Sammy Davis Jr. - Live - Sammy Davis Jr DVD Review

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DVD Review

If proof was ever needed that Sammy Davis Jnr was the greatest performer of all-time - this is it. At the time of filming this show, Davis was regarded as the 'greatest entertainer in the world'. He was 40 years old and at the peak of his career. By comparison with his Brat Pack chums; he was way ahead of them in every department. This guy was the supreme performer, with a huge arsenal of disciplines at instant disposal. As a record, this is the greatest example of all-round entertainment you'll ever find. There was nobody in his league before him and certainly not since. He was a rare breed, and a hard act to follow. Davis entered his first talent competition at the age of three, soon wowing the crowds in Holiday in Dixieland, a black vaudeville troupe. Age seven, he appeared in the legendary musical short Rufus Jones for President, later receiving tap lessons by the great Bojangles himself - Bill Robinson. In 1941 Davis was working with the Mastin Gang, where they opened for Tommy Dorsey, during which time he met Dorsey's vocalist Frank Sinatra.

Pooling together all his Broadway, film, cabaret and nightclub experience, he turns on the style in this NBC broadcast.

Mimic, singer, dancer, clown and impressionist, Davis gives a tour-de-force lesson in cross-over skills. He lifts numerous songs from his wide ranging repertoire, a highlight being the early medley sequence. This breathtaking account of the diminutive all-rounder is a truly remarkable showcase of the talents which eluded many of his contemporaries.

As with most recordings of the period, the video film lacks today's digital sharpness, nevertheless, the entertainment standard is blown off the Richter scale. Segueing smoothly from ballads I Want To be With You, Yes I Can to big-band showstoppers like Trouble In River City and There's A Boat Leaving For New York is hard to see the performance join. Editing is dated, but doesn't affect the charm of the last from his season of 15 shows from '66. Also known for his legendary mimicking, he drops in a few Hollywood stars - Bogey, Jimmy Cagney, WC Fields, Jimmy Stewart, Carey Grant, Brando, and fellow ratpacker Dean Martin - all done with great attention to detail and maximum effect. When he goes into tap dance mode, his Bojangles' hoofer' experience shows its class.

Closing the main feature, we see Sammy in typical comedic fashion as a clown singing What Kind Of Fool Am I?

Snippets of Bruce Forsyth and Davis performing and interview are worth their weight in gold on the bonus feature.

This might be a no frills DVD, but its top class showmanship.

Elly Roberts