History of Film at The Del
Hollywood history was again made at
The Del in 1958 when the comedy classic
Some Like It Hot was filmed at the resort.
Some Like It Hot
In the Billy Wilder comedy, two struggling
musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) are on the run from the Mob, so they
disguise themselves as women and join an all-female jazz band led by Marilyn
Monroe. Although the stars were well known and the movie received rave reviews,
few could have predicted the film’s staying power. Chosen as the No. 1 comedy of all
time by The American Film Institute, Some Like It Hot celebrated its 60th anniversary
in 2018, and is screened annually on Del Beach during the Coronado Island Film
Festival in November.
More star power arrived in the ’60s and ’70s when Cary Grant,
CORONADO’S GOLDEN AGE
OF FILM EXHIBIT
Jerry Lewis and Frank Sinatra visited The Del. In 1977, the
hotel’s exterior was altered and then “blown up” when cult
classic The Stunt Man, starring Peter O’Toole and Barbara
Hershey, was filmed here. Other movies from the ’70s and
’80s include Wicked Wicked, Loving Couples with Shirley
MacLaine, Susan Sarandon and James Coburn, K-9 and My
Blue Heaven with Steve Martin.
The Stunt Man
T
his retrospective explores Coronado’s
fascinating film history from its earliest
beginnings with the Edison Moving
Picture Company and the golden age of
silent films to present day. The exhibit’s crown
While today’s Hollywood celebrities still enjoy Hotel del Coronado, they do so
privately. Long gone are the days when a movie studio demanded professional
jewel is the world’s largest Marilyn Monroe
Collection, including
photos poolside; today’s actors like to enjoy their vacations away from fans and a selection of
paparazzi. But the Grand Dame of Coronado is always ready for her close up. Coronado-centric
pieces, Marilyn’s
The Legend lives on.
clothing, furs and
accessories from her
personal wardrobe,
cosmetics, books
Kirk Douglas with
Wife Dianne
from her personal library, childhood memorabilia
and many other items directly from her estate.
Tony Curtis
Jerry Lewis
Keep an eye out for the dress Monroe wore
during the filming of Some Like It Hot, which
celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2018. The
exhibits runs through February 2019. Permanent
year-round exhibits and artifacts also tell the tale
Cary Grant
of Hotel del Coronado and this Enchanted Isle.
coronadohistory.org
Peter O'Toole
1100 Orange Avenue, Coronado
Monday - Friday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Charlie Chaplin
Lloyd Bridges
Frank Sinatra
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