The Legendary
Bobby Darin

Pop Culture References

Below are some references made to Bobby Darin in popular culture.

Also, check the Soundtrack page for more references.

 



Movies



    French Kiss: In this 1995 comedy, directed by Lawrence Kasdan, star Meg Ryan's character tells co-star Kevin Kline's character ... "Sing that Bobby Darin song, you know the one." ("Beyond the Sea")


    The Evening Star: In this 1996 comedy/drama, directed by Robert Harling, co-star Bill Paxton's character sings "Beyond the Sea" 4 or 5 times during the film.


    Return to Me: In this 2000 comedy/drama, directed by Bonnie Hunt, co-star Robert Loggia's character comments on the current state of male singers saying ... "We had Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Bobby Darin, etc." (Thanks to Bill Coppola for this information)


    Prey for Rock & Roll: In this 2003 drama, directed by Alex Steyermark, star Gina Gershon's character tries to console a band member by telling her that she ... "listens to Bobby Darin and enters a sort of protective bubble."


    Shark Tale: In this 2004 animated comedy, Sykes (voiced by Martin Scorsese) character sings/talks the line ... "Oh, the shark bites, first, dear."


    Mad Hot Ballroom: In this 2005 documentary, Bobby's version of "It's Only a Paper Moon" can be heard
    during one of the rehearsals for the dance competition.


Television



"If they give you any trouble, tell them you're Bobby Darin or somebody." (Audio)

    Leave It to Beaver: On an episode entitled "Wally’s Dinner Date," broadcast in approximately 1961, Wally was going to take a girl to a very expensive, high class restaurant. He was worried about how much it would cost though, so Beaver suggested that he just call the place and find out. Then Eddie chimed in and said, "If they give you any trouble, tell 'em you're Bobby Darin or somebody."

    In another episode also airing in approximately 1961, Wally was talking about listening to records over at a girl's house. He said that her father was in the other room and every time they would put on a Frankie Avalon or Bobby Darin record, he would start coughing. But when they'd put on Guy Mitchell, he wouldn't make a sound.

    In another episode, sometime in 1961, Eddie Haskell was telling Beaver that if he wanted to be a big shot he had to act like one "like Elvis or Frankie or Bobby Darin." We believe this episode is #210 "Beaver, the Hero." (Thanks to Katie Hasbrouck for these 3 entries)

    Bobby's name was mentioned in an episode called "Don Juan Beaver" that originally aired on May 2, 1963. Beaver had been talking to a girl on the phone while the rest of the family was waiting for him to come to dinner. When he finally entered the dining room, his brother said something along the lines of "What's kept you on the phone all this time, Bobby Darin?" (Thanks to Amber Cover for this info.)



    The Dick Van Dyke Show: On episode number 54 entitled "The Sam Pomerantz Scandals" that aired March 6, 1963: Rob, Laura, Buddy and Sally were visiting a friend who worked at a resort. They asked their friend to do his impressions of famous people. When asked to do Bobby Darin, he snapped his fingers.




"Bobby Darin here just brought down the house!" (Audio)

    The Munsters:: On episode number 34 entitled "Munster the Magnificent" which aired May 13, 1965, Eddie volunteered Herman to entertain at the school talent show. Herman was worried he would not be able to perform but sang and played the family pipe organ literally destroying the house. When wife Lily came in the room and asked what happened, Grandpa said sarcastically, "Bobby Darin here just brought down the house!"


    The Monkees: On the episode entitled "Monkees at the Movies," airing 1966 (?), the guys are trying to get Davy a role by using his record (actually it is one of Davy's before the Monkees). Peter is trying to get Davy's album from Mike by offering many including "...and the prize of my collection, Bobby Darin sings his bank book." (Thanks to Stefanie Hasel for her help!)


    In episode 213 of Dark Shadows, which aired on April 20, 1967, an instrumental version of Bobby's
    "I'll Be There" can be heard playing in the background during the show. The scene in which the song can be heard takes place at the local bar. Carolyn Stoddard and Burke Devlin are talking about their past relationship, which has ended because Carolyn found out that Burke was using her to hurt her family. The song plays while Burke apologizes to Carolyn for what he has done. (Thanks to Amber for this info.)

    Saturday Night Live: In this episode broadcast October 11, 1975: Bobby's "Mack the Knife" played over the opening title of the comedy skit, "Victims of Shark Bite," starring Jane Curtin and John Belushi. (Thanks to Maureen for this information)
    Saturday Night Live: In this episode broadcast September 24, 1977: Steve Martin sang part of "Mack the Knife" and explained that he was looking for some cat handcuffs.


    In the pilot of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour which aired November 28, 1976, the Bradys along with guests Donny & Marie Osmond sang "Splish Splash." (Thanks to Lisa Hansen for this info.)

    Happy Days: In episode number 35 entitled "Fonzie Joins the Band" which aired March 4, 1975, Potsie sings and the band plays Bobby's "Splish Splash" in the Cunningham garage. Later, they perform the song again at the Leopard Lodge dance.

    In episode number 123 entitled "Fearless Malph" which aired October 24, 1978, Bobby's "Splish Splash" is playing on the jukebox at Arnold's.

    In episode number 165 entitled "A Potsie Is Born," which aired March 11, 1980, Potsie and the band perform Bobby's "Mack the Knife" at an audition for a club engagement.




"Oh the shark bites..." (Audio)

    The Love Boat: In an October 13, 1979, episode entitled "Gopher's Greatest Hit": Gopher (Fred Grandy) impersonated Bobby singing "Mack the Knife."


    Growing Pains: Sometime in late 80's /early 90's in this situation comedy, Alan Thicke's character performed at some sort of musical show or benefit and sang Bobby's "Mack the Knife".


    McDonalds: In the late 1980's, a character that was based on Bobby's "Mack the Knife," called "Mac Tonite" was featured in several commercials for the fast food chain, and many Happy Meal collectible toys were produced of the character. ("Make it Mac tonite!")


    Laverne and Shirley: Throughout the run of this 1976-1983 ABC situation comedy, Mr. Darin's picture had a special place in the background on Laverne and Shirley's bedroom wall. This was noticed most specifically on the 1982 episode, "Watch the Fur Fly." ( See picture from scene.) This was a popular promotional photo of Bobby (seen as a poster on this show) and was most recently used for the 1999 Collectors' Choice CD, Unreleased Capitol Sides.


    X-Files: In an episode that was broadcast July 1, 1994, entitled "Beyond the Sea," Bobby's song plays a major role in the plot.


    Saturday Night Live: In an episode that was broadcast February 10, 1996, guest host Danny Aiello announced he was going to sing "Bobby Darin's Clementine" and he did.


    Seinfeld: In the episode "The Checks" that was broadcast November 7, 1996, Jerry receives residual checks from his Japanese TV appearance. The Japanese businessmen get stuck in Kramer's dresser drawers and Elaine's new boyfriend is obsessed with the song "Desperado." While Jerry and George are sitting in the coffee shop Kramer walks in dressed to the nines and Jerry says, "W-e-l-l ... Macky's back."


    Touched by an Angel: In the episode "Into the Light" that was broadcast November 17, 1996, Kirsten Dunst plays a teenager named Amy Ann McCoy hospitalized with cystic fibrosis. (She's a HUGE Elvis fan.) David Marciano plays a man named James Block with a heart condition. He is a huge Bobby Darin fan. He says to Amy, "I got the music for your birthday party." Amy responds, "I think we have all the Elvis CDs we need." To which James replies, "Oh no--I have some Bobby Darin records." "Who's Bobby Darin?" "Only the best singer in the world." (Thanks to Deirdre Staunton for this info)


    ER: In an episode entitled "Whose Appy Now?" which aired February 6, 1997, Dr. Carter removed Dr. Benton's appendix, and Bobby's "Mack the Knife" was heard in the background. Dr. Carter sang along with it.


    Millennium -- Season 2

    In episode number 2 entitled "Beware of the Dog" which aired September 26, 1997, Bobby's "As Long As I'm Singin'" plays on a portable CD player as Frank Black looks over crime scene photos on his computer. The scene changes to Frank in his car driving to the crime scene, and the song is amplified on the soundtrack as he listens to it in the car.
    (From fourthhorseman.com: 'This episode introduced viewers to Frank Black's penchant for the music of singer Bobby Darin. On the musical choice Glen Morgan commented, "Lance doesn't quite understand, but it actually makes some upcoming scenes creepy."')
    In episode number 3 entitled "Sense and Antisense" which aired October 3, 1997, Bobby's "Gyp the Cat" plays while Frank Black gets undressed to take a shower and discovers he may have been infected with a highly contagious virus.
    In episode number 4 entitled "Monster" which aired October 17, 1997, Bobby's "Goodbye Charlie" plays on Frank Black's portable CD player while on a plane trip.
    In episode number 5 entitled "A Single Blade of Grass" which aired October 24, 1997, there is no Bobby Darin song heard in the episode, but, nonetheless, he is referred to in the script. The NYC coroner is listening to the band, Squirrel Nut Zippers, as she prepares for an autopsy. Frank enters the morgue, recognizes the music and asks if she likes Bobby. Frank: "You by any chance into Bobby Darin?" Coroner: "Oh yeah--Gidget Goes Hawaiian." Frank: "No, that's James Darren."
    In episode number 6 entitled "The Curse of Frank Black" which aired October 31, 1997, again, even though there are no Bobby Darin songs on the episode's soundtrack, he makes an appearance in the script. Frank Black tries, repeatedly, to play a Bobby Darin CD in his car, but the player keeps spitting it back out as unplayable.
    Frank: (frustrated) "C'mon, Bobby."
    In episode number 11 entitled "Goodbye Charlie" which aired January 9, 1998, the first time you hear the song in this episode, it is a karaoke version that the character Steven Kiley sings along with. This is the police station interrogation of Steven Kiley by Frank Black and Lara Means. Steven: "Bobby Darin was one swinging' cat. Either of you into Bobby?" (Frank smiles and nods. Steven laughs.) "I knew it! But, y'know, Bobby Darin changed his name... He was born Walden Cassotto. (sighs) He was sick his entire life. Had rheumatic fever when he was a child. They didn't expect him to live past the age of 16." Frank: "But if he'd called it quits when he was 16, there'd've been no 'Mack the Knife' or" (sings) "somewhere 'Beyond the Sea'--you know that one. There would've been no Academy Award nomination for... uh..." Steven: Captain Newman. Frank: Captain Newman M.D. Steven: "But, you see, he developed congestive heart disease. He had multiple heart surgeries which, really, had no effect. So he made a choice to stop having them--knowing that he would not live much longer after making that choice. He died--dignified, and remembered. At the age of 37." Later, at the end of the episode, Frank and Lara are in Frank's car when he starts it and the CD he had been playing starts up in the stereo. It is Bobby's version of "Goodbye Charlie." Frank: "How else you gonna get to know a guy like that? Besides, it's a cool song." The camera pulls back, the car drives off into the distance, and the song's volume increases and takes us into the show's credits.

    From fourthhorseman.com: '"Even the late, lamented Bobby Darin fits into Morgan and Wong's storytelling model, his music acting as background commentary for the first third of the season before a sublime sendoff-via-monologue in the tenth episode, 'Goodbye Charlie.'" -- Keith Uhlich, Slant Magazine

      In "The Turn of the Tide: Making of Season Two" documentary, the Millennium music composer, Mark Snow says: "Frank Black and Bobby Darin--I think it was a vehicle simply to make him (Frank), y'know, as much an Everyman as possible. To ground him. To make him seem normal. I think (Glen) Morgan and (James) Wong (producers/writers) just love Bobby Darin. Period. And that's--and they said, 'He's (Frank's) gonna like it too. We like it; he likes it.'"

    (Thanks to Carla MacDonald for all this information!)


    Chicago Hope: Sometime in 1997/98, Bobby's story of finding out his sister was really his mother was mentioned in a storyline.


    Will & Grace: On the September 21, 1998, first season pilot entitled "Love and Marriage" ... Will, referring to watching pop-up video on VH1, says to Grace, "Did you know that Fiona Apple doesn’t even like apples, and Bobby Darin’s dog was named Fiona?" (Thanks to Nicolle Houseman)


    Frasier: Sometime in 1998/99, Frasier's father (Martin Crane, played by John Mahoney) called up his girl and asked her to come over, claiming he had "Bobby Darin on the stereo."


    The Practice: In May 2000, Bobby could be heard singing "It Had To Be You" in the promo for the season finale of ABC's "The Practice."


    Kohl's: During the Christmas season of 2000, Bobby's "More" could be heard in this department store chain Christmas commercials. (This was very short-lived. Bobby was soon replaced by another singer's rendition.)


    April 2001: The HBO movie ' 61*, plays Bobby's "Dream Lover" in the first few scenes. (Thanks to Irma)


    Ed: On an episode aired in May 2001, the story on NBC's Ed was about a "Vegas Night" and Bobby could be heard singing "Beyond the Sea."


    The Fighting Fitzgeralds: In May 2001, the Brian Dennehy character was driving and singing along with the radio. The song that was playing was "Beyond the Sea" sung by Bobby Darin. (Thanks to Christine for this information)


    Family Guy: In an episode that was broadcast November 28, 2001, the cartoon characters go into a hotel room. One of them attempts to pull down a murphy bed which results in the wall collapsing. An older couple is now revealed in the next room. The wife says, "We're going to see Bobby Darin at the Copa tomorrow night, right Frank?" The husband responds, "Yep, Bobby Darin, tomorrow night!" (Thanks to Mike Chilcott for this information)


    The Sopranos : In a scene on a recent episode of this HBO drama, in the private lounge of "Bada Bing," Bobby's "I'll Remember April" was heard playing in the background. (Thanks to Lois for this information)

    In another episode shown on May 2, 2004, Bobby's "If I Were a Carpenter" played over the end credits.

    Walden Robert Cassotto was mentioned on the final episode of this series which aired on June 10, 2007. One of Tony Soprano's workers was asked about his first name "Walden" and he answered back that he was named after Bobby Darin, Walden Robert Cassotto! (Thanks to Sarah Charbonneau)


    A&E's Live by Request: In this A&E special, "A Barry Manilow Christmas," which aired on December 5, 2003, Barry sings a great swinging arrangement of "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays." Barry begins snapping his fingers and a few bars into the song remarks, "I feel like ... BOBBY DARIN!"


    Bobby was featured in a Major League Baseball promotion for the July 11, 2006, All Star Game.
    It was shown on ESPN & the Fox Sport channel. The commercial featured LOTS of Bobby's tune, "I'm Sitting on Top of the World!" BD was definitely not singing softly in the background on this one!!! And, a very COOL bonus ... You could clearly hear it when he said, "Go get 'em Billy!"


    August 2006: Bobby's song, "Don't Rain on My Parade" was featured in a UK Terrestrial television commercial advertising Vauxhall cars. Thanks to David Hopper for this information; he reports that Bobby sounds great on his TV! -- Watch it here. Click on "play movie." (Thanks to Glenn Miller)


    Shark : On September 21, 2006, in the premiere episode of this CBS series, Bobby's "Mack the Knife" could be heard during the opening scene.

    January 2007: There is a UK television program called Soapstar Superstar that has actors from the soap operas singing songs every night for a week on prime time TV. One of them chose "Don't Rain on My Parade" and the host actually announces the song as the Bobby Darin song, "Don't Rain on My Parade," at the beginning of the performance! (Thanks to David Hopper)


    Malcolm in the Middle : In the episode, "Malcolm's Money" which aired on January 6, 2006 ( Season 7, #10) Reese is shown in a montage, enjoying himself in an old people's home while Bobby's "I'm Sitting on Top of
    the World" plays on the soundtrack. (Thanks to Syra)

Music

    In 1974, the Righteous Brothers released "Rock and Roll Heaven" with the line, "And Bobby gave us 'Mack the Knife'...look out he's back in town."

    In 1974, Johnny Rivers released the LP "The Road" that included the beautiful ballad "Artists and Poets." The song, written by Johnny Rivers and Michael Georgiades, was dedicated to Jim Croce, Gram Parsons and Bobby Darin. "Now that he's gone, will his songs live on? Will someone remember what he gave?"

    The 1995 Sony "Wonder"/CTW (Sesame Street) disc "Splish Splash: Bath Time Fun" opens with Elmo singing a (slightly rewritten) version of "Splish Splash".

    The 2002 CD by folk singer songwriter Bob Wilders titled John Wilders has a song dedicated to Bobby called " The Late Bobby Darin Blues." (Thanks to Brygo at WCBC Newsroom)

    On June 28th 2005, John Stevens' new CD Red will be released. John is a fan and used Bobby's quote "My goal is to be remembered as a human being and as a great performer," on his CD packaging.


    The song "I Dig Girls" by Bobby Rydell mentions two of Bobby's songs in the lyrics, "Dream Lover"
    and "Plain Jane." (Thanks to Mary)


    The Who mention Bobby in the lyrics of "Mirror Song." (Thanks to Beth Radtke)


    On September 22, 2007, the University of Michigan Marching Band did a halftime show entitled
    Tribute to Bobby Darin. The set consisted of "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Beyond the Sea" and "Mack the Knife." (Thanks to Dave McGill)


Books

    THE MITFORD BEDSIDE COMPANION -- by Jan Karon (page 121)

    A person is talking to an elderly lady who lives in a nursing home. The friend has just made arrangements for the elderly woman's grandson to come from out-of-state to visit and surprise his grandmother.
    "Who you think is comin' t see you next week?"
    "I don't know....you, I guess."
    "No, this goin t' be somebody special...."
    "You're special!"
    "Yes maam but this be somebody handsome and young."
    "I don't know anybody handsome and young."
    "Yes maam you do. You try and think, now."
    Miss Violet thought hard. "Bobby Darin!" she exclaimed ...
    (Thanks to Ann Hopka)

    GONE BABY GONE -- by Dennis Lehane (pages 391-392)

    "I followed him into his living room, where a book of crossword puzzles sat open on the coffee table in between a bottle of Jack Daniel's,a half-full tumbler, and an ashtray. The TV was on, but muted, and Bobby Darin sang "The Good Life" from speakers set to whisper volume."...

    "None of us said anything, and Bobby Darin's silk vocal slid through the room. I stood in the doorway with all that had gone unspoken and unconfronted in my friendship with Devin hanging between us as Darin sang with a detached mourning for the unattainable, the gulf between what we wish for and what we get." (Thanks to Gail Glaze)

    LIONBOY: The Chase -- by Zizou Corder (p. 66)

    "So then he started singing all his favourite washing songs ('Splish Splash I was taking a bath!')" (Thanks to Michael Lowe)

    FOR ONE MORE DAY -- by Mitch Albom

    "The Melody Changes" (pages 45-46) ... We had a hi-fi, and one year for her birthday she got an album by Bobby Darin. He sang that tune, and she played the record after dinner as she cleaned the dishes. ... But once my father left, she never did again. The Bobby Darin album stayed on the shelf. ...
    "Chick Makes His Choice" (pages 129-131) ... “Hey! Wait! Look at this!” It was the Bobby Darin album my mother used to play when we were kids. He wore a white tuxedo on the cover, his hair embarrassingly short and neat. She playfully snapped her fingers as I sang Bobby Darin. ... The next day I called my mom ... I told her about Catherine and the Bobby Darin song. ...
    (Thanks to Kanna Jones)

    Friday Night Knitting Club -- by Kate Jacobs (p. 331)

    "But there was something enticing about the idea of waking up beside Marty morning after morning, hearing him sing Bobby Darin hits in the shower. She had to admit, there was something darn nice about spending time with someone from the same generation." (Thanks to Gail Glaze )


This page is far from complete and will continue to be updated. If you know of any more references, have anything to add or correct, please send the information here. Thanks!!


Home | News | Bobby | Career | Fun | Fans | Specials

bobbydarin.net/bobbydarin.com, All Rights Reserved.