Some Like It Hot (1959)

Nobody's Perfect

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Some Like It Hot on DVD

MGM has released a new DVD of perhaps Marilyn Monroe's greatest film. Voted by the American Film Institute as the greatest American comedy of the 20th century, Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot (1959, MGM/UA Video, $24.98) contains a marvelous, ertoically explosive Monroe performance. Bearing the name Sugar Kane and purring such lines as "I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop," Monroe steals the screen from even Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon dressed in drag. Though Wilder is still around today, neither he nor Jack Lemmon contributed any commentary to the disc. But Curtis participates in a priceless half-hour sit-down interview with critic Leonard Maltin and reveals some down-and-dirty secrets behind the film. Members of Sweet Sue's band also turn up, remembering a more pleasing version of Monroe. But even without the extras, this is one essential American movie.

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Pat O'Brien, Joe E. Brown, Nehemiah Persoff, Joan Shawlee, Billy Gray, George E. Stone, Dave Barry
Written by: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond, based on a story by Robert Thoeren, Michael Logan
Directed by: Billy Wilder
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 120 minutes
Date: May 23, 2001