In his biography of one of the greatest entertainers in history, Sammy Davis, Jr.: Me and My
Shadow, Arthur Silber, Jr. lays out his personal journey as Sammy’s closest confidant, advisor
and business partner from 1949 to the mid-1970s. Peppered with scores of pictures never
seen and stories never told, Silber also corrects details of major events in Sammy’s life which
have become legend through re-telling or being related in recent books.
Beyond setting the record straight and chronicling the life of an American icon, Silber is also on
a mission to bring to light the very real strides Sammy made in breaking down numerous color
barriers well before and during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
Shadow, Arthur Silber, Jr. lays out his personal journey as Sammy’s closest confidant, advisor
and business partner from 1949 to the mid-1970s. Peppered with scores of pictures never
seen and stories never told, Silber also corrects details of major events in Sammy’s life which
have become legend through re-telling or being related in recent books.
Beyond setting the record straight and chronicling the life of an American icon, Silber is also on
a mission to bring to light the very real strides Sammy made in breaking down numerous color
barriers well before and during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
Literally growing up on the boards of the vaudeville circuit during the 1930s and 1940s, Sammy
saw first hand racial discrimination decades prior to the gains made in the tumultuous 1960s.
Silber, whose father managed the Will Maston Trio (Sammy’s uncle), and Davis grew close in
the mid-1940s and became practically inseparable for over 15 years. When Sammy Davis, Jr.
began to establish himself as a major star in the mid-1950s, he was allowed to play hotels in
Las Vegas but not allowed to stay in them, eat in the restaurants or gamble in the casinos.
Sammy broke that color barrier down. This is only one example of the racial divides he
confronted and just one example of how this diminutive man and entertainment powerhouse
changed life in America, for one of his deepest desires was just to be treated equally. Much has
been made of other Civil Rights pioneers, but Sammy Davis, Jr. gets short shrift in this regard,
something which must be changed.
While acknowledging the roles so many played in the Civil Rights Movement, Arthur Silber, Jr.
and many others, feels that Sammy Davis, Jr. deserves and must be given a proud place in the
pantheon of those who fought this fight in the trenches. Sammy confronted it in his travels
around the country and very often had swallow his pride, often enduring death threats, so that
those to follow would have it better than previous generations.
Sammy Davis, Jr. was not only one of the greatest entertainers in history, he was a sensitive
and gracious man who was all to aware of his surroundings, determined to change them and,
most importantly, a proud man who loved his family, friends and country with equal fervor. No
matter our race, creed or religious beliefs, all Americans and people around the world must give
thanks for brave men like Sammy Davis, Jr.
saw first hand racial discrimination decades prior to the gains made in the tumultuous 1960s.
Silber, whose father managed the Will Maston Trio (Sammy’s uncle), and Davis grew close in
the mid-1940s and became practically inseparable for over 15 years. When Sammy Davis, Jr.
began to establish himself as a major star in the mid-1950s, he was allowed to play hotels in
Las Vegas but not allowed to stay in them, eat in the restaurants or gamble in the casinos.
Sammy broke that color barrier down. This is only one example of the racial divides he
confronted and just one example of how this diminutive man and entertainment powerhouse
changed life in America, for one of his deepest desires was just to be treated equally. Much has
been made of other Civil Rights pioneers, but Sammy Davis, Jr. gets short shrift in this regard,
something which must be changed.
While acknowledging the roles so many played in the Civil Rights Movement, Arthur Silber, Jr.
and many others, feels that Sammy Davis, Jr. deserves and must be given a proud place in the
pantheon of those who fought this fight in the trenches. Sammy confronted it in his travels
around the country and very often had swallow his pride, often enduring death threats, so that
those to follow would have it better than previous generations.
Sammy Davis, Jr. was not only one of the greatest entertainers in history, he was a sensitive
and gracious man who was all to aware of his surroundings, determined to change them and,
most importantly, a proud man who loved his family, friends and country with equal fervor. No
matter our race, creed or religious beliefs, all Americans and people around the world must give
thanks for brave men like Sammy Davis, Jr.
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| "One of the best books on Sammy Davis Jr. I've ever read! Arthur Silber Jr. captures everything on paper that made Sammy 'Mr. Wonderful.' It's a heartfelt tribute from someone who knew Sammy very well " James Bacon, Hollywood Columnist and Author |
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| Full review by Hollywood columnist James Bacon of Sammy Davis Jr.: Me and My Shadow by Arthur Silber, Jr. |
" I've just finished reading the galley proofs of an amazing book on the wild life of Sammy Davis, Jr. I call
the book amazing because it was written by an author who knew his subject intimately. The book is called
Sammy Davis Jr.: Me and My Shadow. It's by Arthur Silber, Jr, the son of Sammy's agent and himself a
guy who worked and traveled with Sammy for decades, and more importantly, he was Sammy's best friend.
the book amazing because it was written by an author who knew his subject intimately. The book is called
Sammy Davis Jr.: Me and My Shadow. It's by Arthur Silber, Jr, the son of Sammy's agent and himself a
guy who worked and traveled with Sammy for decades, and more importantly, he was Sammy's best friend.
Most celebrity books are written by people who have never even met their subjects. They get their
material from unfounded rumors in the supermarket tabloids... The book goes into great detail about
Sammy's sex life. How this great entertainer displayed such energy on stage after partying with four or
five beautiful young women before showtime, and with many more between shows and all night long,
blows my mind. But Silber was there to report it.
The girls were divided between showgirls and star lovers (to use a less graphic term than usual). I caught
Sammy's shows at Ciro's on the Sunset Strip and at the Sands in Las Vegas dozens of times, and no
performer ever worked harder onstage. He was the black Superman. Sammy, Silber writes, was the
first black man ever to walk through a casino in Las Vegas. He was also the first to ever deal blackjack in a
casino, opening the doors for all African-Americans.
He and Lena Horne, also a Sands headliner, were the first African-Americans to ever stay in a Vegas Strip
hotel where they were performing... Much of the credit for blacks staying at the Sands must go to the late
Jack Entratter, the Sands impresario, who got the okay from the Mob owners of the Sands.
Jack was a great guy who was sincerely without any hint of racial prejudice. Silber also goes into great
detail about Sammy's fling with Kim Novak. He mentions something about me in that regard that I didn't
think anybody knew but me. He was right on the button. How he ever found out, I'll never know..."
material from unfounded rumors in the supermarket tabloids... The book goes into great detail about
Sammy's sex life. How this great entertainer displayed such energy on stage after partying with four or
five beautiful young women before showtime, and with many more between shows and all night long,
blows my mind. But Silber was there to report it.
The girls were divided between showgirls and star lovers (to use a less graphic term than usual). I caught
Sammy's shows at Ciro's on the Sunset Strip and at the Sands in Las Vegas dozens of times, and no
performer ever worked harder onstage. He was the black Superman. Sammy, Silber writes, was the
first black man ever to walk through a casino in Las Vegas. He was also the first to ever deal blackjack in a
casino, opening the doors for all African-Americans.
He and Lena Horne, also a Sands headliner, were the first African-Americans to ever stay in a Vegas Strip
hotel where they were performing... Much of the credit for blacks staying at the Sands must go to the late
Jack Entratter, the Sands impresario, who got the okay from the Mob owners of the Sands.
Jack was a great guy who was sincerely without any hint of racial prejudice. Silber also goes into great
detail about Sammy's fling with Kim Novak. He mentions something about me in that regard that I didn't
think anybody knew but me. He was right on the button. How he ever found out, I'll never know..."
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The original Ocean's 11, released in
1960, brought together the famous
Rat Pack in Las Vegas for filming.
The all-star cast included Frank
Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis,
Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson,
and many more. Sammy Davis, Jr.
was a terrific actor in both dramatic
and comedic roles. Ocean's 11 is
well known for bringing together
such a legendary group of stars,
also see The Rat Pack below.
1960, brought together the famous
Rat Pack in Las Vegas for filming.
The all-star cast included Frank
Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis,
Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson,
and many more. Sammy Davis, Jr.
was a terrific actor in both dramatic
and comedic roles. Ocean's 11 is
well known for bringing together
such a legendary group of stars,
also see The Rat Pack below.
The Rat Pack in Las Vegas during filming
of Oceans Eleven in Las Vegas. Left to right:
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
of Oceans Eleven in Las Vegas. Left to right:
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
Frank Sinatra proved a big booster of
Sammy Davis, Jr. when he was an up
and coming star in the 1950s. He forced
the racist owner of the Copacabana in
New York City to book Sammy, who went
on to break house records and bring in
the first black patrons to the club.
Sammy Davis, Jr. when he was an up
and coming star in the 1950s. He forced
the racist owner of the Copacabana in
New York City to book Sammy, who went
on to break house records and bring in
the first black patrons to the club.
Entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. was a human dynamo; a powerhouse of talent and the favorite son of the show-biz universe for decades. His story
has been told on television, in magazine articles and in various biographies on which Sammy was "consulted" but these renditions only skimmed
the surface. Even Sammy's autobiography Yes I Can did not contain the whole truth. At that time, it was too dangerous for him to tell it.
Arthur Silber,Jr. was Sammy's production manager, assistant, business partner, constant traveling companion and, most importantly, his best
friend, closest confidant and blood brother from 1946 until circumstances forced a parting of ways in 1966. Sammy Davis, Jr.: Me and My
Shadow is an eyewitness account of the famous entertainer's never-before-told adventures on the road and off recalled in colorful detail by a man
who stood by his side through it all, a man considered by Sammy to be "family".
Art Silber was there to teach Sammy to drive and to keep him from driving a bullet through his brain when despair over his lost love affair with
Kim Novak destroyed his will to live. The author was with Sammy in Las Vegas in its heyday when the Mob ruled and wild parties with willing
chorus girls were the nightly norm. It was Arthur Silber, Jr. who witnessed first-hand, the indignities of racial prejudice the famous entertainer
faced when he wasn't allowed to even stroll through the Las Vegas hotels he made successful with his performances. Silber was there and risked
his life along with Sammy as the entertainer broke all the rules, thus opening doors for people of color everywhere.
Former accounts of the "best buddy" antics of the famous Rat Pack are negated as the author reveals the truly dark side of the group; the cruel
racial jokes at Sammy's expense that the small man with the big heart endured in order to fit in with the big boys. Silber was there to bolster his
best friend's pride when Frank and Dean shattered it on stage nightly.
As young men with incredible access to the upper echelon of show business, Sammy and Art had lunch with Princess Grace of Monaco and
chatted with the Queen of England. Encounters and friendships with immortals like Judy Garland, Gregory Peck, Milton Berle, Maurice
Chevalier, Eddie Cantor and stars of the day like Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Jeff Chandler, Nat King Cole and David Niven are described
with humor and panache.
The blood brothers went on wild shopping sprees as their hobbies fluctuated from cameras and guns to golf. The two bought swords and swash
buckled through the halls of the famous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. They had Western "quick draw" competitions at a moment's notice as
Arthur and Sammy learned these skills that Sammy would later use in his act and also helped him make up for a lost childhood.
When Sammy lost his eye in the often-documented car wreck, it was Silber who was constantly at the hospital holding his hand and helping
convince him to go on living. When the young friends met the loves of their lives and each saw that love shattered, they were there for each
other with mutual support.
Silber had been on hand to set up and facilitate trysts between young lovers Sammy and star Kim Novak and when Sammy was forced by the
Mob to end his relationship with Kim and marry a black woman, Silber provided a strong shoulder for his friend to cry on as Sammy's despair led to
attempted suicide. When Art's engagement to a beautiful chorus girl was broken, it was Sammy who helped pick up the pieces.
Over twenty-two years, some of the best years in the life and career of Sammy Davis, Jr., years packed with incredible success and shattering
despair, years of breaking down racial barriers and building a unique and enduring show business legend, were shared by an unlikely duo, two
strong Jewish men; a 5' 6" Black dynamo from Harlem and a White 6-footer from Hollywood Sammy Davis, Jr. Sammy Davis, Jr.: Me and My
Shadow is that story. You'll never hear it told anywhere else.
has been told on television, in magazine articles and in various biographies on which Sammy was "consulted" but these renditions only skimmed
the surface. Even Sammy's autobiography Yes I Can did not contain the whole truth. At that time, it was too dangerous for him to tell it.
Arthur Silber,Jr. was Sammy's production manager, assistant, business partner, constant traveling companion and, most importantly, his best
friend, closest confidant and blood brother from 1946 until circumstances forced a parting of ways in 1966. Sammy Davis, Jr.: Me and My
Shadow is an eyewitness account of the famous entertainer's never-before-told adventures on the road and off recalled in colorful detail by a man
who stood by his side through it all, a man considered by Sammy to be "family".
Art Silber was there to teach Sammy to drive and to keep him from driving a bullet through his brain when despair over his lost love affair with
Kim Novak destroyed his will to live. The author was with Sammy in Las Vegas in its heyday when the Mob ruled and wild parties with willing
chorus girls were the nightly norm. It was Arthur Silber, Jr. who witnessed first-hand, the indignities of racial prejudice the famous entertainer
faced when he wasn't allowed to even stroll through the Las Vegas hotels he made successful with his performances. Silber was there and risked
his life along with Sammy as the entertainer broke all the rules, thus opening doors for people of color everywhere.
Former accounts of the "best buddy" antics of the famous Rat Pack are negated as the author reveals the truly dark side of the group; the cruel
racial jokes at Sammy's expense that the small man with the big heart endured in order to fit in with the big boys. Silber was there to bolster his
best friend's pride when Frank and Dean shattered it on stage nightly.
As young men with incredible access to the upper echelon of show business, Sammy and Art had lunch with Princess Grace of Monaco and
chatted with the Queen of England. Encounters and friendships with immortals like Judy Garland, Gregory Peck, Milton Berle, Maurice
Chevalier, Eddie Cantor and stars of the day like Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Jeff Chandler, Nat King Cole and David Niven are described
with humor and panache.
The blood brothers went on wild shopping sprees as their hobbies fluctuated from cameras and guns to golf. The two bought swords and swash
buckled through the halls of the famous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. They had Western "quick draw" competitions at a moment's notice as
Arthur and Sammy learned these skills that Sammy would later use in his act and also helped him make up for a lost childhood.
When Sammy lost his eye in the often-documented car wreck, it was Silber who was constantly at the hospital holding his hand and helping
convince him to go on living. When the young friends met the loves of their lives and each saw that love shattered, they were there for each
other with mutual support.
Silber had been on hand to set up and facilitate trysts between young lovers Sammy and star Kim Novak and when Sammy was forced by the
Mob to end his relationship with Kim and marry a black woman, Silber provided a strong shoulder for his friend to cry on as Sammy's despair led to
attempted suicide. When Art's engagement to a beautiful chorus girl was broken, it was Sammy who helped pick up the pieces.
Over twenty-two years, some of the best years in the life and career of Sammy Davis, Jr., years packed with incredible success and shattering
despair, years of breaking down racial barriers and building a unique and enduring show business legend, were shared by an unlikely duo, two
strong Jewish men; a 5' 6" Black dynamo from Harlem and a White 6-footer from Hollywood Sammy Davis, Jr. Sammy Davis, Jr.: Me and My
Shadow is that story. You'll never hear it told anywhere else.
| Overview of Sammy Davis, Jr: Me and My Shadow |
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| Kim Novak, Sammy Davis' Lost Love **Click Any Image to Enlarge** |
| Oceans 11, Las Vegas, The Rat Pack, London, Sinatra, Kim Novak & Beginnings |
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| " Sammy Davis, Jr.: Me and My Shadow reveals many things about a great entertainer that nobody but his best friend, Arthur Silber Jr. could know...it's a fascinating read..." Legendary Actor Glenn Ford |
| Actress May Britt, once married to Sammy Davis, Jr. who has only endorsed one book about him, Sammy Davis, Jr.: Me and My Shadow, had this to say about the book: "I'm sure that the author's first-hand experiences will give the reader added insight intothe life of one of the world’s greatest entertainers." May Britt |
Sammy Davis, Jr., Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Silber, Jr.
receiving autographed picture of Marilyn at 20th Century
Fox Studio while she was making How To Marry a
Millionaire.
receiving autographed picture of Marilyn at 20th Century
Fox Studio while she was making How To Marry a
Millionaire.
Click on the image to enlarge
the autographed picture of
Marilyn Monroe that she signed
for Arthur Silber, Jr. in the
picture to the left. The original
sold for $14,000 at Sotheby's.
the autographed picture of
Marilyn Monroe that she signed
for Arthur Silber, Jr. in the
picture to the left. The original
sold for $14,000 at Sotheby's.
Sammy Davis, Jr. performing with the
Will Maston Trio opening night at Ciros,
a famous night in Los Angeles, after
almost being killed and losing the sight
in his left eye in a major car accident,
Nov. 19, 1954, en route from Las Vegas
to record the title song of the new Tony
Curtis movie, Six Bridges to Cross.
Will Maston Trio opening night at Ciros,
a famous night in Los Angeles, after
almost being killed and losing the sight
in his left eye in a major car accident,
Nov. 19, 1954, en route from Las Vegas
to record the title song of the new Tony
Curtis movie, Six Bridges to Cross.
Sammy singing Ol' Man River at the Club Pigalle in
London. Paul Robeson, who made Ol' Man River his
trademark song after performing it in the famous
musical Showboat, gave Sammy Davis, Jr. a standing
ovation, something which Sammy really appreciated
and which surprised the crowd.
London. Paul Robeson, who made Ol' Man River his
trademark song after performing it in the famous
musical Showboat, gave Sammy Davis, Jr. a standing
ovation, something which Sammy really appreciated
and which surprised the crowd.
| Contact Arthur Silber, Jr. at arthursilber@sprintmail.com |
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| Click here to see about a new coffee table book about Sammy Davis, Jr. Sammy, A Life in Pictures: From Vaudeville to the Rat Pack and Beyond Arthur Silber, Jr. |
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| This web site contains dozens of previously unpublished Photographs from the private collections of Sammy Davis Jr. and Arthur Silber Jr. which are from the Silber family archives or those for which I have been permission and/or credited. No pictures may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, Arthur Silber Jr. , Samart Enterprises / StoryTime Enterprises © 1997-2007 All Rights Reserved. |
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Kim Novak, one of the most beautiful actresses of the 1950s who
appeared in such hits as Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo with Jimmy
Stewart and Pal Joey with Frank Sinatra, had a torrid affair with
Sammy Davis, Jr. that almost cost him, and Arthur Silber, Jr., their
lives. Novak and Sammy met at a party at residence of Tony Curtis
and Janet Leigh and, only have talked late into the night, it was
splashed all over the papers that Columbia was worried about their
prized actress getting involved with Sammy.
When it got serious, the heat from the powers that be got very, very
serious. Finally, a contract was put out on both Sammy and Arthur by
the Mob with express instructions that Sammy Davis, Jr. must marry a
black woman within 48 hours or both of them would be murdered. He
did and the love between two people was squashed because of racism.
appeared in such hits as Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo with Jimmy
Stewart and Pal Joey with Frank Sinatra, had a torrid affair with
Sammy Davis, Jr. that almost cost him, and Arthur Silber, Jr., their
lives. Novak and Sammy met at a party at residence of Tony Curtis
and Janet Leigh and, only have talked late into the night, it was
splashed all over the papers that Columbia was worried about their
prized actress getting involved with Sammy.
When it got serious, the heat from the powers that be got very, very
serious. Finally, a contract was put out on both Sammy and Arthur by
the Mob with express instructions that Sammy Davis, Jr. must marry a
black woman within 48 hours or both of them would be murdered. He
did and the love between two people was squashed because of racism.
The Rat Pack performing at the famed
Sands Hotel in Las Vegas during the
filming of the original Oceans 11.
See down below for more pics of
The Rat Pack and Oceans 11.
Sands Hotel in Las Vegas during the
filming of the original Oceans 11.
See down below for more pics of
The Rat Pack and Oceans 11.
Sammy Davis, Jr. and Arthur Silber, Jr.
in 1950 at the beginning of 25 years
of professional collaboration and
a friendship which lasted a lifetime.
in 1950 at the beginning of 25 years
of professional collaboration and
a friendship which lasted a lifetime.
The cover of the 2002 Historic Black Vegas
Calendar, the first of it's kind, showing
Sammy Davis, Jr. dealing blackjack. The
first black allowed either gamble or deal
in Las Vegas, a key color barrier broken
down by Sammy. Note Arthur Silber, Jr.
with white tie at extreme left.
Calendar, the first of it's kind, showing
Sammy Davis, Jr. dealing blackjack. The
first black allowed either gamble or deal
in Las Vegas, a key color barrier broken
down by Sammy. Note Arthur Silber, Jr.
with white tie at extreme left.
Sammy Davis, Jr. and Arthur
Silber, Jr. apply for their
business license with Samart
Enterprises on Feb. 19, 1962, a
watershed day for both of them.
Silber, Jr. apply for their
business license with Samart
Enterprises on Feb. 19, 1962, a
watershed day for both of them.
| Arthur Silber, Jr. received the IRWIN Award for Best Entertainment Book in 2005 from the Book Publicists of Southern California. |
Sammy at the Lord Calvert Hotel
in Miami, Florida, where all the
black performers and athletes
had to stay while in town.
in Miami, Florida, where all the
black performers and athletes
had to stay while in town.
Arthur Silber, Jr. and Sammy Davis,
Jr. en route to fly overseas for his first
Royal Command Performance, for
Queen Elizabeth II, in London at the
Victoria Palace Theater. This also
included a four-week engagement at
Club Pigalle in London (photo above
is of Sammy performing in London).
Jr. en route to fly overseas for his first
Royal Command Performance, for
Queen Elizabeth II, in London at the
Victoria Palace Theater. This also
included a four-week engagement at
Club Pigalle in London (photo above
is of Sammy performing in London).
I Gotta Be Me is a song that reflects
Sammy Davis, Jr.'s life and the
philosophy which drove him in
many aspects of his life. A true
classic sung by an American classic.
Sammy Davis, Jr.'s life and the
philosophy which drove him in
many aspects of his life. A true
classic sung by an American classic.
Coming Soon!
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| After the Accident, New Years Eve, 1954 |
| Sammy sings soulfully in a style that all his own and loved around the world. |
| Sammy Davis, Jr.:Me and My Shadow Arthur Silber, Jr. |
| Marilyn Monroe and James Bacon |
| Sammy's First Trip Overseas |