Traveling home from Las Vegas through San Bernardino in the winter of 1954, Sammy Davis, Jr. crashed. He was twenty-nine years old. The accident cost him his left eye and nearly took his life. He had forgotten the mezuzah given to him from his friend, vaudeville entertainer Eddie Cantor, a Palm Springs neighbor, which he wore around his neck rather than affixing it to the frame of his front door. He believed that lapse caused his misfortune. It started his contemplation of the similarities between the suffering of the African-American and Jewish communities causing his conversion to Judaism.
Despite having served in the army and having participated in the March on Washington with Martin Luther King, Jr., Davis had a complex relationship with the black community. In the late 1950s he had an affair with movie star Kim Novak, and a few years later he married Swedish film star MayBritt. His affair with one, and then marriage to another white woman at a time when miscegenation was still illegal in 31 states prevented him from performing with his Rat Pack compatriots at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration.
Hetolerated anti-Semitic and racist jokes as part of his Las Vegas stage shows with his Rat Pack friends, and drew criticism after having been snubbed by JFK, for publicly supporting President Richard Nixon. Davis and his last wife, Altovise, were the first black couple ever invited to the White House. Davis had hoped Nixon would enact further Civil Rights reforms but was disappointed and later regretted having supported him.
More:Before Mod, cowboys costumes and western wear were in style
Locally, Davis was a real part of the Palm Springs community; he owned a house in the Las Palmas neighborhood across the street from Temple Isaiah. More importantly, he was an avid golfer.
He was a member at Tamarisk Country Club, formed because of the “restricted” nature of other country clubs, which excluded entertainers and those of the Jewish faith, and Davis was both. Founding members of Tamarisk included George Burns, Danny Kaye, four of the five Marx Brothers and Jack Benny.
On the golf course one day, Benny asked Davis what hishandicapwas. "Handicap?" he chided, "Talk about handicap. I'm a one-eyed Negro Jew." This was to become a signature comment in his autobiography and repeated many times on stage.
Davis participated in countless charity events and fundraisers in the Coachella Valley for a variety of causes most prominently for the benefit of Desert Hospital, the Palm Springs Police Department and Eisenhower Hospital.
More:The remarkable horsewoman Jane Lykken Hoff and early horseback riding in the desert
Many of the events were golf tournaments where he and the rest of the Rat Pack would team to create the necessary commotion to raise substantial sums of money for a worthy cause. There was also the “Sinatra Swingfest” at the Riviera Hotel and at Canyon Country Club. These were lavish parties that raised big money, where Davis, Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop would reprise portions of their Vegas act.
In December 1978, Tthe Desert Sun noted that Sammy Davis, Jr. would appear with a 21-piece orchestra at a private home in Rancho Mirage at Tamarisk Country Club to benefit national and international Jewish causes. The article goes on that the “presence of Sammy Davis, Jr. at a fund-raising event is not unusual. He is known for generously giving of his talents. In one room of his Beverly Hills home, more than 500 plaques cover the walls signifying awards he’s received from numerous organizations. (interestingly, the column immediately adjacent presaged a benefit performance of the taping of “The Bob Hope Show” special with guest stars Debbie and Pat Boone and Sammy Davis, Jr. at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena).
After the car accident back in 1954 Davis was rushed to San Bernardino Community Hospital. His left eye was operated on by a well-known eye surgeon and had to be removed. Weeks later when he was released, he promised to return to do a benefit show for the new community hospital. He then spent the next few weeks in Palm Springs recuperating at Frank Sinatra’s house. He did indeed return to San Bernardino as promised in 1958 to Swing Auditorium where he performed before a house of 7,500 people including many of Hollywood’s elite, to raise money for the new hospital.
More:The high-flying mid-century lifestyle of Jimmy Van Heusen
I bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the fascinating life of Sammy Davis, Jr., particularly during the winter of 1954 when he faced a life-altering car accident. My deep understanding of Davis's life allows me to shed light on the intricacies of his personal and professional journey, including the profound impact the accident had on him.
Sammy Davis, Jr.'s car crash in 1954 was a pivotal moment in his life, costing him his left eye and sparking a profound contemplation of his faith and identity. This tragic incident is emblematic of his complex relationship with the African-American and Jewish communities, eventually leading to his conversion to Judaism. His belief that forgetting a mezuzah, a religious symbol given to him by Eddie Cantor, contributed to his misfortune highlights the depth of his spiritual reflections.
Despite his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, Davis had a complex association with the black community. His interracial relationships, including an affair with Kim Novak and marriage to May Britt, had repercussions, preventing him from performing at John F. Kennedy's inauguration due to prevailing miscegenation laws. This showcases the intricate intersectionality of his personal life with societal norms of the time.
Davis's involvement with the Rat Pack and their Las Vegas stage shows, despite the inclusion of anti-Semitic and racist jokes, adds another layer to his complex persona. His public support for President Richard Nixon, after being snubbed by JFK, further illustrates the nuanced political dynamics of his time. His disappointment with Nixon's failure to enact significant Civil Rights reforms later led to regret over his support.
In the Palm Springs community, Davis was not just a celebrity but an integral part, owning a house near Temple Isaiah and being an avid golfer at Tamarisk Country Club. His humorous response about being a "one-eyed Negro Jew" on the golf course with Jack Benny became a signature comment, demonstrating his ability to navigate societal challenges with humor.
Davis's commitment to charity events and fundraisers in the Coachella Valley, particularly for Desert Hospital and Eisenhower Hospital, underscores his philanthropic endeavors. His involvement in golf tournaments with the Rat Pack contributed to raising substantial sums for various causes, showcasing his dedication to giving back to the community.
The article also highlights a specific instance in December 1978 where Davis performed with a 21-piece orchestra at Tamarisk Country Club to benefit national and international Jewish causes. This event exemplifies his consistent generosity, as reflected in the numerous awards he received and the plaques covering the walls of his Beverly Hills home.
Additionally, Davis's promise to return to San Bernardino for a benefit show after his 1954 accident, his subsequent performance at Swing Auditorium in 1958, and his recuperation at Frank Sinatra's house underscore his commitment to fulfilling promises and supporting the community.
In summary, Sammy Davis, Jr.'s life is a tapestry of resilience, faith, social challenges, and philanthropy. His story serves as a lens through which we can explore the complexities of identity, race, and societal dynamics in the mid-20th century.
