Well-known fact: 1959’s Some Like It Hot will go down as one of the most satisfying, entertaining films of all-time.
If you haven’t seen it (who hasn’t seen Some Like It Hot?!), the story finds Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) fleeing the Chicago mob by donning drag and joining an all-female jazz band. What could possibly go wrong? Seems like a rock-solid plan to us.
There they meet up with Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), and hilarity ensues.
Lesser-known fact: Monroe had it written into her contract that she’d only appear in color films. When they first started shooting Some Like It Hot, the makeup used to conceal Curtis and Lemmon’s more masculine features gave their skin a horrible green tone on film. Switching to black and white wound up being their best option.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
They certainly don’t look green in the below photos, though, which offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most beloved films of all time:
h/t: Dangerous Minds
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William M Arnold
One of the funniest films ever & with the best ending !! Brilliant !!
Mark Reimer
Was Tony Curtis deep-in-the-closet gay? In every candid interview he sounds like the textbook biotche drama queen.
Xzamilio
This movie reminds me so much of my childhood. I remember this and Speak Like a Child, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Queer as Folk on Showtime, and Dawson’s Creek getting me through the bad stages of my life growing up. And Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss.
There wasn’t much for me to look at growing up, but seeing this on TV while growing up in Mississippi just gave me all the hope in the world that there was more to life than a miserable existence. I am too damn grateful to be alive at this period in history for so many reasons. These pictures brought a smile to my face… and young Tony Curtis? Yes, gawd!!!
Bauhaus
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.”
Ken Nolan
In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the trailer. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rI_lUHOCcbc
norsequeen
One of my all-time favorite movies. One weekend, my girlfriend took me to stay at the Hotel Del Coronado & it was so much fun. I asked her why she didn’t book the room that Marilyn stayed in while filming & she said that it cost like 6 or 7 times what the room that we had cost. I can watch this movie over & over & see things that I missed the last 27 times.
Doughosier
Marilyn looked better in color but the guys looked better in black and white. The illusion they are women is easier to swallow.
Max Maxwell
Be good if the movie could be colourised so it will appeal to a younger audience. Tony Curtis, as has now been revealed was bisexual, though when he was alive he never admitted to it. Marlon Brando was the only major star who did. Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Rock Hudson, Errol Flynn, Spencer Tracy, Monty Clift, James Dean, Katharine Hepburn et al all stayed in the closet and have only been outed after their death. Read Darwin Porter of Blood Moon Productions’ revealing books about the sex lives of the stars; they’ll make your eyes pop !
Jay Emerson
I wanna see it because Mariyln Monroe is singing in it
1EqualityUSA
Stony Curtis has nice legs!