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Preserving the Memory of Marilyn Monroe with Dignity and Grace

Posts Tagged with Jack Lemmon

NOBODY’S PERFECT – NOT SUCH A THROWAWAY LINE
Published January 25, 2022

NOBODY’S PERFECT – NOT SUCH A THROWAWAY LINE

Barbara Diamond, the wife of I.A.L Diamond (Billy Wilder’s writing partner for ‘Some Like It Hot’ and other Hollywood classics) said this about THAT famous last line in the iconic 1950’s comedy:

“One of the results of the way they worked is that it was impossible for them to seperate one person’s work from the other. They honestly didn’t know who had written particular scenes or individual lines, and truthfully, they didn’t much care.
The one line that they did know about turned out to be the one that everyone asks about, “Nobody’s perfect.” When asked, Billy always said that it was a throwaway line of Mr Diamond’s and they had hoped overnight they would think of something better, and Iz never contradicted him. However, I have a different version of it. I wrote the scene the day before it was shot and left a copy here with me while he took it over to Billy. When he came back and asked me what I thought, I told him it was a great scene but the last line was weak. He said, “That’s what Billy thinks and you’re both wrong,’ and proceeded to tell me why.

First of all, audiences love being able to anticipate a joke. The dimmest members of the audience know that Jack’s last line is going to be “I’m a man,” and they are bracing themselves for the explosive reaction. Therefore the only way to surprise them is to have no explosion, and the flatter the line the better.
The laugh comes from the structure of the scene, not the particular line. Would ‘never mind’ have gotten as big a laugh as ‘nobody’s perfect?’ quite possibly.

One reason why Billy called it a throwaway line was because it had briefly been in the scene where Tony is explaining to Jack why he can’t marry Osgood and was taken out because it stepped on another joke. I don’t imagine it gets as big a laugh now as it used to, the element of surprise is gone.
Iz loved that scene. When we were all on a European publicity tour for the picture he used to sneak into the theatre to watch the last few minutes, just so that he could hear that roar of sheer delight as Daphne and Osgood sail into the sunset.
I don’t think he ever really thought of it as a throwaway.”

I.A.L (Iz) Diamond and Billy Wilder
MEMORIES OF ‘SOME LIKE IT HOT’ – JACK LEMMON
Published November 24, 2020

MEMORIES OF ‘SOME LIKE IT HOT’ – JACK LEMMON



“Most of the mail I get is letters from all over the world talking about “Some Like It Hot.” I would say overall, it’s probably the biggest hit I’ve ever been in, I’m sure. I’ve had films that have grossed more in the beginning, but they’ve had a shorter life; this just keeps on going and going and going.
I think without any hesitation, no hesitation whatsoever-and forgetting the fact that I was in it, because that’s not what really affected the reusult for me–I think it is the best comedy script I have ever read and probably ever will read.”
I just can’t imagine reading a comedy script that could be better. I think that Billy Wilder was at the height of his powers, I think that it’s the equal of the best thing he’s ever done, comedy or drama. I think it’s one of the best films I’ve ever seen.”
Jack Lemmon on “Some Like It Hot.”

REMEMBERING WALTER MATTHAU 20 YEARS ON
Published July 1, 2020

REMEMBERING WALTER MATTHAU 20 YEARS ON

Remembering Walter Matthau who passed away July 1st 2000.

Walter Matthau was an American Oscar winning actor and comedian appearing in over 100 film and tv credits with a career spanning over 6 decades.

Some of Matthau’s biggest films hits include: “Charade,” “Hello, Dolly!” “Charlie Verrick” and “The Taking Of Pelham 123.”  He also struck up a lifelong friendship and on screen partnership with Jack Lemmon and together they made 10 films together, including: “The Odd Couple,” “Grumpy Old Men,” “The Front Page” and “The Fortune Cookie” for which Matthau won an Academy Award for ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role.’

Although his name isn’t instantly thought of when it comes to Marilyn, they do have a connection. Matthau was one of the original choices for the role of “Richard Sherman” in “The Seven Year Itch” and even went as far as to record a screen test (linked below.)
The role eventually went to Tom Ewell and the rest is history.

Although it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Richard Sherman, as Tom Ewell did such a fantastic job, I’m sure Walter Matthau would have put his own unique stamp on it!

WATCH WALTER MATTHAU’S SCREEN TEST FOR “THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH” HERE:
https://youtu.be/Cwyod0Fg-Dw

Matthau passed away at the age of 79 on July 1st 2000.  He is buried at Westwood Memorial Cemetery in Los Angeles with his wife Carol, not too far away from Jack Lemmon and of course… Marilyn.

REMEMBERING JACK LEMMON
Published June 27, 2020

REMEMBERING JACK LEMMON

Today we are remembering the multi talented and legendary Jack Lemmon, who passed away on this date in 2001.

Jack needs absolutely no introduction, as I can safely say that he is regarded as one of Marilyn’s most beloved co-stars having acted alongside her in the iconic 1959 comedy “Some Like It Hot.”
Of course, he was so much more than “Daphne” the bull fiddle playing musician on the run from the Mob.. he had a lengthy and highly asteemed career spanning 6 decades, he was a two time Academy Award winner and up until recently, held the record for the most number of Golden Globe nominations in history (beaten only by Meryl Streep.)

Some of his film credits include: “The Apartment,” “The Odd Couple,” “The China Syndrome,” “Days Of Wine And Roses,” “Save The Tiger,” “Grumpy Old Men” and “Glengarry Glen Ross,” to name but a few.

It’s no coincedence that “Some Like It Hot” Director and writer Billy Wilder once said “Happiness is working with Jack Lemmon”, he was regarded as one of the nicest, hardest working and most respected Actors in the business. In turn, he never had an unkind word to say about any of his fellow co stars throughout the years and always especially spoke highly of Marilyn. He was once quoted as saying:

“Marilyn had an incredible charisma that was so rare, I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it. She had a lot of talent as an actress and she used that talent to the best of her ability as well as her skills as a comedienne, which worked out marvelously for her as with that combined, she created that certain magic on film. I loved working with her and a lot of people say that is clear in our scenes together. I absolutely adored her and we got on wonderfully.”

 


Jack Lemmon February 8th 1925 – June 27th 2001

 

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    ❤️ HAPPY 7OTH BIRTHDAY "NIAGARA" ❤️ Maril ❤️ HAPPY 7OTH BIRTHDAY "NIAGARA" ❤️

Marilyn Monroe enjoyed a good working relationship with her co-stars, in particular with her leading man, Joseph Cotten: 

“I enjoyed her company. I enjoyed working with her,” Cotten said  about working with Marilyn Monroe in her first starring role. He said  she had an appetite for laughter and was aware of her sense of humor  describing her as a “pretty clown.  Cotten recalls hearing about her  death and receiving a phone call from the Associated Press for a  comment. “At first I was sure it had to be an accident. Such buoyancy  of spirit, such sparkling anticipation, such a happy and comic attitude  would deny support to any theory,” he wrote. “But she had such moments  of fear and insecurity….As to all the other furtive theories-cover-up,  murder, etc. – I have no knowledge or interest in such sordidness. I  knew and acted with Marilyn Monroe. I am proud of having that  privilege.”
#marilyn #josephcotten #niagara #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #marilynmonroe #realmarilynmonroe
    ❤️ HAPPY 70TH 'NIAGARA' ❤️ "Do you walk i ❤️ HAPPY 70TH 'NIAGARA' ❤️

"Do you walk in real life the way you do in 'Niagara?' "

Marilyn: "I never think about the way I walk.  But since I was playing a certain type of girl in the picture who was not myself, and since the way I walked helped emphasize her, I walked as I did.
I'm sure my real-life walk is not exactly the same."
#marilyn #niagara #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #realmarilynmonroe
    <3 HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY 'NIAGARA' <3 These stunnin <3 HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY 'NIAGARA' <3

These stunning costumes from the movie 'Niagara,' (screen worn and used in publicity photos) have been auctioned in recent years.
#marilyn #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #marilynremonroe #niagara #costumetest #costume #costumedesign
    ❤️ HAPPY 70TH 'NIAGARA' ❤️ Which of these ❤️ HAPPY 70TH 'NIAGARA' ❤️
Which of these screen worn outfits that Marilyn wears in "Niagara" is your favourite?
#marilynmonroe #niagara #filmnoir #realmarilynmonroe #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #marilyn
    <3 Happy 101st Birthday to legendary Band Leader: <3 Happy 101st Birthday to legendary Band Leader: Ray Anthony! <3

Big Band Leader Ray Anthony recorded a song, "Marilyn" in 1952, written by Ervin Drake and Jimmy Shirl.  Marilyn attended a party thrown by her studio at Bandleader Anthony's home in late 1952, at which coached by Mickey Rooney, Marilyn played the drums.

Words: The Marilyn Encyclopedia by Adam Victor
#marilyn #rayanthony #realmarilynmonroe #marilynmonroe #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #birthday
    Feeling reflective #marilyn #marilynmonroe #realm Feeling reflective 
#marilyn #marilynmonroe #realmarilynmonroe #1950s #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #blonde #oldhollywood #oldhollywoodglamour
    Everyone at Marilyn Remembered is very sorry to he Everyone at Marilyn Remembered is very sorry to hear of Lisa Marie Presley’s passing. Marilyn and Elvis are frequently grouped together as icons of the 1950s as well as the pinnacle of celebrity. Lisa Marie was made up to look like Marilyn by the great Kevyn Aucoin book Making Faces 1994.
#marilynmonroe #lisamariepresley #elvispresley #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub
    Creating history. Marilyn Monroe posing for her f Creating history.

Marilyn Monroe posing for her first ever "LIFE Magazine" cover, which was released on April 7th 1952.  The photos were taken at Marilyn's then apartment at the Beverly Carlton Hotel (now named The Avalon.)

She was right on the brink of mega stardom at this point and went on to grace the cover of LIFE Magazine a further 5 times during her own lifetime.
#marilynmonroe #marilyn #lifemagazine #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #realmarilynmonroe
    Rest in peace Vivienne Westwood. This fashion geni Rest in peace Vivienne Westwood. This fashion genius popularized the punk look in the 1970s and went on to great success with her own clothing line. Her collections typically reflect her rebellious personality and combine punk with feminine aesthetics. For our purposes, one of her looks from the 2008 ready to wear line bears a striking resemblance to Marilyn’s Bus Stop costume—a nod to Marilyn’s timeless appeal and Vivienne’s excellent taste. 
#marilynmonroe #viviennewestwood #fashion #punkrock #busstop #britishfashion #realmarilynmonroe #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #marilyn
    Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Marilyn Remem Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Marilyn Remembered!
#marilyn #thanksgiving #thankful #grateful #realmarilynmonroe #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #marilynmonroe
    We’re going classic glam today! Twentieth Centur We’re going classic glam today! Twentieth Century-Fox staff photographer Frank Powolny took this now-iconic photo of Marilyn in 1953. 
#frankpowolny #marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #marilynmonroe #marilyn #realmarilynmonroe #platinumblonde #oldhollywood #oldhollywoodglamour #oldhollywoodglam #twentiethcenturyfox #losangeles #hollywood #hollywoodstudios
    An early collaboration with Milton Greene, who wou An early collaboration with Milton Greene, who would go on to become Marilyn’s business partner. Los Angeles, 1953
#marilynremembered #marilynrememberedfanclub #marilyn #realmarilynmonroe #marilynmonroe #blonde #platinumblonde
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