### The Untold Tale of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin’s Near-Fatal Bar Brawl

In the glamorous setting of Beverly Hills, an incident occurred in 1966 that could have upended the lives of two of the most iconic celebrities of the era, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. This shocking event, which involved a barroom brawl at the famed Polo Lounge, is now revisited in Scott Huver’s new book, "Beverly Hills Noir: Crime, Sin, & Scandal in 90210."

Huver's investigation delves into how a night meant to celebrate Dean Martin's 49th birthday spiraled into chaos. On June 8, 1966, Sinatra and Martin, accompanied by Sinatra’s bodyguard Jilly Rizzo and actor Richard Conte, were enjoying their evening amid raucous laughter. Sitting nearby was Frederick Rand Weisman, an art collector and former president of Hunt’s Food, along with businessman Franklin H. Fox. Weisman's irritation over the noise led him to do the unthinkable: he asked Sinatra and his friends to quiet down.

This confrontation quickly escalated. Allegations flew of offensive remarks, with Weisman apprising Sinatra about his volume and company’s language, prompting a fervent reaction from Sinatra. Different accounts muddle the precise sequence of events, but it is clear the encounter ended with Weisman on the floor, unconscious, potentially struck by a telephone hurled by Sinatra or perhaps during a commotion involving several individuals.

Weisman’s injuries were severe, necessitating a three-hour operation to address a skull fracture. Although he briefly recovered, he fell into a coma the next day. The incident placed significant pressure on Sinatra and Martin, both of whom left Los Angeles to avoid immediate scrutiny while police investigated.

Sinatra, at 50 years old, was grappling with pressures unique to his gigantic fame, questionable associations, and his then-relationship with the much younger Mia Farrow, whom he married later that year. Martin, meanwhile, retreated to Lake Tahoe for golf, maintaining a conspicuous silence when questioned by authorities.

Allegations and rumors swirled, including suggestions that Sinatra's loyal ally, Jilly Rizzo, may have been the one to deliver the decisive blow with the telephone. Publicly, Rizzo denied any formal role as Sinatra’s bodyguard, insisting Sinatra needed no such protection.

The aftermath of the event was murky. Weisman's family wanted justice but ultimately refrained from pressing charges following anonymous threats. Rumors circulated, suggesting that substantial payments might have been made to ensure stories remained inconsistent or incomplete. Weisman's recovery was slow, plagued by amnesia for months, but he eventually lived until 1994.

Despite the turmoil, Sinatra's career survived the ordeal. Reveling in his reprieve, Sinatra rapidly purchased an engagement ring for Farrow, cementing their union in 1966. The enigmatic incident at the Polo Lounge, though never conclusively resolved, remains a notable and dramatic chapter in the annals of Hollywood history.