This content is entirely out of context on this blog, but I was interested, anyway.

As a kid, I read “Yes, I Can,” Sammy Davis Jr.’s autobiography, several threads of which have remained in memory for decades since. (From a writer’s perspective, that’s impressive, and I hope words I’ve written may also stay etched in readers’ memories for that long.) One tale that, not surprisingly, has survived is the account of his auto accident that cost him sight in one eye.

But it wasn’t until today, while listening to a Marc Maron podcast, that I heard the version of the story that holds that the accident was no accident, that it was an attempt by syndicated crime figures to murder Davis. Don’t-call-me-historian-of-comedy Kliph Nesteroff tells the story, saying that studio executive Harry Cohn hired the mobsters after Davis refused to end his romantic relationship with Kim Novak, a Cohn creation and protege.

Is it true? How would I know? I’m sure this isn't its first telling, and most likely, all the protagonists are long dead, which allows such stories to be told without legal risk. I sure don’t remember Davis's attributing the episode to any motivation, never mind such an interesting one as this.

Why bother bringing it up? My wow-that’s-interesting meter popped, that’s all.