Sammy Davis Jr. - That's Entertainment (2025) Hi-Res

1974 marked the 50th Anniversary of the film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), which had been founded in 1924. The studio planned to mark the occasion in June with the release of a landmark compilation film looking back at MGM’s illustrious history making movie musicals – the film would be titled That’s Entertainment! Given that Sammy Davis, Jr. was recording for MGM Records at the time, he stepped into the recording studio in April to make his own tie-in album, also titled That’s Entertainment.

Sammy was intimately involved in the promotion of the film itself. When That’s Entertainment! was announced to the press on 28th March, it was Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Liza Minnelli and Sammy who made the announcement together in Culver City. That’s Entertainment! was written, produced and directed by Jack Haley, Jr. who would marry Sammy’s close friend Liza Minnelli in September of 1974 (with Sammy in the wedding party).

The film’s premiere was held on May 17th at the Beverly Theater. A red carpet was set up between the theatre and the Beverly Wilshire Hotel where a stunning post-premiere reception was held featuring almost all of the living legends of MGM musicals past. The evening’s festivities were hosted by Sammy and Liza and involved them inviting around 50 of the stars onto the stage for a photo. Such a collection of talent in one room Hollywood would never see the likes of again.

The film itself was a roaring success. Critic Roger Ebert commented: “This isn’t just a compilation film, with lots of highlights strung together. Those kinds of movies quickly repeat themselves. That’s Entertainment! is more of a documentary and a eulogy.” The movie spawned two sequels (in 1976 and 1994) and an associated title, That’s Dancing! (1985), in which Sammy would appear as a co-host.

For Sammy’s tie-in album, producers Mike Curb and Don Costa organised arrangements by Nelson Riddle. Despite the fact that Riddle had been a long-time collaborator of Frank Sinatra’s (the two worked together intimately from 1953 to 1966), Sammy had never worked independently with Riddle. Perhaps Riddle’s sound wasn’t considered sufficiently commercial in the late 60s and early 70s, but the for the sound Sammy and MGM were shooting for on this occasion, Riddle was a perfect choice.