How Marilyn Monroe’s Some Like It Hot Changed Hollywood Rules Forever

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Some Like It Hot isn’t just a significant movie due to its unique humor, but because it played a crucial role in shaping decades of Hollywood filmmaking by introducing a self-censoring approach. Directed by Billy Wilder and featuring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe, the film tells the story of two jazz musicians who disguise themselves as women to escape from dangerous Chicago gangsters by joining an all-female band. The resulting hilarity continues to be a timeless classic in this genre and is often listed among the top comedies ever made by Hollywood.

Nevertheless, the impact of the movie extends much further than its memorable jokes or endearing characters. “Some Like It Hot” played a pivotal role in dismantling the Hays Code, a set of guidelines that had long determined the types of stories American (and eventually global) filmmakers could create for audiences. The demise of the code was inevitable, but the audacious content and financial success of “Some Like It Hot” were significant factors in Hollywood’s embrace of diverse material. With its recent re-release by the Criterion Collection, this aspect adds to the reason why we should commemorate “Some Like It Hot.

How Some Like It Hot Flaunted The Hays Code

Some Like It Hot Broke Many Of The Hays Codes’ Biggest Rules — And Was A Massive Hit For It

Due to the covert aspects and triumph of the movie “Some Like It“, the rigid self-censorship of the Hays Code in Hollywood was ultimately abolished during a significant period of transformation within the film industry. As reported by NPR, the Hays Code was established following a series of scandals in Hollywood during the 1920s that shocked the public at large. In an attempt to prevent the imposition of official government censorship, Hollywood studios collaborated with Postmaster General Will Hays to create a list of topics deemed unsuitable for broad audiences, effectively banning several films in the United States.

Fundamentally, the Hayes Code aimed to instill a strong ethical foundation in motion pictures churned out by the studio industry. It intended to prevent films from inciting sympathy towards questionable characters and compromising audience morals. Gradually, the influence of the Hays Code expanded across filmmakers, prohibiting nudity, religious satire, drug use, sensual dancing, criminal activities, and interracial relationships on screen. Although the Hays Code was not legally binding, movies that didn’t comply with its standards were rarely shown in cinemas.

Despite earlier films such as “The Man With the Golden Arm” having already pushed boundaries set by the Hays Code, “Some Like It Hot” appeared to boldly defy numerous guidelines established within it. The film’s plot hinges on its two male leads dressing up as women, a concept that directly contradicted the Hays Code’s prohibition against men in drag. Furthermore, Marilyn Monroe’s character, Sugar Kane, is portrayed as a highly sexualized figure who dances, sings, and consumes alcohol – all elements that would have been criticized by supporters of the Hays Code.

The movie “Some Like It Hot” featured jazz crooks as main characters, challenged societal norms about gender, and concluded with one character professing his intention to marry his male partner. These themes were prominent in the film, causing it not to meet the guidelines of the Hays Code and thus not receiving a certificate of approval. However, this lack of approval didn’t significantly impact the movie’s success.

Some Like It Hot’s Success Helped Break The Hays Code

Some Like It Hot Proved Films Could Be Succesful Without The Seal Of Approval

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the astounding success of “Some Like It Hot” upon its initial release. With an original budget of merely $2.9 million, this hilarious classic managed to rake in a staggering $25 million at the box office! That’s not all; it has continued to bring in millions more with subsequent re-releases.

In a limited run across select cities, “Some Like It Hot” proved to be a smash hit. The film then expanded nationwide over the Easter holiday weekend and held the number one spot at the box office for an impressive three weeks straight. Even though it was momentarily ousted by Douglas Sirk’s drama, “Imitation of Life,” it regained its throne after just two weeks and maintained that position for another four!

Not only did Some Like It Hot become a blockbuster financially, but it also garnered widespread praise from critics. It triumphed at the 17th Golden Globe Awards with accolades for Billy Wilder, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe, and received six Academy Award nominations. Its groundbreaking scenes quickly became cultural touchstones, contributing significantly to Marilyn Monroe’s status as one of the 20th century’s most influential sex symbols. Moreover, the film’s daring content helped boost its box office performance.

American audiences progressively favored racier content from overseas, finding the traditional morality of the Hays Code outdated. Although the code had been somewhat flexible before the success of Some Like It Hot, it appeared that this film’s extraordinary success was the death knell for self-censorship. Approximately a decade after Some Like It Hot demonstrated that movies didn’t have to conform to the code to be successful, it was supplanted by the MPAA rating system. This shift allowed filmmakers greater freedom to explore diverse themes, triggering a wave of creative experimentation.

If it weren’t for films such as Some Like It Hot challenging the norms and paving the way, the New Hollywood movement may not have flourished to its full potential. Pioneering directors like Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola might not have had the opportunity to create their groundbreaking works, including Jaws and The Godfather, which in turn could have prevented the creation of contemporary masterpieces such as Sinners or Mickey 17. The impact of films like Some Like It Hot extends beyond just being funny; they played a crucial role in shaping our culture, making it a radically different place without them.

Source: NPR, Variety

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2025-06-07 21:37