Comedy, as they say, is relative. So it takes a very special film to not only make an impact in its own time but also remain one of the most beloved comedies of all time. Yet, director Billy Wilder struck gold when he assembled Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon for his 1959 comedy hit, Some Like It Hot.
Named the best comedy film by the American Film Institute in 2000, Wilder's classic has remained a cinematic landmark, and we were so pleased to have Nell Minow of MovieMom.com and RogerEbert.com join us to mark the film's 60th anniversary.
Tackling gender roles, sexual politics and toxic masculinity would be a daunting task for a film today. So listen in to hear how Some Like It Hot manages to handle these topics with care and aplomb and without sacrificing its many laughs.
Some Like It Hot synopsis, courtesy of IMDB:
After witnessing a Mafia murder, slick saxophone player Joe (Tony Curtis) and his long-suffering buddy, Jerry (Jack Lemmon), improvise a quick plan to escape from Chicago with their lives. Disguising themselves as women, they join an all-female jazz band and hop a train bound for sunny Florida. While Joe pretends to be a millionaire to win the band's sexy singer, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), Jerry finds himself pursued by a real millionaire as things heat up and the mobsters close in.
SHOW NOTES
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