Tony Curtis passed away 10 years ago today, Sept 29. What a great actor he was in films such as Some Like It Hot, The Defiant Ones, Sweet Smell of Success, The Black Shield of Falworth, and Houdini. His last wife shares some thoughts about him and what she’ll be doing today. Link to story here.
28 comments:
Yes, he should indeed be awarded an honorary Oscar. Thanks for the great blog.
A nice story.
I'd tell Tony that the Oscar has become so meaningless these days, not to worry about it. He should feel complimented for the rejection because it means he doesn't quite fit the Hollywood mold. Like other Hollywood legends, his standards and achievements will be his legacy; not a gold-plated door stop.
I (sort of) recall seeing Spartacus in the old Nile Theater. The audience chuckled at the line, "I love you, Spartacus."
Thanks for the update of a performer I appreciate and seldom hear of.
He out to get something for playing Albert DeSalvo.
I thought he would have already had a oscar? His art work is really good as when I lived in Vegas he did a small show at one of the galleries. Great stuff!!
I still enjoy watching his movies, what a legend!
Great story!! I must say that my favorite Tony Curtis movie was "Operation Petticoat". The role of Nick Holden could not have been pulled off by anyone else. I rewatch that classic every now and then, and after reading your super blog on TC, I believe I'll do it once again tonight. Thanks for the memory!
Love Tony Curtis - my favorite movies of his are Houdini, The Boston Strangler, The Great Imposter and Good-bye Charlie. And yes, he should get an honorary Oscar! So should Doris Day, if anyone is asking:-)
I loved his Brooklyn accent in Sparticus. My favorite Tony Curtis movie was the one where he played Harry Houdini.
Absolutely! And "Some Like it Hot" was an all-time classic.......probably my most favorite comedy EVER. Lucky you for spending that time with him!!
Yes, Tony Curtis should be awarded the afore mentioned award - just my opinion. I had the honor of watching him in person some years back when he was doing live performances that one of my relatives was in and he made everyone laugh!! Kind of a card, kind of a master and I never took him seriously in all these years, but anyone that taught Jaime Lee to do what she has done deserves the award and we hope our kids turn out better than us and we have seen this with this master and his daughter!!!
My favorite Curtis movie is The Defiant Ones.
The best part of this article is knowing you interviewed Tony Curtis.
The best part about getting a new wallet was getting the pictures of Tony Curtis and Rock Hudson inside.
His best (In my opinion) was that goof ball movie about the car race around the world. Not a damned thing serious in it, just "silly" fun.
Great story, While Some Like it Hot is a great one, my favorite is Operation Petticoat. I watched a mini bio of it about Cary Grant narrated by Tony and it was very interesting to say the least, if you ever saw it you'd know what I mean. There was another movie I haven't seen in a long time starring Tony about a true hound-dog (what else?) juggling all these stewardess girlfriends. I laugh at that movie more than any other. That picture frame with the rotating pictures is classic. Thanks for the story, it's always great to a film lover to see stars as they are at home. Sounds like he found a passion with his horses, next time you see him tell him hi from a fan in FLA.
Favorite of Tony Curtis? Not a movie, but a 1978 miniseries. "The Users" written by Sidney Sheldon. It was the movie (miniseries)Hollywood didn't want made. It REALLY showed the dirty seedy raw side of rising to stardom and also becoming a power broker in films. All Sidney Sheldon did was change the names of real people in Hollywood and do a script. If you get "The Users" you'll recognize who he modeled the characters after. (In particular, Tony Curtis' role) He starred with Jacklyn Smith who has one of the best very last lines ever recorded on film. I have it on DVD just for that last line. It's hilarious to see people watch the whole thing and fall on their face when Jacklyn ends the movie with a wallop.
As, if you've read any of my film blogs, I love, love, love "Some Like It Hot". It's my favourite film, in fact.
So, c'mon, how many "SLIH" questions did you ask him? Did you ask him about the "Kissing Marilyn was like kissing Hitler" remark? I'd have to hear that one straight from his mouth (I've heard countless yes and no's regarding this comment...but I'd have paid good money to ask him in person about it).
As far as those "Honorary Oscars" go - I'm torn about them. On the one hand it's a very nice thing to do...but, on the other hand, it's like "Okay, you're nearly dead and probably aren't going to be nominated for anything else in your lifetime...so here's your pittance before the only other distinction we bestow upon you is a three-second spot in the 'Those We Lost This Year' montage."
Interesting blog. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful piece, Curtis sounds like a real person--the younger generation of preening so-called stars should take note.
It would be hard to pin down my favorite TC movie; I love old films. The dialogue was so witty in those 40s & 50s comedies.
I recently caught the last hour of Operation Petticoat, which I probably had not seen in 20 years. I love Curtis's louche, wayward character in that one, but there's so much to be said for Some Like it Hot and his other wonderful movies... too hard to pick a favorite.
I think he should receive an honorary Oscar if it would mean something to him, but there's no shame in the fact that he didn't take home a statue back in his prime. He's in good company. The Academy has had more than a few misfires and he is not the only stellar talent Oscar overlooked. I don't even watch that annual ego fest.
I love Tony Curtis, and you're right, he is one of the last greats from the golden era. It might be predictable, but I've always been a sucker for Some Like It Hot. He was so great at comedy. Houdini was probably the first movie of his I saw. Little Miss Marker is a classic, too.
You're so lucky to have had the chance to meet Tony Curtis. I would have given anything to have spent a day or two with him just chatting. I loved his comedic performances, but his dramatic roles were great, too. His "Boston Strangler" performance scared the toot out of me as a kid! His performance as "Harry Houdini" got me interested in magic tricks. "His "Great Race" movie, one of my favorites, made me want to explore the world(still dreaming about that one). But I also admired Tony Curtis as an artist. I would have loved to have had one of his paintings. And knowing how much he cared about animals, like horses, made me appreciate him as a person even more than as the great actor he was. God bless Tony Curtis.
Great memories, Nick. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment on the Pathe News blog. This is a lovely post you've written and we're proud to have the 1959 Oscars footge of Tony:
http://britishpathe.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/tony-curtis-dies-aged-85/#comments
A very good write. "Cute" certainly doesn't apply here.
When young I was in love with Tony and all the other Good Lookers
As for movies, I remember none. I imagine my mom didn't allow me to see "Some Like it Hot" based on the title.
I don't think I've ever seen Marilyn Monroe in a movie either. Where in the world have I been!
I'll be back for I like good writing.
I so much enjoyed this post about Tony Curtis, as well as your other writings. Also like the layout and presentation of your blog.
Tony Curtis is a great actor of the times.
Tony doesn't quite fit the Hollywood mold.
Some Like It Hot was hilarious! And I saw it for the first time sometime in the last year.
I fell in love with Tony Curtis as a young girl. He was my heartthrob. Enjoyed reading about him again.
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