From syndicated columnist Liz Smith:
Excerpt from Liz Smith's column, August 2, 2004
"You have to be able to look back at your life and say, 'Yeah, that
was fun!' The only person I ever hurt was myself, and even that I did to the minimum. If you can do that and you're still functioning, then you're the luckiest person in the world."
So said Sammy Davis Jr.
Most people who knew the great entertainer would take issue with Sammy's contention that he hurt himself to a "minimum," but nobody who ever saw this man perform at his peak -- and even past it -- could deny his extravagant gift, so much of it squandered.
Now comes word that Denzel Washington, on fire with his current
performance in "The Manchurian Candidate," is developing material to write the screenplay of Wil Haygood's recent biography of Sammy, "In Black and White." Denzel hints he might direct, as well.
Not surprisingly, Denzel shows little interest or affection for
Sammy's Rat Pack era, his idolization of Frank Sinatra and his
descent into self-deprecating self parody. (Although this portion of Sammy's life will probably have to be dealt with.) The Oscar-winning Denzel is most taken with Sammy's younger years, playing with his father on the vaudeville circuit, as part of the sensational Will
Mastin Trio.
Sammy stood only 5-foot-3.
He was self-taught. He was a giant in the entertainment field, however, and he fought and suffered to make a place for himself in a world that wanted to box him in. And eventually, he boxed himself in, too.
If anybody can give dignity and understanding to Davis's life and
career, it is Washington. The problem: Where is the young genius to portray Sammy? Hmmm...
Usher?
ST's thoughts: Umm, hell, no on Usher Raymond II. I would say that Don Cheadle is the only choice to play SDJ. Somebody suggested Taye Diggs or jazz singer Darius DeHaas.
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