Category Archives: Comedy

A Merry “Gremlins” Christmas!🎁

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“Gremlins” June 8, 1984 Directed by Joe Dante

One of my favorite Christmas joys is watching and sharing my favorite animated Christmas specials. This month will be dedicated to these wonderful specials and films.

I have to start off by saying I know, “Gremlins” isn’t technically an animated film, but it is animated with Gizmo and some scary Mogwai.😊

I couldn’t resist featuring “Gremlins” because Gizmo is too darn sweet and Stripe and his cohorts are out of their minds. The story revolves around Billy, (Zach Galligan) a young man who spends his days working in a bank owned by the tyrannical, elderly Mrs. Deagle, (Polly Holliday) but he’s really an artist. A couple of days before Christmas, his father (Hoyt Axton) brings him a very special Christmas gift he purchased in Chinatown – a Mogwai – Gizmo. (voiced by Howie Mandel) His father explains there are 3 rules by which he must abide:

  1. Don’t get Gizmo wet.

  2. Don’t feed him after midnight

  3. Keep him out of bright light

Unfortunately, Rule number 1 (Don’t get Gizmo wet) is broken soon after when Pete (Cory Feldman) a neighbor friend accidently spills a cup of water on Gizmo while Billy is at his drawing desk. Immediately Gizmo begins to shake and convulse as furry looking balls eject off his back. We then find out why Rule number 1 is so important because the furry looking balls turn into other Mogwai lead by the villainous Stripe.

Stripe

Stripe

Rule number 2 (don’t feed after midnight) is just as powerful as number 1 because as a result of Stripe tricking Billy into the feeding the Mogwai after midnight, (except Gizmo) they turn into a bunch of “crazy Mogwai.” Yikes!

The “crazy Mogwai” begin their reign of terror at the local bar where Billy’s girlfriend Kate (Phoebe Cates) works as a barmaid. She barely makes it out of the bar by flashing them with a camera as the “crazies” proceed to get drunk, destroy the bar, and start shooting at each other, The bar scene even includes a flasher Mogwai. Too much!😄

My favorite scene is when the “crazy Mogwai” take over a local theater to watch “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” And just like regular people, they’re enjoying popcorn and snacks while singing “Hi Ho” along with the Seven Dwarfs. What a crack-up!

Crazy Mogwai Theater
Fun at the theater

Rule number 3 (No bright light) is really crucial because the light kills Mogwai. Momentarily exposed, Gizmo cries out in the sweetest little voice, – “bright light, bright light.” Too cute.

Finally, Billy and Gizmo are charged with finding and eliminating the “crazy Mogwai” especially Stripe because he’s now creating more “crazies” by purposely getting himself wet.

gremlins- billy, kate, and gizmo

Billy, Kate, Gizmo

The fight with Billy and Gizmo forces Stripe – “crazy Mogwai” in charge, to pull out all the stops to keep up his goal of taking over the town. But Gizmo is no easy win and proceeds to give Stripe his money’s worth!

Gremlins- Gizmo Car

Gizmo’s car

The puppetry is great and the blend of human and puppets is totally fun! Steven Spielberg (Executive Producer) explained: “It’s one of the most original things I’ve come across in many years, which is why I bought it.” Because of the effects and original storyline, (by Chris Columbus), I include “Gremlins” as holiday worthy and recommend checking it out or revisiting if it’s been a while.

Billy, Pete, Gizmo
Gizmo reading
Kate and bar fight
Sloppy drunk
“Stick em up!”
A little poker fun
Crazy Mogwai
Billy and Gizmo

 

Trading Places in Gratitude 😎

Posted by donnamarie on

tradingplacesposter

“Trading Places” (1983)

 

iheartfilm is dedicating the month of November to the lesson of Gratitude in films; the quality of being thankful.

“Trading Places” (1983) is a tour de force example of Gratitude meets “walk a mile in my shoes!” Dan Aykroyd is (Louis Winthorpe III) the typical “privileged” ivy leaguer with a twist. He’s not as “top drawer” as he thinks and his life is truly in the hands of the callous Duke brothers – Mortimer ((Don Ameche) and Randolph (Ralph Bellamy).

His perfect world is turned upside down by the $1 bet by the brothers to settle the debate of nature vs nurture. Because we’ve got nothing better to do, let’s strip Louis of everything he knows and see if he’ll sink or float.

 

Trading-Placesbrothers

Randolph and Mortimer Duke

 

What better “brother” switch than with (Billy Ray Valentine) Eddie Murphy, the wily con man who sees the brothers straight up for what they are – numbers runners.

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“Billy Ray”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The parable wouldn’t be complete without the lovely damsel in distress (but in this case with a plan for her own escape). One of my favorite actresses, Jamie Lee Curtis plays “Ophelia”, the classy hooker with a heart of gold.

 

Jamie Lee Curtis - Ophelia

Jamie Lee Curtis – “Ophelia”

 

 

denholmtrading

Denholm Elliott – “Coleman”

 

Louis’s butler/valet, “Coleman” (Denholm Elliott) is hilarious trying to juggle the Duke brothers’ sick plan.

 

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Louis’s abrupt experiment in poverty forces him to get his nose out of the air and think twice about judging people based solely on their socio/economic situation.

tradingplacesanta

 

 

After a stint in jail, being reduced to stuffing a whole salmon into his Santa suit (don’t ask, you have to see) and attempting to take his own life, he realizes how shallow his life has been. By coming together with Billy Ray, Coleman and Ophelia he finds out it’s friends and the love of a good woman that really counts.

An incredibly important life and Gratitude lesson!

tradingplacesgratitude

However, if you can get rich with your friends and give payback to those who’ve done you wrong (Dukes) go for it! 😎

 

“Looking good Billy Ray!”

 

 

Buddy Love’s Gratitude

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nuttyprofessorposter

“The Nutty Professor” (1963)

iheartfilm is dedicating the month of November to the lesson of Gratitude in films; the quality of being thankful.

“The Nutty Professor” (1963) (loosely based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”) is a classic tale of insecurity, social ineptitude and wanting to be somebody, anybody else. Professor Julius Kelp (Jerry Lewis) is a sweet but awkward, book type that is constantly blowing up his lab (and students) to the frustration of Professor Warfield (Kelp’s boss). Fed up with his lot in life, Kelp decides to take matters into his own hands. He has to learn the lesson of Gratitude the hard way.

kelppotion

Professor Kelp

Professor Kelp goes to extremes to become the “big man” someone no one would dare bully because he’s the typical “90-pound weakling” getting sand kicked in his face at the beach.

Being a Science Professor, he comes up with the ingenious idea to concoct a potion which will turn him into the suave, ladies man that commands a room. Enter alter ego, Buddy Love. Buddy is the complete opposite of Professor Kelp. He’s a rude, ego maniac who thrills the kids at their hangout the “Purple Pit” with his musical prowess singing and playing “That Old Black Magic” on the piano. There, as Buddy Love he can hook up with one of his students, Stella Purdy, (Stella Stevens) who he’s secretly had a thing for.

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Buddy Love

“The Purple Pit”

However, Kelp collides with his alter ego when his formula wears off while parked with Stella after they leave the “Purple Pit”. The next morning he’s left with the most horrific hangover in the annals of hangovers.

kelphangover

Kelp’s Hangover

 

Professor Kelp’s whole world comes crashing down when he’s told he must be a chaperone at the graduation dance while he’s also supposed to perform as Buddy Love.

Graduation Fun
Graduation Dance

This is when he publicly learns the lesson of Gratitude. His Buddy Love formula wears off at the beginning of his graduation performance and he’s forced to confess his deceit and mistake of trying to be someone else. He’s learned to be thankful and appreciative for his true self.

Moral of the story, love yourself. If you don’t, how can you expect anyone else to.

image

 

 

 

Scrooged and Grateful 😇

Posted by donnamarie on

“Scrooged” (1988)

iheartfilm is dedicating the month of November to the lesson of Gratitude in films; the quality of being thankful.

The Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol” is brilliantly updated in this 1988 adaptation – “Scrooged.” The hilarious Bill Murray stars as the infamous”Scrooge” aka Frank Cross. “Scrooge” has messed over everyone in his life, his employees (Bobcat Goldthwait) (Alfre Woodard), his brother (John Murray – Bill’s real-life brother) and especially his one true love, Claire (Karen Allen).

Claire

Frank Cross (“Scrooge”) represents everything that’s wrong with thoughtless people. He’s an angry, bitter, selfish a-hole. By grace, he’s given the opportunity for a second chance at life with the help of ghosts from “Christmas Past” (David Johansen), “Present” and “Future”, re-visiting the good, the bad and the ugly of his life. A hardcore lesson in Gratitude!

My favorite ghost has got to be (Carol Kane) as the “Ghost of Christmas Present,” When she knocks Bill Murray upside the head with that toaster, I’m cracking up right now just thinking about it!

The ghosts do a phenomenal job because ultimately Murray gives his testimony and not only feels Gratitude but tells people if you want to understand what being thankful is all about, give back, “make your miracle happen.” It’s an incredibly moving moment.

“God Bless Us Everyone” – Tiny Tim

scroogedend

“Think of your fellow man, put a little love in your heart.”

“Tiny Tim”, Frank and Crew
“Tiny Tim”
“Christmas Present”
“Christmas Past”
“Christmas Future”
Claire and Frank (Scrooge)

 

 

 

 

“Despicable” Gru – Gratitude

Posted by donnamarie on

“Despicable Me” (2010)

 

iheartfilm is dedicating the month of November to the lesson of Gratitude in films; the quality of being thankful.

Every viewing of “Despicable Me” rekindles my child’s heart. Those of you who’ve read my “About” page know that I love Agnes and her tenacious spirit. She’s total love incarnate, wearing her gratitude on her sleeve. Despite the challenges of Agnes’ life at Miss Hattie’s Orphanage, she is thankful and hopeful every day. Plus, she loves unicorns. 😄  

 

 

Meet Felonius Gru, who thinks he’s a hardcore “Supervillain” but is blissfully unaware of how his life will be changed forever with the fateful meeting of sisters, Margo, Edith, and Agnes.

Gru and Agnes’ first meeting

 

Gru’s convinced that by using the sisters (selling of cookies for mean Miss Hattie’s Orphanage) as a decoy, he’s come up with the masterplan for his evil plot to foil his nemesis, Vector.

 

 

 

 

Margo, Edith, Agnes
Vector!
Gru and Dr. Nefario
Gru and the Moon
Miss Hattie’s Orphanage

After adopting the sisters – part of his master plan – Gru begins his awakening to the lesson of gratitude while dealing with the day to day activities of parenting like dance lessons, girl scout type cookie deliveries, and an unfortunate Unicorn melting accident – Edith!  Even though Gru’s evil partner, Dr. Nefarious tries to interfere, Gru’s heart begins to melt with each parenting challenge culminating in his masterpiece, “One Big Unicorn”, the sweetest children’s book ever for the girls; turning Gru and the book into the sisters’ beloved and treasured bedtime ritual.

Agnes’ unconditional love also forces Gru to realize that all he’s ever wanted is his mother’s love and approval and the heartbreaking thought of losing Agnes and her sisters trumps the ultimate supervillain prize of capturing and shrinking the moon.

Little Gru and Momma

Even the skeptical Margo and Edith come to be thankful for the love and somewhat different lifestyle of Gru. “You Should Be Dancing” by the Bee Gees is the perfect ending to the perfect union of love and supervillain dom.

Here’s what I’m grateful for – Minions! They bring me joy, happiness and fill my heart. 😘

It’s A Charlie Brown Halloween!

Posted by donnamarie on

 charliebrownposter1

 

The trailer for the upcoming peanuts gang film “The Peanuts Movie” started me thinking that not everyone may be into scary Halloween movies, so I decided to share a favorite TV special from childhood, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.

“The Peanuts Movie” opens November 6th and is from the genius imagination of Peanuts/Charlie Brown creator, Charles M. Schultz. In this trailer, we hear from the creators of “The Peanuts Movie” about Schultz’s drawing style and concepts. This film will be the Peanut gang’s big screen debut.

 

Now, without further adieu, let’s find out what the gang’s up to in -“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

The plot revolves around Charlie’s best friend Linus’ belief in the Great Pumpkin who supposedly comes to the pumpkin patch to reward faithful boys and girls. Despite everyone telling Linus what a fool he is for his conviction, he still keeps the faith. Unfortunately, the night is a complete bust for Charlie who with his bad luck always gets a rock (Maybe it’s because of his jacked up ghost costume with eight million holes in it.) and Linus who never meets the elusive Great Pumpkin.

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As a child, I remember one of the most important decisions of Halloween being the selection of  just the right costume so you can proudly walk up to your neighbors doors screaming, “trick or treat!” Opening up your bag and gleefully anticipating scoring one of your favorite Halloween treats. For me, it was always Snickers, hands down.

There’s nothing worse than the wrong costume coupled with lousy treats. And in Charlie Brown’s case, a stupid rock. Great, thanks a lot!

 

Another crucial choice of the Halloween tradition is picking and carving  just the right pumpkin. This is how Miss Lucy Van Pelt handles a pumpkin and her little brother, Linus. Plus, the gang gets a little fright in the pumpkin patch. But, how much fun would the evening be without a little ghosts and goblins scare.

 

We were first introduced to Charlie and the gang in the television premiere of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which still remains a perennial favorite. In my house, to this day, “Charlie Brown” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are required viewing as part of the official Christmas season. The television special was based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez, the program made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965.

With the success of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, other specials were developed featuring the lovable Peanuts Gang. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was the third Peanuts special and its’ initial broadcast took place on October 27, 1966.

For me, “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” brings back fond memories of those magical childhood days and offers up a laugh or two along the way.

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 Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

 

 

Dark Comedy Halloween Laughs:)

Posted by donnamarie on

Arsenic and Old Lace_01

Most people think of Cary Grant as a suave leading man, but he is also an incredible physical comic. The dark comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace”(1944) directed by Frank Capra is the perfect vehicle for his slapstick comedic style. Grant plays Mortimer Brewster who, to his horror, discovers that his two darling elderly aunts (Abby (Josephine Hull) and Martha (Jean Adair) are in fact serial killers, bumping off those who they perceive as “lonely bachelor” men.

arsenicauntsvictim

Mortimer’s aunts epitomize the idea of sweet little old ladies. They can preserves, donate toys to the policeman’s children’s fund, make Elderberry wine. The problem is that their tasty Elderberry wine is spiked with arsenic, strychnine and “just a pinch of cyanide”.

After Mortimer discovers a dead body hidden in the window seat he assumes that Teddy (John Alexander) – Abby and Martha’s brother – has committed murder under some delusion, (he believes he’s Theodore Roosevelt).

But the aunts are quite sincere when they explain to Mortimer that they are responsible (“It’s one of our charities”).

arsenicinsanity

 

 

The look on Cary’s face when he discovers one of the bodies in the window seat is priceless. The classic double take.

 

Abby and Martha have the perfect set-up. The cellar of the family home becomes the burial ground for their victims with their brother Teddy aka Theodore Roosevelt digging the graves convinced he’s digging locks for the Panama Canal and burying yellow fever victims.

And, as if his murderous aunts weren’t enough on Mortimer’s plate, enter long, lost brother Jonathan (Raymond Massey). Jonathon is a psychotic killer looking to stash a body of his own (Mr. Spenalzo). Also, to his annoyance, Jonathan is in need of another plastic surgery because his face bears a striking resemblance to Frankenstein thanks to his alcoholic plastic surgeon and accomplice Dr. Herman Einstein (Peter Lorre).

Oh, did I mention the reason why Mortimer was actually visiting his aunts? Well, despite having written several books ridiculing marriage as an “old-fashioned superstition”, Mortimer has fallen in love and has just married the irresistible next door neighbor, Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane). The wedding took place that morning which is (and this is too perfect) Halloween day.

 

When Jonathan discovers his aunts’ secret, he threatens to expose them if they try to turn him into the police. When the police come to the house to pick up Abby and Martha’s donation to the policeman’s children’s fund, Mortimer tries to hip them to Jonathan’s identify but it doesn’t go as smoothly as he’d planned. Chaos and hilarity ensue and this is where the monster mash fun begins.

 

And with that, I’ll let the opening credits speak for itself…

Happy Viewing!

80’s Classics Turn 30!

Posted by donnamarie on
Goonies poster

Released June 7, 1985

Directed by Richard Donner. The screenplay was written by Chris Columbus from a story by executive producer Steven Spielberg.

Hard to believe but this year marks the 30th Anniversary of The Goonies and the “Truffle Shuffle”. I love this film! Buddies on a treasure hunt adventure to help their parents and save their neighborhood while along the way encountering pirates (one-eyed Willie), escaping from gangster family – the Fratelli’s and by the end forging a special friendship with the one-eyed, Baby Ruth eating, and ever lovable – Sloth. Sounds good to me! The Goonies got their nickname from the “Goon Docks” which is the neighborhood in which they live.

The movie was filmed in Astoria, Oregon which held a big four-day event that kicked off on Thursday, June 4th, running until Sunday, June 7th. Goonies fans were able to tour film locations, go to film screenings and even go on a treasure hunt. The actor who plays Chunk, Jeff Cohen, took part in the celebration signing autographs for fans on Friday at the Liberty Theater.

 

 

My favorite character is the klutzy Chunk. He has the best scenes and is absolutely hilarious. Getting into a little bit of everything he has lots of stories and confessions to share.

 

And what would the movie be without the theme song from Cyndi Lauper – The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough:

The Goonies

Sean Astin as Michael “Mikey” Walsh

Corey Feldman as Clark “Mouth” Devereaux

Ke Huy Quan as Richard “Data” Wang

Josh Brolin as Brandon “Brand” Walsh

Jeff Cohen as Lawrence “Chunk” Cohen

Kerri Green as Andrea “Andy” Carmichael

Martha Plimpton as Stephanie “Stef” Steinbrenner

 

Goonies Adventure
Truffle Shuffle
Sloth
Sloth and the Goonies
Robert Davi-Jake Fratelli, Joe Pantoliano- Francis Fratelli
Anne Ramsey (“Mama” Fratelli)
Chunk Confesses
Goonie Trouble
John Matuszak (Sloth)
The Goonies Then and Now

 

happy anniversary 30

 

The Breakfast Club

John Hughes films really have a knack for capturing the teenage angst and The Breakfast Club stands out as one of the best. The movie is engaging, funny and poignant and by the end you understand and care about each one of the characters. It may have been 30 years ago. but the themes still stand the test of time. We can all relate to the jungle called high school. For many it was the best of times and for others the worst of times.

 

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Anthony Michael Hall, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy and Judd Nelson then and now.

Directed, written and produced by John Hughes, the coming of age storyline follows five teenagers, each a member of a different high school clique, who spend a Saturday in detention together and come to realize that they’ve bought into their respective stereotypes from peer pressure but are more complex than the labels they wear. They also deal with the pressures and expectations of their parents, teachers, and other authority figures. Critics consider it to be one of the great high school films as well as one of Hughes’ most memorable and recognizable works.

John Hughes

John Hughes

Starring Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy, it’s a bonafide classic and made 80’s icons of Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy. The “Brat Pack.”

 

The Breakfast Club quote

Breakfast Club Bowie quote

“Changes” – Opening verse of the 1985 film The Breakfast Club

The Club
Tell it like it is!
Ally Sheedy
Anthony Michael Hall
Emilio Estevez
Judd Nelson – Bender
Paul Gleason – Vernon
Molly Ringwald

Happy 30th Anniversary!

happy anniversary gold

Be sure to click this link to check out my post on The Breakfast Club Brat Pack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The “Brat Pack”

Posted by donnamarie on

“Don’t You Forget About Me Breakfast Club”

The 2015 Billboard Music Awards reminded me it’s been 30 years since the premiere of Director John Hughes‘ “The Breakfast Club”. Molly Ringwald was on hand (she looked good) to reminisce and introduce the band Simple Minds (except not really – it was just the lead singer who wasn’t looking or singing so hot) performing “Don’t You Forget About Me” which coincidentally hit on the Billboard Top 100 – 30 years ago this week.

I did a post a few months back on the original “Rat Pack” –  Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Not the same as the ultra cool “Pack” from the 60’s, this new generation was crowned by the media in the 80’s as the new “Pack” – The “Brat Pack.”

 

Brat Pack

 

 “The Brat” Members were:

Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall,

Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, and Andrew McCarthy

St. Elmo's Fire

St. Elmo’s Fire

Prerequisite to becoming a member of the “Pack” was being cast in either St. Elmo’s Fire or The Breakfast Club.

Breakfast

The Breakfast Club 1985

Directed and written by John Hughes, the coming of age storyline follows five teenagers, each a member of a different high school clique, who spend a Saturday in detention together and come to realize that they’ve bought into their respective stereotypes from peer pressure but are more complex than the labels they wear. They also deal with the pressures and expectations of their parents, teachers, and other authority figures. Critics consider it to be one of the great high school films as well as one of Hughes’ most memorable and recognizable works. Although I love The Breakfast Club, my heart will always belong to Hughes’ other classic – Sixteen Candles (1984). (but that’s another story)

 

Theatrical release poster

Theatrical release poster

The Breakfast Club made the “Brat Pack” icons of their generation and forever associated with the films that we still celebrate and reminisce with each viewing. Although it’s been 30 years the themes still hold true. I don’t think we’ll be forgetting anytime soon the connection and memories of those characters.

Director John Hughes had a knack for tapping into teen angst and connecting with his audience. Some of his other memorable classics include – Sixteen Candles (1984), Pretty in Pink (1986), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), and Home Alone (1990).

 

John Hughes

John Hughes

John Wilden Hughes, Jr. (February 18, 1950 – August 6, 2009) was honored at the 82nd Academy Awards (March 7, 2010), by Sheedy, Hall, Ringwald, and Nelson who all appeared in a tribute along with other actors who had worked with him including Jon Cryer (Pretty in Pink), Matthew Broderick (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), and Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone).

 

A little Breakfast Club trivia:

So, tomorrow in honor of John Hughes and the anniversary of the film, I’m going to break out my Breakfast Club DVD and celebrate 30 years of loving this film and bonding forever with “The Pack”.

 

Some Like it Hot! (1959)

Posted by donnamarie on

Billy Wilder is one of my favorite directors because he’s not afraid to tackle controversial subject matters like alcoholism, adultery, and sexuality. His 1959 film Some Like it Hot is a fantastic example!  I love this film not only because it’s hilarious and Marilyn Monroe is at the height of her sexiness, but it addresses the issues of gender roles, cross-dressing and gay marriage head on!

United Artists released Wilder’s Prohibition-era farce Some Like It Hot without a Production Code seal of approval, withheld due to the film’s unabashed sexuality including a central cross-dressing theme.

 

 

Okay, so here’s the set-up:

2 speakeasy musicians (Joe and Jerry) in 1920’s Chicago witness the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Obviously  – that’s a problem. Busted by the hitmen they try to talk their way out of the situation. However, the gangsters ain’t havin’ it so they do the next best thing – Run!

Okay, so now what? Go drag, book a gig with the all-girl band Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopaters. Hey, it could happen.

 

Introducing Josephine and Daphne

 

Now, let’s meet Joe and Jerry

somelikeithotjoeandgerry

Jerry: You’d bet my money on a dog? Joe: He’s a shoo-in. Max the waiter knows the electrician that wires the rabbit.

 

Joe ( Tony Curtis) is a saxophone playing womanizer who’s borrowed money from every girl on the chorus line at the speakeasy. Jerry (Jack Lemmon) plays the upright bass and is Joe’s best friend. Although tired of Joe’s crap, he covets his prowess with women while simultaneously desiring a stable relationship of his own.

Their bond is put to the test when Joe (as Josephine) zeros in on Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe) and her strut when they arrive at the train station. Sugar plays ukulele and sings with Sweet Sue (Joan Shawlee) and the Syncopaters. By the time they arrive at their destination in Florida, Joe has sweet talked his way into Sugar’s life and is bound and determined to have a taste. Daphne (Jerry) on the other hand has a different experience; dealing with his jealousy of Joe and Sugar’s relationship while maneuvering the advances and courtship of much-married and aging millionaire, Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown).

First of all, Joe E. Brown is a scream! Second of all, check out his career along with this performance.

 

 

And here we go – into the land of whoa, stuff we don’t talk about in 1959 and are really just scratching the surface of today:

Cross Dressing: Designer Orry-Kelly won an Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work. Seeing Marilyn’s gowns, Curtis and Lemmon insisted on wearing Kelly’s designs as well to make them look good as females. They played it straight as Josephine and Daphne which I believe gave weight and merit to the film. They may have looked good, but Marilyn was hot! As a young girl, I went, yes – one day I wanna rock a dress like that!

 

Gender Roles: Challenging what is deemed to be male/female expectations. By embracing their personas, Joe and Jerry learn from Sugar and Osgood what it means to walk in another woman’s shoes and deal with the complexities of being a woman in a man’s world.

 

Gay Marriage: The right to love for love’s sake. This is undoubtedly my favorite scene!

Joe to Jerry/Daphne – “It’s just not being done.”

“I’m a Boy”

 

This final scene is pure – Subversive Brilliance!

Despite Joe’s argument to Jerry and Jerry’s argument to Osgood about how outrageous their marriage would be – in the end, love will not be denied.

 

Billy Wilder, the Austrian-born American filmmaker is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Hollywood’s golden age. Wilder is one of only five people to have won Academy Awards as a producer, director and screenwriter for the same film (The Apartment). The American Film Institute has ranked these four Wilder films among their top 100 American films of the 20th century:

In 2001, AFI selected Some Like It Hot as the number one comedy film of all time.

BillyWilderParamountPubPhoto1942

Billy Wilder

 

Thank you, Billy Wilder for directing, producing and writing this screenplay. Art should be provocative, revolutionary; pushing the conversation forward. Humor and politics are not mutually exclusive. Question what is accepted. Fight for what is right.