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SOME LIKE IT HOT
SOME LIKE IT HOT is available on DVD in a movie only edition for $14.98 and as a Special Edition for $24.98. |
This DVD review 
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DVD
reviews are Copyright © 2001 THE CINEMA LASER and may not be copied
or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. |
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As
someone who counts SOME LIKE IT HOT amongst their favorite films,
I can see why it ranked so highly amongst the AFI's Top 100 movies of
all time. SOME LIKE IT HOT is a fast and furious sex farce that
was so perfectly scripted by director Billy Wilder and his writing partner
I.A.L. Diamond, that it was worth every one of the numerous takes required
for Marilyn Monroe, the film's leading lady, to get her lines right. The
end result of the film's oftentimes frustrating production is pure cinematic
magic. Every moment of SOME LIKE IT HOT seems to sparkle thanks
to its crackerjack script and a group of performers that make the material
sing. Wilder's direction is snappy and her really knows how to make a
punch line work on the screen. In fact, the final line of SOME LIKE
IT HOT, delivered by the incomparable Joe E. Brown, is probably the
funniest punch line in all of cinema. Oh, and let us not forget the fine
comic performances of Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, which had me howling
with laughter on countless occasions- especially Lemmon’s.
In
1958, SOME LIKE IT HOT was probably the broadest sex farce ever
produced by Hollywood, which contained two of the least like broads. Set
during the Roaring Twenties, SOME LIKE IT HOT tells the story of
two down and out Chicago musicians, who witness the Saint Valentines Day
Massacre and then have to flee for their lives. Knowing that the mobsters
will be gunning for them in every band across America, Joe (Tony Curtis)
and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) don dresses and take a job as Josephine and Daphne
in an all girl band that is heading for Florida. Sweet Sue and Her Society
Syncopators would certainly seem to be a sweet gig for the two boys in
the band; however, complications arise when Josephine falls for the band's
lead singer Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe) and Daphne catches the attention
of amorous millionaire Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown). The cast of
SOME LIKE IT HOT also features George Raft, Pat O'Brien, Nehemiah
Persoff, Joan Shawlee, Billy Gray, George E. Stone, Dave Barry, Mike Mazurki,
Harry Wilson, Beverly Wills, Barbara Drew, and Edward G. Robinson Jr..
MGM
Home Entertainment has made SOME LIKE IT HOT in a 1.66:1 wide screen
presentation that has NOT been enhanced for playback on 16:9 displays.
Since other companies are issuing 1.66:1 movies in enhanced wide screen,
I think MGM should rethink their policy against it, which would ensure
that their films have the best possible presentation on DVD. On a 4:3
display SOME LIKE IT HOT looks pretty darn good, although could
have looked somewhat better in a new 16:9 enhanced presentation. As it
stands, there are some modest flaws in the black and white film elements,
which manifest themselves as minor blemishes and some noticeable grain.
However, none of these flaws should be considered distracting. Contrast
is generally very good, with solid blacks and stable whites that never
blow out the picture. In a couple of spots, the blacks waiver a bit, but
it isn't particularly noticeable. The image does offer up a good level
of detail, even within the shadowy portions of the picture. For the most
part, things appear crisp, but there are shots in the film that employ
soft focus photography. Clean dual layer authoring disguise all traces
of digital compression artifacts.
SOME
LIKE IT HOT is offered on DVD with a new Dolby Digital 5.1 channel
sound mix. For those expecting sonic pyrotechnics, forget it. This is
just a fattened up version of the film's original monaural soundtrack-
spread across the format’s five channels. There is some sound effect panning
between channels, but the material doesn't provide too many opportunities
for it to be implemented. The film's music seems to take the biggest advantage
of the 5.1 encoding, although the frequency limitations of the original
recordings are readily apparent. Still, spreading out the music gave it
a greater sense of presence. Dialogue is always intelligible, although
the voices can sound a bit flat. A bit of distortion crept into the sound
at higher listening levels, but the track sounds fine at a more modest
setting. The original English monaural soundtrack is also encoded onto
the DVD, as are French and Spanish language tracks. Subtitles are offered
in French and Spanish.
The
Special Edition DVD release of SOME LIKE IT HOT features enhanced
interactive menus that utilize full motion video, animation and sound.
Through the menus, one has access to the standard scene selection and
set up features, as well as some nice supplements. Topping things off
is a Nostalgic Look Back that features critic Leonard Maltin,
who interviews actor Tony Curtis. Running thirty minutes, this recent
interview is a genuine delight as we get to hear a highly enthusiastic
Curtis expound on the making of one of the best loved screen comedies
of all time. This is a great supplement that fans of the movie should
not miss. Memories from the Sweet Sues features reminiscences
from four of the actresses who played band members in the film. The twelve-minute
program is warm and enjoyable, in addition to giving fans another glimpse
behind the scenes. Running twenty-one minutes is the Virtual Hall
of Memories, which is a video and photo montage that takes a look
at the stars, as well as behind-the-scenes. The Pressbook Gallery
allows one a look at the original press material used to promote SOME
LIKE IT HOT during its theatrical release. Certainly interesting,
but those with smaller displays will find it a bit hard on the eyes. Closing
out the supplements is the film's theatrical trailer, as well as bonus
trailers for several other Billy Wilder titles.
SOME
LIKE IT HOT is a movie that I never tire of seeing because it always
makes me laugh out loud. The film's presentation on DVD is good, but without
the 16:9 enhancement, it isn't everything that it could have been. The
supplements are enjoyable, especially the Tony Curtis interview, which
makes the Special Edition DVD a worthwhile acquisition for fans.
