Ukulele in 'Some Like It Hot'

You might not realize it, but the ukulele in Some Like It Hot was a carefully calculated creative decision. Director Billy Wilder approved a white Martin ukulele to visually complement Marilyn Monroe's blonde presence on black-and-white film stock. Monroe never actually played it—studio musician Al Hendrickson dubbed the strumming for "Runnin' Wild." The instrument became so iconic it later appeared on a Franklin Mint collectible doll. There's far more to this story than meets the eye.

Key Takeaways

• Marilyn Monroe's ukulele playing in "Runnin' Wild" was actually dubbed by studio musician Al Hendrickson, while Monroe perfected a fake-strum technique.
• Director Billy Wilder deliberately chose a white Martin ukulele to contrast visually against Monroe's blonde hair and white costume on black-and-white film.
• The song "Runnin' Wild" mirrors Sugar Kane's carefree personality, with lyrics about losing control anchoring the film's iconic ukulele scene.
• The ukulele's appearance coincided with a mid-century instrument revival, fueled by Arthur Godfrey's TV popularity and Hawaii's 1959 statehood.
• Monroe's ukulele performance was later immortalized in a Hallmark ornament and a Franklin Mint porcelain doll, reflecting its lasting cultural impact.

What Some Like It Hot Actually Did With a Ukulele

The ukulele symbolism runs deeper than you might expect. It signals Sugar's vulnerability and charm, making her the perfect target for deception. That's where gender disguise complicates everything—Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis infiltrate the band as women, using Sugar's ukulele-strumming world as their cover.

You see the ukulele prominently during the train scene, where Sugar performs a shimmy down the aisle. It's central to the film's comedic engine, connecting romance, deception, and identity in one neatly packaged instrument. Sugar Kane is specifically written as the group's singer and soprano uke player, tying her identity directly to the instrument throughout the story.

While Marilyn Monroe's performance looks seamless on screen, the actual ukulele playing heard during "Running Wild" was performed by Al Hendrickson, a professional studio musician who dubbed the part on a painted Martin style 3.

Why Marilyn Monroe Chose a White Martin Ukulele?

Beyond the ukulele's role as Sugar Kane's comedic shield, there's another layer worth examining—the specific instrument Monroe carried. Director Billy Wilder approved a white Martin ukulele from C.F. Martin & Co., and the choice wasn't accidental. The prop rarity of a white-finished Martin made it visually distinct, since white variants were uncommon even for a brand known for quality craftsmanship.

The visual symbolism worked on multiple levels. Against black-and-white cinematography, the white finish amplified Monroe's blonde bombshell presence while reinforcing Sugar's innocence within the film's cross-dressing comedy. It also complemented her white dress, creating a cohesive stage look that matched the 1920s jazz era setting. Under studio lighting, the instrument photographed beautifully, cementing its place as one of cinema's most recognizable props. Much like how Van Gogh's use of impasto created physical texture and emotional intensity that made his works visually commanding, the ukulele's distinctive finish gave Monroe's performance a tactile, screen-dominating presence.

Monroe's performance in Some Like It Hot earned her a Golden Globe Award, a recognition that underscored how deeply audiences and critics connected with her portrayal of the lovably naive Sugar Kane and the film's enduring charm.

How Monroe Learned to Fake-Strum Like a Pro?

Pulling off a convincing fake-strum takes more preparation than most viewers realize. Monroe didn't just wing it on set — she rehearsed strumming patterns specifically to nail the professional appearance the scene demanded. Directors guided her toward precise timing synchronization with the backing track, treating it like a legitimate stage technique rather than a casual shortcut.

She focused on arm exaggeration to sell every motion, making downward and upward strokes read clearly on camera. Her thumb-and-finger alternation mimicked authentic ukulele rhythm without ever fretting a single chord. Multiple takes refined her consistency alongside Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, who faked their own instruments simultaneously. Visual cues from the band kept everyone locked in. Monroe's charisma then did the rest, making calculated mimicry look effortlessly natural. For those curious about music and performance trivia, category-based fact tools can surface surprising details about iconic cinematic moments like this one.

The performance was later immortalized in a Hallmark ornament circa 2000, styled after Some Like It Hot, which depicted Monroe fake-strumming a white-painted Martin ukulele while singing "Runnin' Wild."

How "Runnin' Wild" Defined Monroe's Ukulele Scene

Monroe's rehearsed fake-strumming found its perfect showcase in "Runnin' Wild," the 1920s jazz number that anchors her most iconic scene in Some Like It Hot. You can hear how the song's lyrics—"Running wild, lost control"—mirror Sugar Kane's carefree, reckless personality, making it the ideal vehicle for Monroe's ukulele persona. The chord progressions, cycling through C, C7, F, and G7, create an upbeat, flapper-era energy that pulls you straight into the scene's playful mood.

Monroe's synchronized strumming and seductive delivery give the performance authenticity, convincing audiences she's genuinely playing despite the playback technique. Composed by A.H. Gibbs, Joe Grey, and Leo Woods, "Runnin' Wild" transformed a simple train-set moment into a defining cultural touchstone, cementing Monroe's musical legacy in film's funniest movie. Much like how Some Like It Hot endures as a comedic masterpiece, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein also overcame early critical rejection to become a cornerstone of English literature. This scene is captured in a 12x18 poster that recreates the memorable "Running Wild" moment for display on your wall.

Why the Ukulele Was Already Making a Comeback When Monroe Picked One Up?

When Monroe strummed that ukulele in Some Like It Hot, she wasn't picking up a forgotten relic—she was tapping into an instrument already riding a fresh cultural wave. Postwar nostalgia had already done significant heavy lifting. Soldiers returning from the South Pacific brought Hawaiian musical experiences home, reigniting mainstream interest throughout the late 1940s. Then Hawaii's 1959 statehood amplified that curiosity even further.

You also can't ignore the vaudeville revival connection. Performers like Roy Smeck and "Ukulele Ike" Cliff Edwards had cemented the instrument's entertainment credentials during the 1920s, and those associations never fully faded. Sheet music, radio performances, and Hollywood films kept the ukulele visible across multiple decades. By the time Monroe appeared onscreen, audiences already recognized that instrument as culturally relevant, not culturally obsolete. That renewed visibility also owed something to television, the same medium that helped Arthur Godfrey sell nine million plastic ukuleles during the 1950s alone.

The instrument's manufacturing roots ran deeper than most moviegoers would have guessed. C.F. Martin began producing ukuleles in 1926, selling instruments for around $60 and lending the ukulele a degree of craft legitimacy that kept it taken seriously by musicians well into the following decades.

The Monroe Ukulele Doll and *Some Like It Hot*'s Lasting Pop Legacy

• A sequined 1920s-style gown designed by Orry-Kelly
• A hand-crafted miniature ukulele mirroring Sugar Kane's prop
• Detailed facial features honoring Monroe's likeness
• The Sweet Sue's Society Syncopators band uniform
• Original licensed packaging for serious collectors

The film's legacy extends far beyond this doll.

Tribute performers still mimic Monroe's ukulele playing, and Some Like It Hot consistently ranks among cinema's greatest comedies, keeping that iconic ukulele image alive decades later. Publicity photos from 1959 captured Monroe's energetic ukulele-playing scenes during the film's promotion.

The Franklin Mint "Some Like It Hot" porcelain doll was issued in its original box, making condition and packaging an important factor for collectors assessing its value.