Tonight will be the same. The three of us together like old times. Dean adjusts his tie one last time. Smiles. Yes, the three of us together. Looks at watch. 7:45 p.m. 15 minutes until broadcast. Door knocking lightly three times. Come in, Dean says. Door opens. Producer Charlie enters, clipboard in hand, but his face different, tense, pale.
Gentlemen, he says, voice slightly trembling. Are you ready? 15 minutes left. Dean turns, looks at Charlie, notices something. We’re ready, he says. Where’s Sammy? Charlie hesitates. One second, maybe two. But for Dean, that’s enough. Because Dean Martin reads people has for years. What happened, Charlie? Voice changes. Joke’s over. Serious now.
Nothing. Charlie says quickly. Sammmyy’s in makeup. He’ll be here soon. But his eyes are lying. Dean approaches. Charlie, look at me. What happened? Frank’s standing up now, too. Has sensed it. Something’s wrong. Charlie swallows. Dean, I let’s talk later after the broadcast. No. Dean cuts in now. What happened? Charlie is hiding something.
Something he’s not telling Dean because 10 minutes ago a conversation happened in the sponsor’s office. And that conversation could destroy everything. 10 minutes ago, backstage office, Charlie’s room, Charlie sitting at his desk looking at rundown, doing final checks. Door slams open without permission. Two men enter.
William Foster, Chrysler Automobile Company sponsor representative, about 50. Expensive suit, expensive watch but cheap attitude. Robert Hayes, NBC Network executive, 45. Nervous, sweating. Foster talking without sitting. Voice harsh. Commanding Charlie. Sammy Davis Jr. is not going on stage tonight.
Charlie lifts head, frowns. Sir, you heard? Sammy is not going on air tonight. Charlie puts down clipboard. Mr. Foster, I don’t understand. Sammy’s in the rundown. He’s doing a duet with Dean. Trio with Frank. Foster raises hand. Don’t care, Charlie. Sammmyy’s not going on. Charlie stands up.
Why? Foster approaches desk, leans in, face very close to Charlie’s. Because he says slowly, “Last week, Sammy Davis Jr. got married.” Pauses. He married a white woman, a Swedish actress. Charlie waits. And And Foster pulls back, laughing, but laugh is cold. And our customers, our customers in the South, they didn’t like it. Charlie freezes.
Are you joking? Joking? Foster turns to Hayes. Hayes, am I joking? Hayes shakes head. Charlie sponsor is serious. Chrysler big sponsor. $2 million. If we lose them, you’ll lose them. Foster cuts in. If Sammy goes on tonight, Chrysler ends sponsorship now. Tonight. Charlie leans back, takes breath, trying to calm down. Mr. Foster, he says in careful tone. This is 1965.
People now people still choose what car they buy. Foster cuts in. And our customers in the south sent clear message. They’re calling homes, writing letters. They don’t want to see Sammy Davis Jr. But this this is racism. Foster shrugs. Don’t lecture me on morality, Charlie. This is business. Just business.
Charlie slams fist on desk. This is the Dean Martin show. Dean decides who goes on. Then tell Dean, Foster says calmly. Tell him if Sammy goes on, sponsor leaves. Show ends. Simple. Hayes intervenes. Charlie, be reasonable. One episode, just this week. Sammy will understand. We’ll tell him he’s sick. Bad timing. Dean won’t understand. Charlie cuts in.
Dean will never understand. Foster walks to door, puts hand on knob, stops, turns. Charlie, listen to me carefully. If Sammy goes on stage tonight, Chrysler ends sponsorship. $2 million gone and NBC will fire you. Pauses, smiles. Your choice. You have 10 minutes. Close his door. Charlie standing there alone, hands shaking.
Because what does he do now? Charlie has two paths ahead. Lie to Sammy or tell Dean the truth. But both paths lead to disaster. 10 minutes left and Charlie can’t decide. Charlie walking in corridor, feet heavy, every step difficult. Approaching Samm<unk>s dressing room, stops at door. Sound coming from inside. Sammy singing, rehearsing. Happy voice.
Charlie raises hand to knock on door, but hesitates. Closes eyes. I can’t, he whispers to himself. I can’t do it to him. turns back, walks toward Dean’s room because Dean needs to know now. Dean’s room. Charlie enters. Dean and Frank waiting, looking. What happened, Charlie? Dean asks. Tell me. Charlie closes door, locks it because this conversation can’t leak. Dean, he starts voice trembling.
Sponsor: Chrysler wants What do they want? They want Sammy not to go on tonight. Room freezes. Dean looks at Charlie, eyes narrowing. What did you say, Sammy? Chrysler doesn’t want Sammy to Why? Dean’s voice lowering, dangerously lowering. Charlie swallows. Because Sammy got married last week to May Britt, a white woman, and the sponsor customers in the South.
Dean raises hand. Wait, stop. Because Sammy got married. Yes. Because he married a white woman. Charlie lowers head. Can’t look into Dean’s eyes. Frank drops cigarette. Jesus Christ. Dean turns, walks to window, looks outside, but not seeing anything. Because something’s boiling inside. 20 seconds silence. Nobody talking, nobody moving.
Then Dean turns. Dean Martin has an expression on his face. Frank recognizes this expression. Charlie doesn’t recognize this expression, but he’ll learn because this expression is war expression. Dean speaking slowly, every word clear. Charlie, what was the sponsor’s name? William Foster. Chrysler. Where is he? In his office. But Dean.
Dean walks to door. Charlie blocks him. Dean, wait. Think. This is $2 million. Show could end. you. Dean looks at Charlie, eyes cold, but fire inside. Move, Charlie. But move. Charlie moves. Dean opens door, goes into corridor. Frank running after him. Dean, wait. What are you doing? Dean keeps walking. Going to talk to Sponsor. Dean, calm down. Maybe.
Dean stops, turns, looks at Frank. Frank, is Sammy your brother? Yes, mine too. And nobody tells my brother, “You’re not good enough.” Keeps walking. Sponsor office. Dean opens door, enters. Foster there, sitting at desk, comfortable, smoking. Smiles when he sees Dean. Ah, Mr. Martin. Welcome. I assume Charlie told you. Sammy’s going on.
Dean cuts in. Tonight, as planned. Foster’s smile disappears. Mr. Martin, I don’t think you understand the situation. You don’t understand. Dean cuts in. Let me explain something to you. Approaches desk, leans in. Sammy Davis Jr. will perform on my show because he’s my friend, my brother. Foster stands up. Mr.
Martin, Chrysler pays $2 million and we take your money. Dean cuts in. Leave. Room goes silent. Foster narrows eyes. What did you say? I said take your money. Leave. End the sponsorship now. Foster laughs. Disbelieving laugh. You are you joking? You’re refusing $2 million? Yes. For a negro? Foster uses the word deliberately. Testing.
