There are so many things written and said about Marilyn Monroe. This movie provided many of the stories. There are the nasty things said about her by Tony Curtis and Billy Wilder. These were later recanted or softened. She,(Monroe), was not invited to the wrap party, because of the overrun costs, and possibly the stress she caused Wilder. The fact remains that Marilyn Monroe, was a stand alone talent. Her presence is felt in the movie. Monroe as Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, overshadows everyone else.
Its 1929 Chicago. Two struggling musicians,Joe and Jerry, witness a gangland slaying. They decide to disguise themselves as women, Josephine, (Tony Curtis) and Daphne, (Jack Lemmon). They hop on board a train bound for Miami. It is here that they meet and join an all women band, featuring Sugar Kane. There are amusing antics aboard the train. One involves liquor, the guys, Sugar Kane and the ladies in the band, in a very crowded berth. This also leads to Joe falling for Sugar.
The train arrives in Miami, but so do the criminals from Chicago. They have come to an organized crime meeting. Joe, knowing that Sugar wants to meet a millionaire, pretends to be one. Sugar Kane falls for him. He tries to put off her advances, but it doesn’t work. It is during this time, that a real life millionaire, Osgood Fielding III, (Joe E. Brown), falls for Daphne. There is a humorous scene where Osgood and Daphne dance all night. This is a distraction so Joe can be alone with Sugar on Osgood’s yacht.
The criminals are not fooled by Joe and Daphne’s new look. They chase them through the hotel. This leads to the movie’s end. It also has one of a film comedy’s most memorable lines, (well, nobody’s perfect.) uttered by Joe E. Brown. This brings the character’s naivete, full circle. The actor, was out of the movies, when he made this film. It gave him instant recognition, and a new fan following. He also kept pace with the stars; a hard thing to do.
It has been said, that comedy is hard. It can be. Billy Wilder had a gift for it. He wrote the script along with I. A. L. Diamond. This came from an idea from R. Thorne. The two writers would also collaborate on another entertaining vehicle, with Jack Lemmon, The Apartment. Some Like Hot was Billy Wilder’s most successful film. Wilder had an up and down decade. He started it with Sunset Boulevard. It received harsh criticism from executives like Louis B. Mayer. He was also not given full financial compensation for Stalag 17, because his previous film, Ace in the Hole, lost money. He had the last laugh with Some Like it Hot. Wilder not only made a financial windfall, but continued a successful partnership with Jack Lemmon. The two worked on several films together. Billy Wilder reached his peak after this. He made several films, but only The Apartment comes close to this movie.
The most interesting thing about a movie like this, is its theme. Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, were persuaded to dress and act like women. The movie was supposed to be shot in color. The actor’s makeup did not shoot well, making black and white the better choice. Marilyn Monroe wanted all of her movies shot in color. She changed her mind, when top stars were cast. The movie is also a a glimpse into the triumph and tragedy of Hollywood. Marilyn Monroe made two films after this. This movie is the last one that shows her at her best. Tony Curtis had a role in Spartacus, but never anything bigger than Some Like it Hot. Jack Lemmon went on to stardom for a few decades. The best thing about the movie is that it showed a new way to play comedy.