Rating: 
Summary: But that's another story . . .
Review: It's astounding. This is one of the funniest comedies ever made and few people have even heard of it.Everyone's seen "Some Like it Hot" (I HOPE!) but even die-hard Billy Wilder fans have missed out on this one. Like "The Apartment" it's co-written by Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, stars Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine and is directed by the man himself. There's one big difference, though. "The Apartment" has been justly acclaimed as a masterpiece of cinema, but despite what critics have written about it, it is NOT a 'romantic comedy.' It's a drama. A poignant love story with a happy ending. This one's a screwball comedy. A first class farce. But, that's another story . . .
Rating: 
Summary: Great For A Laugh!
Review: Many might want to compare this film to Wilder's earlier Oscar winning film, "The Apartment" which also starred Lemmon and Maclaine. This time the two are in the red-light district in Paris. Maclaine plays Irma, aka Irma La Douce (meaning Irma the sweet) and Lemmon as an honest cop Nester Patou. As soon as Nester (Lemmon) sets his eyes on Irma he's taken away by her,but, he doesn't realize she's a "working girl". After being fired off the force for a hotel raid and arresting the chief of police Nester depressed walks into a bar owned by Lou Jacobi who play Moustache. Noticing that Irma's pimp is acting rough with her Nester decides to defend her by getting beat up by her pimp lol. Finally Nester gets the best of him, and finds that now he is Irma's new pimp. Nester finds that he has also fallen in love with her and doesn't want her to be with other men. He then gets a great idea that will enable her to only be with him. As one might expect since the two worked with each other 3 years earlier there is good timing between Lemmon and Maclaine. And Billy Wilder is in fine form. There are some great moment here, especially in the begining when we see Irma conning men into giving her a big tip. And the scenes with Jacobi and Lemmon are very funny as well. The film is based on Alexandre Breffort's play and was written for screen by I.A.L Diamond and Wilder himself. The movie was nominated for 3 Oscars; Best Actress, Cinematograpgy, and Music score. Wonderful film with lots of laughs! p.s Jacobi's last line "Well, that another story! might make some think Wilder was going for the same type of ending he had for another film of his "Some Like It Hot" in whinch Joe Brown says "Nobody's perfect"!
Rating:
Summary: Great For A Laugh!
Review: Many might want to compare this film to Wilder's earlier Oscar winning film, "The Apartment" which also starred Lemmon and Maclaine. This time the two are in the red-light district in Paris. Maclaine plays Irma, aka Irma La Douce (meaning Irma the sweet) and Lemmon as an honest cop Nester Patou. As soon as Nester (Lemmon) sets his eyes on Irma he's taken away by her,but, he doesn't realize she's a "working girl". After being fired off the force for a hotel raid and arresting the chief of police Nester depressed walks into a bar owned by Lou Jacobi who play Moustache. Noticing that Irma's pimp is acting rough with her Nester decides to defend her by getting beat up by her pimp lol. Finally Nester gets the best of him, and finds that now he is Irma's new pimp. Nester finds that he has also fallen in love with her and doesn't want her to be with other men. He then gets a great idea that will enable her to only be with him. As one might expect since the two worked with each other 3 years earlier there is good timing between Lemmon and Maclaine. And Billy Wilder is in fine form. There are some great moment here, especially in the begining when we see Irma conning men into giving her a big tip. And the scenes with Jacobi and Lemmon are very funny as well. The film is based on Alexandre Breffort's play and was written for screen by I.A.L Diamond and Wilder himself. The movie was nominated for 3 Oscars; Best Actress, Cinematograpgy, and Music score. Wonderful film with lots of laughs! p.s Jacobi's last line "Well, that another story! might make some think Wilder was going for the same type of ending he had for another film of his "Some Like It Hot" in whinch Joe Brown says "Nobody's perfect"!
Rating:
Summary: Comic masterpiece (part 1)
Review: She's a music student with an interrupted career, the victim of U.S.Airforce, the daughter of a missionary. Sometimes her sister needs a blood transfusion. This is what Irma la Douce (Shirley MacLaine) tells her clients in order to send up the price. She occupies the best spot on her street - near "Les Halles" where it literally smells of fish - and her admirers prefer her charms to those of Amazon Annie, Mimi the Mau Mau and Lolita. She commutes betweent the "Hotel Casanova" (her office) and the bistro "Chez Moustache" (Lou Jacobi) where Hippolyte, her "Mac" is losing her money at the gambling-table. Nestor Patou (Jack Lemmon), a young cop has saved a little boy from drowning. As a reward he is transferred to Irma's district. He struts along, self-contented, unsuspecting, and buys himself an apple. The fruit-seller looks perplexed at the money in his hand: In this part of the city, as a custom, policemen are not those who pay, but those who get paid...While Nestor saunters about the street, wishing the ladies a good morning, eating his apple, something is beginning to dawn on him. He seeks information from Moustache: What is it, with all those couples who enter this Hotel? Sadly, Moustache's make-love-not-war-message is lost on Nestor's little-bourgeois mind. He puffs himself up ("fragrant vice...must be stamped out") and decides to make a raid. But first, would Moustache kindly tell him the phone-number of the police-station? In his industry he fails to notice that he is bribed behind his back...The transport of the ladies to the police-station is heavy work - they spray perfume in his eyes and taunt him badly - but crowned by success: "16 females and one poodle. I'll do better next time". But his expected promotion does not take place, because - I bet you guess this one - the Chief of police was among the customers... This same evening, after a day of futile efforts of finding another job, Nestor winds up again at "Chez Moustache". His belongings are in his suitcase. It's raining. At this late hour, things are usually pretty lively, but the rain keeps the customers away and Hippolyte has no luck with his card-game - and takes it out on Irma. Nestor hurries to her help - one of the most hilarious fight-scenes in film history - and wins. Irma's knowing smile reveals it, but it's not until the next morning that Nestor realizes that a new job fell right into his lap. While he still abandons himself to the recollection of the pleasures of last night Irma orders him to try on Hippolyte's suits and slings field-glasses (for the horse-race) around his neck. She promises that she will work harder for him than for any of his predecessors... Every profession has its own status-symbols. Irma's trade requires a posh "Mac". She decorates him with expensive tie-pins in order to impress the other girls. She is also extremely jealous: Heaven help the girl who dares to make a pass on him. Traces of lipstick on his face present us with the most hilarious boxing-match between ladies since Marlene Dietrich fought it out in "Destry rides again". Nestor too is jealous: of Irma's clients. He loves her dearly and wants her for himself. But Irma is a real pro who considers her trade as vocation and there is always this problem with money...After much brooding Nestor develops an ingenious plan: Irma needs a long-term patron: Lord X (himself + false beard + fake accent) will pay Irma 500 francs, twice a week for the exclusive title to her favor. Problem solved. Is it? Suddenly Nestor discovers that those 500 francs, twice a week have to come from somewhere, have to be earned...Now he learns the rough way how hard it is to lead an easy life: Drug Irma's poodle with champagne, steal out of her arms to the market where the pork-butcher is waiting for him. He is pinched by lobsters, garbage has to be disposed off, too. A slightly untidy gentleman steals himself into Irma's bed again, always hoping she won't wake up...Irma's life underwent a drastic change too: Her relationship with Lord X is strictly platonic and Nestor is always tired. Slowly she shifts her affection from Nestor to the Lord. Mad with jealousy, Nestor decides to get rid of his alter ego. The truth is lost on Irma, but she certainly understands a crime of passion...
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Parisian Fairy-Tale!
Review: Shirley MacLaine is great as Irma La Douce (Irma The Sweet) and this is a fantastic film! Irma is the most popular prostitute in Paris' red light district,and she is 'managed' by Hippolyte the Ox,in rather a horrible manner. She and her adorable dog,Coquette,live a hectic life,and then Nestor (Jack Lemmon) enters their lives.He is kindly and sweet,and offers to help manage Irma,and get her on the straight and narrow.How he does it will have you in stiches! The show,which is essentially the Broadway musical with all the songs cut out,works brilliantly as a comedy,and MacLaine and Lemmon,as in THE APARTMENT,work great together.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Parisian Fairy-Tale!
Review: Shirley MacLaine is great as Irma La Douce (Irma The Sweet) and this is a fantastic film! Irma is the most popular prostitute in Paris' red light district,and she is 'managed' by Hippolyte the Ox,in rather a horrible manner. She and her adorable dog,Coquette,live a hectic life,and then Nestor (Jack Lemmon) enters their lives.He is kindly and sweet,and offers to help manage Irma,and get her on the straight and narrow.How he does it will have you in stiches! The show,which is essentially the Broadway musical with all the songs cut out,works brilliantly as a comedy,and MacLaine and Lemmon,as in THE APARTMENT,work great together.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie! One of my all-time favorites! See it!
Review: This is a great movie. I saw it many years ago for the first time, and have seen it many times since, but never fail to enjoy it. I think Jack Lemmon was terrific, and I fell in love with Shirley McLaine (Irma), just as he did, and have been in love with her ever since (just don't tell my wife that I said that!). I know that anyone who sees this movie is going to enjoy it...again and again, just as I did. Now...I'm going to buy a copy of the movie for my own. Isn't this online shopping unbelievable! And, I wasn't paid to say that, or to write this review.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet Faeri Tale for the grown ups
Review: This movie has a slow start (understandably being made in 1962) but then before you know it, it transforms in to a sweet faerie tale for the grown ups. From this aspect, it was indeed a very creative idea even though the movie has its own slow moments and not so knitly tied up sequences.
Shirley MacLaine's performance is certainly memorable!
Rating:
Summary: "In our langurage of love"
Review: What a remarkable transformation from stage to screen. A Broadway musical made into a straight movie but using all the songs from the Broadway Musical but without the words.This doesn't need to be confusing. Actually it is a delightful movie with two of my favorite actors, Shirley and Jack. Both with exceptional talent from the stage and now adapting this to a non-musical musical romantic comedy. While you hear the background music in this great film you will almost hear the beautiful words being sung with the chemistry that these two actors portray.This comedy duel soon changes to more serious acting as the story progresses and you find yourself just as much in love as they are with each other. Billy Wilder as the director had visions for this story way beyond any director of today. This guy knows how to direct and the challenges that he had in this film in keeping with the story without the singing voices only shows that he is the "Master" of all directors.
Rating:
Summary: Lemmon/Wilder do it again!
Review: Whenever Billy Wilder (Director) and Jack Lemmon (Actor) get together be prepared for laughs and a great motion picture. In all of their collaberations watch for authentic locations. "Irma La Douce" is no exception. It is the real Par-ee. Oo-la-la! The scenes are shot in actual locations, outside and inside (not just studio scenery like the others give you).The story is based on an honest, naive man who falls for a "Lady of the Evening" played by Shirley MacLaine. He doesn't want her to "work", but she considers it a profession. What to do? He conjures up a rich customer for her (himself in disguise) to keep her income up and her off the streets. Jack's character, Nestor, gets in deeper and deeper as he tries to finance this proposition. Finally, jealousy (of himself!) takes over. I don't want to spoil the story for you! I can tell you that you will have fun watching this one.
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