Some Like It Wilder: The Life and Controversial Films of Billy Wilder

by Gene D. Phillips

A biography of the six-time Oscar-winning director of films like Some Like It Hot and Double Indemnity, featuring analysis of his work.Although his career spanned fifty years and included more than fifty films, Austrian-American film director Billy Wilder (1906-2002) may be best known for the legendary shot of Marilyn Monroe’s dress billowing over a subway grating in The Seven Year Itch (1955). This “shot seen round the world” is representative not only of Hollywood’s golden era of cinema but also of one of its most prolific and brilliant directors. Wilder, whose filmography includes such classics as Sunset Boulevard (1950), Sabrina (1954), Witness for the Prosecution (1957), and Some Like It Hot (1959), is often remembered for his versatility, biting wit, and passion for challenging social and moral conventions.Author Gene D. Phillips departs from the traditional biography in Some Like It Wilder, offering new insights into the acclaimed director’s professional and private life. In preparation for the book, Phillips conducted personal interviews with Wilder and other key players from the legendary director’s life and times. Phillips’s unique combination of analysis and biographical detail brings Wilder to life, as both an artist and man.Phillips traces Wilder’s path from Berlin, where he worked as a scriptwriter for one of the city’s largest studios, to Hollywood, where he would quickly establish himself as a premier film director. Forming a partnership with writer-producer Charles Brackett, Wilder directed the classic films Five Graves to Cairo (1943), Double Indemnity (1945), and The Lost Weekend (1945), which earned Academy Awards for best picture, best director, and best screenplay. During the 1960s, Wilder continued to direct and produce controversial comedies, including Kiss Me Stupid (1964) and The Apartment (1960). The Apartment brought Wilder another round of Oscars for best picture, best director, and best screenplay.Wilder’s maverick approach and independent artistic vision pushed boundaries and ensured his legacy as one of the Hollywood greats. Sharply written, Some Like It Wilder serves as a comprehensive companion to Wilder’s films, offering a personalized and heartfelt account of the life and genius of this compelling director.Praise for Some Like It Wilder“Featuring Gene D. Phillips’ unique, in-depth critical approach, Some Like It Wilder . . . provides a groundbreaking overview of a filmmaking icon . . . . This definitive biography reveals that Wilder was, and remains, one of the most influential directors in filmmaking.” —Turner Classic Movies“[Phillips] goes beyond the surface and deep into the complex mind and soul of the famous film director . . . . This book is, in my view, definitive.” —Vincent LoBrutto, author of Martin A Biography

Genres: Biography, Film, History, Nonfiction

494 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2010

About the author

Fr. Gene D. Phillips, SJ, PhD

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent account of Wilder's process on every single film he wrote and/or directed. Where it fell short for me was its lack of deeper biographical information. For instance, I would have very much liked information on Wilder's sentiments and experiences during the HUAC investigations that swept Hollywood in the late 1940s.

This novel was more of a history on his films rather than the man himself.
I still thoroughly enjoyed it though!

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful exploration of one of my favourite writer-directors. It was a fascinating read, especially about his writing process with the different collaborators he worked with.

[Noah Goats · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Billy Wilder, and I enjoyed this biography very much. It focuses on his work far more than his personal life, very little space is given to his divorce from his first wife, or even the fate of his mother in the Holocaust. It's all about the movies, which I appreciate because that's what I'm most interested in.

The book follows Wilder through his early work in Europe, to his years as a screenwriter in the US (he co-wrote Ninotchka, Midnight, and Ball of Fire before he became a director, and all of them are classics in my opinion. Comedies that hold up.) then details his movie career from the hilarious The Major and the Minor all the way to Buddy Buddy. As I read the book, I realized I'd seen almost all his movies (I still have to see Buddy Buddy, Fedora, and Avanti) and he is an extremely high percentage filmmaker. Almost all of them are winners (I was surprised to learn from this book that Irma la Douce was his biggest box office hit, because I think it sucks).

I've mentioned a few times in these reviews that I like books about filmmaking. The making of each film is a drama unto itself. What makes stories about Wilder making film particularly entertaining is that he was so witty himself, and Gene Phillips makes sure to quote his best lines. I came out of this book liking Wilder even more than when I began reading it.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

29th book read in 2022

One of my All time favorite directors. Who always saw himself more as a writer. Who happened to get to direct what he wrote. My favorite types.

Going through all of his films and detailing Every phase of production.

STALAG 17, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, SUNSET BOULEVARD, SOME LIKE IT HOT, SABRINA, THE FORTUNE COOKIE and my personal favorite THE APARTMENT…
plus more

A treasure trove of information. Not quite as deep as own might Expect, but definitely a more than satisfying look. A cynic yet romantic for all walks of life. A humanist overall. Not so much artistic aspirations, but wanted to make entertainment for audiences and everybody.

Would recommend for all Film aficionados.
Especially Those who are fans of film history

[Jim Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focused on the films

“Some Like it Wilder” is a biography of Billy Wilder, but one that is focused firmly on Wilder’s films and only peripherally on his personal life. As a huge fan of the films, I found this somewhat satisfying and would also say that I mostly agree with the author’s assessments of Wilder’s films. If you want details of Billy Wilder’s life, however, this is probably not the book for you.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Review

At last, a film bio written with the reader in mind. Thumbnail recaps of the films discussed was appreciated and the still photographs of key scenes were a welcome bonus (too many e-books neglect them). Author Phillips did a deep dive into each Wilder production. As an avid film goer since childhood, I have seen hundreds of movies. I must admit, though that the movies Wilder made after 1960 left me cold. I saw the handwriting on the wall with “One, Two, Three”.

[Daniel Curzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can never get enough about Billy Wilder, even when he was a mean son of a bitch.

[AVANTI KUMAR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and well balanced. Much to learn from this book. Recommended!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle to the clever title of this book is "The Life and Controversial Films of Billy Wilder". However it's more about the controversial films than the life. As each chapter title indicates, we are taken from project to project of Wilder's film-making career. His relationships with people are discussed in that context. We learn very little of Wilder's private life. Nevertheless this is an absorbing narrative of his life as scriptwriter and film director.

[Rose Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable. Highly recommended.

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book in parts - especially when there was insight into Wilder's cinematic choices. But the book is not well written and it spend far too much time summarising each film.