Fox)
10: “Flying Blind” (Fox)
10:30: “Woops!” (Fox)
The Record
For the week of November 8, 1992:
Top novel: “The Tale of the Body Thief” by Anne Rice
Top song: “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men
Top movie: “Passenger 57”
Top TV show: “60 Minutes” (CBS)
In the news: The president-elect rested
Captions: Frank Sinatra in “The Tender Trap” and Philip Casnoff as Frank Sinatra on TV Guide’s November 7, 1992, cover (top; Sinatra by Doc/Stills/Retna, Casnoff by Albert Sanchez); Casnoff in a CBS publicity still from that issue (middle, photo by Tony Esparza); and the network’s TV Guide advertisements for “Sinatra.”
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