TRIVIA---in Blake Edwards' THE GREAT RACE, The Great Leslie (Tony Curtis) fought Texas Jack (Larry Storch) in a barroom brawl. In reality, Curtis and Storch were lifelong friends after they were shipmates on the submarine tender USS Proteus in World War II.
Storch said he and Curtis were on the Proteus and witnessed Japan's surrender on the battleship USS Missouri which ended World War II. Curtis (real name: Bernie Schwartz) was a radio operator and told Storch, "I'm going to be a movie star." Storch tried to persuade Curtis not to seek a movie career because it would be too difficult, but, fortunately, Curtis ignored his advice. The two friends appeared together in eight movies.
In Blake Edwards' THE GREAT RACE, The Great Leslie (Tony Curtis) fought Texas Jack (Larry Storch) in a barroom brawl.
Tony Curtis (Bernie Schwartz) was a radio operator with shipmate and friend Larry Storch on the submarine tender USS Proteus in World War II.