by Rachel Stibi

Created on: February 02, 2007   Last Updated: August 31, 2008

"It's the story of my life. I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop." One of Marilyn Monroe's most famous lines from one of the most endearing romantic comedies of all time, Some Like It Hot, stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as two on-the-run musicians Joe and Jerry, who after witnessing a mob hit, decide to hide out in a girl's band by dressing up as women. Now disguised as Josephine and Daphne they board a train to Florida with Sweet Sue's Society Syncopaters; Marilyn Monroe plays the beautiful band singer Sugar Kane and adds another beat to the already tight comedic drum that is Curtis and Lemmon. The comedy that follows is brilliant and totally original as we follow the characters on a train to Florida where yachts and millionaires abound.

This is a movie worth watching time and time again, the physical comedy is brilliant, and the sub-plots are hilarious. With great supporting performances by George Raft as Spats Colombo, the gangster that is after Joe and Jerry, and Joe E. Brown as Osgood Fielding the third, the eccentric millionaire that falls for Daphne. Tony Curtis also gives a great morphed impression of Carey Grant (with New York flavor) and pretends to be a millionaire to try and seduce Sugar.

"Running Wild", "I Wanna Be Loved by You", and "I'll Never Love Again", are all song performed by Marilyn Monroe for the film, making this possibly one of the finest performances she ever gave; it showcased her talent as a comedian, her voice as a singer, and her beauty and seductive nature as a woman. In her scenes with Curtis she crafts that typical dumb blond that so endeared her to American audiences.

The genius of Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond's screenplay is evident as the flowing transitions, physical antics, and well written and extremely well delivered dialogue that keeps you laughing at every turn, this film stands as a great testament to the art of film itself. This superb writing team went on to co-write The Apartment, also starring Jack Lemmon, and another great film directed by Wilder.

The costumes in the film were designed by renowned costume designer Orry-Kelly and were one of the great accomplishments at the time; making women's clothes to fit men.

The American Film Institute has ranked this film as the #1 greatest comedy and ranked it #14 on the list of the 100 Greatest American Films and after watching such a wonderfully scripted, acted, and directed movie, it is easy to see why such a rating would apply.

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