Table of Contents
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright 2009 by Tony Curtis. All rights reserved
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
Photo insert page 1, United Artists/Photofest; page 7 bottom, Photofest. All other photos in text and insert courtesy of Tony Curtis.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Curtis, Tony.
The making of Some like it hot : my memories of Marilyn Monroe and the classic American movie / Tony Curtis with Mark A. Vieira. p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
eISBN : 978-0-470-56119-5
1. Some like it hot (Motion picture) 2. Monroe, Marilyn, 1926-1962. I. Vieira, Mark A., 1950- II. Title.
PN1997.S63328C76 2010
791.4372dc22
2009028772
To Marilyn, Jack, and BillyI wish you were here
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Tony wishes to acknowledge and thank the following:
My wife, Jill, who has the patience and love of a saint. She encouraged me to do this book, and I couldnt and wouldnt do any of this without her. I love her dearly.
Everyone who worked on Some Like It Hot. Films are collaborative projects. Everyone involved is instrumental in making a film into a work of art. These folks did that and more. They made it one of the best loved in history.
Billy Wilder, whose genius changed my life. And his loving and beautiful wife, Audrey, who supported Billy in so many ways and allowed his talent to thrive.
Mark A. Vieira, who stepped into this project with the most gusto Ive seen in a long time. He took control, did massive amounts of research to help my failing memory, and was a joy to work with. He worked his one typing finger to the bone, met the tight schedule we gave him, and told one hell of a story.
Alan Nevins, whom Ive come to admire and enjoy immensely. He conjured the idea for this book while we laughed together backstage at The Bonnie Hunt Show. I love his spirit and his guidance, and now I understand why he came so highly recommended by my Hollywood peers. Hes my agent and my friend. Thank you, handsome!
And last, but not least, all the girls in Sweet Sues band. You know who you are and why I am thanking you. All my love to each and every one of you!
Mark wishes to acknowledge and thank the following:
The following institutions, archives, and individuals: Dorinda Hartmann, assistant archivist at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research at the Wisconsin Historical Society; Ned Comstock of the Cinematic Arts Library of the University of Southern California; and Barbara Hall of the Margaret Herrick Library at the Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study.
Research assistants Karie Bible and Jonathan Quiej.
Research helpers and consultants Preston Ahearn, Jack Allen, Dan Auiler, Alison Castle, Paul Diamond, Warren G. Harris, Anthony Mattero, Mike Thomas, and George Zeno.
Manuscript reviewers Howard Mandelbaum, Rex McGee, Harvey Stewart, P. R. Tooke, and George Zeno.
My literary agent, Alan Nevins, of Renaissance Literary Agency, for his ongoing work on my behalf. I thank Stephen S. Power and Ellen Wright of John Wiley & Sons.
Tony Curtis and Jill Curtis for inviting me to collaborate on the story of a lifetime.
My parents. It was in a theater in East Oakland that my brother Guy and I saw the coming attractions for Some Like It Hot. Because we had signed the Legion of Decency pledge, my father told us, Look at the Exit sign! (And not at M.M.s nude souffl.) Thirty years later, I watched the film with my parents on public television. It was worth waiting for. I trust that they would approve of my involvement in this naughty project.
Introduction
My name is Tony Curtis. You know me. Im an actor. Ive made eighty-eight motion pictures. Some of them are fun. Some are great. Some are classics. I enjoy traveling to festivals and conventions with my lovely wife, Jill. We go to these events and I talk about my pictures. I sit at tables and sign autographs for fans. A lot of them are young people. They werent born when I made those pictures. Thats whats great about movies. They survive. If Id been on Broadway in 1958 instead of in Hollywood, who would see my work now? But they do, whether its in a theater or on cable TV or on DVD. Do you know the picture they ask me about the most? Some Like It Hot.
This movie is a classic, sure, but its more than that. Its in its own category. Its become part of our culture. Look at the American Film Instituteits given
Some Like It Hot these ratings:
#22 Greatest Movie of All Time
#14 of the 100 Greatest Movies
#1 Funniest Movie
Some people say that Some Like It Hot is the funniest movie ever made. I dont know. All I know is that it gave me a chance to work with four comic geniuses: I. A. L. Diamond, Jack Lemmon, Billy Wilder, and Marilyn Monroe. It gave me a chance to improve my craft.
Id had some success already, but I had an ego. I wanted more. I wanted to be an outstanding movie actor. Some Like It Hot
