When Dion – The Movie, finally hits the big screen there’s going to be a big demand for all things Dimucci. One essential item currently missing, is a mass marketed video collection.

While the film is likely to concentrate on the first 8 years of his fame, the video ought to take a broader look at his whole career, not ignoring or over-relying on the hits. Given that we can’t wait, here is a listing of videos and TV clips currently in circulation that most definitely should be included:

Recorded back in 1958 its probably Dion and the Belmonts first TV performance. The mimed performance from a balcony, is introduced by the legendary Dick Clark. Never again would they be so young.

Two extracts from the movie Happy Millionaire. The whole black and white movie is only recommended to the terminally nostalgic, but we can highly commend the 2 Dion inserts where he sings with the aid of a set of studio stools and high tech. performing studio lights (I kid you not). I wonder if a case could be made to colorise these two clips.

Taken from the movie Twist Around the Clock these show the man performing his current hits before a cabaret audience. I have not seen the whole movie but given my feelings on nearly all pre-hard days night pop movies, but I’m probably happy in my ignorance.

A scope-a-tone (early video-jukebox I believe) promo clip to support his new release. This was filmed on board an empty jet (way before the age of rock star personal jets) singing while being serviced by all those pretty hostess’s and sitting up front while the plane taxi’s up and down the runway.

These early 70’s clips are taken from Cher’s show when Dimucci was in full folk mode. AMJ is a nice duet proving that Cher can sing, even when she has a good partner. Man in the Glass is the first appearance of Dimucci’s gospel phase that would dominate his career throughout the 80’s.

Recorded somewhere in the US this shows our man doing his thing, down in the audience playing the opening track from his then current LP Sanctuary.

Nice duet with Phil Everly, from the Soundstage programme. Queen of 59 from the Streatheart Album definitely deserves a wider hearing

His folk phase now behind him, Dion bounced back with probably the finest support band he will ever have. These promo clips were released to support his then new album Return of the Wanderer. We see the band being driven round Dimucci’s neighbourhood of his youth, then performing on a rooftop "get back " style. The performances actually sound live to me.

I’ve tried to avoid duplicating songs but this one justifies its inclusion, with the cat in the hat supported by the New York Mafia (Springstein, Simon, Reed and a few more) having one more bash at that old pot boiler. It just goes to show that for all their rock-star status all they really wanted to do was to be Belmonts!

In 89 not only was he returning to mainstream, but also he had a record company behind him and a host of superstars to appear on his well-made videos.

Extracts of these were heard on a VH1 Yo Frankie Special in 1989. If whole versions still exist fans would love to hear them in full.

The old Fabian song, but performed by a real singer in April 95 on his appearance on Conan O'Brien show, with the Max Winberg house band in full swing.

So there we are 21 of his video bests. An introduction by the star would be the cherry on the top.

All of these have been seen in some ghostly format, by Dion collectors who would appreciate someone re-licensing and re-issuing them, as a good quality product to satisfy both long term fans and the newly recruited.

We expected to find other hits – no Drip Drop or Donna the Prima although both were performed on American Bandstand, so they should be lurking in the vaults somewhere.

He also made appearances on The Ed Sullivan and the Smothers Brothers Shows in the US, and Ready Steady Go in the UK – these must be sitting on some TV Studio’s shelves just waiting to leap at us.

So how about it Mr. Dimucci? Time to get your business advisors and lawyers onto this one –just in time for the movie killing?