It actually hardly makes me laugh at all. The fact that the men are dressing as women -- it's just not funny to me. Shrugs

I haven't seen this in a number of years, but, whenever I have, Joe E. Brown's one of my favourites in it.

Just rewatched this a few weeks ago on Turner Classic Movies. One of my all time favorites! I did not know that the decision to have this in Black and White had to do with the fact that the two lead actors as women looked awful on color film. I had always thought the b&w was to give the movie a 20s feel.

@SciFiLeslie said:

Just rewatched this a few weeks ago on Turner Classic Movies. One of my all time favorites! I did not know that the decision to have this in Black and White had to do with the fact that the two lead actors as women looked awful on color film. I had always thought the b&w was to give the movie a 20s feel.

Yes, I had thought that too. They also said Marilyn had to be persuaded because her movie contracts had always specified "color".

@Satch_the_man said:

It actually hardly makes me laugh at all. The fact that the men are dressing as women -- it's just not funny to me. Shrugs

For me personally, the humour doesn't come so much from laughing at men dressing as women as it does from the banter between Joe and Jerry: their constant bickering and ongoing competing for Sugar's attention throughout the movie. I just love their dynamic. Some of the funniest scenes are when they're just being themselves and not in their "female" characters.

Interesting point, theburbs. Maybe I'll give the film another chance some time. I suppose I might've missed what you're referring to in your post. I was raised by women, so the dynamic of them dressing as women kind of left a sour taste in my mouth...maybe I'm just giving it too much thought.

Well, it was made in an age where the idea of men dressing as women probably was considered to be absolutely hilarious by some. It was also made in a time where gay people apparently didn't exist ("Why would a guy want to marry another guy?") When I'm watching it I always just consider the social norms at the time it was made in. If you look at it as more of a movie about two down-on-their-luck guys doing just about anything to get a job and get the girl of their dreams, it's absolutely hilarious.

@theburbs said:

Well, it was made in an age where the idea of men dressing as women probably was considered to be absolutely hilarious by some.

Yes. I recall that this was the age of "womanless weddings"... wives MADE their husbands dress up like women and go thru the motions of a mock wedding ceremony for their women's club or whatever. The women found it hilarious, but I doubt if the men were very enthused.

I don't totally buy the BW explanation. Billy Wilder greatly preferred working in BW and did so in 3 later films (Apartment, Kiss Me Stupid, and Fortune Cookie), none of which involved men crossdressing. The BW here does give the film the feel of early gangster films.

Yeah, it's a great laugh and Marilyn looks gorgeous!

I wasn't really expecting to like this (humour can really date) but the pacing of the action and gags was pretty spot on. Deserves its reputation in my opinion.

7/10

@Fergoose said:

I wasn't really expecting to like this (humour can really date) but the pacing of the action and gags was pretty spot on. Deserves its reputation in my opinion.

7/10

Nah, personally, I feel the film just sucks and that's that. Don't make fun of women for being women.