Irma la Douce (1963)

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Alexandre Breffort (play)
Billy Wilder (writer) ...

Release Date:

5 June 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

A story of passion, bloodshed, desire and death... everything, in fact, that makes life worth living

Plot:

In Paris, an ex-cop falls in love with a prostitute, and tries to get her out of that life by paying for all of her time. Not so easy...

Plot Keywords:

Pimp | Police | Love | Police Officer | Prostitute

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Jack Lemmon	...	Nestor Patou / Lord X
Shirley MacLaine	...	Irma La Douce
Lou Jacobi	...	Moustache
Bruce Yarnell	...	Hippolyte
Herschel Bernardi	...	Insp. Lefevre
Hope Holiday	...	Lolita
Joan Shawlee	...	Amazon Annie
Grace Lee Whitney	...	Kiki the Cossack
Paul Dubov	...	Andre
Howard McNear	...	Concierge
Cliff Osmond	...	Police sergeant
Diki Lerner	...	Jojo
Herb Jones	...	Casablanca Charlie
Ruth Earl	...	One of the Zebra Twins
Jane Earl	...	One of the Zebra Twins

Runtime:

147 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #20447) | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:18A | Canada:G (Quebec) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn/Warner Hollywood Studios - 1041 N. Formosa Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mirisch Corporation, The

Trivia:

Charles Laughton was director-writer Billy Wilder's first choice to play the character of Moustache in Irma la Douce (1963) (1963). Laughton, who had given an Oscar-nominated lead performance under Wilder's direction in Witness for the Prosecution (1957), agreed to play the role, but died before principal photography commenced.

Quotes:

Irma La Douce: You oughta be ashamed of yourself, scaring a poor little dog like that.
Nestor Patou: They oughta take that dog away from you, you're not a fit mother.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dusk to Dawn Drive-In Trash-o-Rama Show Vol. 9 (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

Selections from 'Irma La Douce'

Feelgood comedy

So it's not the greatest Billy Wilder/Jack Lemmon comedy ever, but it's definitely a very amusing film with witty performances from Jack Lemmon and Shirly McLaine who prove here once again what a believable, great screen couple they make. The scene stealer in this one, though, is Lou Jacobi as Moustache, the hilarious and "wise" bartender across the street. The film loses some of its humor at somes places, but it really takes off the moment Jack becomes Lord X. The music is a great asset, too.