Some Like It Hot (1959)

 Some Like It Hot (1959)

Billy Wilder’s 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot is honestly something else. While not my favorite movie in the long career spanning decades for Wilder, this is still an outrageous comedy featuring three very fine performances and a subject that went against social taboos at the time. This is a screwball comedy that is often compared to films created by the Marx Brothers. While I see the comparisons as easy as the light of day, Wilder’s film resonates more thematically. As for the three leads, Marilyn Monroe has never been sexier, Tony Curtis has never been cooler, and this is Jack Lemmon at the height of his career. The film did not speak to me like other Wilder’s films (The Apartment is a great one) because not all the jokes work, and the pacing can be slow at times. Still, there is no denying the presence it has in the canon of the best, influential movies. And the ending? Loved it! When Osgood quotes, “Well, nobody’s perfect” to Lemmon’s bewildered face to end the movie, I nearly choked on my own laughter. More than sixty years later, that ending remains perfect. You cannot beat an ending like that! It floors me because this was not even supposed to be the original ending. Wilder and company was just not able to come up with anything better.

On one hand, it is surprising that film was given the go-ahead from a major studio to make the movie because it tackles themes in the LBQT community such as crossdressing among other topics. On the other hand, the Hays Code which was strictly enforced for decades was losing its steam. It was not phased out until the mid-1960’s, but no one really cared about the code. Despite not receiving assistance from the office and given a “morally objectionable” rating from the Roman Catholic Church, that did not stop Wilder. I believe Wilder honored these topics with gentle and care. Even though this is a comedy, he did not make mockery of the subjects. I also find it fascinating how the film was originally supposed to be filmed in color. But Wilder and Monroe agreed the two gentlemen looked ghastly in drag when filmed in color, so black-and-white it was. A great decision because the cinematography is awfully good. Wilder’s and I.A.L Diamond’s script is mostly good. Most of my issues stem around the film’s pacing, but I did not Wilder’s addition of the gangster subplot. Added a more gritty flavor to the comedy.

Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are two Chicago musicians. Unfortunate for them, they witnessed the St. Valentine’s Day massacre which was organized by gangster Spats Columbo (George Raft). They needed to leave town, but the only gig they could find is an all-girl’s band. At the train station, they show up as Josephine and Daphne as the band’s replacement players. They enjoy being around the ladies, in particular Sugar Kane Kowalczyk (Marilyn Monroe) who sings. Joe is the lucky man (ahem) who sets out to woo her while Jerry is being wooed by a millionaire, Osgood Fielding (Joe E. Brown). As the two friends try to keep their identities secret, it does not help them knowing that the gangsters are always nearby on the search for them.

The film worked because of the three leads. Despite the eccentricities regarding Monroe’s work, she delivered a very sexy performance that might be career best. There have been many rumors surrounding Monroe about the film including her kissing ability. When she is onscreen, she mesmerizes you with her beauty and personality. Tony Curtis and especially Jack Lemmon get to work with the screwball element to great effect. The two men have great chemistry and watching them in these wacky situations is hilarious. The ending is the best in terms of Lemmon and the millionaire who has been trying to woo him. The movie has a formidable supporting cast led by Pat O’Brien and George Raft, who in particular has not been in an A-list picture for years.

Overall, Some Like It Hot is definitely a great movie. Personally, it falls short of “classic” territory because of pacing issues. I did find to enjoy beginning with the performances and Wilder’s confident direction. The influence it had for the future of cinema is undeniable. If the film was proposed even a decade earlier, there is no way it would have been made. Not my favorite Wilder picture, but it still ranks high on the list. Tells you what kind of director Wilder is. Definitely see it!

My Grade: B+