WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION: Billy Wilder Film Study Billy Wilder was known for his reverence for the structure of a screenplay, and subsequently, it influenced his films. In particular, he preferred that all screenplays and films be constructed in a three chapter format like a good play. Agatha Christie’s WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION was an international success on stage, and being tossed around as a … Continue reading WITNESS for the PROSECUTION (1957)
SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959): Film Study *(the following is based on a prior article on this film but with substantial research and content added for the purpose of a Billy Wilder Film Study course taught by Kellee Pratt in the Fall of 2019.) “I think that Billy as at the height of his powers. I think it’s the best thing he’s ever done, comedy … Continue reading Billy Wilder Film Study: SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
Film Study: ACE IN THE HOLE (1951) (The following are my notes from my Billy Wilder Film Study class, from the Fall of 2019. It goes deep into details and background. I don’t recommend reading any further if you haven’t already screened this film prior- expect spoilers. Enjoy!) Welcome to the dark, morally corrupt media circus. Billy Wilder’s film noir under a blazing … Continue reading ACE IN THE HOLE (1951)
*The following are my film study notes, from the Billy Wilder Film Study course I taught in the Fall of 2019. THE APARTMENT (1960), a Film Study By Kellee Pratt Becoming a mensch. That’s the real theme here in Billy Wilder’s THE APARTMENT (1960). In our last session, we screened and discussed SOME LIKE IT HOT (1958). As we’ve mentioned before, Billy followed a pattern … Continue reading Becoming a Mensch: THE APARTMENT (1960)
For the 2nd year in a row, the ‘Cubish duo’ Aurora aka @CitizenScreen of Once Upon A Screen and yours truly of Outspoken & Freckled aka @IrishJayhawk66 are so in awe of the mega talents of writer/director Billy Wilder that hosting a birthday party blogathon in his honor is simply a must! I think Billy would appreciate the best gifts are those in the form … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Billy Wilder! (Bloggers Beguile Us with Bday Bash Gifts)
To honor Billy Wilder’s birthday (today would have been his 109th birthday), I’m sharing my thoughts on one of his most beloved comedies of all-time, SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959). Written (along with long-time writing partner IAL Diamond), produced, and directed by Billy Wilder, this film is a comedy that’s both classic and contemporary. Then and now. It was a slight change of pace for Wilder who … Continue reading Billy Wilder’s SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
I reached out to my Cubish cinema sister Aurora of ONCE UPON A SCREEN aka @CitizenScreen to see if she wanted to reprise our BILLY WILDER birthday blogathon again this year. As we contemplated our insanely busy schedules, we agreed we are of course out of our minds to add anything else to our plates- but of course we’ll happily celebrate Billy’s birthday in style. … Continue reading ANNOUNCEMENT! 2nd Annual BILLY WILDER Blogathon
“An actor entering through the door, you’ve got nothing. But if he enters through the window, you’ve got a situation.” —Billy Wilder Filmmaker Billy Wilder was a genius because he looked through the camera lens and typed words on the keys with a different perspective than most. His skew was wittier, and richer in layers of character development. Today we celebrate him with this blogathon … Continue reading Happy Birthday Billy! The BILLY WILDER BLOGATHON is here…
Billy Wilder was an Austrian born filmmaker/writer/director… and all-around cinema genius. Born Samuel Wilder on June 22, 1906 in Sucha, Austria, Wilder went from being a Viennese reporter to a free-lance writer in Berlin where he started working on film scripts in 1929. As Hitler rose to power, Wilder moved to Paris to direct his first film, as he feared his Jewish ancestry would threaten … Continue reading STALAG 17 (1953)
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. … Continue reading BILLY WILDER Blogathon
Outspoken & Freckled 