Some Like It Hot

     Movies, much like music at the time, was in a strange place in the 1950s.  Lucy was pregnant on tv, but couldn't say the word or how she got that way.  The Hollywood studio system had changed- most of the great stars of the 30s and 40s had been let go, and a barrage of cream cheese stars had replaced the legends.  Sex became very much repressed in this decade, and Debbie Reynolds, Sandra Dee, Troy Donahue, and many other innocent and wholesome faces saturated theaters.  Even the divine Doris Day was virginal and honorable.  Now sex was certainly very much alive in the 50s, and was most definitely expressed during this strange but fascinating decade.  You cannot listen to "Harlem Nocturne" and not think of sex.  And thank God for directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder- directors who weren't afraid to push boundaries and test the strict moral code of the time.  It's no wonder Marilyn Monroe exploded in the mid 50s.  Which brings us to the movie.

     Here's the plot.  Two Chicago musicians, Joe and Jerry (Curtis and Lemmon), accidently witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.  They flee for their lives, in hot pursuit by the mob.  Desperate, the two men disguise themselves in female drag, rename themselves Josephine and Daphne, and join an all-girl traveling band on a train to sunny Florida. Which in turns only starts more complications as the two men, who are heterosexual, find themselves surrounded by beautiful women.  One of whom is sensuous Sugar Kane, played to delicious and luminous perfection by the incomparable Marilyn Monroe.  The men enjoy being around the girls, but get frustrated quickly.  Joe ends up falling for Sugar, and goes out of drag to pretend he's a mysterious millionaire in order to woo her.  Meanwhile, Daphne finds herself seduced by aging millionaire Osgood Fielding III, played by the amazing Joe E. Brown.

     The acting is truly superb.  Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe and top notch here, and lead a smashing cast.  Brilliantly directed by Billy Wilder, "Some Like It Hot" is exactly how a comedy should be done.  This is possibly Jack Lemmon's most hilarious performance- he is truly spectacular here.  He's responsible for some of the films funniest moments. Tony Curtis almost outdoes Lemmon here with his infamous Cary Grant impersonation, it's just that fantastic.  And of course Joe E. Brown manages to not only give a wonderfully funny performance, but manages to steal the show in the process.  His immortal closing line of the film is the stuff of legend- this is exactly why I love the movies.

        "Some Like It Hot" is the best comedy of all time.  No doubt about it.  And The American Film Institute agrees as they named "Some Like It Hot" the #1 comedy of all time.  It's staggering to think how this movie got past the censors.  Mind-blowing, actually.  Quite risque for its time, it's chock full of surprisingly suggestive content and smart double-entrendres.  It simply needs to be seen.  No synopsis of this classic comedy would do it any justice whatsoever.  This is a timeless comedy.  It's not dated one bit, really.  I honestly believe anybody today could see the hilarity of "Some Like It Hot" and respond to it.  It's a madcap and uproarious farce that never fails to amaze.  Everything was just done so right here.

     This is one of the greatest achievements ever put on film- I have yet to see one smart comedy anywhere near the level of intelligence and wit that "Some Like It Hot" has in spades.  It's absolutely true- they don't make movies like this anymore.  Anybody could have done the hair gel scene with Cameron Diaz.  Yet I can't imagine anybody else bringing these wonderful characters to life.  You have the one and only Marilyn, singing "I Wanna Be Loved By You" and the mind-bending, gender-busting performances of Curtis and Lemmon- what more could you ask for in a movie?  It's legendary in every aspect, and worthy of so much more admiration and respect.  If you haven't seen this movie, rush out now and rent it, buy it, whatever.  This is the funniest movie of all time.  It doesn't get any better than this.  Yes.

Charade

     A woman, Regina Lampert, plans to divorce her husband, until she learns that he's been murdered.  Upon meeting a mysterious man at a ski resort, she's suddenly thrust into a thoroughly engaging spy plot.

     Take the delightful Audrey Hepburn, pair her with the suave Cary Grant, throw in a delicious Henry Mancini score, and presto!  you've got the wonderfully entertaining comedy/thriller "Charade" from 1963.  It's almost impossible not to have a goofy smile plastered across your face while watching "Charade".  Apart from the heavenly pairing of the two lead actors, who have impeccable chemistry, by the way- we also get Walter Matthau, George Kennedy, and James Coburn in fabulous supporting roles.  Almost at times coming off like an Alfred Hitchcock film, "Charade" echoes not only Hitchcock but Blake Edwards as well.  To describe "Charade" best, think "Breakfast At Tiffany's" meets "North By Northwest", and you get the picture.  Full of running jokes and colorful characters, "Charade" is an oddly underrated classic- I'm not sure why, because it has all the ingredients of a great movie.  Director Stanley Donen, as mentioned above, directs as if he actually is Hitchcock, and Hepburn and Grant spout off sparkling dialogue throughout the film.  To make matters worse, this was Hepburn and Grant's only screen pairing together, which is a shame.  They both shine here, and seem to fully enjoy working together.
     So if you're in the mood for a clever and witty mixture of suspense, intrigue, romance, and humor, complete with some fantastic location shots, "Charade" is the perfect cocktail for you.  A lovely time capsule of the 1960's, "Charade" is a thoroughly enjoyable and funny "whodunit" that will keep you guessing right up to the climax.  And it's damn near impossible to get Henry Mancini's sensational score out of your head, especially the title tune!

The Seven Year Itch

     During a summer heat wave in New York City, a man sends his wife and child up to Maine to escape the sweltering heat.  Enjoying his carefree bachelor freedom, he's still trying to be good- no drinking, no smoking, no women.  But he soon finds himself in over his head as a certain blonde moves in upstairs...

     Universally known for the forever iconic image of Marilyn Monroe standing above a subway grating with her skirt billowing up- but "The Seven Year Itch" offers much more than that.  It's actually a bubbling sex comedy chock full of hidden innuendos and clever jokes.  Quite daring for its time (it's amusing to pick out the lines that you just know flew right past the censors...), Billy Wilder's "The Seven Year Itch" is pure comedic gold.

      This is one of Marilyn's greatest performances, I think.  It's classic Marilyn-she's breathlessly enthralling, and her work in this movie is proof that she could act.  Her comedic timing is impeccable and she manages to be sexy and  hilarious at the same time.  And Tom Ewell is pitch perfect as Richard Sherman- your typical businessman of the 50's.  The chemistry between Monroe and Ewell is irresistible and they play off each other well.  Another great time capsule of the fab 50's, and not only one of the greatest comedies to come out of the 50's, but of all time. Most comedies today pale in comparison to something of this caliber.  Essential viewing of any classic film fan.

Barefoot In the Park

      Robert Redford plays Paul Bratter, a conservative young lawyer who's just married to vivacious, life-loving Corrie, played to saucy perfection by a young Jane Fonda.  Their over-the-top passion , on top of moving into their first New York apartment and the many predicaments that follow, set the stage for a hilarious bit of 60's cinema.

      "Barefoot In the Park" is one of the happiest, frothiest comedies of all time, and one of my personal favorites.  There are so many things I love about "Barefoot In the Park".  First and foremost, it's still one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.  Period.  This is light years beyond what passes as comedies today. The jokes and zippy one-liners haven't aged one bit- "Barefoot In the Park" is still as fresh and inventive today as it was way back in 1967.  This is a truly hysterical movie.  It also remains one of the best movies made from a Neil Simon play, tied only with "The Odd Couple" for sheer laughs.

     Jane Fonda is pure comic gold- she is hilariously out of control and a perfect match for Robert Redford's stuffiness.  Fonda is usually known for her dramatic roles, but I'll take her in"Barefoot" anyday.  She is simply divine.  Robert Redford also displays a hardly-seen comedic side- after watching, one wonders why he didn't delve more into comedies.  Regardless, the two have incredible chemistry- this is one of the main reasons why this movie works so well.  Redford and Fonda are a perfect cinematic pair. Even the supporting characters shine in "Barefoot In the Park"- especially Charles Boyer and the fabulous Mildred Natwick, my personal favorite.  She is nothing short of superb as Fonda's mother.

     Take Neil Simon's snappy dialogue, brilliant performances, and the wonderful backdrop of New York City, circa 1967, and you have a movie as close to perfection as you're likely to get.  Simply everything about this movie works.  It's impossible not to smile while watching this movie.  Light and airy, "Barefoot In the Park" is a true delight.  I've seen this movie hundreds of times, and it never fails to entertain and I still laugh hysterically.  This is a great way to pass a rainy afternoon, snuggled up on the sofa.  That's how I first discovered this gem, and it's still my happy place.  I LOVE THIS MOVIE.

Pillow Talk

     An interior decorator, (Day), discovers to her dismay that she shares a party line with a womanizing songwriter.  He of course ends up sending Day into a tizzy, striking cinematic gold in the process.

    "Pillow Talk" was the first of three Doris Day/Rock Hudson/Tony Randall romantic comedies.  This movie is a big, pink powder puff of a movie- that's the best way to subscribe it.  The 1950's New York City in "Pillow Talk" is almost as fabulous as Day and her wardrobe, not to mention her wearing some of the darndest hats ever seen.   It's Doris at her virginal best, as Rock drives her into delicious distraction.

      The irony of it all- Rock's character, a ladies man but gay in real life, pretends to be gay to get into bed with Doris...how can you go wrong?    Throw in the always welcome Tony Randall and Thelma Ritter as Day's alcoholic housekeeper, "Pillow Talk" is an incredibly fun romantic comedy that merrily zips along.  Full of witty double entendres and one-liners- some fantastically risque, it's a smart and sassy sex comedy that benefits from a great script and snappy dialogue.  The split-scene photography is cleverly used, and the sets and costumes are gorgeous.

     I honestly can't think of anything bad to say about this movie.  It's usually unfairly lumped in with the other Day/Hudson movies, but "Pillow Talk" is by far the most superior of their three collaborations together.  The acting by everybody involved is top notch.  Day even received her first and only Oscar nomination for her work in "Pillow Talk".  This is a classic 50's comedy that looks sensational.  Doris and Rock truly had great chemistry in this movie and it's impossible not to be charmed.