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
“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.”
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!
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.
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.”
