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| photo from LIFE magazine |
Tony's real name was Bernard Schwartz and he was born on June 3, 1925. His parents were from Hungary and I can't help but wonder how interesting it would have been if the real Houdini had bumped into or even known the Schwartz family at some point.
Tony retained an interest in magic after making the fictional movie on Houdini's life. He appeared on a number of TV Magic Specials, among them NBC's Stars of Magic in which he performed a Costume Trunk Illusion, HBO World's Greatest Escape Artist in which he was the host, and I believe he also did some hosting work with Dean Gunnarson during an underwater escape performed by Gunnarson. About a year or so before he passed away, Tony did an interview with Dodd Vickers of The Magic Newswire which can be heard here.
This Houdini movie was one of the inspirations for my career as a magician, and Tony also was instrumental in another area of my life. Besides acting, he was an artist, a painter. Seeing some of his work, along with the works of Red Skelton and Anthony Quinn in an art gallery years ago, rekindled my interest in art and specifically painting. I figured if the famous could have a career in entertainment and also paint, then so could I! Some of his artwork can be found on his website, but a search on the internet will reveal quite a broad look at his many paintings. http://www.tonycurtis.com/Online_Art_Gallery.html
Tony died on September 29th, 2010 and is buried in the Palm Eastern Memorial Park in 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Las Vegas, NV. Plot: Legacy, Space PG10, Row 3
Place a Stone:
If you cannot be there in person and wish to show your respect, you are welcome to mail a small stone. Your stone will be personally placed on Tony's marker by his wife, Jill. In the Jewish Faith, stones are placed to show that someone visited and that their love is as enduring as a rock.
Stones can be mailed to:
Jill Curtis
2598 Forest City Drive
Henderson, NV 89052
If you cannot be there in person and wish to show your respect, you are welcome to mail a small stone. Your stone will be personally placed on Tony's marker by his wife, Jill. In the Jewish Faith, stones are placed to show that someone visited and that their love is as enduring as a rock.
Stones can be mailed to:
Jill Curtis
2598 Forest City Drive
Henderson, NV 89052
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| photo used with permission of Jill Curtis & Curtis Enterprises |
I never knew that he had an actual interest in magic after making the film. Always thought it was cool though the way Curtis and Houdini pretty much came from the same place, culturally.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, this post appears the day I finally acquire a copy of the 1953 Houdini film. It's magic!
I actually learned the back palm card technique from Tony. He was on the old Mike Douglas show demonstrating it, and that was the first time I'd ever seen it. Tony was also a presenter at the Academy of Magical Arts award shows on several occasions.
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