Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

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

(Newser) – 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:

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

Tom Cruise in the role of failed Hitler assassin Col. Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg during filming of the movie "Valkyrie." (AP Photo/ Babelsberg Studio AG, Frank Connor)

James Joyce is shown here thinking and possibly napping. Despite having two functioning eyes, the author claimed the patch helped with his failing eyesight. (Flickr © der Hundeliebhaber)

"Twin Peaks" character Nadine Hurley. Hailed as the weirdest character in a perpetually strange series, Hurley's backstory says she lost her eye in a hunting accident. (Flickr © sallyspears 1234)

Slick Rick in action with his fabled fake diamond encrusted eye patch. "One of the rare instances of silly equaling cool," writes New York magazine. (Flickr © angrycitizen.org)

Tom Cruise as Claus von Stauffenberg in "Valkyrie." Cruise's portrayal of Hitler's almost-assassin is the latest entry into the eyepatch brother/sisterhood. (AP Photo/MGM, Frank Connor)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

"Valkyrie" trailer. (YNoki)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Cruise in an Eye Patch May Prove Hard Sell in Valkyrie

Shifting release date shows studio's concerns with film

(NEWSER) - A fear that audiences won't take to Tom Cruise in an eye-patch has kept Valkyrie, about a failed plot by German officers to assassinate Hitler, in United Artists' vaults. Advertising Age reports that studio execs postponed the film’s release multiple times over worries it wouldn’t stand up in this year’s Oscar competition. More»

Hurt German Extras Sue Cruise's Studio

Actors launch $11 million suit after falling out of truck during Berlin filming of Valkyrie

(NEWSER) - German extras from the upcoming Tom Cruise movie Valkyrie are suing the actor’s film studio for $11 million after they fell out of a moving truck during shooting. The accident, which happened a year ago in Berlin, landed all 11 in the hospital. “The studio knew the trucks were rickety," a lawyer tells Der Spiegel. "There had even been an internal memo about the railings." More»

Cruise's Partner Quits UA

Actor's new role is trying to revive his own career

(NEWSER) - The next mission impossible for Tom Cruise may be reviving his own career, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Cruise's business partner Paula Wagner is quitting her job as CEO of United Artists just weeks after her husband, Cruise's agent Rick Nicita, left CAA. The changes likely reflect the star's unhappiness with his career as he casts about for suitable roles and a new screen image, say industry observers. More»

11 Injured in Cruise Film Car Crash

Berlin police investigate a totaled truck for defects on the set of "Valkyrie"

(NEWSER) - Eleven extras were injured on the Berlin set of Tom Cruise's latest film, "Valkyrie," when the side of a truck—decked out to look like a Nazi military transport—blew open as it took a corner. One man was seriously injured in the crash. Local authorities reported "no findings to suggest anyone famous was involved," the BBC says. More»

Cruise Can Film in Germany Despite 'Cult' Status

Berlin does an about-face on anti-Hitler movie

(NEWSER) - Tom Cruise will be allowed to shoot his new movie, about a German military officer who tried to assassinate Hitler, on German soil. Earlier reports said the megastar would be banned because of his ties to Scientology, which Germany regards as a threat to democracy and keeps under "official observation," as it does neo-Nazi groups, reports Yahoo News. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Salute to the Eye Patch