Sammie Davis Jr on the Tonight show

[Trooperdan]

So's to not hijack the Buddy Hackett thread, I'll jump in over here. The mention of Sammie Davis as a gun collector brought to mind a famous Tonight show appearance.
Sammie had been cast in a number of Western movies and he apparently really got into the character and developed quite adroit skill with fast draw and fancy gun handling. On this episode, he gave such a demonstration of fast draw and gun twirling to sustained applause.
As he received accolades from the crowd and the applause died down, Johnny observed, "Well, when you are Black and Jewish, you better be good with a gun!! Brought down the house!

 

[steveno]

Sammy Davis jr gun handling

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6aNzFYHyz8[/ame]

 

[Puller]

I suppose guns were not evil in Hollywood back then.

 

[brucev]

Alamo Fast Draw and Sammy Davis Jr. - YouTube

What an absolute joy and delight to watch this outstanding actor demonstrate that he was more than a song and dance man!!! Remember him in various western themed TV shows and movies. Just outstanding! Sincerely. bruce.

 

[MCorps0311]

He was very good!

 

[soFlaNative]

The man could do it all and well, even toe to toe with Archie Bunker.
Thanks for the clip T-Dan.

 

[pharman]

Rumor has it...

Local rumor has it that Sammy Davis Jr. came to our little town of Monroeville, Ohio many years ago to buy a rare Colt revolver from a rural farmer...it was supposed to be a really rare piece and he paid the farmer $250,000 for it...possibly a Walker or a dragoon?


I have not been able to verify this, but it seems entirely possible...

 

[Golddollar]

What an absolute joy and delight to watch this outstanding actor demonstrate that he was more than a song and dance man!!! Remember him in various western themed TV shows and movies. Just outstanding! Sincerely. bruce.

I've seen Sammy Davis Jr. on "The Rifleman."

 

[Trooperdan]

Thank Steveno for the video clip, I had the story, he had the film!

 

[jimmyj]

WOW ! Fast draw with Colt Army Model 1873 Revolver. Is it more difficult with the 7.5" barrel than with the shorter 4 3/4" barrel ?

 

[Chino74]

Sammy was a very good gun artist. He was very fast. I have heard however that the fastest was Jerry Lewis believe it or not. Robert Culp was no slouch either. A lotta actors back then were into fast draw. Westerns were all the rage back then. And yes a 7.5 inch SAA is harder to fast draw although for tricks, spinning etc. it has some advantages due to a more balanced spin with that longer barrel.

 

[Rudi]

Sammie could really slap leather! He had many talents.