THIS really is a Hollywood classic. And it s not just because it has Marilyn Monroe in one of her most iconic roles. Director Billy Wilder created a masterpiece in comedy which has proved to stand up to the test of time. Obviously, being aided and abetted

THIS really is a Hollywood classic.

And it's not just because it has Marilyn Monroe in one of her most iconic roles.

Director Billy Wilder created a masterpiece in comedy which has proved to stand up to the test of time.

Obviously, being aided and abetted with Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis in the leading roles as "musicians" escaping the wrath of a gangster in the Prohibition era does help.

And to have them play out the parts in drag as members of an all-women band was quite revolutionary in its day.

Wilder and screenwriter IAL Diamond managed to create an almost bitter-sweet romantic movie with the right amount of gags and slapstick to prevent it from becoming too predictable.

And, of course, there is Monroe.