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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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
Silber, Jr. 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.
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 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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| 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.
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.
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 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).
| Video Clips of the Great Sammy Davis, Jr. Dancing and Singing |
| Sammy Davis, Jr. fooling around with Nat King Cole at the piano. He does a really funny impression of Cole and they joke back and forth. |
| Sammy Davis, Jr. performing duet with Andy Williams in 1963. Sammy was a good sport and Andy Williams is a gracious man and a good performer. |
| Sammy Davis, Jr. singing one of the all time great songs and on he sang better than anyone else. In fact I Gotta Be Me in many ways represented his philosophy in of his life. 1968, TV show, Playboy After Dark |
| Sammy Davis, Jr. singing Who Can I Turn to When Nobody Needs Me. This is very nice song performed by a young Sammy. |
| Powered by You Tube, more video options pop up at the end of each video |
| A young Sammy Davis, Jr. with his father and Uncle, Will Maston, as part of the Will Maston Trio act which Sammy ha been a part of since a young boy |
| Sammy Davis, Jr. doing an impression of Fred Astaire singing One for the Road. That song was written for Astaire but made famous by his good friend, Frank Sinatra |
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| Sammy's First Trip Overseas |