Tony Curtis
1925 – 2010
Tony Curtis passed away today at age 85. He was always a good one, enjoyable to watch in those movies back in the late 50s like “Some Like It Hot“, as the Great Leslie in “The Great Race” and, of course “Operation Petticoat”, the yarn of the US Navy submarine USS Sea Tiger and its mad cap adventures in the opening days of WW2 – highlighted by its ending up being painted pink..
In addition to being a pretty good actor (Academy Award nomination in 1958 for The Defiant Ones), Curtis was also a Navy man, serving aboard USS Proteus, a submarine tender, during WW2 and was able to watch the surrender of Japan from his ship about a mile away.
I had made mention a while back here that the submarine tower memorial they have on the Washington Navy Yard is that of the USS Balao, which was the submarine used in “Operation Petticoat” – and had the ignominy to suffer through a pink coat of paint for that movie.
From the old Photo of the Day project, 4 Feb:
Shortly after that post back in Feb of 2009, I received an email from a fellow naval aviator, Oyster, who passed on the following:
My father was a Naval Officer from 1940-1965. In the late 50′s/early 60′s Mom, Dad and my sisters were stationed at Key West. I read, and enjoy, your blog on occasion and today ran across your post (pic of the day #35 I think) about the USS Balao. I think you’ll get a kick out of the attached pictures which were taken by my Mom on the set of, you guessed it, Operation Petticoat.
Thanks, Oyster! Sorry it took so long to get these up!
No pics of Tony Curtis in these, but still, hat’s off to the Navy vet.
God speed, Tony Curtis.
Ron Ruiter // Oct 1, 2010 at 7:13 am
Thanks for the photo’s. I think I may have watched that movie “Operation Petticoat” 200 times. LOL Always get a laugh when watching it.
Tamas Szorad // Oct 1, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I think the Not with my wife, you don’t is also a good movie.
His parents were Hungarians.
RIP
Tamas Szorad
Hungary
Thunderstixx // Oct 1, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Wonderful site and tribute to a very classy guy.
Came over from Blackfive.
What a great site!!!
Thunder
Milwaukee WI
Glenn Mark Cassel AMH1(AW) USN Ret. // Oct 2, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Nice post on a really good guy.
I watch Operation Pettycoat every chance I get. I first saw it as a grade schooler at the drive-in theater!
Thanks, Pinch.
maryprice // Oct 2, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Did you ever see the movie Some Like it Hot with Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon? One of the great comedy films of all time. He was a great guy.
Dayle Westervelt // Dec 18, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I am glad to be one of the visitants on this outstanding internet site (:, thanks for putting up.
Karen Myers // Apr 25, 2011 at 12:36 pm
obviously
mbt scarpe // Jul 6, 2011 at 3:12 am
I think the Not with my wife, you don’t is also a good movie.
Old_Noob // Dec 17, 2012 at 6:42 am
Just wanted to say Hi.
Stumbled across your page while doing some research on the Balao class submarines.
thanks for sharing these photographs.
I just may go watch that movie again.
Pinch // Dec 18, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Old_Noob! Not much of a Sub crowd around here, but we’re an equal opportunity Sea-Story source!