Rocky Fortune
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- 2020-01-27
ROCKY FORTUNE
Created in 1953 by writer George Lefferts and starring Frank Sinatra in the lead, Rocky Fortune followed the exploits of a marginally employed jack-of-all-trades Rocko Fortunato, or Rocky Fortune. Considered a second-rate show even when it aired, the series found Sinatra at the nadir of popularity after his 1940s crooning heights and just before his career was rekindled with his role in From Here to Eternity.
The scripts, mostly by George Lefferts and Ernest Kinoy, often stretched the limits of believability, taking Fortune from jobs as a social director at a Catskills resort to transporting a truck of nitroglycerine across the country. Sinatra's cool, somewhat flippant persona brought the audience along for a fun ride and made it easier to overlook sometimes absurd situations.
There was little continuity over the series' run. Despite not being able to keep a job for more than a single episode, Fortune always had the license, certification, or union card necessary for the next job. The only other recurring character was the dim-witted police Sergeant Hamilton J. Finger, played by Barney Phillips, who always called his precinct headquarters "the Irish clubhouse". For reasons never fully explained, Fortune always had a direct line to the Sergeant and at times even barked orders to the beat cops under Finger's supervision.
NBC never found a sponsor for the show but the writers frequently found a way to work the title of Sinatra's new movie, From Here to Eternity, into the story. Rocky Fortune aired 25 times over 26 weeks on NBC October 6, 1953 to March 30, 1954. All the episodes are available in nice sound and represent a real treat for fans of Frank Sinatra.
OTRR Release Information:
Series Name: Rocky Fortune
Release Status: OTRR Maintained
Release Date: January 27, 2020
Release Version: Version 2001
Number of CDs: 1NOTE: Updated Release! (27-Jan-2020)
Audio files replaced with upgraded quality.
Rocky Fortune introduction rewritten and re-recorded.
New Frank Sinatra biography added.
Newspaper reviews added.
Series credits updated.Prior Release: July 16, 2006, Version 1
From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group (OTRR). See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR.
Notes
OLD TIME RADIO RESEARCHERS GROUP
This is a production of the Old Time Radio Researchers (OTRR) Group located at Old Time Radio Researchers Website (www.otrr.org), Old Time Radio Researchers Facebook Group, and Old Time Radio Researchers Group.
It contains the most complete and accurate version of this series in the best sound possible at the time of creation. An updated version will be issued if more episodes or better sounding ones become available.
If you are interested in preserving Old Time Radio (OTR), you may wish to join the Old Time Radio Researchers Group at Facebook and Groups.io.
Relax, listen, and enjoy!
OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Maintained Set -- This set contains all known episodes in the best available audio condition with the most accurate dates and titles known to be in general circulation and based on current research at the time of release. Replaces OTRR Certified Accurate and OTRR Certified Complete.
OTRR Non-Maintained Set -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Maintenance process.
Pre-2019 OTRR Definitions:
OTRR Certified Accurate -- A series that was "Certified Accurate" indicated that all the episodes were properly identified and labeled based on current information but that the series did not contain all known extant episodes.
OTRR Certified Complete -- A series that was "Certified Complete" achieved the highest level of certification available under the OTRR Certified Standards. This certification level implied that all the files in the series were "Certified Accurate" and also indicated that the series was as complete as possible and included all circulating episodes.
OTRR Non-Certified -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Certification process.
Also, beginning in 2019, the version numbers of our OTRR releases changed format -- instead of v1.0 or v2.1, we are now using a version number that reflects the year and month the set was released. The format used is a two-digit year followed by a two-digit month. For example, "v1906" indicates a set that was released in June 2019, or "v1910" indicates a set released in October 2019.
NOTE: There are no passwords for any of our ZIP files. If you are prompted for a password, before downloading the file again, try unzipping the file into a shorter full folder path name -- for example, unzip to "C:\" instead of "C:\Documents and Settings\your_Windows_ID\some_other_folder\". Sorry, some of our releases contain long folder and file names, which sometimes manifests itself on the Windows platform as prompting for a password for the ZIP file. Or try renaming the ZIP file itself to a shorter name before unzipping.
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Reviews
Reviewer:
Ryncewynd
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 3, 2008
Subject: Surprising Fun
Subject: Surprising Fun
sinatra as a radio detective was a surprise, having listened to the episodes all day I grew to like the characters even more - although the recordings weren't perfect, I have heard a lot worse - definately worthwhile listening to on a lazy day.
Reviewer:
XMinusOne
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
July 26, 2007
Subject: Not the greatest OTR show, but fun
Subject: Not the greatest OTR show, but fun
As said before, this is not one of the great OTR series. The writing is relatively good, and the concept of Rocky Fortune (Mr. Sinatra) changing jobs each episode adds to the variety of the show. The acting (script reading?) is relatively run of the mill, but consistent with other broadcasts Mr. Sinatra was on; not great, but definitely more than than journeyman work. One of the interesting and, to me, better features of the show is that Mr. Sinatra gets to act; not sing. It adds a degree of credibiltiy to the character, Rocky Fortune, Mr. Sinatra portrays.
Reviewer:
Styxion
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
July 21, 2007
Subject: All In Good Fun
Subject: All In Good Fun
Good ol' fashion fun. As long as you don't go into it with any ideas of award-winning writing, this is a great way to spend a rainy day. Sinatra's charm keeps you laughing, even if the plot is completely unbelievable. Take it for what it is and enjoy.
Reviewer:
OTRDUDE
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2007
Subject: Good show, sound quality not the greatest
Subject: Good show, sound quality not the greatest
While this may not be the most memorable old time radio series, it is great (especially if you're a Sinatra fan like I am) to hear Frank Sinatra in a non musical setting. I'm only giving this 3 stars, because the sound quality of the shows isn't the best. On some of the shows, there's an irritating hum in the background. Other than that, if you're a Sinatra fan, and have never heard these shows before, they're worth downloading and giving a listen to.