The star of Some Like It Hot knows she moves and sounds like no one else.
“Where have you been, Marilyn?” asks the director, Billy Wilder.
“I’ve been sleeping. How about you?”
“You’re two hours late, again.”
“I’m sorry, Billy, but I couldn’t sleep last night and took some pills that just knocked me out.”
Wilder sweeps his hand toward fellow actors and crew members who’re watching. “I’m paying them to wait for you.”
“I hope the studio’s paying, not you.”
“I’m responsible.”
Tony Curtis approaches. He and Marilyn had a romance several years ago but it didn’t work out. It never works long for her. Too many men think she’s easy. She’s really not but needs a lot of help to feel good.
“Before I started waiting for you, Marilyn, I sat two and a half hours for makeup to become this delightful woman in a too tight dress that’s uncomfortable as hell and wonder if you even care,” says Tony.
He wants to be pretty as Marilyn but isn’t quite.
“Sure, Tony, I care,” she says before turning and walking to a female assistant who hands her a glass of orange juice.
“What’s in that glass?” Wilder asks.
“What’s it look like, Billy?”
“It feels like vodka,” he says.
Marilyn takes a gulp and sits at the side of the set while she finishes the drink. Tony Curtis and Billy Wilder are watching with the crew. Billy grimaces and motions Tony to follow.
“Did you study your lines last night?” the director asks.
“I already explained last night,” Marilyn says.
“Very unprofessional,” says Tony. “You’re wearing us out.”
“I’m pretty damn tired, too, Tony.”
“Okay, Marilyn, today’s going to be easy,” says Billy. “Your only line is, ‘It’s me, Sugar.’ Got that?”
“Sure.”
Billy Wilder announces, “Action.”
“Sugar it’s me,” says Marilyn. “It’s Sugar me. Me it’s Sugar. Me Sugar it’s.” More than twenty times she repeats every possible sequence but the right one.
“That’s all for today,” Wilder shouts.
“Don’t raise your voice to me, Billy, or I’ll walk off the set.”
“I’d love for you to do that but we’d all get fired and some of us like our jobs.”
“I’m sorry, Billy. I just don’t feel right.”
“What’s the matter, Marilyn?” Wilder asks. “Maybe I can help.”
“I don’t think anyone can,” she says.
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