Some Like It Hot (1959)

Director: Billy Wilder

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon

After two male musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in.

Oh, what an utterly delightful movie! From shootouts to car chases and cross-dressing, this film has something for everyone!

Set in 1929, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are musicians in an illegal jazz club. They manage to slip out during a police raid, but soon after find themselves on the run after witnessing a mob killing.

Desperate for cash, an opportunity arises for them to play in a band – only, it is a women’s band for women only. Fearing for the mob, they grab the opportunity, disguise themselves as women and join the band. (So, even back in 1959 they found an excuse to put men in dresses!) And so they head to Miami on a train along with the all-female band.

On the train, they meet Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, who is hoping to find a millionaire in Miami (oh, just call her a gold digger already!). Joe – now known as Josephine – and Jerry – now known as Daphne – both become smitten with Sugar, but know they don’t stand a chance. Many hilarious moments ensue on the train. The ‘private party’ was hilarious and so much fun!!

Needless to say, more hilarity were to follow once they reach Miami. ‘Some like it hot’ is a genuinely funny movie, with seriously funny – and clever – dialogue! I absolutely loved the characters and the performances. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis were fantastic in their respective roles. Despite a much smaller role, Joe E. Brown was also stunning as millionaire Osgood Fielding III. I so enjoyed this character, who happened to utter that hilarious last line in the movie!

Although cross-dressing was an almost taboo subject in movies in the 50’s, the film’s enormous success proved the timing was right, and surely this must have been viewed as refreshingly new at the time. ‘Some like it hot’ is just fabulous, darlings, just fabulous!! I loved it!

The film earned $49 million on a $2.9 million budget. It received 24 award nominations, winning 11 including the Oscar for Best Costume Design. It also received Oscar nominations for Best Lead Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction/Set Decoration.

Would I watch it again? Yes!