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85-422: The Defiant Ones is a 1958 American drama film which tells the story of two escaped prisoners, one white and one black, who are shackled together and who must co-operate in order to survive. It stars Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier . The film was adapted by Harold Jacob Smith from the story by Nedrick Young , originally credited as Nathan E. Douglas. It was produced and directed by Stanley Kramer . The film

170-494: A cowlick . By the end of 1937, Switzer's "Alfalfa" had surpassed the series' nominal star, George "Spanky" McFarland , in popularity. While the boys got along, their fathers argued constantly over their sons' screen time and salaries. Switzer's best friend among the Our Gang actors was Tommy Bond , who played his on-screen nemesis "Butch". In Bond's words, he and Switzer became good friends because "neither of us could replace

255-533: A $ 225 fine (more than $ 2,400 today). Sometime in 1959, Switzer agreed to train a hunting dog, a Treeing Walker Coonhound , for Moses Samuel "Bud" Stiltz. Stiltz was Switzer's longtime friend and sometime business partner, whom Switzer had met while working with Roy Rogers on various productions at the Corriganville Movie Ranch . While in Switzer's possession, the dog ran off to chase after

340-501: A British comedy with Rosanna Schiaffino ; Don't Make Waves (1967), a satire of beach life from director Alexander Mackendrick, with Claudia Cardinale ; and On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who... (1967), an Italian comedy with Monica Vitti . In the early 1960s, he was a voice-over guest star on The Flintstones as "Stoney Curtis". Because of the poor performance of a series of comedies, Curtis fired his agent and took

425-558: A War and Nobody Came (1970). Curtis was signed by British producer Lew Grade for the tv series, The Persuaders! , which he co-starred with Roger Moore . (1971). He was one of the villains in The Count of Monte Cristo (1975) and had the title role in the gangster film Lepke (1975). Curtis had the lead in a TV series that did not last, McCoy (1975–76). He was one of many names in The Last Tycoon (1976) and had

510-560: A barrier. The rescuers clear up the debris and discover two prisoners have escaped, an African American man shackled to a Caucasian man because "the warden had a sense of humor." They are told not to look too hard as "they will probably kill each other before they go five miles." Nevertheless, a large posse and many bloodhounds are dispatched the next morning to find them. The two missing men are Noah Cullen and John "Joker" Jackson. Despite their mutual hatred, they are forced to cooperate, as they are chained together. At first, their co-operation

595-402: A bear. After learning that the dog had disappeared while Switzer was looking after it, Stiltz was unsympathetic towards Switzer, firm in his demands that Switzer had to either return his dog or pay him the equivalent of the dog's value. Unable to produce money to settle the debt, Switzer took out ads in newspapers and put up fliers, offering a reward for the safe return of the animal. Eventually,

680-450: A bit part as a Hebrew slave in Cecil B. DeMille 's The Ten Commandments . Switzer's final film role was in the 1958 drama The Defiant Ones . Besides acting, Switzer bred and trained hunting dogs and guided hunting expeditions. Among his notable clients were Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (Switzer's son's godparents), James Stewart , and Henry Fonda . In early 1954, Switzer went on

765-406: A black man. Kramer wrote that Poitier was initially unsure of Curtis' casting but became supportive. Curtis, however, denied this; he stated that he had contractual rights to approve who would play Cullen. However, despite Curtis' many later claims and stories, Kramer had cast Poitier and Marlon Brando as the two leads when a previous contractual obligation prevented Poitier from being able to accept

850-556: A blind date with Diantha Collingwood (1930–2004), also known as Dian or Diana. She was the daughter of Lelo and Faye Collingwood, and an heiress to the grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. Collingwood had moved with her mother and sister to California in 1953 because her sister wanted to become an actress. Switzer and Collingwood got along well and married in Las Vegas three months later. In 1956, with his money running out and Diantha pregnant, his mother-in-law offered them

935-471: A career that spanned six decades, achieving the height of his popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in more than 100 films, in roles covering a wide range of genres. In his later years, Curtis made numerous television appearances. He achieved his first major recognition as a dramatic actor in Sweet Smell of Success (1957) with co-star Burt Lancaster . The following year he was nominated for

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1020-634: A comedy with Dean Martin . He and Debbie Reynolds then starred in The Rat Race (1960). He then started in a supporting role in Spartacus (1960), before making two biopics: The Great Impostor (1961), directed by Robert Mulligan , playing Ferdinand Waldo Demara ; and The Outsider (1961), in which he played war hero Ira Hayes . He returned to epics with Taras Bulba (1962), co starring Yul Brynner and Christine Kaufmann , who became Curtis's second wife. On October 6, 1961, Curtis formed

1105-576: A farm near Pretty Prairie, Kansas . Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer (later Justin Lance Collingwood Eldridge) was born that year. They divorced in 1957. Diantha married Richard Rosswell "Ross" Eldridge (1933–2007), who adopted and raised Lance as his own, and had two other children by him, sons Chris and Lee Eldridge. In 1987, former Our Gang co-star George "Spanky" McFarland recalled

1190-401: A glass clock. He later retreated to his room to retrieve a .38-caliber revolver, which Switzer wrestled him for. Their struggle caused the gun to discharge and almost shot Tom Corrigan, Stiltz's 14-year-old stepson. Stiltz's account of the event was one of self-defense, testifying that Switzer had banged on his front door, yelling "Let me in, or I'll kick in the door." The threat was followed by

1275-435: A glass-domed clock over Stiltz's head, causing Stiltz's eye to swell shut. During the struggle, a shot was fired into the ceiling and Corrigan was struck in the leg by a fragment. Corrigan said his two younger sisters ran to a neighbor's house to call for help. "Well, we shot Tommy, enough of this," he said he recalled Switzer saying, just before Switzer and Piott started to leave the house. Corrigan said he had just stepped out

1360-433: A man who is appalled by his neighbors' bloodthirst. Sam persuades the onlookers to lock the convicts up and turn them in the next morning. That night, he secretly releases them, being a former chain-gang prisoner himself. Finally, they run into a young boy named Billy. They make him take them to his home and his mother, whose husband has abandoned his family. The escapees finally are able to break their chains. When they spend

1445-468: A meeting with Switzer when they spoke about the farm: The last time I saw Carl was 1957. It was a tough time for me—and him. I was starting a tour of theme parks and county fairs in the Midwest. Carl had married this girl whose father owned a pretty good size farm near Wichita. When I came through town, he heard about it and called. He told me he was helping to run the farm, but he finally had to put

1530-573: A mile away. Following his discharge from the Navy, Curtis attended City College of New York on the G.I. Bill . He then studied acting at The New School in Greenwich Village under the influential German stage director Erwin Piscator . His contemporaries included Elaine Stritch , Harry Belafonte , Walter Matthau , Beatrice Arthur , and Rod Steiger . While still at college, Curtis

1615-814: A new film production company, Curtis Enterprises , Incorporated. The company would make 40 Pounds of Trouble , which co-starred Curtis, Suzanne Pleshette and Phil Silvers ; it was the first motion picture ever filmed at Disneyland . On August 3, 1962, Curtis formed another new film production company, Reynard Productions, Incorporated. Curtis was one of many stars who had small roles in The List of Adrian Messenger (1963). He supported Gregory Peck in Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) and had an uncredited dual role in Paris When It Sizzles (1964). He and Kaufmann made their third movie together,

1700-615: A number of instruments. In 1934, the Switzers traveled to California to visit family. While sightseeing, they went to Hal Roach Studios . Following a public tour, 8-year-old Harold and 6-year-old Carl entered the Hal Roach Studio's open-to-the-public cafeteria , the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu performance. Producer Hal Roach was present and was impressed. He signed both brothers to appear in Our Gang . Harold

1785-481: A pay cut to $ 100,000 to play the title role in The Boston Strangler (1968), his first dramatic film in several years. Response from the critics and public was excellent. He returned to comedy for Monte Carlo or Bust! (1969), an all-star car race film in the vein of The Great Race . He made some comic adventure tales: You Can't Win 'Em All (1970) with Charles Bronson and Suppose They Gave

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1870-533: A radio on the tractor while he was out there plowing. Knowing Carl, I knew that wasn't going to last. He may have come from Paris, Illinois, but he wasn't a farmer! We hadn't seen each other since we left the 'Gang.' So we had lunch. We talked about all the things you'd expect. And then I never saw him again. He looked pretty much the same. He was just Carl Switzer—kind of cocky, a little antsy—and I thought to myself he hadn't changed that much. He still talked big. He just grew up. On January 26, 1958, Switzer

1955-952: A school stage play. Curtis enlisted in the United States Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor . Inspired by Cary Grant 's role in Destination Tokyo and Tyrone Power 's in Crash Dive (1943), he joined the Pacific submarine force . Curtis served aboard a submarine tender , the USS Proteus , until the end of the Second World War . On September 2, 1945, Curtis witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from his ship's signal bridge about

2040-436: A struggle that began with one of the men, Switzer or Piott, striking Stiltz with the clock. This prompted Stiltz to retrieve his firearm, which Switzer grabbed for. The gun discharged accidentally, almost shooting Corrigan. Switzer then, according to Stiltz, threatened him with a knife and yelled, "I'm going to kill you!" Stiltz fired and shot Switzer in the groin, damaging an artery that caused massive internal bleeding . Switzer

2125-419: A year later in 1994. His sixth and last wife, Jill Vandenberg, was 45 years his junior. They met in a restaurant in 1993 and married on November 6, 1998. "The age gap doesn't bother us. We laugh a lot. My body is functioning and everything is good. She's the sexiest woman I've ever known. We don't think about time. I don't use Viagra either. There are 50 ways to please your lover." On April 26, 1970, Curtis

2210-425: Is motivated by self-preservation, but gradually they begin to respect and like each other. Cullen and Joker flee through difficult terrain and weather, with a brief stop at a turpentine camp where they attempt to break into a general store, in hopes of obtaining food and tools to break the chain. Instead, they are captured by the inhabitants, who form a lynch mob; they are saved only by the interference of "Big" Sam,

2295-443: Is surprisingly good. Both men are intensely dynamic. Mr. Poitier shows a deep and powerful strain of underlying compassion...In the ranks of the pursuers, Theodore Bikel is most impressive as a sheriff with a streak of mercy and justice, which he has to fight to maintain against a brutish state policeman, played by Charles McGraw." Variety praised the acting and discussed the film's major theme, writing "The theme of The Defiant Ones

2380-410: Is that what keeps men apart is their lack of knowledge of one another. With that knowledge comes respect, and with respect comradeship and even love. This thesis is exercised in terms of a colored and a white man, both convicts chained together as they make their break for freedom from a Southern prison gang. The performances by Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier are virtually flawless. Poitier captures all of

2465-434: Is wait for their pursuers. The sheriff finds Cullen singing defiantly and Joker lying in his arms. Robert Mitchum , a veteran of a Southern chain gang , turned down the role of Jackson because he believed black and white people would not be chained together in the segregated South at that time. Mitchum's reasoning was misinterpreted over the years into the claim that he turned down the film because of his refusal to work with

2550-474: The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France in 1995. Curtis was married six times. His first wife was actress Janet Leigh , whom he married in 1951. The studio he was under contract with, Universal-International , generally stayed out of their stars' love lives. When he chose to get married, however, studio executives spent three days trying to talk him out of it, telling him he would be "poisoning himself at

2635-510: The Academy Award for Best Actor for The Defiant Ones (1958) alongside Sidney Poitier (who was also nominated in the same category). This was followed by the comedies Some Like It Hot and Operation Petticoat in 1959. In 1960, Curtis played a supporting role in the epic historical drama Spartacus . His stardom and film career declined considerably after 1960. His most significant dramatic part came in 1968 when he starred in

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2720-535: The Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California on January 27, 1959. Because he died the same day as Cecil B. DeMille , his death received only minor notice in most newspapers, as DeMille's obituary dominated the columns. Switzer had appeared as a slave (uncredited) in the last film for which DeMille was credited as a director, The Ten Commandments . Switzer's gravestone features

2805-465: The least likely to succeed. I wasn't low man on the totem pole, I was under the totem pole, in a sewer, tied to a sack. Curtis's uncredited screen debut came in the crime drama Criss Cross (1949) playing a rumba dancer, dancing with Yvonne de Carlo . The male star was Burt Lancaster who would make a number of films with Curtis. In his second film, City Across the River (also in 1949), he

2890-484: The 1943 film The Human Comedy . Switzer's last starring roles were in a brief series of imitation Bowery Boys films. He reprised his "Alfalfa" character, complete with comically sour vocals, in PRC's Gas House Kids comedies in 1946 and 1947. By this time Switzer was downplaying his earlier Our Gang work. In his 1946 resume, he referred to the films generically as "M-G-M short product". Switzer had small parts in both

2975-417: The 1946 Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life as Mary Hatch's ( Donna Reed ) date at a high school dance in the film's beginning and again in the 1948 film On Our Merry Way as the mayor's son, a trumpet player in a fixed musical talent contest. In 1952, he played a busboy in the film Pat and Mike starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn . In the 1954 musical film White Christmas , his photo

3060-693: The American science fiction anthology series Science Fiction Theatre and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show . In 1953 and 1954, Switzer co-starred in three William A. Wellman -directed films: Island in the Sky and The High and the Mighty , both starring John Wayne , and Track of the Cat , starring Robert Mitchum . In 1956, he co-starred in The Bowery Boys film Dig That Uranium followed by

3145-656: The Day I Left (1980), Little Miss Marker (1980) and The Scarlett O'Hara War (1980) and was one of many stars in The Mirror Crack'd (1980). On ABC, he co-starred from 1978 to 1981 in prime time, as Las Vegas Desert Inn casino owner Philip (Slick) Roth, in 17 episodes of the Aaron Spelling produced series hit series, Vega$ . After Vega$ , on television, Curtis continued to make occasional guest appearances (sometimes playing fictional versions of himself) into

3230-722: The Emanuel Foundation for Hungarian Culture, and served as honorary chairman. The organization works for the restoration and preservation of synagogues and the 1300 Jewish cemeteries in Hungary and is dedicated to the 600,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust in Hungary and lands occupied by the Royal Hungarian Army . Curtis also helped promote Hungary's national image in commercials. In 1965, Tony Curtis

3315-593: The Middle East with Laurie. Curtis then starred with then-wife Janet Leigh in Houdini (1953), in which Curtis played the title role. His next movies were more "B" fare: All American (1953), as a football player; Forbidden (1953), as a criminal; Beachhead (1954), a war film; Johnny Dark (1954), as a racing car driver; and The Black Shield of Falworth (1954), a medieval swashbuckler with Leigh. They were moderately successful financially, and Curtis

3400-480: The U.S. from Vaľkovo, Slovakia. He spoke only Hungarian until the age of six, delaying his schooling. His father was a tailor and the family lived in the back of the shop. His mother was later diagnosed with schizophrenia . His youngest brother Robert was institutionalized with the same mental illness. When Curtis was eight, he and his brother Julius were placed in an orphanage for a month because their parents could not afford to feed them. Four years later, Julius

3485-562: The box office." They threatened "banishment" back to the Bronx and the end of his budding career. In response, Curtis and Leigh defied the studio heads and eloped and were married by a local judge in Greenwich, Connecticut . Comedian and close friend Jerry Lewis was present as a witness. The couple had two children, actresses Kelly and Jamie Lee . The couple divorced in 1962. "For a while, we were Hollywood's golden couple," he said. "I

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3570-520: The comedy Wild and Wonderful (1964). His focus remained on comedies: Goodbye Charlie (1964), with Debbie Reynolds; Sex and the Single Girl (1964), with Natalie Wood; The Great Race (1965), with Wood and Lemmon for Blake Edwards — the most expensive comedy film up till that time, but popular; Boeing Boeing (1965) a sex farce with Jerry Lewis ; Not with My Wife, You Don't! (1966) with George C. Scott ; Drop Dead Darling (1966),

3655-600: The cover of the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album by The Beatles . Also in 1994, the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation awarded its Lone Sailor Award for his naval service and his subsequent acting career. In 2004, he was inducted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Hall of Fame. A street is named after him in the Sun City Anthem development of his adopted hometown, Henderson, Nevada . In 2005, Curtis

3740-428: The dog was located and brought to the bar where Switzer was working at the time. The rescuer was rewarded with $ 35 in cash and $ 15 in alcoholic beverages (equivalent to $ 520 in 2023). The loss of his $ 50 did not sit well with Switzer. During an emotional conversation with his friend Jack Piott, a 37-year-old unit still photographer , that took place a few days later, the two decided that Stiltz should reimburse Switzer

3825-402: The door to find a drunk Switzer, complaining about a perceived month-old debt and demanding repayment. Corrigan said Switzer entered the house first, followed by Jack Piott. Switzer said he was going to beat up Stiltz, and Stiltz confronted Switzer with a .38-caliber revolver in his hand. Corrigan said that Switzer grabbed the revolver and Stiltz and Switzer struggled over it. He said Piott broke

3910-459: The fatal shot. Switzer never drew a knife, as Stiltz had claimed he had. Corrigan was never called to testify at the coroner's inquest , and Stiltz testified in his own favor. His testimony was taken to be truthful, despite physical evidence that contradicted his account and his past perjury conviction. Years later, Corrigan stood by what he told officers had happened that night, and said his stepfather did not have to kill Switzer. The shooting

3995-472: The finder's fee. Their argument was that the dog was Stiltz's and not Switzer's. The two arrived at Stiltz's home in Mission Hills , at 10400 Columbus Avenue. Stiltz shared the home with his wife, Rita Corrigan , and his stepchildren. Switzer and Piott intended to demand money from Stiltz. Though differing accounts of the event exist, all agree that Stiltz was struck over the left side of his head with

4080-859: The following year as a bigoted white escaped convict chained to a black man (played by Sidney Poitier ). At the 31st Academy Awards , Curtis was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance—losing to David Niven in Separate Tables . Curtis and Janet Leigh then starred in Blake Edwards' The Perfect Furlough (1958). He subsequently co-starred with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot as well as Cary Grant in Operation Petticoat (1959). Curtis and Leigh made one more film together Who Was That Lady? (1960),

4165-512: The front door when he heard, but did not witness, a second shot behind him. He said he then turned and saw Switzer sliding down the wall with a surprised look on his face after Stiltz had shot him. Corrigan said he saw a closed penknife at Switzer's side, which he presumed fell out of his pocket or his hand. He said he then saw his stepfather shove Piott against the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him too. Corrigan said they heard emergency sirens as Piott begged for his life, and that he thought this

4250-416: The mid-2000s. His final TV series was as host of the documentary-retrospective series "Hollywood Babylon" (adapting Kenneth Anger 's book series ) in 1992–1993; each episode would include Curtis recalling some anecdotes from his own career. In 2002, Curtis was in the national tour of Some Like it Hot, a modified revival of the 1972 musical Sugar , itself based on the film in which he starred. Curtis played

4335-431: The moody violence of the convict, serving time because he assaulted a white man who had insulted him. It is a cunning, totally intelligent portrayal that rings powerfully true...Curtis delivers a true surprise performance. He starts off as a sneering, brutal character, willing to fight it out to-the-death with his equally stubborn companion. When, in the end, he sacrifices a dash for freedom to save Poitier, by saving him from

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4420-532: The night there, the lonely woman is attracted to Joker and wants to run off with him. She advises Cullen to go through the swamp to reach the railroad tracks while she and Joker will drive off in her car. However, after Cullen leaves, the woman reveals that she had lied: She has sent Cullen into the dangerous swamp to die to eliminate any chance he would be captured and reveal where Joker had gone. Furious, Joker runs after his friend; as he leaves, Billy shoots him. Wounded, Joker catches up with Cullen and warns him about

4505-735: The others". Switzer's tenure on Our Gang ended in 1940, when he was twelve. His first role after leaving the series was as a Boy Scout in I Love You Again (1940) starring William Powell and Myrna Loy . He then co-starred in the 1941 comedy Reg'lar Fellers . The next year, he had a supporting role in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch . Switzer continued to appear in films in various supporting roles, including in Johnny Doughboy (1942), Going My Way (1944), and The Great Mike (1944). Switzer had an uncredited role as Auggie in

4590-475: The production and the acting in the film, writing "A remarkably apt and dramatic visualization of a social idea—the idea of men of different races brought together to face misfortune in a bond of brotherhood—is achieved by producer Stanley Kramer in his new film, The Defiant Ones ... Between the two principal performers there isn't much room for a choice. Mr. Poitier stands out as the Negro convict and Mr. Curtis

4675-466: The role. Kramer wanted Poitier for the role so badly that he delayed the film's production, which led to Brando having to decline because the delay caused shooting to overlap with another obligation. Curtis was cast afterwards. Curtis did request Poitier's name appear with his above the movie title marking a first for Poitier in his career. Carl Switzer , of the Our Gang comedies, has a small role. It

4760-497: The series in 1940, Switzer struggled to find substantial roles owing to typecasting . As an adult, he appeared mainly in bit parts and B-movies . He later became a dog breeder and hunting guide. Switzer was married to Diantha Collingwood in 1954 and had a son named Justin. He was shot and killed by Moses "Bud" Stiltz in 1959 due to a disagreement regarding a business arrangement. Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois on August 7, 1927,

4845-407: The supporting role of Osgood Fielding. Throughout his life, Curtis enjoyed painting and, beginning in the early 1980s, painted as a second career. In the last years of his life, he concentrated on painting rather than movies. A surrealist , Curtis claimed Van Gogh , Matisse , Picasso , and Magritte as influences. "I still make movies but I'm not that interested in them any more. But I paint all

4930-421: The swamp, he has managed the transition with such skill that sympathy is completely with him." On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 91%, based on 58 reviews. American Film Institute The basis of The Defiant Ones was revisited several times in popular media: Tony Curtis Tony Curtis (born Bernard Schwartz ; June 3, 1925 – September 29, 2010) was an American actor with

5015-406: The swamp. The posse led by humane sheriff Max Muller gets close. The two hear a train whistle and run toward it. Cullen catches up to the train and jumps aboard. Joker runs alongside, desperately trying to catch up. Cullen calls to Joker and holds out his hand. Their hands clasp, but Cullen is unable to pull Joker aboard. Both men tumble to the ground. Too exhausted to run, they realize all they can do

5100-877: The time." In 2007, his painting The Red Table was on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His paintings can also be seen at the Tony Vanderploeg Gallery in Carmel, California . Curtis spoke of his disappointment at never being awarded an Oscar . In March 2006, Curtis received the Sony Ericsson Empire Lifetime Achievement Award . He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame inducted in 1960, and received

5185-656: The title role in an Italian comedy Casanova & Co. (1977). Later, Curtis co-starred as a casino owner in the Robert Urich 1978–1981 ABC series Vega$ and appeared in the 1978 movie The Users . Curtis supported Mae West in Sextette (1978) and starred in The Manitou (1978), a horror film, and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978), a comedy. He had good roles in It Rained All Night

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5270-821: The true-life drama The Boston Strangler . Curtis also took on the role of the Ukrainian Cossack Andrei in the historical action romance epic Taras Bulba in 1962 and starred in the ITC TV series The Persuaders! , with Curtis playing American millionaire Danny Wilde. The series ran for twenty-four episodes. Curtis married six times and fathered six children. He is the father of actresses Kelly Curtis and Jamie Lee Curtis with his first wife, actress Janet Leigh , and actresses Allegra Curtis and Alexandra Curtis with his second wife Christine Kaufmann . He had two sons with his third wife Leslie Allen, one of whom predeceased him. From 1998 until his death, he

5355-487: The youngest of four children born to Gladys Carrie Shanks (1904–1997) and George Frederick "Fred" Switzer (1905–1960). The eldest brother died in 1922. A sister Janice was born in 1923 and a brother Harold was born in 1925. He was named Carl Dean after a member of the Switzer family and many relatives on his grandmother's side (respectively). He and his brother Harold became famous in their hometown for their musical talent and performances. Both sang and could play

5440-575: Was "a terrible thing when a father loses his son." Beginning in 1990, Curtis and his daughter Jamie Lee Curtis took a renewed interest in their family's Hungarian Jewish heritage, and helped finance the rebuilding of the Great Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary. The largest synagogue in Europe today, it was originally built in 1859 and suffered damage during World War II. In 1998, he also founded

5525-541: Was a box office disappointment, but Curtis, for the first time in his career, received sensational reviews. Curtis starred alongside Kirk Douglas and Janet Leigh in The Vikings (1958, produced by Douglas' Bryna Productions ), which was a major box office hit. Curtis then co-starred with Frank Sinatra and Natalie Wood in the war movie Kings Go Forth (1958), before starring in The Defiant Ones

5610-672: Was animated in an episode of The Flintstones ; he also voiced his character Stoney Curtis. In 1994, a mural featuring his likeness, painted by the artist George Sportelli, was unveiled on the Sunset Boulevard overpass of the Hollywood Freeway Highway 101 in Los Angeles. The mural was relocated to Hollywood Boulevard and Bronson Avenue in September 2011. His face is featured among the celebrities on

5695-602: Was arrested for marijuana possession at Heathrow Airport in London. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , Curtis, who had a problem with alcoholism and drug abuse, went through the treatment center of the Betty Ford Clinic in the mid-1980s, which was successful for him. In 1994, his son Nicholas died of a heroin overdose at the age of 23. After his son's death, Curtis remarked that it

5780-642: Was credited as "Anthony Curtis" He had four lines in The Lady Gambles (1949) and a bigger part in Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949). He was also in Francis (1950), Woman in Hiding (1950), and I Was a Shoplifter (1950). He was additionally in three Westerns, Sierra (1950), Winchester '73 (1950), and Kansas Raiders (1951), in which he was billed as "Tony Curtis". Curtis

5865-420: Was criticized after he stated that he would refuse to watch Brokeback Mountain . He additionally stated that John Wayne would not have approved of a film about gay cowboys. Carl %22Alfalfa%22 Switzer Switzer began his career as a child actor in the mid-1930s appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters. After leaving

5950-488: Was discovered by Joyce Selznick , the notable talent agent , casting director , and niece of film producer David O. Selznick . In 1948, Curtis arrived in Hollywood at age 23. In his autobiography, Curtis described how by chance he met Jack Warner on the plane to California. Under contract at Universal Pictures , he changed his name from Bernard Schwartz to Anthony Curtis and met unknown actors Rock Hudson , James Best , Julie Adams and Piper Laurie . The first name

6035-414: Was from the novel Anthony Adverse and "Curtis" was from Kurtz, a surname in his mother's family. Although Universal Pictures taught him fencing and riding, Curtis admitted he was initially only interested in girls and money—adding that he was pessimistic regarding his chances of becoming a major star. Curtis's biggest fear was having to return home to the Bronx as a failure: I was a million-to-one shot,

6120-547: Was getting into his car in front of a bar in Studio City , when a bullet smashed through the window and struck him in the upper right arm. However, the gunman was never caught. Later that December, Switzer was arrested in Sequoia National Forest for cutting down 15 pine trees he had intended to illegally sell as Christmas trees . He was sentenced to one year's probation . Switzer was also ordered to pay

6205-492: Was given two nicknames, "Slim" and "Deadpan", while Carl was dubbed "Alfalfa". The brothers first appeared in the 1935 Our Gang short Beginner's Luck . By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters, while Harold had been relegated to the background. Although Carl was an experienced singer and musician, his character Alfalfa was often called upon to sing off-key renditions of popular songs for comic effect, most often those of Bing Crosby . Alfalfa also sported

6290-571: Was growing in popularity. Curtis then starred in the musical So This Is Paris in (1955), before appearing in Six Bridges to Cross (1955), as a bank robber; The Purple Mask (1955), as a swashbuckler; and the boxing film The Square Jungle (1955). Curtis graduated to larger projects when he was cast as a co-star of Burt Lancaster and Gina Lollobrigida in Hecht-Lancaster Productions ' Trapeze (1956). It

6375-699: Was highly regarded at the time of its release; it won Academy Awards for Cinematography (Black-and-White) and Original Screenplay and was nominated for seven others, including Best Picture and Best Actor for both Poitier and Curtis. Poitier won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the Berlin International Film Festival . One night in the late 1950s in the Southern United States, a truck loaded with prisoners swerves to avoid another truck and crashes through

6460-545: Was his last before his death. In his second autobiography Why Me , Sammy Davis Jr. revealed that Elvis Presley wanted to star with him in this film. However, Colonel Tom Parker , Presley's manager, was against it. The film earned rentals of $ 2.5 million in the United States and Canada but did not perform as well overseas. It ultimately made a profit of $ 1 million. When the film was originally released, Bosley Crowther , film critic for The New York Times , lauded

6545-514: Was judged to be self-defense . During the inquest regarding Switzer's death, it was revealed that what was reported as a "hunting knife" was in fact a penknife . It had been found by crime scene investigators under his body. Over 42 years later, in January 2001, Tom Corrigan told reporters "It was more like murder". He said he heard the knock on the front door, and Switzer said "Western Union for Bud Stiltz." Corrigan's mother, Rita Corrigan, opened

6630-584: Was married to horse trainer Jill Vandenberg. Tony Curtis was born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925, at the Fifth Avenue Hospital corner of East 105th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan the first of three boys born to Helen (née Klein) and Emanuel Schwartz. His parents were Jewish emigrants from Hungary : his father was born in Ópályi , near Mátészalka , and his mother was a native of Michalovce , Slovakia; she later said she arrived in

6715-576: Was one of the biggest hits of the year. Curtis and Leigh formed their own independent film production company, Curtleigh Productions , in early 1955. Curtis made a Western, The Rawhide Years (1957), was a gambler in Mister Cory (1957) and a cop in The Midnight Story (1957). Lancaster asked for him again, to play scheming press agent Sidney Falco in Sweet Smell of Success (1957), starring and co-produced by Lancaster. The film

6800-403: Was pronounced dead on arrival at 7:27 pm at the hospital at the age of 31. Tom Corrigan's account differed significantly from his stepfather's. He told investigators that Stiltz shot Switzer as he and Piott were leaving. After the gun's accidental discharge that almost hit Corrigan, Switzer turned to Piott and said they needed to leave. The two were headed for the door when Stiltz then fired

6885-564: Was receiving numerous fan letters, so Universal gave him the starring role in The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951), a swashbuckler set in the Middle East with Piper Laurie. It was a hit at the box office and Curtis was now established. He followed it up with Flesh and Fury (1952), a boxing movie; No Room for the Groom (1952), a comedy with Laurie directed by Douglas Sirk ; and Son of Ali Baba (1952), another film set in

6970-409: Was struck and killed by a truck. Curtis joined a neighborhood gang whose main crimes were truancy and minor pilfering. When Curtis was 11, a friendly neighbor saved him from what he felt would have led to a life of delinquency by sending him to a Boy Scout camp, where he was able to work off his energy and settle down. He attended Seward Park High School . At 16, he had his first small acting part in

7055-406: Was the only reason Stiltz did not kill Piott. Corrigan said his stepfather lied in his account of the event before the coroner's jury. Corrigan said a Los Angeles Police Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge. Corrigan said he agreed to, but he was never called before the court. Moses Stiltz died in 1983 at the age of 62. Carl Switzer was interred at

7140-556: Was used to depict "Freckle-Faced Haynes, the Dog-Faced Boy", an army buddy of lead characters Wallace and Davis (played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye ) who was also the brother of the female leads the Haynes Sisters, played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen . In the 1950s, Switzer returned to television. Between 1952 and 1955, he made six appearances on The Roy Rogers Show . He also guest-starred in an episode of

7225-1066: Was very dedicated and devoted to Janet, and on top of my trade, but in her eyes that goldenness started to wear off. I realized that whatever I was, I wasn't enough for Janet. That hurt me a lot and broke my heart." The following year Curtis married Christine Kaufmann , the 18-year-old German co-star of his latest film, Taras Bulba . He stated that his marriage with Leigh had effectively ended "a year earlier". Curtis and Kaufmann had two daughters, Alexandra (born July 19, 1964) and Allegra (born July 11, 1966). The couple divorced in 1968. After their divorce, Kaufmann resumed her career, which she had paused during their marriage. On April 20, 1968, Curtis married Leslie Allen, with whom he had two sons -- Nicholas Bernard Curtis (December 31, 1970 – July 2, 1994) and Benjamin Curtis (born May 2, 1973). The couple divorced in 1982. Curtis married Andrea Savio in 1984; they divorced in 1992. The following year, on February 28, 1993, he married Lisa Deutsch. They divorced only

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