Tony Curtis - The Elvis Of Hollywood Movies

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.

Image: http://handson.provocateuse.com/show/tony_curtis/01

Original Article: Andy Lim.

Pop Songs About Cars All The Way (Part II)

Rocket 88*The song was put together by Ike Turner and his band. It is a hymn of praise of an Oldsmobile Rocket 88, which had recently been introduced. The song was based on the 47 song Cadillac Boogie and was the second-biggest R&B single of 1951.

Ike Turner's piano intro to the song was later used, nearly note-for-note by Little Richard in Good Golly Miss Molly. Again, when vehicles reigned supreme and the American car symbolises sexual prowess: 'Gals will ride in style, movin’ all along...'

Pontiac Blues*

It was written by blues great Sonny Boy Williamson but when the British blues bands emerged in the 60s, they covered just about every memorable blues tune by every important blues artist.

In this case, an early edition of the Yardbirds with Eric Clapton recorded Pontiac Blues, and joined up with Sonny Boy for a live album recorded in 1963 at England’s Crawdaddy Club. And the lyrics? 'I found out what my baby likes... whole lot of loving, and a straight-eight Pontiac.'

Crocodile Rock:

It is a 1972 composition by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song was inspired by John's discovery of Australian band Daddy Cool and their hit, Eagle Rock, while the lyrics take a nostalgic look at early rock n roll and a relationship with Suzie. It has possibly been influenced by The Diamonds 1957 hit, Little Darlin, while the chorus resembles Pat Boone's Speedy Gonzales.

Don't forget the car, cause it's a Chevvy again, 'Me and Suzie had so much fun, holding hands... Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own, Long nights crying by the record machine, Dreaming of my Chevy and my old blue jeans...

Hitchin' A Ride:

This song spells it all. It's a problem without a car in the US because, as the lyrics explain, 'I got no fare to ride a train, I'm nearly drownin' in the pouring rain, Hitchin' a ride, hitchin' a ride, Gotta get me home to my baby's side... Oh won't somebody stop to help a guy...' Especially if it's a male!

Vanity Fare (image), a UK based band, made this 1969 song a hit in the US, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970 and selling a million copies. It didn't do too well in the UK charts though. It was written by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander.

Steve Farram is right. There are many pop songs about cars. But the road ends here. If you know of favourites with the same theme, do contribute.

Image: http://belovedsong.com/?m=201006&paged=3

*Edited Info: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/17579943

Original article: Andy Lim.