Some Like It Hot 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		5.0

Some Like It Hot 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov February 12, 2022

Billy Wilder's "Some Like It Hot" (1959) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include an exclusive new audio commentary by film historian Joseph McBride; archival interviews with Billy Wilder, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon; vintage promotional and production materials; and more. In English, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The new girls

The recipe behind this delicious classic comedy is pretty simple -- it is one dose top-quality acting presented with an equal dose of top-quality directing. So, it should be easy to replicate, right? Wrong. In a long archival interview conducted for The Dick Cavett Show, Billy Wilder actually explains why entire ranges of similar films became impossible to make many decades ago. The explanation is in the second part of the interview where Wilder brings up the great actor Claude Rains, whom he admired immensely, and then reveals how the unique talent that made these films disappeared. Wilder even addresses the particular kind of supporting actors that were lost and clarifies how after them the big Dream Factory that Hollywood once was began to crumble. The interview is beyond fascinating because it essentially sums up what is now painfully obvious -- Some Like It Hot and all the other true classics of the era were made by genuine stars whose talent and personalities made them special. It really is this simple, and of course having been blessed to work with the best of them, Wilder knew it all along.

The film begins in Chicago, and only a few hours before the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, where band musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are desperate to secure a new gig. A local agency offers them one in Urbana, but while trying to borrow a car to get there they accidentally witness how mafia boss Spats Colombo (George Raft) and his boys execute a snitch and his accomplices. Realizing that now they absolutely have to get out of Chicago if they are to stay alive, Joe and Jerry join an all-girl troupe heading to Florida. At Union Station, they emerge as Josephine and Daphne and after a warm welcome board the train.

Soon after, the new “girls” engage Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), a sexy ukulele player, and by the time the train reaches Florida earn her trust and friendship. Under the scorching sun, Joe then proceeds to earn her heart while pretending to be a filthy rich bachelor, and Jerry captivates the mind of a real millionaire with a taste for the exotic. But the impostors’ romantic escapades are put on hold when Spats Colombo and his goons reappear for a high-profile mafia gathering and someone realizes that the two “girls” look awfully familiar.

Initially Wilder apparently wanted to get Frank Sinatra to play Daphne, but when he did not turn up to discuss the project he moved on and it was then that Lemmon was hired. Monroe also wasn’t Wilder’s first choice for the part of Sugar Kane, though it was her “difficult” personality rather than her acting skills that he had considered problematic. (And for a good reason because later on when production of the film started Monroe’s erratic behavior caused a lot of unnecessary drama, just as Wilder had expected). Ironically, now it is absolutely impossible to imagine this film being as brilliant as it is without Lemmon and Monroe because the authentic energy that the former brings and the incomparable sex appeal that the latter adds are essential qualities of its style. It is basically what makes the film so great -- the personalities of its three leads are not suppressed by Wilder, but brilliantly managed and, in the process, encouraged to flourish through the characters they play. This is something that cannot be replicated with other actors, regardless of how brilliant they might be. If you don’t have the “right” personalities, you will end up with a very different film.

Another very important quality of the film’s unique style that is actually frequently neglected is its perfect rhythm. There is a lot happening in it, and often in multiple locations at the same time, but it never looks or feels like things are left on autopilot to evolve. In fact, as the film progresses exactly the opposite becomes clear, because even during long mass sequences everything from the seemingly casual one-liners to the unexpected gesturing and grimacing is done with striking precision so that it serves right its comedic energy.

*The long interview from The Dick Cavett Show that is mentioned at the top of the article is included on Criterion's Blu-ray release of Some Like It Hot.

Some Like It Hot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kino Lorber's release of Some Like It Hot is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. The 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray offer presentations of the recent 4K restoration of the film.

The same 4K restoration was first introduced on Blu-ray by the Criterion Collection in 2018. We have included complete technical credits for the 4K restoration in our review of the Blu-ray release.

The basic characteristics of the 4K restoration remain just as impressive as they were in 1080p, but in native 4K new crucial nuances emerge that give the film an even lusher appearance. On my system with Dolby Vision enabled, the entire grayscale looked much better balanced, and to be honest there were areas of the film where the improvements surprised me quite a bit because in 1080p they already look terrific. One such area is during the date between Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis in the final third of the film, with the improvements emerging specifically during the footage where the two are seen running toward the yacht. Here you will notice how the expanded darker nuances quite simply make everything appear noticeably lusher/richer. (See screencaptures #21 and 22, but 22 is the better example because it looks fantastic in native 4K). Also, even though I am providing one example, the same type of difference isn't noticeable only during darker sequences where shadow definition and other finer dark nuances typically appear more impressive in native 4K. Another improvement is the more even transition between footage with unique native fluctuations. This isn't surprising because improved density and fluidity always tighten up the visuals in native 4K, but on older films the difference is usually more pronounced because of the manner in which they were captured by older equipment. Clarity and depth were excellent in 1080p, so even though they are superior in native 4K, I don't think that the improvement is substantial. Grain exposure is excellent. There are no stability issues. All in all, the 4K Blu-ray release delivers a predictably outstanding presentation of a top-notch 4K restoration. (Note: The 4K Blu-ray release is Region-Free).

Some Like It Hot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release; English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I started viewing the film with the 5.1 track but quickly moved back to the 2.0 track. I suppose the 5.1 track would appeal to some viewers that want a more elaborate audio option, but I think that the Mono track is preferable. It is very healthy and its basic characteristics are solid. There are no encoding anomalies to report in our review.

Some Like It Hot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC

• Commentary One - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by film historian Joseph McBride, author of Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge. Mr. McBride discusses in great detail the conception of Some Like It Hot, how particular scenes were shot and some in-jokes, Marilyn Monroe's performance and her singing in particular, Billy Wilder's career, etc.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Paul Diamond (son of I.A.L. Diamond) and screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, featuring interviews with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

BLU-RAY DISC

• Trailer - a vintage trailer for Some Like It Hot. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Featurettes - presented here are three programs that examine the production history and lasting appeal of Some Like It Hot. Included in them are various clips from interviews with director Billy Wilder, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Barbara Diamond, Walter Mirisch, and Curtis Hanson, amongst others. The programs were produced for MGM/UA between 2001 and 2006. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. The Making of Some Like It Hot. (26 min).
  2. The Legacy of Some Like it Hot. (21 min).
  3. Memories from the Sweet Sues. (13 min).

• Nostalgic Look Back - presented here is a filmed conversation between Tony Curtis and critic Leonard Maltin which features plenty of great information about the production of Some Like It Hot as well as its success. The conversation was filmed for MGM/UA in 2001. In English, not subtitled. (32 min).

• Billy Wilder and Volker Schlondorff Discuss Some Like It Hot - in this archival program, Billy Wilder discusses his work with Marilyn Monroe during the production of Some Like It Hot as well as general creative environment that was part of it. In German and English, with English subtitles where necessary. (15 min).

• More with Billy Wilder and Volker Schlondorff - this segment contains additional comments about Marilyn Monroe's personal life and how her experiences there frequently impacted her work before the film camera. Also, there are some interesting observations about the 'right manner' in which the audience's expectations ought to be managed and met in a film like Some Like It Hot. In German and English, with English subtitles where necessary. (6 min).

• Tribute to I.A.L. Diamond - in this short archival segment, Billy Wilder pays tribute to his long-time collaborator I.A.L. Diamond. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

Some Like It Hot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The term classic has lost its value because in recent years too many people have used it to describe a wide range of good, but not special, films that should have been treated better. I know it is so because I have done it too. Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot is one of those truly special films that the term was actually meant for -- it's got real stars at the top of their game and a master director that was able to make them look even better together. The magic that Hollywood forgot how to produce really is on full display in this film.

Kino Lorber's 4K Blu-ray release of Some Like It Hot offers an outstanding presentation of the excellent recent 4K restoration of the film. It has a fine selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features as well, but it omits the terrific hour-long interview Dick Cavett conducted with Billy Wilder for his show in 1982, which was included on Criterion's Blu-ray release. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.