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The First Movie Hero wearing Glasses
One day in 1965, the 32-year-old Michael Caine was lunching in a local restaurant in London, wearing spectacles on his nose, with a novel next to his hand, which he occasionally flips through while eating.
Meanwhile, the young Tony Gross had just graduated from the optometry school, although he was better suited to the art school by his temperament and style. He opened an optical consulting room on Holloway Road in northern London. Dissatisfied with the tasteless models provided by NHS, Tony Gross keeps collecting antique glasses from France and the UK.
Caine has just received a £1,000 payment for acting a leading role in the movie “Zulu,” which is Caine’s first protagonist. Although it’s not a significant amount, the young man with a strong Cockney accent feels quite happy about it.
Talking about humble birth, Tony Gross came from a Polish Jewish immigrant family, which seems to have nothing to do with style. But his charming character and amiable manner made his way into the fashion world.
He sold collected vintage glasses to rock musicians and fashion people he met as a club going, poker-playing, restaurant dinner; they recommended him to their circles.
Sting in a pair of Cutler & Gross eyewear
At this time, famous film producer Harry Soltzman walked into the restaurant. He and his partner Albert R. Broccoli have enjoyed great success on the 007 series. He noticed Michael once he entered. The young man was wearing thick-rim spectacles, not conspicuous at all in the crowd. However, it was exactly his quietness and unobtrusive that caught the attention of Saltzman. The Bond producer is planning a new spy movie, and he thought a less glamorous alternative to 007 could also prove profitable.
Saltzman sent a note over. It reads, “Would you have a drink with me? – Harry Saltzman,”. So Caine went over, Saltzman asked Caine if he had seen Len Deighton’s novel “The Ipcress File”. Coincidentally, it was exactly the novel that was laying on Caine’s table! Saltzman then asks Caine if he wants to participate in the film.
In 1965, I was a shy nerd who wore the standard black framed glasses of the era. When I saw “The Ipcress File” in a movie theater, with a friend, I was jazzed that the hero, Michael Caine, wore glasses similar to mine. Although I was a moon-faced teen, totally lacking Caine’s photogenic features, I now felt less like a loser, thanks to Sir Michael Caine.