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Billy Wilder and "friends." |
2. He was one of the first "script doctors." Wilder allegedly worked "uncredited" on the scripts for The Bishop's Wife, That Certain Age, Mutiny on the Bounty (1960), Casino Royale (1967), and others.
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The Apartment won six Oscars. |
4. Neither Diamond nor Brackett worked with Billy Wilder on Witness for the Prosecution. In adapting Agatha Christie's popular stage play, Wilder and co-writers Harry Kurnitz and Larry Marcus thought the story needed some humor. They added Nurse Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester), who cares for the recovering Sir Wilfrid during the trial. Lanchester earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her performance. Incidentally, Kurnitz described his collaboration with Billy Wilder as "working with Mr. Hyde and Mr. Hyde."
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Liam Neeson as Schindler. |
6. Wilder compiled an impressive collection of modern art, which featured the works of acclaimed artists such as Pablo Picasso. When Christie's auctioned off some of his collection in 1989, Wilder earned $32.6 million.
7. Billy Wilder is responsible for a number of famous quotes, but my favorite is this one about filmmaking: "I have ten commandants. The first nine are: Thou shalt not bore. The tenth is: Thou shalt have right of final cut."
"There's as many books about Marilyn Monroe as there are about WW II. And for similar reasons."
ReplyDeleteWilder is never boring. I'm always excited by watching any of his films, no matter how many times I may have seen it previously.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post! I am a huge fan of "Witness for the Prosecution" and found it fascinating that Wilder worked with neither Diamond nor Brackett on it. My heart still wants to think Hitchcock directed it though my brain knows better.
ReplyDeleteI was stunned to read he directed only 26 feature-length films. I had always assumed it was a much higher number.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this research! I have an even greater appreciation for Billy Wilder now.
One of my three favorite filmmakers!
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