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Exclusive interviews with Billy Wilder, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and others
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Tony Curtis: Billy Wilder wanted Cary Grant so bad for a couple of movies he could taste it, Love In The Afternoon and Sabrina. Cary said, 'I will not work with an umbrella.' Can you imagine these two guys did not work with each other because Cary did not want to carry an umbrella? I knew then that Billy would have loved to have Cary in one of his movies. They would have been perfect, you couldn't have a better match, I'm telling you. Cary Grant would have been perfect. I gave Billy Wilder Cary Grant for a movie.
Dan Auiler: With a much better percentage.
Tony Curtis: Kind of amusing isn't it? To me it is. I brought him my Cary Grant, I always felt that. Poor Billy, never got his Cary, well I'll give you one.
***
Walter Mirisch: The academy tribute to Billy was a wonderful evening and really extraordinary. When I got there, crowds of people all the way around that building, and I thought, 'My God, most of these people weren't even born when some of these pictures were made and they are here to see them and see Billy.' Then when he appeared in the theater and walked down the aisle, everyone in the theater-not an empty seat-stood and gave him a marvelous ovation. It really was something special for a generation most of whom never did see those films on big screens.
***
Jack Lemmon: Most of the mail I still get is letters from all over the world talking about Some Like It Hot. I would say overall, it's probably the biggest hit I've ever been in, I'm sure. I've had films that have grossed more in the beginning, but they've had a shorter life; this just keeps on going and going and going. Other films like Grumpy Old Men that went out and made a million and a half dollars in a few months or something.... It's a piece of crap compared to Billy Wilder. I think that without any question, no hesitation whatsoever- and forgetting the fact that I was in it, because that is not what really affected the result for me-I think it is the best comedy script I ever read and probably ever will read. I just can't imagine reading a comedy script that could be better. I think that Billy was at the height of his powers, I think it's the equal of the best thing he's ever done, comedy or drama. I think it's one of the best films I've ever seen.
***
Tony Curtis: At the dinner that they gave him at the Academy, I got up and made my little speech, told him how thrilled I was that I could be there with him. And he lifted up his hand and he waved it at me, and I started to cry. It just moved me so much to see Billy Wilder 92 or 93 years old, this great filmmaker, giving me a gesture like that. I still feel that way about him, my feelings are so personal with him.
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Tony Curtis: Billy Wilder wanted Cary Grant so bad for a couple of movies he could taste it, Love In The Afternoon and Sabrina. Cary said, 'I will not work with an umbrella.' Can you imagine these two guys did not work with each other because Cary did not want to carry an umbrella? I knew then that Billy would have loved to have Cary in one of his movies. They would have been perfect, you couldn't have a better match, I'm telling you. Cary Grant would have been perfect. I gave Billy Wilder Cary Grant for a movie.
Dan Auiler: With a much better percentage.
Tony Curtis: Kind of amusing isn't it? To me it is. I brought him my Cary Grant, I always felt that. Poor Billy, never got his Cary, well I'll give you one.
***
Walter Mirisch: The academy tribute to Billy was a wonderful evening and really extraordinary. When I got there, crowds of people all the way around that building, and I thought, 'My God, most of these people weren't even born when some of these pictures were made and they are here to see them and see Billy.' Then when he appeared in the theater and walked down the aisle, everyone in the theater-not an empty seat-stood and gave him a marvelous ovation. It really was something special for a generation most of whom never did see those films on big screens.
***
Jack Lemmon: Most of the mail I still get is letters from all over the world talking about Some Like It Hot. I would say overall, it's probably the biggest hit I've ever been in, I'm sure. I've had films that have grossed more in the beginning, but they've had a shorter life; this just keeps on going and going and going. Other films like Grumpy Old Men that went out and made a million and a half dollars in a few months or something.... It's a piece of crap compared to Billy Wilder. I think that without any question, no hesitation whatsoever- and forgetting the fact that I was in it, because that is not what really affected the result for me-I think it is the best comedy script I ever read and probably ever will read. I just can't imagine reading a comedy script that could be better. I think that Billy was at the height of his powers, I think it's the equal of the best thing he's ever done, comedy or drama. I think it's one of the best films I've ever seen.
***
Tony Curtis: At the dinner that they gave him at the Academy, I got up and made my little speech, told him how thrilled I was that I could be there with him. And he lifted up his hand and he waved it at me, and I started to cry. It just moved me so much to see Billy Wilder 92 or 93 years old, this great filmmaker, giving me a gesture like that. I still feel that way about him, my feelings are so personal with him.
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Billy Wilder, Hollywood, 1999; (c) Benedikt Taschen