Sinatra: An Intimate Collection

From his first number one hit in 1940 to his last multi-platinum LP in 1994, only Elvis and The Beatles rival Frank Sinatra as the most important figures in 20th century popular music. And through his first small movie role, Higher and Higher in 1943, to his last, The First Deadly Sin in 1980, via more than 70 films, Frank Sinatra rose beyond mere icon to become a quasi-mythical, globally idolised cultural institution.As such, it makes the achievements of legendary Hollywood photographer Bob Willoughby all the more impressive. For even during the '50s and '60s zenith of the Sinatra myth, Willoughby became one of the very few photographers to capture not only the charm, Charisma and dangerous cool of Sinatra the untouchable "Chairman of the Board," but also the tenderness and fragility of Frankie the father, the friend and human being.

Beginning on the set of his Oscar-winning portrayal of Maggio in From Here To Eternity, through to the heady, hard-drinking razzmatazz of the Rat Pack's Las Vegas residency to film the original Ocean's 11, Willoughby's beautifully collated portfolio includes stolen moments between Sinatra and a host of his friends and co-stars, including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, Shirley MacLaine and Judy Garland.

Elsewhere in the book we see Sinatra negotiating with film producers, hanging with fellow Rats, giving it the irresistible "Old Blue-Eyes" whammy to Kim Novak and Juliet Prowse, turning on the magic on stage and enjoying quiet moments at home with his daughter Nancy. And while many of the images have become classics and will be familiar to even the most casual admirers, more still show previously unpublished glimpses ofSinatra's turbulent life.

Put together, they represent the most illuminating insights into the heydey of the Hoboken player ever printed, and serve as a complimentary companion to Willoughby's Audrey Hepburn collection, recently published by Vision On to widespread acclaim. Start spreading the news.