As a tribute to Tony Curtis and the 50th anniversary of ‘ Some Like it Hot’, I take pride in writing about this movie.
Normally I’m a woman who is proud wearing my feminism on my sleeve except when it comes to Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn Monroe, but obviously, takes the cake for flaunting sensuality in a beautiful and graceful manner and Some Like it Hot presents her in her fullest glory.
When I think of Some Like it Hot, the first person that comes to my mind is Jack Lemmon. Cute is the word I would choose to describe him dressed as a girl (Daphne) and doing the tango with a rich millionaire, Osgood.
The movie begins in Chicago where two small-time musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), witness a murder and hence they attempt to escape to Florida dressed as women in an all girls band.That is when they meet Sugar (Monroe) who is a ukulele player and the lead singer in the band. From then on it is a roller coaster ride of laughter and fun.
In Florida, Osgood, falls for Jerry (Daphne) and Joe disguised as a millionaire tries to woe Sugar.
I’m sure back in the day, this movie would have made mothers watch out for their children, whether it is Monroe’s figure hugging ,shimmering gowns or the steamy kissing scene on the yatch, not to mention the dialogues heavy with double-entendre that you would be surprised that it was made in 1959 !
sample this :
Joe and Jerry dressed as women in the all girls band :
Jerry says : When I was a kid, Joe, I used to have a dream. I was locked up overnight in a pastry shop, and there were goodies all around. There was jelly rolls, and mocha eclairs, and sponge cake and Boston cream pie... and cherry tart
To which Joe replies : Stoop, listen to me! No butter, no pastry. We're on a diet!
Jerry: Will you look at that! Look how she moves! It's like Jell-O on springs. Must have some sort of built-in motor or something. I tell you, it's a whole different sex!Monroe’s dialogues are all dreamy eyed laden with stupidity, a classic one is
“Real diamonds! They must be worth their weight in gold!” but you can forgive her for that once you look at her and forget everything else.
The final act reaches a crescendo when Osgood proposes to Daphne (Jerry) and the Chicago mob arrives in Florida and I can’t help but write about the final dialogue (which has a big Spoiler! Alert) between Jerry and Osgood.
(Spoiler Alert!!)
The four of them (Joe, Jerry, Osgood and Sugar) are fleeing Florida in Osgood’s boat and Jerry (still dressed as Daphne) tries to convince Osgood that he can’t marry him :
Jerry: Oh no you don't! Osgood, I'm gonna level with you. We can't get married at all.
Osgood: Why not?
Jerry: Well, in the first place, I'm not a natural blonde.
Osgood: Doesn't matter.
Jerry: I smoke! I smoke all the time!
Osgood: I don't care.
Jerry: Well, I have a terrible past. For three years now, I've been living with a saxophone player.
Osgood: I forgive you.
Jerry: [Tragically] I can never have children!
Osgood: We can adopt some.
Jerry: But you don't understand, Osgood!
[Pulls of wig]
Jerry: I'm a man!
Osgood: Well, nobody's perfect!
So if you are one of those who think black and white movies are boring, this would prove you wrong. There is action, slapstick comedy, raunchy dialogues, romance, steamy scenes and beyond all, Marilyn Monroe!!!
