The 1959 classic movie starring Marilyn Monroe was named among the best comedy films, but behind its box office status, it sparked controversy across the United States.
American Film Institute (AFI) unveiled the top 100 “Greatest Comedy Movies of All Time” with Some Like It Hot landing at No.1.
Helmed by Billy Wilder, one of the most influential writer-directors of classical Hollywood cinema, was a crime comedy film that featured a unique twist on usual comedy movies.
Apart from the intriguing storyline, it also featured a star-studded ensemble with A-listers Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon joining Marilyn Monroe, showcasing unforgettable performances.
Set in the late 1920s, Some Like It Hot focuses on two struggling male Chicago jazz musicians who disguise themselves as women in an attempt to escape the ruthless mob.
Using their new aliases, Josephine and Daphne, played by Curtis and Lemmon, they joined an all-female band led by Sugar Kane Kowalczyk, portrayed by Monroe.
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Despite the modest production budget of around $2.8 million, Some Like It Hot became a huge hit upon its theatrical release.
With its blockbuster success, the film earned more than $7 million in its first year, making it the third highest-grossing movie of 1959 and the highest-grossing comedy film of its time.
From its box office influence, the Monroe-led movie scored multiple nods at various award-giving bodies. This includes six nominations at the 32nd Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Actor (Jack Lemmon), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography (Black-and-White) and Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, and it was able to take home the award for Best Costume Design.
Adding to its list of accolades, the movie won three Golden Globe Awards in 1960, including Best Motion Picture in Musical or Comedy, Best Actress for Musical or Comedy, awarded to Monroe, and Best Actor in Musical or Comedy, won by Lemmon.
However, behind the film’s success came an unexpected setback, as the award-winning movie was banned across three U.S. states.
In the 1950s, film censorship was incredibly strict and had extreme limitations, among them the cross-dressing element showcased in Some Like It Hot’s premise.
At that time, Kansas, Memphis and Tennessee banned the film from premiering in their states. Kansas even claimed that the movie was “too disturbing” for its people.
Despite the controversy it faced, Some Like It Hot has consistently topped critics’ polls as the funniest movie of all time, cementing its legendary status as one of the greatest comedy films in cinematic history.
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