Sammy Davis Jr
Lionel Blair chooses his friend Sammy Davis Jr, one of the world's great all-round entertainers. With Matthew Parris. From 2010.
Dance and actor Lionel Blair chooses his friend and dancing partner Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy described himself as a 'one-eyed black Jew' - and he was described by others as one of the greatest all-round entertainers of all time.
Lionel danced and sang with Sammy in a dazzling performance on the stage at the Royal Variety Performance in 1961, and he revisits that memory through an evocative archive recording.
Paul Gambaccini is on hand to help presenter Matthew Parris draw out the contradictions and triumphs of Sammy Davis Jr's great American life.
Producer: Beth O'Dea
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.
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Tue 28 Dec 201016:30BBC Radio 4- Fri 31 Dec 201023:00BBC Radio 4
- Thu 5 Apr 201818:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 6 Apr 201800:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 4 Dec 202510:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 4 Dec 202516:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 5 Dec 202500:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
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Great Lives
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
