This is all about Billy Wilder. The great.

Beginning his screenwriting career in 1929 Germany, Wilder would make a definitive mark on Hollywood from behind the camera, both by way of his his pen and later as a premier director. Films written by or directed by Billy Wilder continue to spark debate and adoration to this day thanks to his sharp wit and memorable imagery. Wilder directed only 27 films yet stands among an elite group of seven directors who have won Best Picture, Director and Screenplay Oscars.

These may be mere numbers contrived from opinion, but they are nonetheless impressive: Five Billy Wilder films are listed on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) list of 100 Funniest Movies of all time: Some Like It Hot (1959) is listed at #1, The Apartment (1960) at #20, The Seven Year Itch (1955) at #51, Ninotchka (1939) at #52 and Ball of Fire (1941) at #92. Four Wilder films are on the AFI list of 100 Greatest Movies of all time: Sunset Blvd. (1950) at #16, Some Like It Hot (1959) at #22, Double Indemnity (1944) at #29 and The Apartment (1960) at #80. And perhaps most astonishing – when one considers his mere 27 films – is the fact that Wilder directed fourteen different actors in Oscar-nominated performances.

Now, putting all stats and numbers aside, what makes Billy Wilder one of the greatest directors who ever lived is not reflected on a list nor is it illustrated by his numerous awards, but rather by his enduringly entertaining filmography. A Wilder film grabs the viewer from the opening shot and always leaves a lasting impression because a Wilder ending is always memorable.

For all of those reasons and because we’re ‘girls gone Wilder’, Aurora of Once Upon A Screen and I -Kellee (@Irishjayhawk66) of Outspoken & Freckled- are beside ourselves with excitement to announce The Billy Wilder Blogathon. This will be a one-day event to celebrate this master’s work on what would have been the 108th anniversary of his birth on June 22. And we hope you are willing and able to join the celebration.

Entries can be anything Wilder related – commentaries on his films or television work, created by his pen or from his place behind the camera. You choose, blog and post and we’ll be sure to enjoy it.

And now the usual drill…

Participants:

Let us know which Billy Wilder film or TV program you’d like to dedicate a post to. Choose from any he wrote, directed or produced.
Post your entry by June 22 so we can properly promote it in celebration of his birthday.
Be sure to include the title of your blog, twitter tag, etc. or any information that would assist us in identifying your page and facilitate communication.
Please post one of the event banners on your site and in your entry to help us promote the Wilder love.
Have fun! It’s sure to be a Wilder time!
“Some pictures play wonderfully to a room of eight people. I don’t go for that. I go for the masses. I go for the end effect.”

… this intro post was lovingly written by co-host Aurora

Participating Blogs Thus Far…

Once Upon a Screen – The Major and the Minor

Shadows and Satin – Ace in the Hole

Screenkicker! – The Apartment

Wide Screen World – Sunset Blvd.

Make Mine Criterion! – Kiss Me, Stupid

30 Years On – The Lost Weekend

Critica Retro – Irma La Deuce

Cinema Dilettante – A Foreign Affair

The Vintage Cameo – Witness for the Prosecution

Tales of the Easily Distracted – One, Two, Three

Cindy Bruchman – Double Indemnity

Girls Do Film – Ninotchka

Thrilling Days of Yesteryear – Five Graves to Cairo

Vintage Girl – Some Like it Hot

Outspoken & Freckled – Stalag 17

Classic Becky’s Brain Food – The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes

Twenty Four Frames – Ball of Fire

The Great Katharine Hepburn – The Front Page

Spoilers – “Billy Wilder Speaks” and other interviews

Mildred’s Fatburgers – The Fortune Cookie

Pre-Code.com – Fedora

Joel’s Classic Film Passion – Ocean’s 11

A Shroud of Thoughts – Sabrina

Barry – Avanti!

[This] Girl Friday – Midnight

Stars and Letters – Jane Wyman letter to Billy Wilder

The Movie Rat – Emil and the Detectives (’31 and ’35)

So that means there’s so many great choices still left to pick, such as…

CASINO ROYALE (1967), LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON (1957), THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (1955), THE EMPEROR WALTZ (1948), BUDDY BUDDY (1981), THE BISHOP’S WIFE (1947), A SONG IS BORN (1948), HOLD BACK THE DAWN (1941), ARISE MY LOVE (1940), RHYTHM ON THE RIVER (1940), THAT CERTAIN AGE (1938), BLUEBEARD’S EIGHTH WIFE (1938), CHAMPAGNE WALTZ (1937), PEOPLE ON SUNDAY (1930), DEATH MILLS (documentary, 1945), THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS (1957), MAUVAISE GRAINE (1934), KIDNAPPED (acting role, 1938)….plus more!

Following is the complete gallery of banners for this event. All were conceived, designed and delivered by Kellee…