Wilder Uses Comedy to Make the

In his film, Some Like It Hot, director Billy Wilder brilliantly uses the exceptional comedic talents of this remarkable cast to present subjects that for the times were controversial to say the least.

In the opening scene the police are chasing a hearse. When the cops start shooting at the hearse, bullets hit the coffin, and liquor spills out of the coffin. It is revealed that this is not a hearse going to a funeral, but a bunch of bootleggers going to a speakeasy. The way in which Wilder directs this scene reminds the audience of the old keystone cop movies. This non-verbal scene depends on the actor’s abilities and facial expressions to communicate all the action, and comedy as well as, easing the violence of the car chases and gun fights.

When the hearse arrives at the funeral home, it is discovered that the funeral home is just a cover for a speakeasy. Inside there is a party going on drinking to excess, dancing, a live band playing hot jazz. The speakeasy is where the audience is first introduced to many of the main characters. The two male lead characters Joe, played by Tony Curtis, a sexy sax player, who plays the ladies for everything he can get,

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