Some Like It Hot: Billy Wilder's Timeless Classic Gets an Upgrade (Criterion 4K/Blu-ray)

The Film:

There are few directors in cinematic history that can boast having the kind of major success that the great Billy Wilder saw throughout his career. With a filmography that includes such classics as "The Apartment," "Stalag 17," "Sunset Boulevard," "The Lost Weekend," and "Ace in the Hole," his work garnered him a remarkable six Oscars (three for Writing, two for Directing, and one for Producing) and 15 additional nominations. One of his most beloved hits, on an already insanely-impressive list, is the comedy classic "Some Like It Hot," a film that's hardly a stranger to top ten lists of the genre. With the film having recently celebrated its remarkable 65th anniversary just last year, Criterion has decided to honor it by giving it their prestigious 4K upgrade, so naturally it's time to go back and see why this intriguing little comedy has endured as one of the incredible director's most cherished works.

The film starts in 1929 Chicago, where prohibition is in full-swing. We meet Joe (Tony Curtis), a saxophone player, and his buddy Jerry (Jack Lemmon), a double bass player, who are playing as part of a band at a speakeasy. Working on a tip from "Toothpick" Charlie (George E. Stone), the police raid the business, which is owned by local crime boss "Spats" Colombo (George Raft). Joe and Jerry barely get away, and are soon on the hunt for work again, but with the only gigs available being one for two women in Florida or one that's 100 miles away, they opt to borrow a friend's car and make the closer drive.

Unfortunately for them, the car happens to be in the same garage as "Toothpick" Charlie and his men, who are soon gunned down in revenge by "Spats" Colombo and his own. Joe and Jerry end up making another narrow escape, and soon formulate a plan to disguise themselves as women and take the gig in Florida, thereby avoiding their pursuers and making a bit of money. Could their cockamamie plan possibly work, or will romantic escapades be their undoing?

"Some Like It Hot" is one of those films where it's so incredibly easy to just sit back and roll with the absurdity of its farce. Yes the plot is absolutely ridiculous, and yes it requires a substantial suspension of disbelief to believe that they're getting away with it at all, but it's so cleverly constructed and so skillfully executed that you basically end up letting its silliness wash over you as the delightful scenario plays out.

A lot of that delight ends up coming from the amusing romantic entanglements these fellows find themselves in. Joe (aka Josephine) tries to lead a double life as a member of the band and as a phony millionaire known as "Shell Oil Junior" who's trying to strike up a romantic relationship with Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), another member of the band. Meanwhile, Jerry (aka Daphne) is trying to fight off the advances of an actual millionaire, Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown). That is, until it becomes convenient as a part of the other's plan. What was already a rather ripping farce merely ends up doubling down on its own absurdity, and coming up with something hysterically entertaining in the process.

Of course, none of this would've been possible without the extraordinary leads, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon (the latter of which was nominated for an Oscar), and the wonderful supporting cast, all of whom had the perfect kind of timing needed to pull off a project like this. Combine them with Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond's marvelously-witty, Oscar-nominated screenplay and Wilder's incredible, Oscar-nominated direction, and it's not hard to see why the film has endured as one of the most beloved comedies around for over 65 years. There are some movies that simply never get old as the decades go on, and "Some Like It Hot" has been a prime example. It was funny & charming back then, and it's just as much so now, marking what is truly a timeless classic.

Video/Audio:

This edition comes with the film on both 4K (2160p, UHD) and Blu-ray (1080p, HD) in 1.85:1 transfers of excellent quality. The 4K digital restoration is absolutely stunning, featuring an image that's beautifully clear & crisp. Likewise, the uncompressed monaural soundtrack and the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio are both fantastic, giving you all of the dialogue and music in outstanding quality. As usual, Criterion has done a phenomenal job in both areas for this new release.

Special Features:

Commentary with Film Scholar Howard Suber

Behind the Scenes (3 Programs, 58 Minutes)

Costumes by Orry-Kelly (19 Minutes)

Billy Wilder and Dick Cavett (56 Minutes)

Tony Curtis and Leonard Maltin (31 Minutes)

Jack Lemmon (10 Minutes)

Marilyn Monroe (9 Minutes)

The 4K/Blu-ray combo pack comes with an extraordinary collection of extras, totaling about three hours, which includes a multitude of archival interviews with director Billy Wilder and stars Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe, as well as a feature commentary track with a film scholar. Criterion has truly gone above and beyond with these informative featurettes, giving anyone looking to learn more about the film plenty to dive into.

Conclusion:

Billy Wilder's marvelous comedy "Some Like It Hot" remains a timeless classic of the genre, proving itself to be just as funny & charming as it was over 65 years ago, all thanks to its top-notch cast, brilliant screenplay, and outstanding direction. Criterion's new 4K/Blu-ray combo pack is simply wonderful, featuring the film in stunning quality and packed with hours of extras, making it a must-own for fans and cinema lovers alike.

Score: 5/5

Available on Criterion 4K/Blu-ray starting today.

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