Posts Tagged with Marilyn Monroe

61 YEARS OF “SOME LIKE IT HOT”
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61 YEARS OF “SOME LIKE IT HOT”

“To this day, I have never read a better comedy script in the history of film.”
Jack Lemmon

61 years have passed since Sugar, Joe/Josephine/Shell Oil Junior and Jerry/Daphne stole our hearts and made us laugh in the comedy that proclaimed “nobodies perfect!” and secured its place in history as a bonafied classic, still loved and adored around the world today.

This film simply needs no introduction, but if you are new to Marilyn films (or even to films in general) here is a brief synopsis of the film the AFI once ranked the ‘Funniest American Movie Of All Time.’

“When Chicago musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) accidently witness a gangland shooting, they quickly board a southbound train to Florida, disguised as Josephine and Daphne, the two newest and homeliest members of an all girl jazz band. Their cover is perfect, until a lovelorn singer (Marilyn Monroe) falls for “Josephine”an ancient playboy (Joe E. Brown) falls for “Daphne” and a mob boss (George Raft) refuses to fall for their hoax!
Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, ‘Some Like It Hot’ is the quintessential madcap farce and ‘one of the greatest of all film comedies’ (The Motion Picture Guide.) “


“Some Like It Hot” made its debut around the world in March 1959. Premiere’s were held in Chicago (which Marilyn attended) and Memphis on 17th March and then in Washington on the 21st March. But it was the New York premiere at the Lowe’s Capital Theatre on 29th March 1959 that fans remember most for the photographs and video footage of Marilyn arriving at the theatre arm in arm with her then husband Arthur Miller, greeting fans and photographers and still looking every inch the movie star in a gorgeous silver evening gown and fur wrap.

 

So much has been said and written about the problems that occurred on the set of “Some Like It Hot.” And if we’re to believe everything we read, it’s any wonder the film was finished at all! But we are here today to celebrate this wonderful film and not to dwell on the trials and tribulations of its creation.
One thing that has always stood out, is the love and appreciation that everyone involved in the making of the film has shown throughout the years. You feel a sense of pride from them at having been a part of such genuine, well loved and highly respected film. Marilyn sadly only lived for a further 4 years after completing “Some Like It Hot,” so little is known of her opinion of the finished film once it had been released to the general public. But I like to think that had she lived, she too would have felt the same sense of love and pride at having been involved with a film that has brought so much joy and laughter into so many peoples lives.

“The film did go considerably over budget. However, when it was all done and we looked at the film, I must say we were immensely enthused and we genuinely felt that this was a truly wonderful comedy. I don’t know that I would have believed then that it could have stood the test of all the time that has passed since it was first shown, but we sure thought it was good. I didn’t know it would last fifty or a hundred years.
It became the cornerstone of the long relationship that we developed with Billy because he remained with us the longest of all the directors that we booked to our company. The film was a huge success and of course was a great launching pad for our company because it was very early on in our history and so it’s highly significant in my life and my career. With all the incredible movies that Billy’s made, this is in the top three. I like to think that it’s maybe the best American comedy ever made.”
Walter Mirisch (Producer.)


“It’s interesting that when Billy Wilder and I were shooting “Some Like It Hot” then a year later “The Apartment,” the general feeling in Hollywood was Billy was nuts and that neither one of the films would work. In “Some Like It Hot” he had Tony Curtis and me in drag for eighty five percent of the picture and the premise was really just a five minute burlesque sketch stretched to two hours. But Billy sensed it would work and he was right.. it became a classic.”
Jack Lemmon

“Years after our picture was finished, I looked at it and realised that it was bigger than all of us put together. Could they have done it with someone else in my part? Or Jack’s part? Or Marilyn’s part? No. Could someone remake it now? Of course not. Billy and Izzy tailored the characters to us as we were creating them. We had to adjust ourselves to that. It was demanding and trying and sometimes exhausting, but it was worth it. Because of that process, ‘Some Like It Hot’ is truly our movie. It was tailored to our individual talents and to our collective talents. Brilliantly conceived and brilliantly tailored.” Tony Curtis.

“Some Like It Hot” was like the greatest souffle ever made. It had the perfect ingredients, it had the greatest script, a great director, a great cast… of course the greatest Chef was Billy Wilder, but it really was like the greatest souffle ever made in history…… I was very happy to be a part of it.”
Sandra Warner (‘Emily’ from Sweet Sue’s Society of Syncopators)

“It’s well written, well directed, it’s well acted, the camera work was fantastic.. the cinematography was sensational….everything!”
Marion Collier (‘Olga’ from Sweet Sue’s Society of Syncopators)

“It was funny and it’s a comedy and comedies are the hardest type of writing there is and to make it come off the way Billy Wilder and I.A.L Diamond did was fantastic.”
Joan Nicholas (‘Betty’ from Sweet Sue’s Society of Syncopators, pictured playing the saxophone.)

“When it was all over you know, I was naturally absolutely drained and I knew I had the final shots and I looked at the rushes… it was kind of like an exhaustion. There was a moment of ‘never again’…… well all I can tell you is if Marilyn was around today I would be on my knees begging ‘please let’s do it again.”
Billy Wilder

It’s hard to believe that “Some Like It Hot” is the grand old age of 60, with frequent screenings on Television, revivals at the Cinema and fans being able to access it through online streaming services as well as the film being updated to Blu Ray quality, this is truly a classic of cinema that will NEVER be forgotten and fans old and new can continue to enjoy this wonderful movie for the next 60 years and beyond.

 
Let’s raise a toast to “Some Like It Hot” which proves that whilst “nobodies perfect”… this film certainly is!
 
Cheers!

 

REMEMBERING ANNE E. TODD
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REMEMBERING ANNE E. TODD

Ann E. Todd, who appeared in the 1947 film “Dangerous Years” alongside Marilyn Monroe in one of her very first films has died. She was 88.

Todd’s family announced the news on Sunday. She died from complications of dementia on Feb. 7. As a child, Todd starred in nearly 40 films, appearing opposite Hollywood greats like Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Ronald Reagan, Basil Rathbone, Maureen O’Hara, and Edward G. Robinson.  But it is Todd’s role as Doris Martin in the crime drama “Dangerous Years” that Marilyn fans will remember her for.

For more information of “Dangerous Years” head here:  https://www.marilynrememberedfanclub.com/movie-memories-dangerous-years/

“NIAGARA TURNS 67”
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“NIAGARA TURNS 67”

This week marks 67 years since the release of the 1953 film noir thriller ‘Niagara’ starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton, Jean Peters and Directed by Henry Hathaway. “Marilyn Monroe and Niagara, a raging torrent of emotion that even nature can’t control!” read the tag line on billboards and advertisements.  Twentieth Century FOX pulled out all the stops on what was to be Marilyn’s first starring role in a major motion picture. The official synopsis of the movie reads as follows: “The splendour of both Niagara falls and Marilyn Monroe enhance this taut tale about a faithless wife plotting against her husband.  Joseph Cotten stars as George Loomis, a disturbed Korean war veteran staying at Niagara Falls with his wife, Rose (Monroe).  Thoroughly sensuous and constantly scheming, Rose intends to kill her husband and run off with her lover.  But first she is going to drive George mad by flaunting herself before anyone who will notice.”
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.”
With co-star Joseph Cotton
Director Henry Hathaway also had kind words to say about working with Marilyn, on two seperate occassions, he was quoted as saying  “She’s the best natural actress I’ve directed.  And I go back.  I worked with Barbara LaMarr, Jean Harlow, Renee Adoree–right up to today.  And she’s the greatest natural talent.  Wait ’til you see her in this picture!” “Marilyn was marvellous to work with, very easy to direct and terifically ambitious to do better.  And bright, really bright.  She may not have had an education, but she was naturally bright.
With Director Henry Hathaway
‘Niagara’ was first released in theatres on January 21st 1953 and grossed a healthy $2.35 million return on an outlay of $1,670,000 during its initial run.  Today it is still among Marilyn’s most popular films. Happy birthday ‘Niagara!’
MONROE AND DIMAGGIO WED 66 YEARS AGO
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MONROE AND DIMAGGIO WED 66 YEARS AGO

January 14th 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio wed at San Francisco City Hall, today marks 65 years since those nuptials took place.

On January 14th 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married in the chambers of Judge Charles S. Peery, in a simple, small civil ceremony which lasted merely 3 mins, commencing at 1.48pm.

Hundreds of photographers lined the streets outside the building to catch a glimpse of the newley married couple. Marilyn wore a very modest chocolate brown suit with a high ermine collar and DiMaggio donned a navy blue suit and polka dot tie, seemingly the same one he wore the evening of the couples first date. (Read more about that night here: https://www.marilynrememberedfanclub.com/the-villa-nova/ )

Practically all the people at the wedding were from Joe’s side: best man Reno Barsocchini, Lefty and Jean O’Doul and brother Tom DiMaggio and his wife. Monroe promised to “love, honour and cherish” her husband, omitting the word “obey,” from the vows, which was unheard of at the time.

Joe placed a stunning platinum eternity band set with 35 baguette-cut diamonds on Marilyn’s finger and the couple were pronounced man and wife.


Marilyn’s eternity ring from her husband Joe DiMaggio.

After the ceremony, the couple left the building arm and arm, smiles beaming from their faces and very much in love. They departed in Joe’s blue cadillac, ready to start their married life together.

Sadly the marriage was only to last 9 months and the couple divorced shortly after. A lot has been said about what may or may not have gone on behind closed doors during their marriage, but on this day 65 years ago, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s hearts were full of love and devotion to one another. So we are here to celebrate the love that was shared on that day by Marilyn and the man she called “my slugger.”