Actor, professionally trained Opera singer, Frank Sinatra song stylist Robert Davi (Contract on Cherry Street, Goonies, Die Hard, The Iceman), attempts to recreate the famous benchmark in Frank Sinatra’s career in the documentary ‘Davi’s Way’.
Robert Davi sings Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein’s American Classic, ‘Old Man River‘.
Robert Davi possesses all the class and charm of the real Chairman of the Board. Speaking with him about his documentary tribute to Frank Sinatra ‘Davi’s Way‘, produced and distributed by 2B Films, opening in New York and Los Angeles July 13, was fun and deeply moving.
I have enjoyed you in many great acting roles, I didn’t realize you were also a singer.
Robert Davi. Singing is all of who I am. In films I get to play characters that are aspects of myself. I started as a professionally trained Opera singer, studying at Juilliard and with Robert Merrill.
Have you always been a Frank Sinatra fan?
Robert Davi. I was fortunate to meet Frank early in my career. He was responsible for helping me land one of my first film roles in Contract on Cherry Street. I’m a Sicilian, born in New York. Frank Sinatra was a source of pride to not only Italians, but all immigrants. He was the tough guy who was able to portray deep feelings. His songs are an amalgam of the American experience that all cultures contributed to.
What was it like filming Davi’s Way?
Robert Davi. Hilarious and thrilling. The film is a cross between Spinal Tap and Curb Your Enthusiasm. My good friend and fellow actor Danny A. Abeckaser, who I met on the set of Iceman, also starring Michael Shannon, as well as actor Stevie Guttman, follow me on a year-long mission to plan a tribute performance recreating Frank Sinatra’s ‘Main Event’ concert at Madison Square Garden. It was a benchmark in Sinatra’s career, marking his transition from intimate venues to large arenas. The goal does not go as smoothly as we had envisioned, and all the comedic interactions are documented. Nothing is scripted, they are all spontaneous situations.
Why are you drawn to Frank Sinatra’s music?
Robert Davi. Sinatra’s music reflects the American journey of the ‘Great American Songbook’. The songs are a history of America and its people, written by some of the greatest lyricists and musicians the world has ever known. George Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Richard Rogers, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Sammy Cahn, to name a few. Sinatra’s vocal skill and acting ability brought a commonality to the songs, touching people profoundly. Stella Adler, the distinguished acting coach, taught several classes on Frank Sinatra, his ability to use his imagination to portray emotion. Frank Sinatra was famous for his generosity of spirit. He was the first celebrity to use his star status to fight for social justice. Frank Sinatra refused to perform in venues, eat in restaurants, or stay in hotels, that did not accommodate African Americans.
Did you ever meet Stella Adler?
Robert Davi. Yes, I was fortunate to be a student of Stella Adler’s. I am a member of the Group Theater in New York, and studied at the Actor’s Studio. Jacob Adler, Stella’s father, was from the Yiddish Theater. He had all the classic plays from the Greeks translated into Yiddish. Besides coming from a theatrical family, Stella was the only American actor to study with Stanislavski himself, developing her own methods from his techniques. Stella worked with Lee Strasberg, and was the acting coach at MGM when musicals were popular, coaching the likes of Gene Kelly.
What do you want to tell people about ‘Davi’s Way’?
Robert Davi. The message is in the music.
Thank you Robert! Davi’s Way opens July 13 in New York and Los Angeles, soon to be nationwide.
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