BERNARD SCHWARTZ (1925 - 2010) 85 years young.
Movie mad Singaporeans would rush to the Capitol Cinema in North Bridge Road when a Tony Curtis movie was in town.
From Houdini, Trapeze and The Defiant Ones to Spartacus, Some Like It Hot and Taras Bulba, his movies were hits and billboards exhibited his blockbusters at street corners everywhere.
I still remember the three huge billboards at he junction of Kallang Road and Lavender Street that displayed colourful posters of these films.
John Lennon said that before Elvis there was nothing. Quite true about the music world, but in the celluloid world, before Elvis there was Tony Curtis. He was nearly every Singapore 60s girl's dream lover and nearly every Singapore boy's super dude.
One newspaper announced that he was the 'first rock n roll movie star.' And the Tony Curtis hairdo with its jet-black, curry-puff cock's comb was the pride of the 60s Singaporean youths.
The western cultural influence on this island, especially from US movies, was too great to ignore. And Tony Curtis was as large as life in 60s Singapore. If Elvis Presley was the King of Rock n Roll, then Tony Curtis was definitely the King of Hollywood Movies.
Do you remember those days of yore when you rushed to watch his movies for $1.00? And why is he on this music blog? You provide the answer.
Original Article: Andy Lim.
2 comments:
I only remember Spartacus and Taras Bulba. I have seen Trapeze, but must have been very young then becos I don't recall anything about it. As for Spartacus, I tend to associate it with Kirk Douglas. But of course everyone knows the name Tony Curtis. Strange, I always associate Tara Bulba with Elcid. Remember that one?
Thanks Chun See for your insight.
I think movie goers went to these shows to watch the star attractions ie: Curtis and Douglas, Curtis and Lollobrigida, Curtis and Brynner.
He was a crowd puller then. An icon in the 60s.
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