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IN SI DJ HOLLYWOOD ByHerbSteJ HOLLYWOOD, Calif., May 14. Its a firm handshake deal for Sammy Davis Jr. to star in "Free and Easy," revamped title for Harold Arlens "Blues Opera." Agreement was mitted last week when Arlen, producer Stanley Chase and director Robert BreenN left us after Scandia dinner to meet with Davis at the old V i n c e Minnelli-Judy Garland home he now occupies. As the boys entered the lean-to, Davis greeted them with: "Its all set. This is what Ive been waiting for." "Free and Easy" boasts a potent theatrical combo in the group mentioned. Robert Breen was director and co-producer of "Porgy and Bess" in its smash goodwill tour of 29 countries, including Russia. Chase directed of f-"Broadways "Threepenny Opera," a four-year marathon thats still galloping. . . . And Arlen, of course, is one of the great composer of modern times, considered in the same league with Berlin, Porter, Gershwin, Kern. . . . Current plans call for rehearsals to be held in New York with the show to open in Europe WITHOUT Davis he has picture commitments. Sammy will join the show abroad a few weeks prior to its Broadway debut around May of next year. The American company will play The Hague, Berlin, Dusseldorf , Paris, Zurich, Brussels and other cities being lined up. Friends believe Esther Williams and Ben Gage are surging to a remergihg. Dating like in pre-marital days. . t . The Metro publicity boys had Gina Lollobrigida for publicity art last week on her forthcoming "Never So Few," in which she co-stars with Sinatra. All shots covered-up two of her main assets; she nixed all low cuts. . . . Bob Hope taped his show over the week-end for Friday. Guests Rosie Clooney, Sam Snead, Wendell Corey and Joan Collins averaging ,500 each for the one-hour stint and four days rehearsal. . . . Hope plays a two-weeker in Cleveland commencing June 15, then its a two-month vacation with his family.. Right now hes considering either Europe or Canada for the siesta. AAA Sammy Davis did an hour and 40 minutes for his Saturday night dinner show at the Moulin Rouge. Heck, weve seen Davis when an hour and 40 minutes was just a warmup. Of course, he rarely gets away with that long a stretch in Vegas, where the management wants the audience warming its hands over a crap table, not too long over the entertainer. . . . Go figure it: we sent a squib to the New Yorker, received a rejection slip in the same envelope with a check paying for it. . . . Josh Logan was called in to doctor the Merms "Gypsy" in Philly. . . . Following the Emmy Awards, Jack Benny had a wire from Phil Silvers on Jacks nabbing the statue twice-running: "Congratulations," it read "but remember Luise Rainer." AAA After he wraps "Home From The Hill" with Bob Mitchum, Vince Minnelli takes his daughter Liza to Europe for a holiday before starting "Bells Are Ringing" with Judy Holliday and Dean Martin. Itll be Minellis first vacation after making four pix in a row "Gigi," "The Reluctant .Debutante," "Some Came Running" and "Home." . . . Jane Darwell set for one of the featured roles in Broadways "Saratoga." . . . Something for the girls: Pictures currently shooting include. "Man on a String," "Our Man in Havana" and "The Man." .... Sign on the road to Del Mar: "Tailor Made Architect Builders of homes to suit your figure." AAA In getting up their act, the Crosby boys are spending close to 40 grand. The foursome might wind up a quintet if Gary continues bulging. Studios already warned him to knock off the calories. . . . Which reminds us, producer way beyond the age for foolin around, was told by his croaker to cut down on his calories. ... To get back to the Crosby lads, they plan a series of one-nighters around the country starting in July, then the Steel Pier at Atlantic City for one or two frames before the London Palladium and British TV. . . . Joe E. Lewis phoned us from Vegas at 7:15 p.m. last night. Asked him what he was doing awake at that hour, he replied: "I always rise before the evening sun goes down" then to his oatmeal and the dinner show at El Rancho. ... Eli Bass, who usually pens material for Lewis, is writing routines for Betty Kean and Lew Parker. "Not working for Joe E.," Bass told Army Archerd, "is a pretty sobering thought."
