Some Like It Hot (1939): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1939, Some Like It Hot is a comedy, romance and music film directed by George Archainbaud, running about 65 minutes. “Let this show put you in swing with spring!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Nicky Nelson is a fast-talking sideshow barker with a wax-and-alive concession on Atlantic City's boardwalk. Even with the band of his friend, struggling musician Gene Krupa, playing on the sidewalk to attract the customers, "The Living Corpse" and other low-rent acts aren't enough to lure the seen-it-all boardwalk strollers, and the landlord closes the show in lieu of never-paid rent. Nicky, always promoting, goes to Stephen Hanratty, head of the pier's Dance Pavilion, to plug Krupa's band as an attraction, but Hanratty won't even listen to them. But, while there, he meets singer Lily Racquel, who knows he is a phoney but might have the ability to to talk a radio-station manager into giving her an audition. She gives him a ring to help finance the project; he promptly loses it in a crap-game.

Who’s in it. Some Like It Hot stars Bob Hope as Nicky Nelson, Shirley Ross as Lily Racquel, Una Merkel as Flo Saunders and Gene Krupa as Gene Krupa, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Some Like It Hot has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Some Like It Hot page.

If you liked it. Fans of Some Like It Hot tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.