The Hotel del Coronado in San Diego has proudly heralded its association with the 1959 Marilyn Monroe movie, “Some Like it Hot.” Many scenes were actually filmed at the hotel and the nearby beach. When Sweet Sue’s band arrives in Florida, the bus is actually dropping them off at the Hotel del. Above Marilyn is on the porch with Tony Curtis (in drag) and below, Jack Lemmon (also in drag) gets assistance from an older wealthy millionaire (Joe E. Brown):
The shot below is also from the entrance area to the del, circa 1959, with Tony & Marilyn.
You can try to match up the shots at the hotel today but it would be difficult as the building has gone under many renovations since the 1959 movie. This was how it looked under construction during its most recent remodel in 2021:
How the hotel looked in 1950, pre-Marilyn:
Compared to this 2021 remodel shot:
One brilliant comic bit between Lemmon, Curtis (doing his best Cary Grant imitation), and Marilyn was shot on the beach behind the hotel:
This trio of July 1962 gals were on the very same beach. Wonder if they realized they were standing exactly where Lemmon, Curtis, and Monroe had been?
Tony and Marilyn share a kiss on the steps of the hotel when he drops her off after their first date. In real like, Tony’s infamous quote about kissing Marilyn when asked how it was replied, “It’s like kissing Hitler.” Years later, he attempted to say he had no malice towards Marilyn, but was making a joke. Whether that was true or not, his remark fell flat.
Towards the end of the movie, Curtis and Lemmon attempt to escape the mob by running through the Hotel’s lobby, which was shot on a soundstage:
How the lobby looked in March 2008:
…and August 2012:
…and this year:
Have you been to the del?
See more “Some Like it Hot” photos at my main website.
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