Sammy Davis Jr. Porgy and Bess, 1958.    Columbia’s hated  czar, Harry Cohn, wanted  - incredibly - to do it in black-face.  With Fred 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 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 Sam The Wham!