‘Fortune Cookie’ (1966) crumbles under its length, predictability
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): This supposed satire of dishonest lawyering misfires by running the ball right up the middle.
Billy Wilder
‘Double Indemnity’ (1944) a deliberate classic of film noir
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Stiffer than Wilder’s later masterpieces, his adaptation of Cain’s novel helps stamp a genre into public consciousness.
Wilder adds to sleuth’s lore in ‘Private Life of Sherlock Holmes’ (1970)
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The premise: This unusually personal mystery was kept from the public till 50 years after the sleuth’s passing.
‘Avanti!’ (1972) not among Wilder’s elite, but it certainly avoids cliches
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): By not challenging its own morality (or immorality), the film oddly encourages us to think outside the box.
‘Seven Year Itch’ (1955) had me itching for more laughs
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): That classic shot of Marilyn Monroe over the storm grate comes from this film, but it’s not too memorable otherwise.
‘Ball of Fire’ (1941) a delightful early gem from Hawks, Wilder
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Enjoy the star power of Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, and as a bonus learn the slang of 1941.
‘Irma la Douce’ (1963) another sweet mix of comedy, chemistry
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Although the film’s running time is strangely miscalibrated, Lemmon and MacLaine are cute and funny.
‘Sabrina’ (1954) an all-time great breezy romance
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The delicately humorous screenplay and lead trio make this film easy to like, even by Wilder’s standards.
‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959), and everyone likes it funny
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Lemmon’s comedic chops and Curtis’ variety of characters make this the all-timer among gender-switch films.
‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950) an all-time great movie about movies
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): And that’s just one of the themes in this study of a fallen celebrity without a genuine identity.