Thursday, September 30, 2010

Famed Actor Tony Curtis Dies at 85

Tony Curtis died yesterday at age 85.  Curtis was very popular in my childhood, and I remember seeing him in movies as far back as 1956, when he starred in "Trapeze."  I liked him best in "Spartacus," didn't see him in "Some Like It Hot" where he played a man in drag.  I never felt comfortable with that.  As a young boy, the thought of dressing up like a girl was extremely repugnant to me!

For me, Tony Curtis was representative of the very best era of Hollywood film.  The thought of him fires many a memory cell in my cranium, e.g. our house in Stockton, California, where I first became aware of him.  He seemed to me to be the ultimate in class, utterly handsome and suave.

Tony Curtis's film credits are listed here.
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6 comments:

  1. Anonymous9/30/2010 3:18 PM

    Ah Stogie, you've missed the BEST hilarious film ever! "Some Like It Hot" is not at all in the same league as, say, "La Cage aux Folles" (very funny too, but on a totally different level).

    Tony Curtis played a very macho musician compelled to pass for a woman in a feminine orchestra to escape Al Capone's goons (and frankly, he is not really convincing, as noticed by the orchestra manager). But except when he is playing with the orchestra at night, his main interest remains "the ladies", and there is nothing remotely effeminate about his part, believe me.

    And Jack Lemmon's part (and his last line in the film) in particular, is to die for.

    I will always be grateful to Billy Wilder, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis (and anyone else who contributed to make that film) for having given me a good, healthy laugh every time I needed it (I bought the video a long time ago, of course!).

    If nothing else, Tony Curtis took his part in that masterpiece with him up there in the sky.

    Atikva

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  2. Stogie9/30/2010 3:45 PM

    Atikva, upon your recommendation, I will view that film at the next opportunity! :)

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  3. Anonymous9/30/2010 5:30 PM

    Thanks for your vote of confidence, Stogie. I hope you will enjoy it.

    Atikva

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  4. Lisa10/01/2010 5:10 AM

    Condolences to the family. Actors of that era leave a lasting influence on people. Sad to see another great pass. R.I.P Tony..

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  5. kate10/03/2010 7:41 AM

    Un grand et bel artiste , nous l'aimions aussi beaucoup dans la série avec Roger Moore " amicalement votre " .

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  6. Stogie10/03/2010 10:24 AM

    Kates says:
    A great and handsome artist, we loved him also in the seris with Roger Moore, "Sincerely Yours."

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