American Prince (34 page)

I have never lost that youthful joy that I’ve always found in the daily aspects of life: waking up to a new day, going for a drive in a nice car, savoring the beauty of the outdoors, being able to go to restaurants and enjoy good meals, meeting lots of interesting people, and occasionally chatting up a beautiful girl. As Sinatra’s song goes, I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn, and a king—and I’ve had one helluva good time at it. I’ve known lots of amazing people too; I’ve fought with some, loved others, and although I may not have known it at the time, I enjoyed them all. I always tried my best, and in some parts of my life I came up way short and in others I touched the sky. Why should I complain? Why would I want to? I’ve had a great life.

They say that America’s royalty is its Hollywood stars. The great thing about America is that you don’t need to be born into the royal family. You could be born into an immigrant family in a New York tenement and still become an American prince through sheer hard work and desire. I should know. In my case—and perhaps this is true of everyone—my greatest failing was also my greatest strength. My tough childhood led me to feel like an outsider, but that sense of alienation hardened my resolve into a driving ambition that would not be denied. That served me well in the work that I love, and less well with the people I love. But things tend to balance out in the end.

Now I’m blessed with a woman named Jillie. I didn’t know her, but I had always dreamed about her. The phone’s still not ringing with that offer of a new movie, but I’m no longer waiting on it either. I’m painting and painting, visiting Jillie’s horses, and savoring all-too-rare moments with my children and grandchildren. For better or for worse, I only stop to look back at times like this. Mostly I live in this moment, right now, and I’m grateful for it. I know that most of this life lies behind me, but what I live for is today, and for the tomorrows that remain. My eyes are bombarded by the sights of this beautiful world. Every breath has the rich fragrance of trees and flowers. I’m privileged to be alive to share these wondrous feelings with you. I toast our fallen comrades, all of whom live on in our hearts.

So far, so good. Do I sound like I think I’m going to live forever? You bet your fucking ass. I know better, at least in my mind. But this heart still beats a little faster for all the beauty in the world. I can honestly say that I’ve lived my time here fully. Perhaps the life story I have recounted in these pages will help you to avoid some of the pitfalls that tripped me up along the way. I hope so. And I hope that you’ll live the rest of your time to the fullest. I don’t see any other good way to go.

Filmography

1.                  
Criss Cross (1949)
A Universal-International Production (Michael Kraike). Directed by Robert Siodmak. Cast: Burt Lancaster (Steve Thompson), Yvonne De Carlo (Anna), Dan Duryea (Slim Dundee), Stephen McNally (Pete Ramirez), Richard Long (Slade Thompson), Tom Pedi (Vincent), Alan Napier (Finchley), James [Tony] Curtis (Gigolo)

2.                  City Across the River (1949)
A Universal-International Production (Maxwell Shane). Directed by Maxwell Shane. Cast: Stephen McNally (Stan Albert), Luis Van Rooten (Joe Cusack), Thelma Ritter (Mrs. Cusack), Peter Fernandez (Frankie Cusack), Al Ramsen (Benjamin Wilks), Joshua Shelley (Crazy), Mickey Knox (Larry), Richard Jaeckel (Bull), Anthony Curtis (Mitch), Jeff Corey (Lt. Macon), Sharon McManus (Alice Cusack), Sue England (Betty), Barbara Whiting (Annie Kane), Richard Benedict (Gaggsy Steens)

3.                  The Lady Gambles (1949)
A Universal-International Production (Michael Kraike). Directed by Michael Gordon. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck (Joan Boothe), Robert Preston (David Boothe), Stephen McNally (Corrigan), Edith Barrett (Ruth Phillips), John Hoyt (Dr. Rojac), Leif Erickson (Tony), Anthony Curtis (Bellboy)

4.                  Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949)
A Universal-International Production (Aaron Rosenberg). Directed by William Castle. Cast: Howard Duff (George Morton), Dan Duryea (Johnny Evans), Shelley Winters (Terry), Anthony Curtis (Joey Hyatt), John McIntire (Nick Avery), Gar Moore (Sam Harrison), Leif Erickson (Pringle)

5.                  Francis (1950)
A Universal-International Production (Robert Arthur). Directed by Arthur Lubin. Cast: Donald O’Connor (Peter Stirling), Patricia Medina (Maureen Gelder), ZaSu Pitts (Valerie Humpert), Eduard Franz (Colonel Pepper), Anthony Curtis (Captain Jones)

6.                  I Was a Shoplifter (1950)
A Universal-International Production (Leonard Goldstein). Directed by Charles Lamont. Cast: Scott Brady (Jeff Andrews), Mona Freeman (Faye Burton), Anthony Curtis (Pepe), Charles Drake (Herb Klaxton), Gregg Martell (The Champ), Robert Gist (Barkie Neff), Larry Keating (Harry Dunson), Rock Hudson (Store Detective)

7.                  Winchester ’73 (1950)
A Universal-International Production (Aaron Rosenberg). Directed by Anthony Mann. Cast: James Stewart (Lin McAdam), Stephen McNally (Dutch Henry Brown), Shelley Winters (Lola Manners), Dan Duryea (Waco Johnny Dean), Will Geer (Wyatt Earp), Jay C. Flippen (Sergeant Wilkes), Rock Hudson (Young Bull), Anthony Curtis (Doan)

8.                  Sierra (1950)
A Universal-International Production (Michael Kraike). Directed by Alfred E. Green. Cast: Wanda Hendrix (Riley Martin), Audie Murphy (Ring Hassard), Dean Jagger (Jeff Hassard), Burl Ives (Lonesome), Richard Rober (Big Matt), Anthony Curtis (Brent Coulter), Houseley Stevenson (Sam Coulter)

9.                  Kansas Raiders (1950)
A Universal-International Production (Ted Richmond). Directed by Ray Enright. Cast: Audie Murphy (Jesse James), Brian Donlevy (Quantrill), Richard Arlen (Union Captain), Scott Brady (Bill Anderson), Marguerite Chapman (Kate Clarke), Tony Curtis (Kit Dalton), James Best (Cole Younger), Dewey Martin (James Younger), John Kellogg (Red Leg Leader)

10.                  The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951)
A Universal-International Production (Leonard Goldstein). Directed by Rudolph Maté. Cast: Tony Curtis (Julna), Piper Laurie (Tina), Everett Sloane (Yus-sef), Peggy Castle (Princess Yashim), Donald Randolph (Mustapha), Jeff Corey (Mokar), Betty Garde (Mirza), Marvin Miller (Hakar), Nita Bieber (Cahuena), Hayden Rorke (Basra)

11.                  Son of Ali Baba (1952)
A Universal-International Production (Leonard Goldstein). Directed by Kurt Neumann. Cast: Tony Curtis (Kashma Baba), Piper Laurie (Azura/Kiki), Victor Jory (Caliph), Morris Ankrum (Ali Baba), Susan Cabot (Tala), William Reynolds (Mustafa), Hugh O’Brien (Hussein), Philip Van Zandt (Kareeb)

12.                  Flesh and Fury (1952)
A Universal-International Production (Leo nard Goldstein). Directed by Joseph Pevney. Cast: Tony Curtis (Paul Callan), Mona Freeman (Ann Hollis), Jan Sterling (Sonya Bartow), Wallace Ford (Jack Richardson), Connie Gilchrist (Mrs. Richardson), Katherine Locke (Mrs. Hollis), Harry Shannon (Mike Callan), Harry Guardino (Lou Callan)

13.                  No Room for the Groom (1952)
A Universal-International Production (Ted Richmond). Directed by Douglas Sirk. Cast: Tony Curtis (Alvah Morrell), Piper Laurie (Lee Kingshead), Spring Byington (Mama Kingshead), Don DeFore (Herman Strouple), Lillian Bronson (Aunt Elsa), Paul McVey (Dr. Trotter), Stephen Chase (Mr. Taylor)

14.                  Meet Danny Wilson (1952)
A Universal-International Production (Leonard Goldstein). Directed by Joseph Pevney. Cast: Frank Sinatra (Danny Wilson), Shelley Winters (Joy Carroll), Raymond Burr (Nick Driscoll), Alex Nicol (Michael Francis Ryan), Vaughn Taylor (T.W. Hatcher), Tommy Farrell (Tommy Wells). Guest appearances by Jeff Chandler and Tony Curtis

15.                  Houdini (1953)
A Universal-International Production (George Pal). Directed by George Marshall. Cast: Tony Curtis (Harry Houdini), Janet Leigh (Bess), Torin Thatcher (Otto), Angela Clarke (Mrs. Weiss), Sig Ruman (Schultz), Connie Gilchrist (Mrs. Schultz), Michael Pate (Dooley)

16.                  The All-American (1953)
A Universal-International Production (Aaron Rosenberg). Directed by Jesse Hibbs. Cast: Tony Curtis (Nick Bonelli), Mamie Van Doren (Susie Ward), Richard Long (Howard Carter), Gregg Palmer (Hunt Cameron), Paul Cavanagh (Professor Banning), Stuart Whitman (Zip Parker), Jimmy Hunt (Whizzer)

17.                  Forbidden (1953)
A Universal-International Production (Ted J. Richmond). Directed by Rudolph Maté. Cast: Tony Curtis (Eddie Darrow), Joanne Dru (Christine Lawrence), Lyle Bettger (Justin Keit), Marvin Miller (Cliff Chalmer), Victor Sen Yung (Allan), Peter Mamakos (Sam)

18.                  Beachhead (1954)
A Universal-International Production (Howard Koch). Directed by Stuart Heisler. Cast: Tony Curtis (Burke), Frank Lovejoy (Sgt. Fletcher), Mary Murphy (Nina), Eduard Franz (Bouchard), Skip Homeier (Reynolds)

19.                  Johnny Dark (1954)
A Universal-International Production (William Alland). Directed by George Sherman. Cast: Tony Curtis (Johnny Dark), Piper Laurie (Liz Fielding), Paul Kelly (William Scott), Ilka Chase (Abbie Binns), Don Taylor (Duke Benson), Ruth Hampton (Miss Border-to-Border), Russell Johnson (Emory), Joseph Sawyer (Svenson), Robert Nichols (Smitty)

20.                  The Black Shield of Falworth (1954)
A Universal-International Production (Robert Arthur and Melville Tucker). Directed by Rudolph Maté. Cast: Tony Curtis (Myles Falworth), Janet Leigh (Lady Ann), Herbert Marshall (Earl of Mackworth), Ian Keith (King Henry IV), Torin Thatcher (Sir James), Barbara Rush (Meg Falworth), Daniel O’Herlihy (Prince Hal), Craig Hill (Francis Gascoyne), Rhys Williams (Diccon Bowman)

21.                  So This Is Paris (1954)
A Universal-International Production (Albert J. Cohen). Directed by Richar Quine. Cast: Tony Curtis (Joe Maxwell), Gloria De Haven (Colette/Janie), Gene Nelson (Al Howard), Corinne Calvet (Suzanne Sorel), Paul Gilbert (Davey Jones), Mara Corday (Yvonne), Allison Hayes (Carmen), Myrna Hansen (Ingrid)

22.                  Six Bridges to Cross (1955)
A Universal-International Production (Aaron Rosenberg). Directed by Joseph Pevney. Cast: Tony Curtis (Jerry Florea), George Nader (Edward Gallagher), Julie Adams (Ellen Gallagher), Sal Mineo (Jerry, as a Boy), Jay C. Flippen (Vincent Concannon), Jan Merlin (Jan Norris), Richard Castle (Skids Radzevich)

23.                  The Purple Mask (1955)
A Universal-International Production (Howard Christie). Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. Cast: Tony Curtis (Rene), Colleen Miller (Laurette), Gene Barry (Captain Lawrence), Dan O’Herlihy (Brisquet), Angela Lansbury (Madame Valentine), George Dolenz (Marcel Cardonal), John Hoyt (Fouche), Paul Cavanagh (Duc De Latour)

24.                  The Square Jungle (1955)
A Universal-International Production (Albert Zugsmith). Directed by Jerry Hopper. Cast: Tony Curtis (Eddie Quaid/Packy Glennon), Ernest Borgnine (Bernie Brown), Jim Backus (Pat Quaid), Pat Crowley (Julie Walsh), Leigh Snowden (Lorraine Evans), Joe Louis (Himself)

25.                  The Rawhide Years (1956)
A Universal-International Production (Stanley Rubin). Directed by Rudolph Maté. Cast: Tony Curtis (Ben Matthews), Colleen Miller (Zoe), Arthur Kennedy (Rick Harper), William Demarest (Brand Comfort), William Gargan (Marshal Sommers), Peter Van Eyck (Antoine Boucher), Minor Watson (Matt Comfort), Donald Randolph (Carrico).

26.                  Trapeze (1956)
A United Artists Release (produced by Hecht-Lancaster). Directed by Carol Reed. Cast: Burt Lancaster (Mike Ribble), Tony Curtis (Tino Orsini), Gina Lollobrigida (Lola), Katy Jurado (Rosa), Thomas Gomez (Bouglione), Johnny Puleo (Max the Dwarf), Minor Watson (John Ringling North)

27.                  Mister Cory (1957)
A Universal-International Production (Robert Arthur). Directed by Blake Edwards. Cast: Tony Curtis (Mister Cory), Martha Hyer (Abby Vollard), Charles Bickford (Biloxi), Kathryn Grant (Jen Vollard), William Reynolds (Alex Wyncott), Russ Morgan (Ruby Matrobe), Henry Daniell (Earnshaw), Willis Bouchey (Mr. Vollard), Louise Lorimer (Mrs. Vollard)

28.                  The Midnight Story (1957)
A Universal-International Production (Robert Arthur). Directed by Joseph Pevney. Cast: Tony Curtis (Joe Martini), Gilbert Roland (Sylvio Malatesta), Marisa Pavan (Anna Malatesta), Jay C. Flippen (Seargeant Jack Gillen), Argentina Brunetti (Mama Malatesta), Ted DeCorsia (Lt. Kilrain), Kathleen Freeman (Rosa Cuneo)

29.                  Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
A United Artists Release (Hecht-Hill-Lancaster for Norma-Curtleigh). Directed by Alexander Mac kendrick. Cast: Burt Lancaster (J.J. Hunsecker), Tony Curtis (Sidney Falco), Susan Harrison (Susan Hunsecker), Martin Milner (Steve Dallas), Sam Levene (Frank D’Angelo), Barbara Nichols (Rita)

30.                  The Vikings (1958)
A United Artists Release (Byrna Productions and Curtleigh). Directed by Richard Fleischer. Cast: Kirk Douglas (Einar), Tony Curtis (Eric), Ernest Borgnine (Ragnar), Janet Leigh (Morgana), Alexander Knox (Father Godwin), Frank Thring (Aella). Narrated by Orson Welles

31.                  The Defiant Ones (1958)
A United Artists Production. Directed by Stanley Kramer. Cast: Tony Curtis (John “Joker” Jackson), Sidney Poitier (Noah Cullen), Theodore Bikel (Sheriff Max Muller), Charles McGraw (Captain Frank Gibbons), Lon Chaney, Jr. (Big Sam), Whit Bissell (Lou Gans), Carl Switzer (Angus)

32.                  Kings Go Forth (1958)
A United Artists Release (Frank Ross). Directed by Delmer Daves. Cast: Frank Sinatra (Lt. Sam Loggins), Tony Curtis (Cpl. Britt Harris), Natalie Wood (Monique Blair), Leora Dana (Mrs. Blair)

33.                  The Perfect Furlough (1958)
A Universal-International Production (Robert Arthur). Directed by Blake Edwards. Cast: Tony Curtis (Paul Hodges), Janet Leigh (Vicki Loren), Linda Cristal (Sandra Roca), Keenan Wynn (Harvey Franklin), Elaine Stritch (Liz Baker), Marcel Dalio (Henri), Les Tremayne (Colonel Leland), Jay Novello (Rene), King Donovan (Major Collins), Troy Donahue (Sgt. Nickles)

34.                  Some Like It Hot (1959)
A United Artists Release (Mirisch Company, an Ashton Picture). Directed by Billy Wilder. Cast: Tony Curtis (Joe/Josephine), Marilyn Monroe (Sugar Kane), Jack Lemmon (Jerry/Daphne), George Raft (Spats Columbo), Joe E. Brown (Osgood Fielding)

35.                  Operation Petticoat (1959)
A Universal-International Release (Robert Arthur for Granart Productions). Directed by Blake Edwards. Cast: Cary Grant (Lt. Cmdr. Matt Sherman), Tony Curtis (Lt. Nick Holden), Joan O’Brien (Lt. Dolores Crandall), Dina Merrill (Lt. Barbara Duran), Gene Evans (Molumphrey), Arthur O’Connell (Sam Tostin), Richard Sargent (Stovall)

36.                  Who Was That Lady? (1959)
A Columbia Pictures Release (Ansark–George Sidney). Directed by George Sidney. Cast: Tony Curtis (David Wilson), Janet Leigh (Ann Wilson), Dean Martin (Michael Haney), James Whitmore (Harry Powell), John McIntire (Bob Doyle), Barbara Nichols (Gloria Coogle), Larry Keating (Parker), Larry Storch (Orenov), Simon Oakland (Belka), Joi Lansing (Florence Coogle)

37.                  The Rat Race (1960)
A Paramount Pictures Release (William Perlberg–George Seaton Production). Directed by Robert Mulligan. Cast: Tony Curtis (Pete Hammond, Jr.), Debbie Reynolds (Peggy Brown), Jack Oakie (Mac), Kay Medford (Soda), Don Rickles (Nellie), Joe Bushkin (Frankie), Gerry Mulligan (Gerry), Sam Butera (Carl)

38.                  Spartacus (1960)
A Universal-International Release (Bryna Productions, produced by Edward Lewis). Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Cast: Kirk Douglas (Spartacus), Laurence Olivier (Crassus), Jean Simmons (Varinia), Tony Curtis (Antoninus), Charles Laughton (Gracchus), Peter Ustinov (Batiatus), John Gavin (Julius Caesar), Nina Foch (Helena Glabrus), Herbert Lom (Tigranes), John Ireland (Crixus), Woody Strode (Draba)

39.                  Pepe (1960)
A Columbia Pictures Release (produced by G.S. Posa Films International). Directed by George Sidney. Cast: Cantinflas (Pepe), Dan Dailey (Ted Holt), Shirley Jones (Suzie Murphy), Carlos Montalban (Rodriguez). Guest stars as themselves: Joey Bishop, Billie Burke, Maurice Chevalier, Charles Coburn, Richard Conte, Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Jimmy Durante, Jack Entratter, Colonel E. E. Fogelson, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Greer Garson, Hedda Hopper, Peter Lawford, Janet Leigh, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin, Kim Novak, André Previn, Donna Reed, Debbie Reynolds, Carlos Rivas, Edward G. Robinson, Cesar Romero, Frank Sinatra

40.                  The Great Impostor (1961)
A Universal-International Production. Directed by Robert Mulligan. Cast: Tony Curtis (Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr.), Edmond O’Brien (Captain Glover), Karl Malden (Father Devlin), Raymond Massey (Abbott Donner), Gary Merrill (Demara Sr.), Arthur O’Connell (Chandler)