Some Like It Hot
Some Like It Hot, originally released in 1959, is a black-and-white American romantic comedy film. It remains one of the most unforgettable and important works in the comedy genre to this day.
Director: Billy Wilder
Screenplay: Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond
Costume Design: Orry-Kelly
Set Design: Ted Haworth
Music: Adolph Deutsch
Produced by: United Artists
Main Cast
Three standout stars:
- Marilyn Monroe
An icon of pop culture, Monroe is one of the most recognized figures in history. An American actress, model, singer, and playmate. - Tony Curtis
A legendary Hollywood actor of Hungarian descent, who starred in 130 films, as well as producing and writing. Known for his roles in comedy series like Some Like It Hot. - Jack Lemmon
An American actor and director, best known for his successful comedic duo with Walter Matthau, starring in classics like The Odd Couple.
All three actors won Golden Globe awards!
Another actor worth mentioning is Joe E. Brown, an American actor who added to the film’s comedic brilliance.
The Plot
The film follows two musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), who are part of a jazz band. They witness a gangland murder at a mob-infested nightclub. To escape the mob’s vengeance, they disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band, traveling to Florida aboard a train.
Among the band members is the alluring and charming Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), whom both Joe and Jerry fall for, but as men, they are too afraid to express their feelings. The film humorously explores love, deception, and the complexities of male-female relationships, as the two men try to avoid being exposed and falling into the hands of the gangsters.
Joe (Tony Curtis) plays the role of a wealthy heir, trying to seduce Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), while Jerry (Jack Lemmon) finds himself pursued by the persistent, enthusiastic millionaire Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown)!
To complicate matters, a Chicago gangster crew shows up in Florida, where the two musicians have sought refuge, and the chase intensifies.
The Film’s Success
The premiere took place on March 29, 1959, in New York City. The film became a major hit. In the United States, it grossed $25 million, becoming one of the highest-grossing comedies of all time!
Billy Wilder commented in an interview, reflecting on its success:
“The success of Some Like It Hot was certainly due to the mixture of violence and comedy. I’ve made better films, but none has given me as much satisfaction as this one. This kind of success only happens once every ten or fifteen years: the theaters are packed, and the audience is laughing hysterically. I knew I had succeeded.”
Awards
Academy Awards (Oscars):
- Best Supporting Actor – Joe E. Brown as Osgood Fielding III
- Best Director – Billy Wilder
- Best Original Screenplay – Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond
Golden Globe Awards:
- Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical – Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane
- Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
- Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical – Jack Lemmon as Jerry and Daphne
Though Tony Curtis did not win an award, his performance in the film became one of the most iconic and praised comedic roles in film history!
In 1992, Some Like It Hot was selected for the National Film Registry, an honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress, as a “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” work.
Although it didn’t win every award following its release, the film is now regarded as a classic in the comedy genre and one of the most significant contributions to film history!
The Film’s Trailer
You can watch the trailer here, courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios: Watch Trailer
This summary is largely based on information from various sources, including Wikipedia and contributions from AI (ChatGPT by OpenAI), to provide a comprehensive article.
