Mr.S: The Last Word On Frank Sinatra

by George Jacobs

George Jacobs is generally considered 'the last of the Rat Pack', a member of the exclusive club that has fascinated us for decades. He worked as Sinatra's valet and confidant from 1953, when Ava Gardner had just left him, until the end of his marriage to Mia Farrow in 1968. Racy and revealing, "Mr S" is a record of one of the longest and most outrageous mid-life crises ever as George helped Sinatra juggle his multiple mistresses - women like Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Grace Kelly and Peggy Lee. And it wasn't just Hollywood stars and Mafia bosses, the Kennedys and European royalty all have a part to play in Frank's glory years. But above all, there was the Rat Pack who accepted George as one of their own. Dean Martin tried his comedy routines out on him and Peter Lawford did his drugs in front of him. "Mr S" gives an insider's view of the highs and lows of life with the Rat Pack - the spectacle, the sex, the unrecounted brawls, violence, tensions and hatreds among the revellers at the wildest moveable feast of the century.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Memoir, Film, Biography Memoir, History

260 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

At 25 years old, African American New Orléans George Jacobs joined Sinatra's entourage as a valet in 1953. This book follows his time with Sinatra over the next 15 years, when Sinatra re-ignited his dimming stardom and went from a has-been to the Chairman of the Board.

This period covers Sinatra's pining for Ava Gardner, his times with Marilyn Monroe, the Rat Pack, the Mafia connections, the Kennedy campaign, Mia Farrow, the swinging sixties, My Way and more.
George Jacobs and Frank

An amazing look at the world of Sinatra, Hollywood, Camp Kennedy, Monroe etc from the viewpoint of a true insider. One of the best biographical Hollywood stories I've read. Recommended. 8 out of 12, Four Stars.

2013 read

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast, sordid, entertaining biography by the guy who was Frank Sinatra's personal valet for 15 years. It's loaded with dirty entertainment and political gossip, but also human pathos and insight to Sinatra's character over the years, and the evolving status of blacks and other Americans during the period.

How much of it is true? We have no idea. But Jacobs (and surely his ghostwriter William Stadiem) definitely know how to weave a mesmerizing tale; if even half this stuff is true -- and I'm betting it is, most of the stuff I don't believe is soft-peddled ambiguities about people who are still alive -- it's like lifting a rock on Hollywood in the 50s and 60s. And usually what's beneath is two famous people f#cking.

As an interesting sidenote, I was drawn to this bio after reading Henry Bushkin's "Johnny Carson." The two books are very similar, not just the subject matter of a portion of the life of a big iconic American star, as told by their closest flunkie, but even the writing style. When you get to the credits of "Mr. S," one of the people George Jacobs thanks is....Henry Bushkin. Very interesting.

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps THE white pop singer of the 20th Century. Frank Sinatra is very much like that century, totally brash, egotistical, insane with touch of genius. One can argue if he was the first recording artist to think of an album as a narration or even (gulp) concept album - but truly a great singer who knows a quality of a song. And "Mr. S" by his valet George Jacobs is not a book about the talent of Frank Sinatra, but nevertheless it is a great memoir or snapshot of a time that is long gone.

There is nothing damaging here about Sinatra, he slit his own throat many ways and times - no, this is a character study of a man who has lost a lot, and has the fear of losing more. He's the king, but the kingdom is very shaky. And when the chips were down and the emotional cloud took away the sunshine, that is the natural home of Sinatra. Kiss and Tell, perhaps, but the tone of the book is one of respect and at times great humor. Classic Kennedy family at its most devilish. Wonderful read.

[Tallarico · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't believe everything in this book, and really that's the whole point: this book is supposedly a "tell-all" about Sinatra, so if you can't believe it the whole book is worthless.

If this book were believed then supposedly Marilyn Monroe didn't ever wear feminine pads. It makes other outrageous claims and completely libels JFK, Greta Garbo, and other beloved celebs in the process.

The author jumps around constantly and there's no development to any of the stories or sub plots.

A quick, guilty pleasure, but you may as well read fiction or write your own book about Sinatra.

[Ensiform · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacobs was Frank’s valet from 1953 to 1968 (at which point he was summarily fired and cut out of the Chairman’s life for, Jacobs says, chastely dancing with Mia Farrow whom Frank was divorcing at the time). Jacobs tells all, getting into (anatomical) detail about Frank’s larger than life personality: hookers, wives, drinking, mob friends, gambling, rages and regrets. This is definitely a kiss-and-tell, gossip-heavy memoir, and Jacobs may or may not be the most reliable of raconteurs. For example, he claims that he watched Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo in a poolside lesbian encounter when both were in their fifties. As someone once noted, you can’t libel the dead. Jacobs also seems to have a higher opinion of his standing as Frank’s valet than he really did, presenting himself as practically one of the Rat Pack themselves, when it’s pretty clear he was an ever-present aide.

Leaving aside Jacobs’ veracity (could Frank have romanced a fifteen-year-old Natalie Wood? Probably. Did JFK do big lines of coke in front of Jacobs? Seems unlikely), what emerges is a flawed, human and yet affectionate portrait of the titular Mr. S. He could be a warm friend, but cut people out completely when they proved “disloyal;” he drank copiously, but hated drugs; he pushed the boundaries of song and entertainment, but couldn’t fathom it when what was hip changed in turn around him; he respected women like Billie Holliday and helped black entertainers break down discriminatory boundaries, but was free with racist jokes and used women like tissues; he was arrogant and cold but insecure and craved love. I think that Jacobs at least captures the depths of Frank’s tortured artist’s soul, even if he wasn’t as close a confidant as he thinks he was.

[Ellie Revert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry to say I read this book to the end. Hard to believe that Sinatra with all his talents and opportunities never improved from being bitter and vengeful, cruel and sarcastic. And the most unforgiving person ever. I kept hopng that he would see the light of the joys of living a kind generous life but it never happened. Wish I hadn't known just how pitiful a person he was.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous and intimate look into the life of Frank Sinatra. George Jacobs was Sinatra's right hand man during the years of his life that facinate us all, especially those years during the Rat Pack era. You could not ask for a better story about these facinating people, and Mr. Jacobs gives quite a lot of detail, while keeping a respect for the man many of us idolize. A wonderful read!

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing but Frank gossip.

[☮ morgan ☮]

DNF @26%

I'm sorry I was just so bored. All that was happening was listing off people Sinatra slept with, or wanted to, while simultaneously calling everyone whores.

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naughty, naughty Frankie. Bad boy. Sooooo bad. And thankfully, the foibles of His Badness are documented by his former valet/cook, who also lets loose with tales of Ava Gardner, the Kennedy boys, and Marilyn Monroe. One must always take tales of the dead with a grain of salt, but I thoroughly enjoyed this tome, as it not only brings us a behind-the-scenes Sinatra, but also a bio of the author himself, Frank's longtime assistant.

The style of writing may have been helped by co-writer William Stadiem, as it's slick, sardonic...and so much fun. When Jacobs describes the consistent racism he encounters during his worldwide travels with Francis Albert, he is hilarious, showing that he can take the higher road. Never a fan of the Kennedy family (seriously, how could they elect a son of Joe Kennnedy), I loved the stories of their betrayal of Sinatra and JFK's obsession with Monroe.

Jacobs appeared to be very close with music's greatest singer and writes of what made Frank great, namely his torch for Gardner which was not reciprocated. Overall, it's very tough to put down, and it's definitely the type of book to make a great poolside companion during the summer.

Book Season = Summer ("the summer wind came blowing in")

[Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is far too much fun -- deliciously wicked, like peeking through a keyhole into the rarefied air of old Hollywood, Vegas and Palm Springs. Written by Sinatra's valet, it is an intimate journal, but I would not classify it as a "poison pen" account. It rings true, features great anecdotes and character studies of Old Blue Eyes, his cronies, lovers, friends and enemies. Oh, go ahead...peek through the keyhole and enjoy!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juicy, fun. Frank thought that all black men were "studs." Meanwhile, ol Frank serviced many women himself. )

[Lael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am grateful for my ordinary life amongst decent people. This book was entertaining in a trashy way. A quick read.

[Tom Stamper · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can accuse George Jacobs of trying to make money off his association with Frank Sinatra, but the feeling you get after reading the book is that Jacobs misses Frank so much that this story is his own way of reliving it. That Sinatra went and fired Jacobs for flimsy reasons after 15 years of dedicated service makes old blue eyes seem petty, but there was a way that Sinatra was troubled in life that his valet seems to understand and not judge. His take is that Sinatra never got over Ava Gardner. No matter what came along Frank wanted her back. But the reader might get the impression that it was her rejection more than her allure that pestered Frank. Her refusal was baked into his own insecurity.

Jacobs saw a lot of these famous people up close. If there is one shame in the book it’s how little we see Dean and Sammy in these pages. You get a lot more of Ava and Bogie and Bacall and JFK and mob bosses and even Laurence Harvey. We learn that Yul Brenner and Peter Lawford were cheapskates. Sinatra loved Jack and hated Bobby although he thought they might have killed Marilyn. Marilyn we learn didn’t bathe, ate in bed, and then fell asleep among the crumbs. Sinatra was a neat freak who loved her and was also kind of repulsed by her. Frank hated Marlon Brando. He loved Spencer Tracy. He hated hippies and the turmoil of the late 1960s.

The mob stuff is interesting. Jacobs gives Sinatra crony Sam Giancana the credit for Kennedy winning Illinois in 1960. Sinatra loved the guy who kept him working when his voice went bad in the early 1950s. But this loyalty cost him access to the Kennedys and began his hatred of Bobby. Great description when the alliance came to an end with Jack decided to stay at Bing Crosby’s house instead. Sinatra broke as many things as Charles Foster Kane.

A lot of this could be labeled as gossip but Jacobs is pretty good about giving the facts as he saw them and letting the reader decide if Frank seduced Grace Kelly in Monaco, for instance. He’ll tell you of his generous giving to charity without publicity or his willingness to excommunicate longtime friends. You get the impression that being around Frank Sinatra was an opportunity of a lifetime and also a great personal expense in excess.

[Michael Alford · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you ever wanted a peek into the vanity of the celebrity life, this is the book for you.
For almost 20 years George Jacobs was the constant companion of Mr Frank Sinatra, and he bears first-hand witness to the insatiable appetites of a man that dubbed himself The Chairman of the Board.
Sinatra lived a life of fame and women and celebrity and women and liquor and gangsters and more women and then even more women. A sizeable chunk of the book covers Mr/ S's whore-mongering, as he beds or pursues every actress you've probably ever heard of from that time period. Frank Sinatra had friends who were mobsters, and friends who were Presidents, with every shade of friend in between. He navigated a world where he could have easily been killed by his own excesses or by the blood-lusts of some of his shadier companions. And George Jacobs was there to witness it all.
'Mr S. ' tried to recapture his fading youth by marring Mia Farrow, a woman young enough to be his daughter, only to despise her. He pursued a woman he could never have, Ava Gardner, and finally he dismissed his friend George Jacobs without a decent explanation. The portrait here is of a talented and revered man who had the whole world, and it was never enough; a lonely sinner looking into the abyss and finding no comfort.
Sinatra, if he had been honest with himself, would have agreed with Solomon who after, having also indulged every whim of his heart said "And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. "

[Debra Pawlak · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Jacobs was a valet/companion to Frank Sinatra for about 20 years. His tenure started in the mid to early fifties and ran through the seventies. As such what a life he led. He commingled with such legends as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and the list goes on. Working so closely with Sinatra wasn't always easy, however. He was a moody man who seemed to be his own worst enemy. Jacobs put up with a lot in exchange for the life he led and I have to commend him for the patience and tolerance he showed. My biggest complaint about the book was that oftentimes the tales got pretty raunchy. Whether they happened or not, I could have done without the details. Jacobs charmed life came crashing down when he shared the dancefloor with Mia Farrow who was in the process of divorcing Mr. S. He claimed it was innocent enough, but word got back to his boss and after two decades of service, the Chairman unceremoniously fired him. Jacobs should not have been surprised. Sinatra was extremely generous with his friends, but if he felt you crossed him, he axed you out immediately no questions asked. Jacobs saw this happen time and time again, but never believed it would happen to him. The book was well-written and I do recommend it, but be prepared for TMI (too much information)!

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside look at Sinatra's life from roughly 1953 to 1968. The author was Sinatra's "valet" but more like personal-life sidekick. Most of the book seems to focus on Sinatra's constant need to have someone to spend the night with, which got a little repetitive. But I guess that's the honest portrait. Sections on the Kennedys were okay. The president's libido was even more reckless than Sinatra's. "He would do anything to land a broad"--and usually did. JFK's father and his brother Robert were total jerks; Edward was a moron. I'm not sure that's new information.

Yes, Marilyn Monroe shows up too. Basically a total ditz who needed a man to love her rather than use her. Unfortunately it never happened, and she overdosed herself to death. The most interesting woman by far in Sinatra's life was his former wife Ava Gardner. He never got over their divorce and was always desperate to get her back. That desperation perhaps led to his poor impulse control elsewhere.

Of course, Sinatra also had his first wife, Nancy, just few miles way, along with their children Frank Jr. and Nancy Jr. These scenes are the saddest in the book. Sinatra still seemed to care about his family but didn't have the gumption to do the right thing by them. It's like deep inside he wanted the nondescript middle-class life, but was caught in the pursuit of fame and fortune. His family suffered as a result.

[Harry Turnbull · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like sleazy, salacious, slime this is the book for you.

Did you know the man who crooned love ballads like a musical Sir Galahad dumped Lauren Bacall because she refused to blow his trumpet? 

Sinatra's black butler George Jacobs had a front row seat at the grossest show on earth. If Sinatra and his Rat Pack mates were around today they would be lynched by the #metoo brigade.

Now don't get me wrong, Frank was often a gentleman, even to the never-ending conveyor belt of Hollywood hookers, but the way women were used like disposable hankies is shocking.

It is a story of privilege, celebrity, money, exploitation, greed, addiction and a repulsive lack of self control.

It's not just the men though, aside from exploitation, many Tinsel Town stars acted up to the  image of sluts. Starlets had no choice if they wanted to stay in town but those who were names? I don't know, difficult to say.

This revolting cavalcade of self indulgence truly besmirches Sinatra's reputation as a top performer.

Some may say that Jacobs had an axe to grind given the fact he was sacked after 15 years loyal service and they would have a point - but none of this stuff appears fanciful.

Others like JFK, another sexually depraved obsessive, don't come out of it well either.

True Tabloid fodder.

[C · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://clavie.co/2019/08/28/book-rev...

Jacobs has written a memoir of his time as valet to the super star of the 50’s and ’60’s, Frank Sinatra. Every movement he made was chronicled by the press.

In this, we’ve learned that George lived with Sinatra longer than anyone. He can tell us from the inside. Everyone else is telling it from mostly the outside. The stories in this is told with love.

Another difference of this novel is the way the story is told. It is like George is your friend and he is just having a casual conversation with you. It seems he is confiding in you, showing his vulnerability, showing you his heart. He tells us of all the sides of Sinatra, and even when it is less than flattering,

This novel is an easy, quick read. If one loves to read about pop culture this novel is for you.

[Edward Champion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Sinatra research. This is a gossipy account of George Jacobs's time with Frank Sinatra. He was a Black man who worked as his valet. And he had to endure a routine as follows: Frank is sad. Frank feels disrespected. Frank is angry. Frank fucks. Frank longs for Ava. And so forth. While there are some scandalous details here about JFK and we learn that Judy Garland apparently gave great blowjobs, ultimately it became a little repetitive. Jacobs was more willing to revere Sinatra rather than examine how he was exploited in their professional relationship. Jacobs's life thankfully turned out okay after Frank. But I do feel that this is something of a missed opportunity, given the racism and abuse Jacobs experienced (and was apparently quite fine about laughing off).

[Carol N · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying . . . I have no idea if what is written in this book is true. How much can a reader trust the source, a fired valet? Having recently read two Sinatra books, one by his last wife, Barbara, and the other by his daughter, Tina,. According to the material presented in each book, Sinatra was three different people depending on whose story you were reading.
In this book you are given the valet's impression of Frank's 60's Hollywood and the Kennedy family. Quick read, slow at times, much like reading the copy of the STAR.

[Peter P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacobs had a unique place in Sinatra's world for 15 or so years serving as "Mr S's" valet. The book might once have been explosive, as Jacobs recounts the stories and exploits of his boss and other historical notables such as John F. J Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and, not surprisingly, Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow - two of the four Mrs Sinatra's. Jacobs tells the tales in a very matter-of-fact style that feels more conversational than exploitative and, on the whole, I enjoyed the book. If you are a big Sinatra fan, I suspect you will too.

[H.E. Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't at all disappointed

Mr Jacob's book was very good as it's not so much his biography nor Sinatra's but an account of his time as his employee. Nobody can complain about the way it's written or how because it was very thorough and informative of his life as Sinatra's employee the way he lived it. I enjoyed it and could hardly put it down. I love biographies and this one was worth every cent I paid for it. Would I recommend it? Depends on if you like Sinatra, biographies, Era based stories and truth from someone that was actually there.

[Leslie Maach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with juice gossip about not only Sinatra, but Marilyn Monroe, JFK, Natalie Wood, Dean Martin and all of the Rat Pack, Mia Farrow, Ava Gardner, Peter Lawford and a bunch of others, this held my interest the entire way through. Jacobs has a lot of good stories to tell and Stadiem, the author who co-wrote it, is a terrific writer.

[Flermilyxx · Rating 4 out of 5]

People say, “Never meet your heroes".
After reading 'Mr. S: The Last Word On Frank Sinatra', I wish to nominate a new saying; "Never [know] your heroes".

The idealized Frank Sinatra, The Voice of 20th Century entertainment, shared so proudly to me by my now 80-year-old grandparents, unfortunately, is also... tragically... human; a human who thinks they're a God.

[John Smiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of entertainment/Hollywood you should love this book, as I did.

One of the most entertaining books I've read this year.

George Jacobs gives us insight into the behind the scenes life of Frank Sinatra.

I'm not sure how much of it is true (the reviewers seem to think it's accurate), but it's wildly entertaining anyway.

[Newfad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gossipy insight into the private life of 'The Chairman' fun and sad in equal amounts as the lid is lifted on what is an interesting but bygone era. a little heavy on the Americanisms but worth the effort.

[Dan Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breezy and salacious -- a fun read!

[Terre Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and liked finding out about Sinatra.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!