The Making of Some Like It Hot: My Memories of Marilyn Monroe and the Classic American Movie

By Tony Curtis and Mark A. Vieira

A Special Memoir for a Special Moment in Hollywood History . . .

Some Like It Hot occupies a unique place in American culture. This beloved classic showcases five comic geniuses: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, I. A. L. Diamond, Billy Wilder, and Marilyn Monroe. It has been honored by the American Film Institute as the "Funniest Film of All Time". It has contributed quotes, styles, and stories to film lore. Yet the full story of its making has never been told—until now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Release date: Sep 17, 2009
• ISBN: 9780470561195

Reviews for The Making of Some Like It Hot

[karieh_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though it took me just over a day to read it, this book was very interesting. I’ve loved the movie “Some Like it Hot” since I first saw it, and find something new to like in it in each successive viewing.Reading Tony Curtis’s accounts of the filming of such a great movie was fascinating. I learned a great deal about what went on behind the scenes (I will never be able to watch the scene where Marilyn Monroe says, “Where’s the bourbon?” in the same way again), why it was filmed in black and white, and about the enigma that was Marilyn Monroe.The choppy, short sentence writing style took me a while to get used to (and never REALLY did), but it is like having Tony Curtis speak right to you, and doesn’t detract too much from the flow of the book. And at times, his words match up better with his sentiments.“…Some like it Hot is truly our movie. It was tailored to our individual talents and to our collective talents. Brilliantly conceived and brilliantly tailored. I should know. My father was a tailor.”I simply adore this movie and can’t wait to watch it again, knowing what I do now. Such incredible talents – Curtis, Billy Wilder, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe – created something magic that can be enjoyed over a half century later.

[nelliemc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I give this four stars because it succeeds admirably at what it tries to do--have fun. Curtis is surprisingly good at being a likeable egotist and he tells a good story. If you love the movie, and I do, this is simply a fun book. But if you haven't seen the movie, do so--it's a classic, this is just fun.