Frank Vincent: Sling model and man's man

Remember Salvy Batts, the hood whom Joey LaMotta smashes repeatedly in a car door outside the Tropicana in Raging Bull? Or Billy Batts, the mouthy hood whom Tommy DeVito kicks and eventually stabs to death in a pivotal moment from GoodFellas?

Sure you do. What of it? Well, the actor who played the hapless ball-busters on the receiving ends of each of these beatings is named Frank Vincent, and it appears that he will soon be telling you how to take your violent beatdowns and stabbings and gunshots like a man—a "Man's Man," to be exact:

Frank Vincent, acclaimed actor in movies like Raging Bull and Goodfellas as well as his current role as Phil Leotardo on the hit HBO series The Sopranos, has teamed up with Steven Prigge … to write a new book entitled A Guy's Guide To Being A Man's Man, available in bookstores March 2006.

Frank Vincent's guidebook is a humorous, dead-on look at how to be a real man's man. It covers popular topics like dating, movies, music, food, cigars, Las Vegas and more! Not sure how to properly light a cigar? Have no idea what suit to buy? Want to choose the right song to set the right mood? This book will teach men that and then some. ...

Mr. Prigge said, "In Frank's movies, the characters he plays always leave an indelible impression on you long after you leave the theatre. In real-life, he embodies that same charisma. He has a special persona that can never be duplicated. Our book on how to be a man's man will be a big eye opener to men as well as women and who better to open your eyes than Frank Vincent!"

Indeed, Vincent's consummate manliness has always lent a certain swagger to his roles as victims. I learned long ago from Vincent how to best handle getting a glass smashed in my face, how to wear a sling, how to survive long rides in a car trunk and the proper delivery for choice, sure-to-get-me-killed insults like, "Go home and get your fucking shine box." In fairness, Vincent has had dozens of parts besides the ones where a guy half his size dismantles him, so perhaps victimhood is the wrong prism through which to view his track record (even if his publicist only cites these films)—it is not Vincent's fault Scorsese did not show us Salvy Batts' cigar-lighting techniques between getting a stanchion and a garbage can thrown at him.

Anyway, tough guys, mark your calendars, and try to avoid any fights before then—Frank Vincent is going to save your ass. Although an early review could be helpful, if anybody out there has one.