Salute to the Eye Patch

Cruise's 'Valkyrie' character only one of many to don an eye patch
By Paul Stinson,  Newser User
Posted Jan 3, 2009 4:45 AM CST

Tom Cruise as Claus von Stauffenberg in Valkyrie adds yet another name to the long list of characters—real and fictional—sporting eye patches throughout the ages. New York magazine examines notable wearers of the ocular ornament:

  • James Joyce: Perhaps an homage to “The Cyclops” episode of his fabled Ulysses, Joyce had two functional eyes but claimed the patch aided his flagging eyesight.

  • Sammy Davis Jr: Following a car accident, it became part of his shtick. Humphrey Bogart finally erupted at the Candyman: “How long you gonna trade on the godamn patch?”
  • Nadine Hurley: As if she wasn’t odd enough, Twin Peaks creator David Lynch gave the town’s top weirdo an eye patch, leading series devotees to debate its symbolic meaning.
  • Snake Plissken: Tommy Lee Jones pooh-poohed the Escape From New York gig, but Kurt Russell brought the patch, and—along with it—stylish absurdity.
For the rest of the eye-popping list, click the link below:
(More eyes stories.)

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