Dazzling the Screen Tony Curtis

American actor Tony Curtis had a career that spanned six decades. He was at the top of his popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. He appeared in over 100 films and in his later years he also appeared on TV. He died in 2010 at the aged of 85.

Director Richard Fleischer directed the 1968 American biographical film “The Boston Strangler”. The film was based on the true story of the serial killer known as the Boston Strangler, Albert DeSalvo. It was also based on the book of the same name by Gerold Frank.

The storyline revolves around Albert DeSalvo (Tony Curtis) the man who confessed to being the Strangler. The lead investigators are played by Henry Fonda and George Kennedy as John S. Bottomly and Phil DiNatale. Sally Kellerman plays Dianne Cluny, one of the Strangler’s surviving victims.

Director Stanley Kramer directed the 1958 American drama “The Defiant Ones”. The film starred Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier and others.

The storyline revolves around John "Joker" Jackson (Tony Curtis) and Noah Cullen (Sidney Poitier) as two escaped prisoners who are shackled together and who must co-operate to survive.

Director George Marshall directed the 1953 American biographical film “Houdini”. The film starred Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. It was based on the life of magician and escape artist Harry Houdini and on the book “Houdini” by Harold Kellock. This was one of the first collaborations between Tony Curtis and his wife Janet Leigh. (pictured above)

The storyline revolves around Harry Houdini (Tony Curtis), a magician and real-life escape artist who always took his acts a degree up from the previous one. In the film, young Houdini works as a Coney Island entertainer; one day, he meets Bess (Janet Leigh) and falls in love. Their relationship advances as Houdini's acts grow in scale, but Bess becomes worried when he starts to take on more dangerous stunts.

Director Blake Edwards directed the 1959 American WW II submarine comedy “Operation Petticoat”. The film starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. Among the members of the cast were actors who went on to become TV stars: Gavin MacLeod, Marion Ross, and Dick Sargent.

The storyline tells in flashbacks the misadventures of a fictional US Navy submarine, USS Sea Tiger, during the Battle of the Philippines in the opening days of the US involvement in WW II. Lieutenant Commander Sherman (Cary Grant) and his crew determine to repair the vessel. While his men are sent to other boats, he is joined by Nick Holden (Tony Curtis), an admiral’s aide with no sub experience.

Director Blake Edwards directed the 1958 romantic comedy “The Perfect Furlough.” The film starred Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. It was another collaboration between husband Curtis and wife Leigh.

 The storyline revolves around a military psychologist who creates a perfect furlough for a soldier, Cpl. Paul Hodges (Tony Curtis), featuring exotic locations and a movie star. 

Director Billy Wilder directed the 1959 American crime comedy “Some Like It Hot”. The film is based on the 1935 French film “Fanfare of Love”. The film starred Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon.

The storyline is set in the Prohibition era and is about two musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), who disguise themselves as women to escape the Chicago mobsters they witnessed committing a crime.

Director Alexander Mackendrick directed the 1957 American satirical drama noir “Sweet Smell of Success”. It was adapted from the 1950 novelette “Tell Me About It Tomorrow!” by Ernest Lehman. It starred Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison, and Martin Milner.

The storyline revolves around J, J, Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster), a powerful and sleazy newspaper columnist, and his even sleazier press agent friend Sidney Falcon (Tony Curtis). The two embark on a journey to attempt to ruin JJ’s sister’s relationship, but things don’t go as planned.