Larry Storch had a long, successful career of voicing cartoon characters and playing live-action parts that were also quite cartoony. It was just the kind of Tashlin-esque roles that fit right into the madcap comedies of the ‘60s, both on the big and little screens. His dimwitted, city guys were like the kind of spoofs Harvey Lembeck did, except they probably age much better than Eric von Zipper. Storch’s career began as a standup comic after he left high school. He became known for his impersonations, something which was big on the comedy scene at the time (and an area we always liked). Storch was discovered for bigger things by Phil Harris, who got him the job of opening for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s act before they ventured into television. He also did work on radio, TV variety shows, and Broadway musicals, which all put him on the map. His film career, however, started when his friend from the military Tony Curtis helped him get parts in movies. Storch’s first film roles were uncredited, including the classic Stalag 17 (1953), but his name became more recognizable by the end of the ‘50s and he was able to get actual roles in films.
His first real film roles were, strangely enough, in two serious films: the western Gun Fever (1958) and the war film The Last Blitzkrieg (1959). Storch finally found material better suited for his talents when he played a supporting role in Who Was That Lady? (1960) with his buddy Tony Curtis. In between movies, Storch also worked steadily doing voice-work. He was the voice of the beloved Koko the Clown for the TV shorts of the ‘60s, which kept him very busy. Storch re-teamed with Curtis in the comedy 40 Pounds of Trouble (1963) and was a memorable presence with Curtis again in Captain Newman, M.D. (1963). By the mid- ‘60s the way comedies were going perfectly suited his style as he often showed up as meat-headed tough guys in the vein of the roles Maxie Rosenbloom played in the ‘30s.
He continued to work alongside Curtis with Wild and Wonderful (1964) and took part in the memorable chase climax of Sex and the Single Girl (1964). He also antagonized Curtis in the western sequence of The Great Race (1965), putting his tough guy impersonation to good use. He also stepped away from Curtis in the dramatic Bus Riley’s Back in Town (1965) and two sparkling comedies. The two comedies featured some of his best screen work. A Very Special Favor (1965) cast him as a dim-witted cab driver who befriends Rock Hudson and ends up with Nita Talbot, even though he thinks she’s a crossdresser. The other one also featured Talbot and Sandra Dee. He was the two girls’ neighbor/friend and occasional bodyguard in That Funny Feeling (1965), which also featured former co-star Bobby Darin. After being in these delightful romps from Universal, however, Storch focused more on TV.
Aside from voice work and guest appearances, Storch had one of the supporting roles of the ensemble comedy F Troop, a show that our dad loved as a kid and is remembered fondly, even if it didn’t run very long. Aside from working steadily on TV, Storch showed up in the occasional movie, such as The Great Bank Robbery (1969), a film that should have been better considering the cast. Of his later work, his contributions to TV stand out more thanks to his voice work, but he was a welcome presence in such films as S.O.B. (1981), a definite high point. Storch’s best work, however, was probably what we can’t see on films and TV, unless we see some taped footage of his standup work. For example, it’s believed Storch started the “Judy, Judy, Judy” misconception for Cary Grant. For years, people believed Grant said the line in Only Angels Have Wings (1939), but it was said to come from Storch doing an impression of Grant when referring to Judy Garland. Among Storch’s best known impressions were also Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone, and Frank Morgan – not exactly what you’d expect from a comic from the Bronx! In private life, Storch took advice he got from Edward Everett Horton saying, “Promise me, Larry, you will never grow old.” While he lived to be 99 years old, I’m sure he never really grew old, and isn’t that the way life should be?
~Bianca
The Tinseltown Twins 