Vitals

Dean Martin as Ernie Brewer, playboy advertising executive

Los Angeles, Fall 1965

Film: Marriage on the Rocks
Release Date: September 24, 1965
Director: Jack Donohue
Costume Designer: Walter Plunkett

Background

As we’re gliding through December, my playlist is increasingly loaded with Christmas classics—often sung by the great mid-century entertainers like Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Rat Pack icons Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

After the Rat Pack’s heyday in the early ’60s had all but ended, the latter two pallies co-starred in Marriage on the Rocks, released sixty years ago in September 1965 amidst their career highs that included Sinatra recording September of My Years and appearing in an Emmy-winning documentary about his life and career, while Martin had just debuted his long-running variety show on NBC after knocking the Beatles from the top of the charts with “Everybody Loves Somebody”.

Dino’s hit song could also be an effective theme for Marriage on the Rocks, a typical horny ’60s comedy where he and Frank star as a pair of advertising execs—Dan Edwards (Sinatra), somewhat happily married to Deborah Kerr, and Ernie Brewer (Martin) very happily swinging through a parade of beauties, often met through his 3:30 a.m. interviews for a potential “secretary” with women like Kitty—that’s with “two T’s”, she clarifies—at his bachelor pad.

Ernie is nearly closing the deal with Kitty when Dan arrives, seeking advice. Despite the voluptuous Kitty waiting for him, Ernie takes the time to listen to Dan’s marital issues, though he’s quick to dismiss his feedback.

Ernie: Oh hell, Dan, I don’t know anything about women.
Dan: Oh, sure. Like Einstein didn’t know anything about mathematics.

---

What’d He Wear?

The Rat Pack is often associated with slick Sy Devore-tailored suits and tuxedoes, but they also had a knack for dressing down in comfortable mid-century sportswear that looked just as appropriate in a conversation pit as on the golf course, illustrated by both Frank and Dean’s smart knitwear and sport shirts modeled throughout Marriage on the Rocks.

Ernie frequently wears a short-sleeved polo shirt in a muted, mauve-adjacent rosy taupe jersey knit—possibly a blend of nylon or polyester, common to mid-’60s leisurewear. It has a soft, fluid drape with a slight sheen, which follows body contours without clinging too tightly, and walks the line between mod minimalism and desert-inspired earth tones, suggesting a louche but polished aesthetic. Dino keeps the two-button top fully open, projecting a laidback confidence emphasized by keeping his collar insouciantly turned up against his neck.

While interviewing the bikini-clad Kitty by the fire (where she’s evidently less concerned about keeping warm), Ernie keeps warm by layering on a bright scarlet-red V-neck sweater, made from a lightweight wool—likely merino wool.

Ernie pairs the layered shirt and red sweater with olive-green wool tapered-leg trousers, presenting a Christmassy combination for this time of year. These are almost certainly styled like all of his other slacks, with slide-buckle adjuster tabs on the beltless waistband, slanted side pockets, and no back pockets. The plain-hemmed bottoms break high enough to show both his dark-brown leather penny loafers as well as his high-contrasting white socks.

Ernie and Dan both wear gold tank watches on smooth black leather straps, likely Dean and Frank’s own timepieces. Given that Bulova was a major sponsor of The Dean Martin Show, it’s possible that at least Dino is wearing a Bulova, though the case could also be made for this being the brand on both men’s wrists, given Bulova continuing to use Sinatra’s name on a collection inspired by Ol’ Blue Eyes’ legacy.

---

How to Get the Look

Even though Marriage on the Rocks isn’t expressly Christmassy, Dean Martin’s red sweater and green slacks feel like a seasonally appropriate combination from the crooner of “The Christmas Blues” as we approach the holidays.

• Muted rose-taupe jersey-knit short-sleeved polo shirt with two-button top
• Bright scarlet-red merino wool V-neck sweater
• Olive-green wool single reverse-pleated trousers with beltless waistband, slide-buckle adjuster tabs, side pockets, and plain-hemmed bottoms
• Dark-brown leather penny loafers
• White socks
• Gold tank watch on smooth black leather strap

---

Do Yourself a Favor and…

Check out the movie.

---

The Quote

Now, why don’t you go into that room and slip into something more comfortable?