Review: Some Like It Hot – The 50th Anniversary Companion (and Win a Copy)

As we’ve already discussed on Culture Vulture, this next couple of months is a big one for movies. We’ve got the Bradford International Film Festival coming up over the coming weeks as well as the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival. There are also plenty of exciting films and special screenings that will occur across our fair region, meaning that cinema fans are going to be more than occupied. But, if the running from film to film starts to make you tired, why not take the time to relax with some reminiscences of one of the greatest cinematic comedies ever made with the Some Like It Hot: 50^th Anniversary Companion (by Laurence Maslon, published by Pavillion Books).

Now if you’ve never seen Some Like It Hot – in which Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis dress up in drag to avoid the mob and encounter Marilyn Monroe on the way – I’d suggest you go out and watch it now. Go on. We’ll still be here when you get back. Watched it now? Good wasn’t it! Now you’ll want to find out more about how they made the film.

It’s rare that ‘Making of’ books are truly interesting. They’re either shameless and authorised cash-ins or accounts of a film going horribly wrong (such as the truly brilliant The Devil’s Candy) that are undeniably fascinating but not exactly celebratory when it come to the cinema. Maslon’s book manages to be both informative and a paean to the Billy Wilder classic. It’s even more remarkable when you consider that almost everyone involved with the film – apart from the seemingly immortal Tony Curtis – has gone on to star in that great comedy film in the sky. After a touching introduction from Walter Mirisch, the film’s producer, Maslon breaks down the production of the film in painstaking details. It’s thorough but never dull, as Maslon repeats and unearths many fun anecdotes about the creation of the film. Lemmon and Curtis come across as thoroughly decent people whilst Monroe is portrayed as sweet but often difficult, thanks to her torrid personal life. It’s all fun and well put together, and Maslon has a light touch. It’s also particularly fun to read the chapter on the legacy of the film, as an abortive attempt to make a TV show based on the show (which included a cameo from Lemmon and Curtis).

As a film academic, Maslon knows his stuff and has done an amazing amount of research and it’s to his credit that the text is accessible to a wide audience. However, this also works as an excellent coffee table book with some absolutely wonderful stills from behind the scenes and much more.  Lovely to skim through, the book is a worthy companion to what some consider the greatest comedy ever made.

And there’s even a chance to win one as, thanks to Pavilion Books, Culture Vulture has four copies to give away. To be in with the chance of winning one, please head on down to the comments box and tell us more about your favourite comedy films and why.

NB: Please be sure to read our terms and conditions which you are deemed to have accepted by entering! Winners will be picked by random so why not give it a go! Closing date: 1^st April 2010 (well, it’s a comedy: perfect time to close!)