Among the greatest films of all time, Some Like it Hot should even please the PC culture of today, as it was instrumental in breaking away from Hays code of what was socially acceptable content back in 1959. Billy Wilder made it possible as co-writer, director and producer. He brought together Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe. Set in the prohibition era, complete with gangsters who offer a subplot to the romantic comedy. Even the musical score is a delight with the use of orchestra music from the era because the principle characters are musicians.
Some like it hot follows two musicians, played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon who witness a valentine’s day massacre style execution in Chicago. They flee the gangsters by joining a all female band headed for Miami. On the train, in full drag, the pair befriend Marilyn Monroe’s character, Sugar and must contain their attraction to not reveal their true identities. Sugar admits that she has had it with saxophone players , much to Joe’s (Tony Curtis posing as Josephine) chagrin and that she hopes to snag a millionaire when they reach Miami.
Once in Miami, the pair continue their ruse. Lemmon posing as Daphne, attracts the attention of a real millionaire, while Joe tries to woo Sugar by pretending to be one. Joe convinces Jerry/Daphne to keep “her” suitor occupied, so he can use the real millionaire’s yatch to win Sugar. When he returns, Daphne has accepted a proposal from her millionaire, and Joe reminds Jerry that he can’t possible go through with his plan to marry, and get a big divorce settlement when the truth comes out.
Meanwhile, the Mafia have a big gathering at the hotel where the band is playing. Joe and Jerry are recognized, they hide in drag and witness the revenge murder of their pursuers. Fleeing to the millionaire’s yacht, with Sugar finally realizing that Joe and Josephine are the same person running after them. They make a get away, where Sugar professes her love for Joe and Daphne tries to explain to Osgoode, her millionaire, that she can’t marry him. He doesn’t care that she is infertile, and when Jerry finally tears off his wig to reveal himself, Osgoode simply says, “Well, nobody’s perfect.”
