Sunday, July 02, 2017

#8 Digney Pix


8 comments:

Roger Smith said...

Sammy Davis, Jr. made it to the top, and had more talent under his little fingernail than a dozen others combined at that level.

Charles Hanson said...

On another subject.....Thanks Roger for posting the address.....

Charles Hanson said...

Sammy Davis, Jr. paid the final expenses for Sally Rand according to her adopted son. Sally Rand was heavily in debt at the time of her death.....Hard to believe with the top salaries she commanded....

Jeff said...

Sammy was also heavily in debt upon his death. So much so that Frank Sinatra paid for Sammy's funeral. Later, upon Frank's death he left one million dollars to Sammy's third and last wife, Altivso (sp).

Roger Smith said...

Altovise Gore was a featured dancer in GOLDEN BOY, in which Sammy starred on Broadway. He was nominated for a Best Actor Tony, but did not win. He and Altovise married in 1970, and adopted a son. The marriage endured until Sammy's death of throat cancer, in 1990. The decimating debt JEFF refers to was owed mostly to the IRS.

Many stars lost heavily to debt, very often caused by corrupt personal managers. Others indulged in overspending, believing their stardom would allow them to continue lavish lifestyles, and ignored any demand of self-control. I've witnessed this first hand.

For one penetrating study of great international stardom brought to ruin, read the Leslie Zemeckis biography of Lili St. Cyr, GODDESS OF LOVE INCARNATE. St. Cyr's career equaled Rand's, and transcended that of Gypsy Rose Lee. She was coveted by the top male names of the day, such as Orson Welles, Howard Hughes, Yul Brynner, princes and kings, and even the staid 60 MINUTES reporter, Mike Wallace, who was entranced by her. But she died with one fan left as a friend, penniless, and otherwise forgotten, an example of crushing tragedy. It's a heartbreaking, hell of a read.

Mr.Lee said...

I am a fan of Burlesque and many of it stars and not so stars.. that's a book I haven't read yet ..thanks Roger .
.

Roger Smith said...

MR. LEE: If you see this, also look for Ms. Zemckis's film, BEHIND THE BURLY Q, another of her award-winning works. She located performers, theatre owners, agents and managers who felt they were long forgotten. These are the people Leslie seeks out, and how she found them is owning to her crack research staff. She got their phone numbers, knocked on their doors, and got interviews no one else could hope for. Many of these were just in time, as you'll see in the end credits, naming those who had died soon after filming. Among the luminaries seen is Alan Alda, whose father was later a leading man in film, Robert Alda. But before this, Robert had been a "tit singer", the emcee who sang while the burly-q stage filled up with the teasing beauties. Alan was raised backstage, and his yarns are all here.

Also, find Leslie's film, BOUND BY FLESH, the story of the Siamese twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton.

Mr.Lee said...

Thanks Roger .. saw and have behind the burley q