Photo by Sammy Davis, Jr.

by Burt Boyar

Sammy Davis, Jr. will forever be remembered as one of America's finest entertainers. An all–around performer who could sing, dance, and act, Davis broke racial barriers in the entertainment world and became the only non–white member of the Rat Pack. Only now, however, is Davis's talent as a photographer finally being recognized. In this previously unpublished collection of black and white photography, readers will be fascinated by Davis's portrayals of A–list performers, iconic world leaders, and scenes from everyday life. Davis's subjects include dozens of classic celebrities–such as Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, and James Dean–who are often photographed at their most casual and revealing moments.

Accompanying the pictures is an assortment of remembrances by Burt Boyar, a longtime friend and traveling companion of Davis who collaborated with the entertainer on both of his autobiographies. Through a series of memorable anecdotes, Boyar reflects on Davis's many achievements as well as the private moments they shared as friends. Along with Davis's candid shots of ordinary life–from a group of children laughing to a baseball game at the Washington Monument–these stories reveal a side of the performer far removed from his Rat Pack persona.

The release of this book will also coincide with the release of Burt Boyar's upcoming documentary, Sammy Speaks, created from his extensive archive of taped conversations with the star.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography, Biography Memoir

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

Burt Boyar, born in New York in 1927, was thrown into the limelight at an early age. His father, Benjamin Boyar, worked for acclaimed Broadway producer Max Gordon, and Burt grew into the showbiz environment, eventually nabbing the lead role of Archie Andrews at age 12, and starring in various other radio dramas and commercials.

A passion for the literary arts caused him to drop out of school, and pursue his career as a showbiz columnist. He met Sammy Davis Jr. while scheduling an interview, and the two became firm friends, leading Burt to co-write and publish Davis` autobiography, “Yes I Can” and its follow up “Why Me?”, as well as the compendium of photographs “Photo By Sammy Davis, Jr.”, concluding Boyar´s work as his best friend`s historian.

Burt is currently pursuing a long-awaited film adaptation of “Yes I Can”, in order to put to rest the rumors and misconceptions about his dear friend Sammy.

Since then, Boyar has written several historic boos and memoirs, partnered by his late wife Jane, who passed away in 1997.

Reviews

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this back in March 2007, this huge book on life of Sammy But It is also very much book on Black People in 1940s. From the holocaust style West Side Vegas that blacks had to suffer this makes you feel sick.
The days of Rat Pack to Jerry Lewis to Samuel Goldwyn to real Tony Curtis. But It's rare photos of Louis Armstrong, Vincent Price, Nat King Cole, rare photos of Monroe hardly ever seen.
His wonderful family members the self photo on page 229 is so moving.
The famous day 28 August 1963 when Martin Luther King Jr. was in Washington Mall. Then his photos of Robert Kennedy to Richard Nixon to Images from on life he never went anywhere without a camera.
This book is not just his life it far more than a star but An artist with an aesthetic creation through one eyed Cyclops of the lens leading to black & white heaven. It is not the stars but The photos such as page 313 of Wash & Dry shop that stand out. A old Bum living in the gutter or the black kids with nothing but still laughing.
That what this book is.

[Scott Skipper · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does one review a coffee table book? Most often you don't even read a coffee table book, you just flip it open now and then and look at the pictures. That is not the case here, Photo by Sammy Davis, Jr. is a book to be read.

Discovered in a storage locker in West LA, this collection of photographs is a remarkable window into life and times of a remarkable individual. Burt Boyar knew Sammy Davis, Jr. intimately and is able to tell the stories behind the pictures from an insider's point of view. He has selected and arranged these photographs into chapters of the entertainer's life from the start of his career through his rise to superstardom, his marriages, his friendships, his involvement in the Civil Rights Era and political affiliations. All are accompanied by enlightening text much of which is verbatim remarks made by Davis.

Only Burt Boyar could have put this collection together and narrated it so adroitly. This is a book that deserves a permanent place on your coffee table.

[Astraia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy photo books and thought that I would add this one for the novelty that it was comprised of photographs by entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. I was blown away by the quality and history contained in virtually every photograph. When identifying Sammy Davis, Jr. in the future, photographer will be at the top of my list.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was refreshing to see black and white people together as coworkers, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances. I am sure that it happens today in America, but racial tension makes for better news headlines. Doesn't it?

PS, Mr. Davis also had a real artistic eye. It was enjoyable to see things as he did.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew Sammy Davis, Jr. was such an accomplished photographer, and with such simple equipment.

This is a lovely collection of his photographs, accompanied by many stories from friends and from Sammy himself.

[Paul Wilner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great shots from this multi-talented man!

[NON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sammy Davis, Jr is a man of many talents, and a photographer is evidently one of them. I'm mesmerized by the quality of both the photographs and the accompanied textual content that added historical context to the overall beautiful photo-book. This is essential yet enjoyable.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think of Sammy Davis, Jr. I think of the Rat Pack. I think of Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. I think of the famous All in the Family episode with Archie Bunker. I think of a singer and a dancer and an all-out terrific entertainer. I don't think of photography. Or at least I didn't before I read Photo--a book of Sammy Davis Jr's photographs with commentary edited and put together by Burt Boyar from taped interviews with Sammy Davis Jr. As one of the blurbs says: "Sammy never went anywhere without a camera. There was no bridge, historical landmark, or person who was safe from capture by his camera lens." His enormous photo collection includes everyone from presidents to movie stars to the man on the street. He has Sinatra in his pajamas and Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial. He recorded a warm day in uptown New York City with folks sitting on their porch steps and the beautiful view from his San Francisco suite.

This a marvelous coffee table book--and one of the few coffee table books that I've read from cover to cover. I didn't do that just because I needed it for a book challenge or two (or more...)--but because I was hooked from the moment I opened it until the moment I put it down again. Just as Sammy Davis Jr. was from the moment as he says "Jerry [Lewis] gave me my first important camera, my first 35 millimeter, during the Ciro's period, early '50s. And he hooked me." Pick this book up and I guarantee that you'll be hooked too.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such cool photos and tidbits about Sammy and the folks he knew. Definitely worth a quick flip through or more in depth (though short) reading.
I especially enjoyed the section on Jerry Lewis giving Sammy advice about his act.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a ton of great photographs. I had no idea SDJ was so into photography. There were bits and pieces of his biography plugged in there, too. Nice book to flup through.

[Raquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review TK

[Linda Zelig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains photos that you won't see anywhere else!