There is no male equivalent of Sugar Cane in Some Like it Hot. Unlike the unequivocally feminine Sugar Cane, neither Joe nor Jerry plays the role of the cad or the cowboy. In fact, Joe shows genuine emotion and caring for Sugar as his feelings for her deepen. Joe and Jerry, like Sugar Cane, are musicians. All three are therefore portrayed as social equals regardless of gender. Gender and sexuality are treated differently in Some Like it Hot. The key scenes in Some Like it Hot with allusions to homosexuality are the ones in which Osgood pursues Daphne. Osgood challenges conventional gender roles and stereotypes. He has been married "six or seven times" and only his mama has kept track. His inability to remain in a stable heterosexual relationship may be viewed as a typically male, cavalier attitude toward marriage. However, given the last line of Some Like it Hot, it is more likely that Osgood is a closeted gay man. Falling for a transvestite allows Osgood to maintain the image or facade of heterosexuality. Gender and sexuality are therefore portrayed as distinct phenomena. In the final scene of the film, Daphne tries to talk Osgood out of marrying her. She finally takes off her wig and in his real voice Jerry states, "I'm a man!" Osgood doesn't flinch. Instead, he keeps his head forward while he drives and beams. "Nobody's perfect!"

In fact, when Osgood falls for Daphne, he appreciates in her the...

For instance, when Osgood first meets her, the force with which Daphne slaps him leaves an impression. Osgood's infatuation with Daphne also raises questions related to homosexuality, which is only tacitly addressed in Some Like it Hot. The topic of homosexuality was taboo in 1950s Hollywood, whereas cross-dressing was a common comedic device.
The way Billy Wilder plays with gender and sexuality in Some Like it Hot was risque for a film produced in 1959. Although the gender roles in the film are stereotyped, Some Like it Hot does portray gender as being essentially mutable. Sugar Cane is an exaggerated version of a female, a caricature. Her character contrasts with those of Daphne and Josephine. Daphne and Josephine combine some elements of typical masculinity and femininity. Their surface appearance is feminine including their gait and their manner of dress. Josephine and Daphne even take care to assume the role of female in their relationship with Sugar Cane. Unlike Sugar Cane, Josephine and Daphne are bold and assertive. The males in the movie demonstrate some stereotyped behaviors and attitudes towards relationships and sexuality. Yet Sugar, Joe, and Jerry are all musicians. When they play music together they are social equals.

Work Cited

Wilder, Billy (Dir.). Some Like it Hot. Feature film. 1959.