In ‘One, Two, Three’ (1961), Wilder knows the ABC’s of good comedy
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Wilder shows “Some Like It Hot” was no fluke by delivering this exhausting but clever romp.
Billy Wilder
In ‘One, Two, Three’ (1961), Wilder knows the ABC’s of good comedy
‘Buddy Buddy’ (1981) one last funny romp from an iconic duo
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Sure, there’s Lemmon and Matthau, but in this case I’m referring to the writing team of Wilder and Diamond.
‘Lost Weekend’ (1945) a grippingly honest portrayal of alcoholism
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Ray Milland gives one of the most sobering (irony intended) portrayals of a drunk in Wilder’s stark masterpiece.
‘Ace in the Hole’ (1951) plays a winning hand of satire
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): As a portrayal of a single journalist’s power, it’s not particularly plausible, but the film is entertaining.
Wilder serves and learns from Lubitsch in ‘Ninotchka’ (1939)
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Writer Wilder would continue with this blend of comedy, romance and geo-politics/economics when he became a director.
‘Stalag 17’ (1953) a mildly sanitized look at POW misery
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): This is another example of Wilder’s ability to balance tones, as he delivers a dark history lesson without traumatizing us.
So much of the afterglow: ‘Fedora’ (1978) returns to ‘Sunset Boulevard’
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The writer-director still has a lot to say about the price of Hollywood stardom before he bows out.
Big talent comes to America with a small entry: ‘The Major and the Minor’ (1942)
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Wilder makes his stateside directing debut with an un-hateable Ginger Rogers comedy.
‘People on Sunday’ (1930) explores human nature, cinema’s potential
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): At the time, it was an experiment in using non-actors; today, it’s a time capsule of peaceful, pre-Hitler Germany.
‘Spirit of St. Louis’ (1957) shows the technical side of the spectacular
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): You’ll learn a lot about Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight, but it’s hard to make sleep deprivation thrilling.