FOR ‘CANDY MAN,’ IT’LL BE A WORKING ‘HOLIDAY’

He’s 61 now, finally a grandparent, and doesn’t pretend to be younger.

However, there are times Sammy Davis Jr.--the energetic “Candy Man” who has brightened stages all over the world for more than half a century--may feel much older.

A year ago, for instance, he underwent a hip reconstruction operation that put his golf game on temporary hold, among other activities.

His dancing shoes have been gathering dust for some time, and earlier this week, dental work was temporarily affecting his speaking voice, if not his singing.

Davis had three titanium screws inserted into his jaw during oral surgery last week at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and on Tuesday he was feeling less than good.

“I’ve been slowing down considerably,” he said matter-of-factly through a swollen jaw. “Last year I worked 29 weeks and this year about the same.

“I’m not hiding in a cave, though. I work Vegas and Tahoe, Reno, occasionally Atlantic City . . . .”

And Saturday he will make a rare local appearance when he leads a cast of more than 1,200 singers, dancers, musicians and gospel choirs representing 22 countries, in a Long Beach Convention Center production called “Hallelujah Holidays!”

Normally, Davis takes the Christmas season off, he said, but agreed to do Saturday’s show because it is being produced and directed by a longtime friend (Michel Grilikhes) and will include performances by “500 to 800 kids from all over the world who now live here.

“It’s their baby,” he added. “It belongs to the kids of the world as opposed to Sammy Davis Jr.”

Ann Blyth, Anne Jeffreys and Tom Hatten will be guest hosts, and the Southern California Mormon Choir, among others, will sing, but Davis is getting top billing.

Although the sutures were removed from his jaw only last Monday, he plans a “25- or 30-minute” performance that will include special material and a few standards--most likely “Candy Man” and “Mr. Bojangles.”

“By Saturday I will be all right,” he predicted. “I just had some reaction to the sutures coming out.”

The screws were inserted as a preliminary procedure for three teeth, which will be permanently implanted in three months. Five others already have been implanted.

“I’m not eating a lot of steaks and things,” he said, “and there’s a great deal of discomfort at times.”

But overall, Davis isn’t complaining. He believes he’s been “comparatively kind of lucky” with his health, despite having gone through most of his career half blind as the result of an auto accident and has a history of various ailments over the years.

A heavy smoker most of his life, he said he is “trying to cut down. I stopped smoking on stage. At least, I don’t walk out on the stage with one. It’s the only vice I have left.”

He does allow himself a glass of wine occasionally, but apparently not when working. Long Beach officials reported he requested “A&W; Root Beer” for his dressing room Saturday.

That might draw a few laughs from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and other former Rat Pack friends, but the “Candy Man” made it clear his life style has definitely mellowed.

“I spend a great deal of time at home (Beverly Hills),” he said. “I do good things. It’s quality time.”

That translates to hours spent trying to beat the Ms. Pac-Man video game (he’s a fanatic), watching sports on TV (mostly football and golf), reading a wide variety of books (but especially mysteries), cooking (he’s no gourmet chef but reportedly is a good meat-and-potatoes man) and spending time with his only grandchild, 1-year-old Andrew. The youngster’s father, Mark Davis, is the oldest of three children produced by Sammy and his second wife, May Britt-Davis.

“Quality time” also means golf time.

Davis and his present wife of 16 years, Altovise, spent three weeks on Maui 1 1/2 years ago, just before his hip surgery, “and I played golf every day,” he said. “I’m a horrible golfer.”

But he’s addicted to the game and has started to play more lately. He has staged a PGA tournament in Hartford, Conn., for the last 13 years and is looking forward to his next one in June.

Despite enjoying life away from the spotlight, Davis has no thoughts of retiring.

“I would like to get into producing and directing--TV, theatrical shows, whatever,” he said. “I’ve done it in the past (directed some Redd Foxx TV episodes and long ago produced a few theatrical and TV movies) and want to get back into it, but it’s time consuming.”

Even with an abbreviated entertaining schedule (he’s booked at Harrah’s Club in Reno on New Year’s Eve and will join Bill Cosby for 10 days at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas at the end of January), Davis seems to have trouble clearing time for an extended commitment.

He appreciates the fact he now has reached the point in his career where he can “pick and choose” his engagements.

“I don’t have to work,” he said. “I don’t need the money. I don’t have to play Boy Wonder anymore.

“Some nights I get inspired,” he continued. “Working with Bill (Cosby) is a joy. I have fun. There’s stimulation.”

Apparently, such was the case last summer when 13,194 fans showed up for his Hollywood Bowl show, which drew exceptionally good reviews.

“It was a good evening,” he proudly recalled. “I kind of got rediscovered.”

Looking back, Davis reflected on his lengthy career.

“I’ve worked all my life,” he said, “and now I’m respected by my peers. I have no desire to do or be anything except what I am.”