Book Review: Billy Wilder and Some Like It Hot

Subtitled The Genesis of America’s Greatest Screen Comedy, this new book from McFarland is one of the finest film books in recent memory from one of our best film historians and authors.

Wes D. Gehring takes a book-length deep dive into Billy Wilder and this magnificent film which the author refers to as the Citizen Kane of screen comedy.  The premise, the approach, the background, the production, the contribution of the various actors, and other layers of interest, are all discussed thoroughly, providing a brilliantly enlightening and fascinating study.

One of the book’s most interesting chapters explores dark comedy films made prior to Some Like it Hot, including films by Wilder as well as other filmmakers (e.g. Chaplin’s The Great Dictator).  In examining other films that somehow inspired Some Like It Hot, even tangentially, we get a deeper and more fulfilling appreciation of that film.

Some Like It Hot is further broken down into its various parts, each of which are carefully assessed.  But what is so brilliant about this very thorough look into the film is that author Gehrig never utilizes a dry, academic approach.  His study is highly readable and accessible.  Even for those of us who have seen Some Like It Hot countless times, and have read a great deal on the film, the filmmaker, and all of the actors (this reviewer wrote a book on Joe E Brown’s films), Gehrig’s book is filled with so much information, it is impossible to not learn a lot about Some Like It Hot and all those involved in making it happen.

Billy Wilder and Some Like It Hot is most highly recommended, not only for libraries and research centers, but for the film’s many fans.  Readers will learn so much about a comedy classic that truly deserved this complete book appreciating and celebrating its production and presentation.

The book can be purchased at this link:  HOT