Tony Curtis: The Autobiography

by Barry Paris and Tony Curtis

Book Overview

Tony Curtis is famous for his roles in films such as "Sweet Smell of Success", "Some Like It Hot" and "The Boston Strangler". He is also renown for saying that kissing Marilyn Monroe was "like kissing... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688097596
• ISBN13: 9780688097592
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

A courageous autobiotgraphy

What a courageously written book this is. I don't necessarily agree with all of Mr. Curtis's candidly expressed opinions, but I've never read a movie memoir that was so openly honest. It's very difficult in our society to transcend social strictures against open vanity, regardless of how well deserved. It's also open about sexuality in suprising ways. Mr. Curtis speaks as freely about his foibles and problems as he does about his extraordinary handsome face, which Edward G. Robinson, quoted in the book, called his sonne punim in Yiddish (beautiful face). I grew up watching TC's films and have an original lobby card from "The Great Imposter" on my movie wall. His "Houdini" was among my favorite films when I first began going to them alone, as were his swashbucklers and later, his dramatic roles. I still think he's one of the most underrated actors of his era. He deserved the Oscar for "Sweet Smell of Success." I think eventually this book will be recognized as a unique classic among movie memoirs. It's remarkable for it's fidelity to the truth as TC saw it as opposed to the fictions penned by so many others. It's long past time to give this man some sort of major industry award.

Blunt, Honest

I have enjoyed reading this book. I find Tony's blunt honesty amusing. I will be reading along and suddenly laugh out loud over something he has said just because it is so plain-spokenly blunt. Of course I would hate for that bluntness to be used against me.Curtis is kind towards his first wife Janet Leigh. Maybe that is because she has been kind towards him. It seems that he doesn't have much to do with his other ex-wives. At the time this book was published he was married to a girl named Lisa.Curtis also was/is very sensitive about his being Jewish and how he was picked on as a kid, and as an adult (the stuffed, taped tail-pipe in Germany-read the book to find out what that is about).Curtis was always a very good-looking man and he knew it, and he's honest about knowing it. His idol was Cary Grant. He wanted to make movies with Marilyn Monroe and Mae West so he could say he and Grant were the only actors to make movies with both. Curtis' tale about filming "Sextette" with Mae West is hilarious.I love his honesty, but there is alot of anger in him. Too bad he couldn't get therapy to work that out. It probably contributed to the break-down of his marriages, and his drug habits in the past. You have to give him credit for surviving though.I have to say that his performance in "Sex and the Single Girl" is one of my very favorites. He and Natalie Wood had such a strong on-screen chemistry.

an excellent read, even if you're not a fan

This book is perfect if you want to read about TC, other famous people, the movies, or a young boy who went through a lot and grew up to be famous and go through some rough times again. TC tells us about his childhood, his teenage years, his brothers, his women, his kids, his films, he makes us laugh and he makes us cry. He is an amaizing guy. This autobiography, with the help of BP, is a brilliant read. It's not just for people who were around in the sixties either. I'm 16 and have read this book twice. I recomend this book to anyone that is a fan like me, or anyone who likes to read a good book.

Exceptional biography offers an extremely honest insight .

Explicit account from the man himself Tony Curtis of his vastly changing life style from his early days on the poor streets of the Bronx New York, to the high life as a young Hollywood star. One of the most well known celebrities that came from the later part of the Hollywood star stable, his biography is unusual in its style as it integrates the voices of Tony's friends and family along side Tony's own narrative, painting a very explicit and vastly interesting life. It pulls no punches and tells it as it is , and is a must read for all his fans. Including information On the Persuaders starring Tony Curtis and Roger Moore. ITC action adventure programme first broadcast in 1971