Geena Davis, a versatile actress known for her comedic roles, has always stood out as one of her generation's most beloved stars. Her success was secured early on in her career, with her first role in Sydney Pollack's Tootsie becoming a hit. This comedic movie set the tone for her career, even if it took her a few years to truly get on the cinematic wagon. Davis' natural charm and ability to adapt to any genre make her an expert on good comedy movies. Her favorite, Tootsie, features male protagonists going undercover as women, a theme that is indebted to Hollywood's best cross-dressing comedy, Some Like It Hot (1959).
Directed by Billy Wilder, Some Like It Hot sees Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis don feminine attire as they attempt to hide their identities from a Mafia boss. After witnessing him ruthlessly gun down a gang, they flee with a travelling all-female band in the hopes of getting far away (as well as a job), but here they meet Marilyn Monroe's Sugar Kane, a gorgeous singer. In trying to maintain their identities as women, the pair come up with some pretty unusual strategies to woo her, with Curtis' Joe ditching his Josephine disguise to become Shell Oil Junior, a wealthy English businessman who impresses Sugar. It's a genius comedy played to absolute perfection, and it even ends with a moment incredibly ahead of its time in terms of LGBTQ+ representation.
Davis, who has seen the movie many times, gushed about it, "If you haven’t seen this, you have to see it. It’s directed by Billy Wilder, and it’s got Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. What could be better? So funny and fabulous. So high energy. I love these old movies." She's right: Some Like It Hot is bursting with energy, with the pacing of Wilder’s impeccable script, as well as Lemmon’s performance, capable of capturing even the shortest of attention spans. It’s fizzing with jokes and confusion, musical numbers and ridiculous plot turns, barely stopping for breath.
In my opinion, Some Like It Hot is a timeless classic that never gets old. It's a revolutionary comedy that was ahead of its time, and it's no wonder Davis considers it one of her favorites. The movie's energy, wit, and LGBTQ+ representation make it a must-watch for anyone who loves comedy, and it's no surprise that Davis has recommended it to her fans. So, if you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for? Grab some popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be entertained by this classic comedy.
