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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.
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.
The whole Rat Pack in Las Vegas during
filming of Oceans 11 in Las Vegas.
L-R: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy
Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
filming of Oceans 11 in Las Vegas.
L-R: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy
Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
Frank Sinatra proved a big booster of
Sammy when he was an up and coming
star in the 1950s. He forced the racist
owner of the Copacabana in New York
to book Sammy Davis, Jr., who went on
to break house records and bring in the
first black patrons to the club.
Sinatra was also instrumental in helping
him get booked at the Sands Hotel in
Las Vegas. Arthur Silber, Jr. and
Sammy Davis, Jr. considered the Sands
a home away from home, and both were
treated very well by the formidable
Sands President, Jack Entratter.
Sammy when he was an up and coming
star in the 1950s. He forced the racist
owner of the Copacabana in New York
to book Sammy Davis, Jr., who went on
to break house records and bring in the
first black patrons to the club.
Sinatra was also instrumental in helping
him get booked at the Sands Hotel in
Las Vegas. Arthur Silber, Jr. and
Sammy Davis, Jr. considered the Sands
a home away from home, and both were
treated very well by the formidable
Sands President, Jack Entratter.
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.
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.
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| Sammy, A Life in Pictures: From Vaudeville to the Rat Pack and Beyond Arthur Silber, Jr. |
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| Sammy Davis, Jr: Me and My Shadow Arthur Silber, Jr. |
| "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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Arthur Silber, Jr. with best friend Barbara
Crosby and Bill Miller, the owner of the
Rivera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Crosby and Bill Miller, the owner of the
Rivera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
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There is probably no greater test of a writer’s adjectival resources than the task of describing
Sammy Davis, Jr. Perhaps the easiest is to term him phenomenon, which is what he was. He certainly
rates the many descriptions of versatile, dynamic, galvanic, kinetic, protean and exciting that have been
pinned on him by critics and audiences the world over. Sammy Davis, Jr. was simply one of a kind.
This Picture book of the best part of Sammy’s life is a dream of mine and a promise I made to him one night
in Australia when I said, “One day I may write a book about all this stuff,” and he replied, “If you do Silber,
be sure you tell it right.” After writing my biographical memoir, Sammy Davis Jr. - Me And My Shadow, how
better to show and tell the story of my best friend and partner than in pictures.
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.
Sammy Davis, Jr. Perhaps the easiest is to term him phenomenon, which is what he was. He certainly
rates the many descriptions of versatile, dynamic, galvanic, kinetic, protean and exciting that have been
pinned on him by critics and audiences the world over. Sammy Davis, Jr. was simply one of a kind.
This Picture book of the best part of Sammy’s life is a dream of mine and a promise I made to him one night
in Australia when I said, “One day I may write a book about all this stuff,” and he replied, “If you do Silber,
be sure you tell it right.” After writing my biographical memoir, Sammy Davis Jr. - Me And My Shadow, how
better to show and tell the story of my best friend and partner than in pictures.
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.
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| Las Vegas, The Rat Pack, Oceans 11 (1960), Robin and the Seven Thieves (1964) and Frank Sinatra |
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| A small selection of the many pictures slated for publication in the coffee table book Sammy, A Life in Photos: From Vaudeville to the Rat Pack and Beyond |
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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 (1953).
Silber, Jr. receiving autographed picture of
Marilyn at 20th Century Fox Studio while she
was making How To Marry a Millionaire (1953).
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Click on the image to enlarge the
autographed picture of Marilyn
Monroe that she signed for
Arthur Silber, Jr. in the picture
to the right. The original sold for
$14,000 at Sotheby's.
autographed picture of Marilyn
Monroe that she signed for
Arthur Silber, Jr. in the picture
to the right. The original sold for
$14,000 at Sotheby's.
Sammy Davis, Jr. 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 a standing ovation
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 a standing ovation
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 a title song for the
new Tony Curtis move, Six Bridges to Cross.
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 a title song for the
new Tony Curtis move, Six Bridges to Cross.
| Contact Arthur Silber, Jr. at arthursilber@sprintmail.com |
| 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. |
Sammy Davis, Jr. sings soulfully in
a style that was all his own and
beloved around the world.
a style that was all his own and
beloved around the world.
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.
This picture captures a thoughtful and
serious side of Sammy Davis, Jr. Note
the ever present camera in his hand
and the Mezuzah around his neck that
was given to him by Eddie Cantor.
serious side of Sammy Davis, Jr. Note
the ever present camera in his hand
and the Mezuzah around his neck that
was given to him by Eddie Cantor.
The cover of the 2002 Historic Black
Vegas Calendar, the first of it's kind,
showing Sammy Davis, Jr. dealing
black jack. The first black allowed to
do so in Las Vegas, a key color barrier
broken by Sammy. Note Arthur Silber,
Jr. with white tie at extreme left.
Vegas Calendar, the first of it's kind,
showing Sammy Davis, Jr. dealing
black jack. The first black allowed to
do so in Las Vegas, a key color barrier
broken by Sammy. Note Arthur Silber,
Jr. with white tie at extreme left.
The Rat Pack performing at the famed Sands
Hotel in Las Vegas during the filming of the
original Oceans 11. Scroll down for more
pics of The Rat Pack and Oceans 11.
Hotel in Las Vegas during the filming of the
original Oceans 11. Scroll down for more
pics of The Rat Pack and Oceans 11.
Sammy Davis, Jr. with one of his
best friends, Bill Cosby, a man
who also was involved in breaking
down numerous color barriers
best friends, Bill Cosby, a man
who also was involved in breaking
down numerous color barriers
Sammy Davis, Jr. chatting with good friend
Shirley MacClaine, one of the original
Ocean's 11 girls along with Lana Turner,
Lauren Bacall and Angie Dickenson.
Shirley MacClaine, one of the original
Ocean's 11 girls along with Lana Turner,
Lauren Bacall and Angie Dickenson.
Quick Draw. 1956: Sammy Davis, Jr.
posing across the street from his
house in the costume he wore to
Hollywood's biggest charity event
of the year, The Share Party.
posing across the street from his
house in the costume he wore to
Hollywood's biggest charity event
of the year, The Share Party.
Milton Berle hugging a smiling Sammy
Davis, Jr. Once, at the Beachcomber
night club in Miami Beach, Berle jumped
out of his car and cold cocked someone
after he yelled a racial epithet at Sammy.
Davis, Jr. Once, at the Beachcomber
night club in Miami Beach, Berle jumped
out of his car and cold cocked someone
after he yelled a racial epithet at Sammy.
Elvis Presley getting a few tips
on how to play the guitar and
sing from a helpful Sammy
Davis, Jr. Sammy had a great
affection for Elvis Presley.
on how to play the guitar and
sing from a helpful Sammy
Davis, Jr. Sammy had a great
affection for Elvis Presley.
White House Visit: President Nixon
chatting with Sammy Davis, Jr. in
the Oval Office at the White House.
chatting with Sammy Davis, Jr. in
the Oval Office at the White House.
Arthur Silber, Jr. and Sammy
Davis, Jr. considered the Sands
Hotel in Las Vegas their second
home. It truly was "their place
in the sun." Jack Entratter, an
physically imposing figure at 6
foot 7 inches tall, was President
of the Sands Hotel and a great
friend to Sammy and Arthur. In
fact he booked Sammy with the
Will Maston Trio at twice their
regular weekly rate just after the
car accident, when many were
interested in booking Sammy.
Davis, Jr. considered the Sands
Hotel in Las Vegas their second
home. It truly was "their place
in the sun." Jack Entratter, an
physically imposing figure at 6
foot 7 inches tall, was President
of the Sands Hotel and a great
friend to Sammy and Arthur. In
fact he booked Sammy with the
Will Maston Trio at twice their
regular weekly rate just after the
car accident, when many were
interested in booking Sammy.
Sammy Davis Jr. starred in the first
Negro Western on TV, Mission, part
of Zane Grey Theater TV Show
Negro Western on TV, Mission, part
of Zane Grey Theater TV Show
Arthur Silber, Jr. and Sammy
Davis, Jr. applying for their
business license for Samart
Enterprises on Feb. 19, 1962.
Davis, Jr. applying for their
business license for Samart
Enterprises on Feb. 19, 1962.
Sammy Davis, Jr. recording a
record at the famed Capitol
Records building in Hollywood.
record at the famed Capitol
Records building in Hollywood.
The whole legendary Rat Pack
with Sammy Davis, Jr. in the
middle surrounded left to right
by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin,
Peter Lawford and Joey
Bishop. To the left and right
are photos of Sinatra, Martin
and Sammy filming Robin and
the Seven Hoods (1964).
with Sammy Davis, Jr. in the
middle surrounded left to right
by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin,
Peter Lawford and Joey
Bishop. To the left and right
are photos of Sinatra, Martin
and Sammy filming Robin and
the Seven Hoods (1964).
| I Gotta Be Me is a song that reflects Sammy Davis, Jr.'s life and the philosophy which drove him in many ways. A true classic sung by an American classic. |
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.
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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After the Accident, New Years Eve, 1954
Sammy Davis, Jr. visiting with Queen
Elizabeth II at the first of his three
Royal Command Performances. The
other two were for the Queen Mother
and Princess Grace of Monaco.
Elizabeth II at the first of his three
Royal Command Performances. The
other two were for the Queen Mother
and Princess Grace of Monaco.