AFI (1998) • AFI-014
Some Like It Hot
1959 • Billy Wilder
ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
121 min
FAMOUS QUOTE
“Well nobody is perfect”
Billy Wilder’s classic comedy follows two struggling musicians who witness a mob murder in Chicago and flee the city disguised as women in an all-female band heading to Florida. Posing as “Josephine” and “Daphne,” the pair struggle to maintain their disguise while navigating romantic complications and gangsters hot on their trail. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon deliver brilliant comic performances, while Marilyn Monroe shines as the charming singer Sugar Kane. Wilder’s sharp script blends farce, romance, and clever dialogue, culminating in one of the most famous punchlines in film history. Bold for its time and endlessly funny, Some Like It Hot is widely considered one of the greatest comedies ever made.
Why it matters
- It endures because its core tensions (chicago, illinois; florida; transvestism) still feel modern, and the emotional turns land hard.
- It’s a masterclass in Comedy, Romance storytelling—efficient scene work, memorable set-pieces, and choices that keep the tone confident.
- As a time-capsule and an influence engine, it’s a key snapshot of 1959—and you can feel its DNA in countless films that followed.
Watch for
- Recurring motifs and touchpoints (chicago, illinois, florida, transvestism, musician, witness, fake identity)—notice how they show up, evolve, or get subverted scene-to-scene.
- How information is revealed (or withheld): pay attention to what you learn first, and what you only understand in hindsight.
- Performance details in close-ups—pauses, glances, and timing often do more than the lines.
- Transitions and visual rhymes: watch how the film connects scenes through matching images, sound bridges, or repeated blocking.
Vibe
Screwball ComedyGender DisguiseJazz Age AdventureRomantic FarceGangster ComedyIdentity ConfusionRapid-Fire WitClassic Hollywood ComedyChaotic EscapadePlayful Romance
AFI RANK
1998: #14
2007: #22
▼Moved down 8 spots