Some Like It Hot

"Some Like It Hot" is ranked number one on the American Film Institute's Top 100 Laughs; making the film basically the funniest movie of all-time. Yet, I couldn't refrain from asking myself if this movie really deserves the number one spot, or even "Tootsie" at number two; perhaps there IS something about transvestitism that appeals to the general public, mind you, if they're done skillfully. I feel I'm in no position to argue. With that said this delightful comedy has a little something for everyone to enjoy.

After being nearly arrested for entertaining in an illegal backdoor dive and gambling club two musicians named Joe and Jerry, played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, flee the scene and quickly start looking for jobs elsewhere. After hearing that a certain opening is available for a saxaphone and bull fiddle player Jerry tries to convince an agent that he and Joe can qualify for the engagement -- the only catch is that they have to be women. Joe refuses the idea and suggests the alternative and play at a dance located 100 miles out-of-town. In an effort to provide themselves with transportation Joe charms his way with a woman to borrow her car located at a parking garage. While there Joe and Jerry witness a mob massacre; narrowly escaping death themselves. In fear of their lives the two flee the state, joining an all-girl band masquerading as women and head out by bus to Florida.

During this bus ride the two men encounter an attractive blonde named Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, played by a voluptuous, then pregnant Marilyn Monroe. From the very first meeting she comes across as a not particularly bright, bottle-sipping ukulele player who wants nothing more but to marry a nice, kind man with lots of money -- like a millionaire with glasses. As the story progresses Joe takes a fancy to Sugar and funny complications ensue. The band eventually arrive in Florida, and Joe and Jerry, now calling themselves Josephine and Daphne, instead of fleeing on arrival decide to play out their stint at a hotel lounge. Meanwhile, Joe attempts to win the affection of Sugar while pretending to be an English millionaire equipped with glasses and a yacht. But their amusing absurdities come to a halt when the mob from Chicago, headed by Spats Colombo (George Raft), catches up with them by odd chance at the same hotel.

There are two reasons why "Some Like It Hot" works and why so few of the same kind of movies that followed have been a success. 1) The cast. I mean, really, in addition to the superb character actors, Pat O'Brien and Joe E. Brown, you just can't go wrong with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe. The two men play off each other so well and they're a delight to watch. And to top it off you have Marilyn Monroe, in what I've always considered was the last triumph in her film career before making her final picture "The Misfits" a year or so later. 2) Billy Wilder as director. Wilder has such a strong ability for comedy on screen it is unparalleled, HE is unparalleled; watch any or all of this man's movies and you'll understand why he's considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century. Presently, "Some Like It Hot" is working on being nearly 60 years old, and it doesn't seem dated one bit.

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"Runnin' wild, lost control
Runnin' wild, mighty bold
Feelin' gay, reckless, too
Carefree mind all the time, never blue
Always goin', don't know where
Always showin', I don't care
Don't love nobody
It's not worthwhile
All alone
Runnin' wild."

The above is the lyrics to one of the songs sung by Marilyn Monroe in this classic film (directed by Billy Wilder) with an emphasis on comedy but that also has elements of romance and crime drama.

Briefly, 1929 Chicago musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) accidentally witness a gangland shooting ordered by mob boss "Spats" Colombo (George Raft, who is perfectly cast). They thus quickly board a train to Florida, disguised as "Josephine" and "Geraldine" (later "Daphne"), the newest members of an all-girl jazz band. Things really get hot when the band's ukulele player Sugar Kane (Monroe) falls for Cary Grant sounding "Shell Oil" Junior (Curtis again) and a relic playboy named Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown) falls for "Daphne." Complicating these budding romances is "Spats" Colombo who also is in Florida looking, with his henchmen, to snuff out the only two witnesses of his gangland shooting.

There is unforgettable and hilarious dialogue between Osgood and "Daphne" at the end of the movie. As well, the most unforgettable line in this entire movie is the very last line and it's delivered by Osgood. (After this last line is delivered, the screen fades to black with jazz music blaring.)

All actors do a good job in their parts. There is a fantastic chemistry between Tony Curtis (who plays Joe/ Josephine/ "Shell Oil" Junior) and Jack Lemmon (who plays Jerry/Geraldine/Daphne). (Note that Tony Curtis' "Josephine" voice was dubbed by another actor as Curtis couldn't speak high enough.) I have to give special kudos to Jack Lemmon who, in my opinion, does an outstanding job throughout this movie. (He's the one who says the line that titles this review.)

This movie has lots of energy from its opening credits to its end. This is partly due to the acting but also partly due to the distinctive jazz music that can occasionally be heard in the background.

There are ten songs in this movie, four performed by Marilyn Monroe. (Note that this movie was released three years before Monroe's death.)

Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2001) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has one disappointing extra of Billy Wilder movie trailers. (I'm not judging the DVD on this since extras are optional not mandatory.) Also, be aware that there are no English subtitles but there is closed captioning.

In conclusion, this is a hilarious classic comedy starring the legendary Marilyn Monroe!! I guarantee that if you see this movie, you won't get "the fuzzy end of the lollipop."

(1959; 2 hr; 16 scenes; black and white; wide screen)

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One of the funniest movies ever made. To see Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in drag is in itself, sweet, but the whole story is side-splitting. Jack's and Tony's characters must dress as women and join a girls' band to escape being massacred by mobsters. Marilyn is one of the band members and immediately starts getting very chummy with them, explaining all kinds of personal information under the category of "girl talk." These two men are drooling over her and she is none the wiser. Then a wealthy elderly man (Joe E Brown) falls in love with one of the "girls" and his attempts to seduce "her" is hilarious. You must re-view this film every few years to have a "complete life."

I'm still floored. This film is pure magic. Amazing script, hilarity, tense drama, romance. This film really shook up gender roles in American culture. So many comedic cues live on in modern comedies still being made. Lemmon gets every laugh, Curtis plays both parts flawlessly and Monroe is cute and as charming as any actress could be. One of the films you don't want to end, but it'll end on a classic note. I love this film and I know it'll live on forever.

1959's classic Some Like it Hot is one of the best movies of all time, the end.

When Joe(Tony Curtis) and Jerry(Jack Lemmon) two best friends and musicians, accidentally witness a mob murder, they've got to drop everything and run away to the next best thing; which in this case happens to be dressing up as women and stowing away on an all women's band traveling to Florida.(of course!)

"Don't look now, the whole town is under water."

On the train they meet Sugar(Marilyn Monroe) the most beautiful disaster of a singer, who becomes great friends with them when Daphne(or known previously as Jerry) saves her from getting in trouble for carrying a flask.

If that wasn't enough Joe's falling for Sugar, and in his desperation dresses up as a billionaire in order to woo her; While at the same time Jerry seems to have forgotten he's really a boy, and is engaged to a millionaire himself!

A tale of great web tangling, lying, deceit, love, and a great, great deal of comedy.

A classic by any definition.