Tony Curtis writes about 'Some Like it Hot;' Strip' no 'Office' clone

Tony likes it 'Hot'!

Hollywood icon, heartthrob and Oscar nominee Tony Curtis has written a book about the making of his 1959 comedy classic "Some Like It Hot." (It's appropriately titled "The Making of 'Some Like It Hot.'")

So, upon the 50th anniversary of Billy Wilder's landmark comedy, I called Curtis at his Nevada home to ask the actor about his expansive career in movies such as "Spartacus," "The Defiant Ones," "The Sweet Smell of Success," "The Vikings," "Taras Bulba," "The Great Race" and "The Boston Strangler."

"I was able to bring to each part in these movies everything they ever needed, and then, I added some," Curtis said. "There was a little bit of Errol Flynn in me. A little bit of Tyrone Power. A little bit of Harpo Marx. A little Bill Holden. I had a whole slew of these guys that I could learn from. And that's what I try to bring to my parts in movies. Whether I've been successful or not, I don't know."

I asked Curtis if he thought he had been awarded the same kind of respect as an actor that many of his contemporaries had. He has never won an Oscar, although he was nominated for "The Defiant Ones."

"There's been none," Curtis said, his voice sounding down. "Very little of that. - I've always had a sadness about the Academy. That in fact they are not as eloquent as they want to be. The very thing that the Oscars mean has lost its meaning."

Fifty years ago, did it work against Curtis to be dashingly handsome when it came to being taken seriously as an actor?

"It didn't work against me with the audiences," he said. "The girls loved me as much as anybody could ever love actors. Elvis Presley, I was part of that group. My hair, my looks, all of that. I loved all of it. That's what got me into the movies. I didn't get into the movies because I was Othello. Or because I was Hamlet. I got into the movies because my name was Bernie Schwartz, and I was the handsomest kid on the block. That's what Billy Wilder told me."

Billy Wilder said that?

"Yes. He said, 'I want to hire the handsomest actor in the business. And you're it!' What a compliment that is. I don't want to be known as a great actor. I want to be known as a great handsome guy. That kind of eased my way into the movies. While I was in, I started learning everything I had to do. about how I could make it in the movies."

What are you doing right now?

"I have a canvas here in front of me that's about 3 feet by 5 feet. A big canvas. I've been using my charcoal now to engrave on the canvas what painting I want to do and what I want it to look like." (Curtis fans know the actor's paintings have become quite popular, especially those of his "Some Like It Hot" co-star Marilyn Monroe.)

Next year, I said, you have a big event coming up. You turn 85.

"85! Yes, can you imagine? I can't imagine! Not possible!" Curtis said.

How will you celebrate? I asked.

"I have a beautiful wife, a most charming, lovable woman (Jill Curtis)," he replied. "We've been married 15 years. That has calmed me down a lot. I'm in an environment with this woman that is most pleasant and charming. I'm not getting into too many troubles. I can be quite moody and quite excessive in my feelings in the things I do. With Jilly, I have a wonderful camaraderie between us. I'm so very happy. And that happiness makes me want to go on for as along as I can."

Note: Curtis will sign books and share his memories of "Some Like It Hot" at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hollywood Boulevard Cinema, 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge, and at 6 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Hollywood Palms Cinema, 352 S. Route 59, Naperville.

Free 'Chipmunks'!

A free showing of the 1981 short "A Chipmunk Christmas" (originally broadcast as a TV program) plus two other holiday-themed Chipmunk cartoons will take place at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Charlestowne Cinema 18, 3740 E. Main St., St. Charles. Stick around. Word on the street is that Santa Claus might crash the party!

Reel Life review: 'The Strip'

It would be easy to dismiss Jameel Khan's Chicago indie comedy "The Strip" as a cheap knock-off of "The Office" and "Dilbert" with TV sitcom excesses and dopey plot setups worthy of a student film production.

Indeed, that's exactly what "The Strip" is for much of its opening, set in a RadioShack clone called Electri-City in a soulless strip mall. But cut this comedy some slack and give it some time.

Once "The Strip" warms up to you, its characters, even the gruff and self-delusional Rick (Second City alum Cory Christmas), worm their way into your heart and become endearing, even sweet, characters in a villain-less comedy reminiscent of a Judd Apatow project.

"Kids in the Hall" alum Dave Foley stars as Glenn, the inept Electri-City manager who oversees Rick, none-too-swift Jeff (Billy Aaron Brown), perpetually upbeat Avi (Frederico Dordei) and seriously cute Kyle (Rodney Scott), son of the stern district manager (Chicago supporting actor icon Chelcie Ross).

The movie draws fresh breath the moment that the vivacious Jenny Wade pops into the frame as Melissa, a charismatic young woman who meets Kyle at a book store. The two generate an infectious chemistry. (Wade also makes the most of her brief dinner scene in "Brothers," opening Friday as well.)

Writer/director Khan, a Chicago improv and sketch artist, got the idea for "The Strip" from a three-week gig working at RadioShack. His movie has the shortcomings typical of a project where the director and writer are unable to filter each other's work independently.

Even if "The Strip" isn't much of a polished film, it's a whale of a calling card for this guy. I can't wait to see what he does next.

"The Strip" opens Friday at the Century Centre in Chicago. It's rated PG-13 for sexual situations. 91 minutes. . .

Creed is good

"Creed Live," a concert film celebrating the reunion of the once splintered band Creed, will be broadcast live in an exclusive Chicago-area showing at 8 p.m. Monday at the Elk Grove Cinemas, 1050 Elk Grove Village Center, Elk Grove Village. Tickets cost $10.

The illusion of life

Join me and film historian Raymond Benson as Dann & Raymond's Movie Club presents "I Got No Strings! Animation at the Movies," an overview of the greatest animated motion pictures ever made. Included will be clips from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "WALL·E," "The Little Mermaid," "The Iron Giant," "Ghost in the Shell" and 12 others. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Free admission! Go to ahml.info or call (847) 392-0100.