Movie: Some Like It Hot

Release Date: March 29, 1959

Director: Billy Wilder

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Joe E. Brown, Pat O’Brien.

Tag Lines: “Not since SCARFACE, so much action. Not since the Marx Brothers, so much comedy. Not since THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH, so much Marilyn.”

“The MOST comedy ever made! The BIGGEST comedy ever made! The HOTTEST comedy ever made!”

“The movie too HOT for words!”

“Marilyn Monroe and her bosom companions… Tony Curtis… Jack Lemmon.”

Relevance: My Marilyn Monroe fascination officially kicked off in 1985. It all started with Madonna, “Material Girl” and ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.’ (see 333. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) Thanks Madonna. Once I was bitten by the Marilyn bug, there was no turning back. The next movie I watched of hers was ‘Some Like It Hot.’

My maternal Grandfather was forever keeping busy. He was always tinkering around his house or yard, driving my Grandmother around on errands or walking. He loved to walk. He seemed to go on long walks around the neighborhood often without telling anyone where he was going. No one ever worried. He always came back. My family lived in the same neighborhood so he was always popping in to our house to say hello. Well, a hello and a “shot and a beer.” One of those times he popped in I was about to watch ‘Some Like It Hot.’ I had rented it from Blockbuster during the summer of 1985. When he heard what movie I was watching, his “shot and a beer” turned into two “shots and a beer” and moved from the kitchen to the living room.

My Grandfather was apparently a fan of the movie. I am sure there was a certain Marilyn Monroe fascination reason, but the man also loved to laugh and this movie made him laugh. He loved Jack Lemmmon’s character and laughed the most anytime he was on the screen. I think I loved the movie so much that first time more so because of my Grandfather than the actual movie itself. At fourteen, a lot of the themes and jokes probably went over my head, but I laughed every time my Grandfather did, which was a lot.

I re-watched the movie again in college and fell in love with it for a different reason. It was simply a great comedy. At almost twenty, nothing was lost on me like it was when I was a naive fourteen year old and studying acting, I now appreciated the actors’ performances. Jack Lemmon really was fantastic in the film. My Grandfather had great taste. I have owned both the VHS and DVD and the movie easily became one of my go to films over the years anytime I needed a laugh. I have also used many a Jack Lemmon stare, look or reaction when doing some community theater acting. ‘Some Like It Hot’ is a master class in comedic acting. Some of my biggest laughs on stage were stolen from one of the best.

Today’s Thoughts: ‘Some Like It Hot’ is often regarded as the best comedy film of all time and one of the greatest films of all time. That will not be argued by me. I completely agree and I couldn’t wait to watch this gem of a movie again today.

Over sixty years since the film was released and it still remains one of the funniest things I have ever watched. Billy Wilder was a brilliant director and really understood comedy. The film still makes me laugh and the humor remains fully intact despite it being 2020. Funny is funny. Jack Lemmon continues to steal the entire movie for me. He was so good in this role. The rest of the cast including Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe are absolutely delightful, but Mr. Lemmon’s performance gives me pure joy.

‘Some Like It Hot’ is a movie that every film enthusiast should watch and study. I have learned so much about timing alone just watching the actors. It is a certified classic that I will watch many more times throughout my life.

Awards: Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White, Orry-Kelly (winner), Academy Award for Best Director, Billy Wilder (nomination), Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Jack Lemmon (nomination), Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, Billy Wilder, I. A .L. Diamond (nomination), Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Charles Lang (nomination), Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, Ted Haworth, Edward G. Boyle (nomination), Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Comedy (winner), Golden Globe for Best Actress – Comedy or Musical, Marilyn Monroe (winner), Golden Globe for Best Actor – Comedy or Musical, Jack Lemmon (winner), BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actor, Jack Lemmon (winner), BAFTA Award for Best Film from any Source, Billy Wilder (nomination), Directors Guild of America for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, Billy Wilder (nomination), National Board of Review Award for Top Ten Films (winner), National Film Registry (1989), PGA Award for Hall of Fame – Motion Pictures, Billy Wilder (winner), Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Comedy, Billy Wilder, I. A. L. Diamond (winner).

Ways to Watch: YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime, DVD Availability.