“Some Like It Hot” Turns Up the Heat on Classic Comedy
“Story of my life. I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop.’”— Sugar
When it comes to classic films, few can rival the timeless charm and enduring popularity of “Some Like It Hot”. Arguably there is no person who hasn’t at least heard of this movie and for some it becomes a favourite to watch it with family, friends or alone. Directed by the legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder and starring Hollywood icons Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, this 1959 romantic comedy has captured the hearts of audiences for over six decades. How many more movies were along those same lines, the same White Chicks or Sorority Boys? The movie literally launched a groundbreaking trend which later had a power of creating so many memes and new content ideas.
The film follows the misadventures of Joe (Curtis) and Jerry (Lemmon), two struggling musicians who witness a mob hit and must go on the run to avoid becoming the next targets. In a desperate bid to escape their pursuers, the duo don disguises as women and join an all-female jazz band headed to Florida. Hilarity ensues as they navigate the challenges of maintaining their secret identities while also falling for the beautiful and charming Sugar Kane (Monroe).
“Some Like It Hot” will always remain its so-called status as a masterclass in comedy, blending sharp wit, slapstick humor, and clever wordplay to create a truly unforgettable viewing experience. It is curious how many trends the movie got into itself, thus making the film industry never be quite the same.
Some people know this movie from a moment of a song byMarilyn Monroe, “I wanna be loved by you”, that got so much recognition and made Marilyn an unforgettable star. Another viral scene that made all Old Hollywood buffs feel closer to the movie was the “Nobody Is Perfect” scene. The iconic closing line “Nobody’s perfect” is ranked 78th on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Hollywood’s 100 Favorite Movie Lines, but it was never supposed to be in the final cut. Diamond and Wilder put it in the script as a “placeholder” until they could come up with something better, but they never did.
The production of Some Like It Hot
The process of filming was not as plain as you might have thought because it is an old movie without many effects. While filming, there were many problems with Marilyn Monroe, who lacked concentration and suffered from an addiction to pills. She was constantly late to set, and could not memorize many of her lines, averaging 35–40 takes for a single line according to Tony Curtis. The line “It’s me, Sugar” took 47 takes to get correct because Monroe kept getting the word order wrong, saying either “Sugar, it’s me” or “It’s Sugar, me”. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon made bets during the filming on how many takes she would need to get it right. Three days were scheduled for shooting the scene with Shell Jr. and Sugar at the beach, as Monroe had many complicated lines, but the scene was finished in only 20 minutes.
Essential topics
He has an empty stomach and it’s gone to his head.
But beyond its comedic brilliance, “Some Like It Hot” also pushes the boundaries of its time with its subversive take on gender roles and sexuality. The film’s exploration of gender identity and sexual fluidity was groundbreaking for the 1950s, challenging societal norms and conventions in a way that was both bold and revolutionary.
As we celebrate the legacy of “Some Like It Hot” on its 60th anniversary, it’s clear that its appeal is as strong as ever. The film’s timeless humor, memorable performances, and groundbreaking themes continue to captivate audiences of all ages, proving that great cinema truly knows no boundaries.
The question WHY?
Why do we still love “Some Like it Hot” even after so many years? Why does it appeal to every age, from kids to old people? It is pretty simple to acknowledge. The movie covers some crucial topics from gender identity, as was mentioned before, to heartbreak.
Heartbreak? From the moment Sugar is introduced to us, she goes through a heartbreak throughout the entire movie. When we first meet her, she is lush; she drinks a lot because she feels used by men, and she is trying to find a better life, “the sweet end of the lollipop.” When she meets “Junior” she becomes optimistic about her love life, thinking that she might finally find the security she always wanted. However, when Joe and Jerry encounter Spats and realize they have to split town, “Junior” must say his goodbyes to Sugar, which leaves her heartbroken again. She starts drinking again and sings the mournful “I’m Through With Love” with Sweet Sue’s band. However, when “Josephine” comes and kisses her mid-song, she falls in love again, and follows “Josephine” to Osgood’s escape motorboat without even quite knowing what’s really going on. Sugar may be easily heartbroken, but she is also easily swayed by an admirer.
Another considerable topic is the theme of wealth or poverty. Joe and Jerry’s first issue is that they are broke. They have no money, they are behind on their rent, and they disagree about how to spend their first paycheck from working as musicians at the speakeasy. This establishes that the question of money, how to earn it or where to find it, is at the center of the narrative. When Joe and Jerry then join the all-female band, it becomes apparent that Sweet Sue’s group is not just about making music and gigging. Indeed, it is a kind of matchmaking operation.
“Junior”: Syncopators. Does that mean you play that very fast music… jazz?
Sugar: Yeah. Real Hot.
“Junior”: I guess some like it hot. I personally prefer classical music.
This quote gives us the film’s title, and it is the moment in which Joe must abandon his regular leanings in the hopes of impressing the impressionable Sugar. Knowing that Sugar is looking for a gentle, educated, and soft-spoken millionaire, Joe takes on the character of “Junior,” his second false identity. “Junior” talks like Cary Grant and is allegedly the heir to an oil dynasty. In order to make his portrayal of Junior convincing and put Sugar under his spell, Joe pretends to be a cold-blooded man, moved more by staid and proper classical music, rather than “hot” jazz music. Thus, the title, Some Like it Hot, refers to the fact that the characters in the film like when things are loose and “hot,” like jazz, even when they are donning more composed and uptight disguises.
So if you’re in the mood for a classic comedy that will leave you laughing, crying, and everything in between, look no further than “Some Like It Hot.” This iconic film is sure to turn up the heat on your movie night and leave you wanting more.
