The first time Tony Curtis entered my consciousness was when I was a kid at the barbers. All the big lads asked for a “Tony Curtis” as they sat down. I couldn’t really tell what a “Tony Curtis” was, but I could tell it was cool. I asked my Dad “Can I have a Tony Curtis”? He said no. So without ever seeing him I knew I liked Tony Curtis.
We all have shit in our lives, he had shit too, but you wouldn’t have known it, because he was always happy and smiling. He wasn’t a tortured soul like James Dean or Montgomery Clift. What more could we ask for? We made him famous at least he seemed to be enjoying it.
He made 3 or 4 great films, a few good ones and a lot of crap, but don’t they all. In Britain he is probably best remembered for the TV series “The Pretenders” which he starred in with Rodger Moore. People look back and say it was rubbish, but it was essential viewing on a Saturday night back then.
What most people don’t realize is that he spent the latter part of his life as a painter and he was a pretty good impressionist. These paintings are his.
Everyone liked Tony Curtis. He’ll be missed.
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