An iconic crime comedy film starring Marilyn Monroe is streaming for free in the UK. Some Like it Hot (1959) is set in the prohibition era Chicago, and focuses on musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) who accidentally witness a mob hit by crime boss “Spats” Colombo and his gang, after fleeing from a police raid at the venue they play at.

The pair are spotted as they scramble away from the scene, and in a desperate bid to avoid being taken out by Spats’ men, they disguise themselves as women and blend in with an all-female band heading by train to Miami. On the train, they meet Sugar (Monroe), the vocalist and ukulele player for the band, and both fall for her, competing for her attention while maintaining their disguises.

The film was produced, co-written and directed by Billy Wilder, and was based on the 1935 French film Fanfare of Love.

Fans have flocked to IMDb to heap praise upon the beloved classic. One called it the “greatest movie of all time”, adding that they’d seen it “at least 20 times, and it has been my favorite movie since the first time I saw it (which was almost 10 years ago)”.

“Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis and Monroe, need I say more?”

Another said it’s “one of those films that you can watch a million times and still find the same bits funny as well as others you had never found funny previously”.

“The line ‘Pull in your reel Mr. Fielding, you’re barking up the wrong fish!’ is possibly the greatest comedy quote ever uttered! And who could possibly forget the slumber party in “Daphne’s” compartment!”

A third said Some Like it Hot is “simply the finest, funniest film ever made”. “Billy Wilder got this one spot on, never been bettered and probably never ever will,” they added.

“If you’re so lucky you have never seen this (I’ve seen it 40 odd times), then as long as you can handle late 50’s films, B&W films, then you’re in for the time of your life.

“There is no better written, scripted, acted comedy genius like this.”

A fourth added: “Without revealing anything more about the plot, the ending is just perfect, the final icing on the cake. Best way to end a movie that I have ever seen.”

Some Like it Hot is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.