No. 401: Frankencrime (For a Quickie)

No. 401: "Frankencrime." Frank Sinatra by Tom Wills, February 2018. Pencil/graphite.

Estates are kind of particular when it comes to images of dead but lucrative stars. But they can't own a police mug shot.

This is a young Frank Sinatra, 11-27-38, staring into a flashbulb at the Bergen County Sheriff's office,  New Jersey. A lady said Frank -- not yet a star -- besmirched her reputation by climbing on for a quick ride. Twice.

 The FBI reported: "On the second and ninth days of November 1938 at the Borough of Lodi" and "under the promise of marriage" Sinatra "did then and there have sexual intercourse with the said complainant, who was then and there a single female of good repute." This, the charge stated, was "contrary and in violation of the revised statute of 1937."

At the time this was quite serious, and Frank took the rap until it came out that the woman was married and, well, you know, Frank had those damned blue eyes!

It's the eyes that make this picture, and for a while I was just going to draw young blue Frank and leave it there. But the jailhouse placard is so central to the image that I had to keep it. Oh young Frank, what was your little head thinking?

This drawing was started and completed in seven hours. Sometimes they happen easily. The eyes and the lettering took the most time.  The hair is a mess by design (because his hair is a mess in the mugshot).  I smeared the background with my palm to convey the essential grime of a county lockup.

But Frank was still cool. I don't think he even wrinkled his suit jacket.

This illustration is available. willstom01@gmail.com