In Chicago in 1929, musicians Joe and Jerry (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) witness a mob hit, and decide to get out of town described as women in an all-female music group, where they meet singer and ukelele player Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe). Romance, complications and comedy ensue!
Some Like It Hot was voted number 1 on the AFI’s list of the top 100 comedies of all time. In the past, I have sometimes been disappointed by films which have been so hyped up, so I wasn’t sure what I would make of this. However, I absolutely adored it. The three leads are all wonderful – Marilyn was made for this role – she absolutely sizzles – and Curtis and Lemmon play perfectly off each other. (My personal favourite was Jack Lemmon, who was so utterly endearing, and laugh-out-loud funny, both as Jerry and his female alter-ego, Daphne.)
Naturally two men posing as women, in the company of young and pretty actual women gives rise to plenty of opportunity for comedy and romance, and Curtis was so funny as both ‘Geraldine’ and Junior – a third identity which he adopts in order to woo Sugar! Meanwhile, ‘Daphne’ has caught the eye of millionaire yacht owner Osgood Fielding III, who decides he wants to make her his eighth wife (or ninth – he can’t really remember how many times he has been married).
This film is one that really is worth all the hype. It’s sexy and sweet, and really, truly, incredibly funny. Billy Wilder was a legendary director, and films like this, Sunset Blvd and Stalag 17 show us exactly why. Watch it whenever you need a good belly laugh!
Year of release: 1959
Director: Billy Wilder
Producers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond, Doane Harrison
Writers: Billy wilder, I.A.L. Diamond, Robert Thoeren, Michael Logan
Main cast: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Joe E. Brown, Joan Shawlee,
The ending is one of my most absolute faves, it has such a cracking script : )
I loved it – will definitely be watching it again. Perfect cast, snappy sparkling dialogue, and SO funny. And I agree – terrific ending! 🙂