- Sammy Davis Jr, Porgy and Bess, 1958. Columbia’s hated czar, Harry Cohn, wanted – incredibly – to do it in black-face. With FredAstaire as Sportin’ Life opposite Al Jolson’s Porgy and Rita Hayworth’s Bess! Said the Gershwin brothers: “Get outa here!” Columbia gave up and sold its rights to Fox who wanted a Sportin’ Cab Calloway and then sold it all to be Samuel Goldwyn’s final production. Sam wanted Clyde McPhatter. No, said Frank Sinatra putting considerable pressure on Sam and his director, Otto Preminger, to cast Sammy Davis.
Birth year: 1907Death year: 1994Other name: Usual occupation: SingerCasting Calls: 1