Sammy Davis Jr.

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In the 1960 film *Ocean's 11*, Sammy Davis Jr. plays Josh Howard, a member of the heist crew recruited by Danny Ocean. The plot centers on eleven World War II veterans from the 82nd Airborne Division who plan to simultaneously rob five Las Vegas casinos on New Year's Eve. Davis Jr.'s character takes a job as a sanitation worker driving a garbage truck, which is used to collect the money bags dumped into hotel garbage bins after the heist. The plan involves blowing up a local electric power transmission tower at midnight, causing the Las Vegas Strip to go dark, and rewiring backup electrical systems to open cashier cages instead of powering emergency lights. After the robbery, the garbage truck driven by Josh passes through the police blockade. The film's closing shot shows the Sands Hotel marquee listing the Rat Pack members' names as headliners (Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jr., Lawford, Bishop). The film received mixed reviews from critics and originated the Ocean's film series.

In Their Own Story

The spotlight hits the stage, cutting through the haze of cigarette smoke and anticipation. In this memory, captured in black and white grain, the rhythm section kicks into a smooth swing beat. He steps forward, microphone in hand, eyes locking with the audience across the glittering casino floor. It is not just a performance; it is a distraction, a moment of magic that allows something else to happen in the shadows behind him. The crowd cheers, unaware they are witnessing history being made.

Reader's Guide

In the 1960 film *Ocean's 11*, Sammy Davis Jr. performs the song "EEE-O-11" midway through the film and again at the end during the end credits. The song was written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. The film also includes a performance of "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" by Dean Martin. The Las Vegas portion of the film was shot on location at the Flamingo, Sands, Desert Inn, Riviera, and Sahara hotels. According to Frank Sinatra Jr., the Rat Pack members were performing shows at 8pm and midnight during production, so much of the location footage was shot between 3am and dawn. The film was released on videocassette by Warner Home Video on February 9, 1983, as part of its "A Night At the Movies" series, and as a 50th-anniversary Blu-ray disc on November 9, 2010, with bonus features including commentary by Frank Sinatra Jr. and Angie Dickinson.

Did You Know?

• Sammy Davis Jr. plays Josh Howard, a character who takes a job as a sanitation worker driving a garbage truck as part of the heist plan.
• The song "EEE-O-11" is performed by the Rat Pack (including Davis Jr.) during a scene in the film, not the end credits.
• The film's closing shot shows the Sands Hotel marquee listing the Rat Pack members' names as headliners (Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jr., Lawford, Bishop).
• According to Frank Sinatra Jr., the Rat Pack members performed shows at 8pm and midnight during production, so location footage was shot between 3am and dawn.
• The film premiered in Las Vegas on August 3, 1960, at the Sahara Hotel, and was released in the United States on August 10 by Warner Bros. Pictures.