A Kiss From the Stars: When Frank Sinatra Called, and She Said No
In the golden shimmer of classic Hollywood, she was only 20 — wide-eyed, fresh-faced, and just stepping into the fading glow of the silver screen’s most magical era. She had arrived at the very tail end of the true Golden Age, when giants still roamed studio lots and starlight didn’t just shine from above — it radiated from names like Humphrey Bogart, Lana Turner, and Hedy Lamarr. Among them was Frank Sinatra.
Years later, while filming The Road to Hong Kong with comedy legends Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, she found herself sharing the set with three icons of the Rat Pack — Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra himself. It was a bizarre, playful film. In one unforgettable scene, she floated in a space suit, flanked by Sinatra and Martin in full Spaceman gear, both pretending to fight over her affections. A surreal scene — but nothing compared to what happened the next morning.
She was still living at home with her parents when the phone rang. Her mother answered, then turned to her, stunned: “It’s Frank Sinatra.”
At first, she thought it had to be a joke. But it was him. “Hi, it’s Frank,” came that unmistakable voice. “Would you like to have dinner with me?”
Flattered and a little breathless, she said yes — and then he added, “I’ll send my plane for you. I’m in Hamburg.”
Hamburg? She froze. She had an early call time on set the next morning. She told him she couldn’t possibly make the trip — the movie demanded her professionalism. “I’m a serious actress,” she said with a nervous laugh. “You can’t change my call just for a date.”
The line went quiet.
And then… Sinatra hung up.
He never asked her again.
Rumor has it, he ended up asking Linda Evans instead.
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