Sources: 
Marilyn Monroe’s 1959 film
Some Like It Hot is widely credited with hastening the demise of Hollywood’s strict censorship system known as the
Hays Code. For decades, the Hays Code dictated what content was permissible in American films, limiting filmmakers’ creative freedom.
Although earlier films like Frank Sinatra’s
The Man With the Golden Arm had begun to challenge the code,
Some Like It Hot boldly flaunted many of its rules, particularly through its crossdressing comedy and risqué themes. This defiance resonated with audiences, as the film grossed an impressive
$25 million against a modest $2.9 million budget, later earning millions more through re-releases.
The film’s massive commercial success demonstrated that audiences were ready for more mature and unconventional storytelling, effectively delivering the
final nail in the coffin for self-censorship in Hollywood. Its legacy extends beyond its iconic humor and characters, marking a turning point that allowed filmmakers greater freedom to explore complex and previously taboo subjects.
As one analysis notes, "
Some Like It Hot is considered a crucial player in the collapse of the Hays Code, which for decades had dictated the kind of stories that American (and increasingly global) audiences could see produced by filmmakers."
This shift paved the way for a new era in cinema, where creative expression was less constrained by moralistic guidelines, influencing generations of filmmakers and audiences worldwide.
Sources: Marilyn Monroe’s 1959 film Some Like It Hot, a crossdressing comedy that grossed $25 million on a $2.9 million budget, played a pivotal role in ending Hollywood’s Hays Code censorship era by boldly challenging its strict content rules and achieving massive box office success.
