In the summer of 1959, the set of Some Like It Hot was buzzing with anticipation. The film, directed by the sharp-tongued and famously demanding Billy Wilder, was already shaping up to be one of Hollywood’s most ambitious comedies. At the center of it all stood Marilyn Monroe, the era’s most luminous star. Yet behind the glamour, Monroe was quietly battling intense personal struggles that made even the simplest scenes a monumental challenge.
One moment from the production has since become legendary in film history. Monroe was required to deliver a short line to Tony Curtis’s character: “It’s me, Sugar.” On paper, it was an effortless piece of dialogue, a quick entrance line meant to set up the comedic rhythm of the scene. In reality, it became one of the most difficult moments of the entire production.
Reports from the set describe a tense atmosphere as Monroe repeatedly forgot the line. Take after take rolled by as she struggled to say the words correctly. Crew members reset lights, repositioned cameras, and waited patiently as the count climbed higher and higher. According to accounts from those present, the scene eventually required around 60 takes before Wilder felt he had the version he needed.
Billy Wilder, known for his sharp wit and little tolerance for delays, reportedly grew increasingly frustrated during the process. Production schedules were tight, and every additional take meant lost time and rising costs. To outside observers, Monroe’s difficulty seemed baffling. How could such a small line cause so much trouble for a seasoned performer?
The truth, however, was far more complex. At the time, Monroe was dealing with profound emotional and physical strain. She had recently suffered her second miscarriage, a devastating experience that deeply affected her mental health. The loss intensified her already well-documented anxiety and insecurity, making it difficult for her to concentrate under the relentless pressure of a major studio production.
Monroe was also known for being an intense perfectionist. She did not simply want to say the line correctly—she wanted it to feel natural, playful, and perfectly timed within the rhythm of the scene. That perfectionism often collided with her anxiety, creating a cycle in which the more pressure she felt, the harder it became to deliver the performance she envisioned.
Then, after dozens of attempts, something changed.
When Monroe finally stepped into position and delivered the line exactly as written—“It’s me, Sugar”—the moment landed with flawless comedic timing. According to several recollections from people on set, the atmosphere instantly shifted. The crew, who had grown accustomed to the repeated resets, suddenly fell silent. For a brief moment, the frustration dissolved, replaced by the realization that they were witnessing the precise magic that made Monroe one of the most captivating performers in Hollywood.
That single line, delivered after an exhausting series of attempts, perfectly captured the playful charm of her character Sugar Kane. It also revealed the extraordinary determination Monroe carried beneath her fragile public image. Despite personal grief and overwhelming pressure, she remained committed to delivering the performance audiences expected from her.
The irony is that Some Like It Hot would go on to become one of the greatest comedies ever made. Monroe’s portrayal of Sugar Kane remains one of the most beloved performances in film history, filled with warmth, vulnerability, and comedic brilliance.
Looking back, the famous 60 takes are no longer remembered simply as a frustrating production delay. Instead, they symbolize the intense struggle Monroe endured behind the scenes—a perfectionist battling anxiety, grief, and the unforgiving demands of Hollywood, yet still managing to create a moment of cinematic magic that would endure for generations.
@amazonmgmstudios Marilyn Monroe in ‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959) #SomeLikeItHot #MarilynMonroe #TonyCurtis #JackLemmon #1950s