Just Between Us Girls

Some Like It Hot (1959) is set in the mobster run streets of Chicago during the prohibition. When some down on their luck musicians, Joe and Jerry, played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, witness a mob shooting, they escape to the sunny shores of Florida by joining a jazz band...an all girl jazz band. The two new additions to the band, "Josephine" and "Daphne" try their best to blend in amongst the girls and avoid certain death. Lemmon and Curtis' convincing performances are what make this film not only a classic, but survive the test of time. Each actor plays a woman with a very distinctive personality. While Lemmon plays a woman that is much more cheeky and chock full of attitude, Curtis offers a much softer, poised and, as he describes, Grace Kelly-like woman. Interestingly, Curtis couldn't speak high enough for long periods of time, so to cater the voice for "Josephine", another actor, Paul Frees, stepped in to dub some parts and both voices were mixed together. Jerry, who has the hardest time remebering he's a girl in the beginning, ends up being the one that grows more deeply in tune with his "Daphne" charade to the point of even accepting a marriage proposal and being excited about it. He's even started planning the wedding! On an competely unrelated note, it struck me that there were a lot of food related metaphors in the beginning of the film. Pastries and honey...someone was hungry somewhere. 

"Josephine" and "Daphne" meet a fellow band member, Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, a ukulele player and singer, portrayed by Marilyn Monroe. Although the character is similar to many roles Monroe has played, that is the not so swift blonde bombshell, she offers a sort of sweet vulnerability to the role that makes Sugar seem more real and lovable. Monroe is very glamorous throuhout the film often dressed in sparkly, sheer and satin clothing. She is noticeably dressed sexier than the other girls in the band, especially in terms of sleep wear. This is interesting considering that she was pregnant at the time of the shooting. This shows very little during the film, except perhaps the fleeting thought that she is not paper thin. Plagued by personal problems during the filming, Monroe was difficult. She often arrived late and needed several takes to get her lines right. In many scenes she read her lines on a blackboard off screen. This is particularly evident in the telephone scene with Curtis at the end of the film. It's possible to see her eyes moving from side-to-side as she reads. On the other hand, these issues demanded that every other actor gave a top notch performance every take in case it was the good one and so offering their 100% constantly.    

On top of the "Josephine" disguise, Joe becomes a second character: Junior, the heir to the Shell Oil Company. I enjoy that the millionnaire is rather cold and distant with Sugar. It's Joe's little way of playing hard to get and toying with her. The greatest part of this character is of course his voice. Curtis created it using his imitation of Cary Grant with a twist. It's a brilliant voice and what makes the character stand out for many.

Since the story occurs during the prohibition, alcohol is of course illegal. It's interesting to see how many characters drink in a partially hidden way, but even when caught get not much more than a slap on the wrist. Even when alcohol is prohibited, people find a way to get and enjoy it whether it's in a secret bar or in a hidden flask.

Some Like It Hot is an adaptation of the German film Fanfaren der Liebe (1951). One of the main changes that was made for this film was the addition of mobsters. These characters are strikingly realistic and seriously acted. Their scenes are more violent than you would think for a lighthearted comedy. Throughout the film we meet several characters that have smaller parts, but offer a lot of personality. Osgood Fielding III, "Daphne's" rich suitor, is very dynamic and hilarious. His most memorable contribution is of course the last line of the film, that has gained lengendary status. The combinaison of Sweet Sue and Beinstock offers some very entertaining moments and the other band members give the muscial setting for the songs. Throuhout the film, the music is very jazzy and it takes advantage of the many instruments played in the band. Monroe sings three songs, all of them in a classic stage performance ambiance. The most recognizable remains "I wanna be loved by you" which she sings beautifully. She did record a title song, but it was never used.

It comes to the attention that the film is shot in black and white. Now since the film dates from 1959, it would have been possible at that time to shoot properly in color. However, Billy Wilder, the film's director, chose black and white because he felt that Curtis and Lemmon's makeup looked garish and greenish in color.

I have the "Decade Collection" version of the DVD, which includes some special features, but very few actually about the film. It comes with a CD on which appears classic hits from the 1950's as well as a booklet that serves as a time capsule for the era. In terms of film related extras, there is only the trailer and several trailers for other Billy Wilder films. Even if it received a condemned rating, Some Like It Hot has been showered with awards and acclaimed as one of the greatest comedy films. Even today, the film remains fresh and the performances, to the smallest role, are precise and unique.