Being sick is a perfect reason to sit at home and watch old movies, and last night I did just that with my American Film Institute #22: Some Like it Hot Movie starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe. This is the second film on the list for all three stars (Jack for The Apartment, Tony Curtis for Spartacus, and Marilyn for All About Eve). Joe (Curtis) and Jerry (Lemmon) are musicians in Chicago in the 1920s. After having to flee the club they were working at due to a prohibition sting, they find themselves caught in the mob crossfire during the Saint Valentines Day Massacre. On the run, they decide to join a womens only band in order to get out of town. Joe (now Josephine) and Jerry (now Daphne), board a train headed for Florida and meet the bands lead vocalist/ukulele player Sugar (Monroe). Both men befriend her and struggle with having to keep up their persona as female musicians despite growing affection for Sugar as well as many other complications. This film was directed by Billy Wilder, making it #3 of 4 of his films on this list (The Apartment, Double Indemnity and Sunset Blvd are the others). He is one of the most prolific writers, directors and producers of Hollywoods Golden Age, and this film is a testament to that. I love that his films are very buttoned up - nothing is accidental, there are no such thing as filler scenes. He also has great dialogue and clearly understood the talent he works with - this is the best Ive ever seen Jack Lemmon. Now when I was a kid, Jack Lemmon was already an old man. I knew him from Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men. This younger Jack is just incredible! Not only was he hilarious as Jerry, but as Daphne he was the shining star of the film. I couldnt believe the mannerisms and facial expressions he had acting like a woman. Absolutely terrific. Marilyn, oh Marilyn. Having only seen her in All About Eve, where her part is small, this film helps me understand why she was such a superstar. She is of course stunning and has that sweet little voice, but her screen quality is ineffable. I cant tell you why I was so drawn in by her, I just was. And this is coming from someone who LOVES Tony Curtis. The other two stars eclipsed that gorgeous man. Now that is saying something! My favorite quotes: Jerry: Have I got things to tell you! Joe: What happened? Jerry: Im engaged. Joe: Congratulations. Whos the lucky girl? Jerry: I am! #afi #americanfilminstitute #22 #somelikeithot #jacklemmon #tonycurtis #marilynmonroe #billywilder #nobodysperfect
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 21:55:16 +0000
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