Irma la Douce (1963)
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- Approved
- 2h 27min
- Comedy, Romance
- 08 Aug 1963 (Canada)
- Movie
When a policeman falls in love with a French prostitute in Paris, he doesn't want her to be with other men, so he creates an alter-ego who will become her only customer.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Jack Lemmon | ... |
Nestor Patou / Lord X
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| Shirley MacLaine | ... |
Irma La Douce
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| Lou Jacobi | ... |
Moustache
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| Bruce Yarnell | ... |
Hippolyte
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| Herschel Bernardi | ... |
Inspector Lefevre
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| Hope Holiday | ... |
Lolita
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| Joan Shawlee | ... |
Amazon Annie
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| Grace Lee Whitney | ... |
Kiki - the Cossack
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| Paul Dubov | ... |
Andre
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| Howard McNear | ... |
Concierge
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| Cliff Osmond | ... |
Police Sergeant
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Diki Lerner | ... |
Jojo
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Herb Jones | ... |
Casablanca Charlie
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Ruth Earl | ... |
One of the Zebra Twins
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Jane Earl | ... |
One of the Zebra Twins
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| Tura Satana | ... |
Suzette Wong
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Lou Krugman | ... |
Customer #1
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| James Brown | ... |
Customer from Texas
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| Bill Bixby | ... |
Tattooed Sailor
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| John Alvin | ... |
Customer #2
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Susan Woods | ... |
Poule with Balcony
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Harriette Young | ... |
Mimi the MauMau
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| Sheryl Deauville | ... |
Carmen
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| Billy Beck | ... |
Officer Dupont
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Jack Sahakian | ... |
Jack
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Shorty | ... |
Dog Coquette
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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David Ahdar | ... |
Hood (uncredited)
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| Fred Aldrich | ... |
Diner Patron (uncredited)
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| Al Bain | ... |
Hood (uncredited)
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| Edgar Barrier | ... |
Gen. Lafayette (uncredited)
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Ivan Bell | ... |
Butcher (uncredited)
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Herman Belmonte | ... |
Hood (uncredited)
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| Eumenio Blanco | ... |
Diner Patron (uncredited)
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Martin Brandt | ... |
Priest (uncredited)
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| James Caan | ... |
Soldier with Radio (uncredited)
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| Noble 'Kid' Chissell | ... |
Street Vendor (uncredited)
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Louise Colombet | ... |
Street Vendor (uncredited)
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Tony Dante | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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| Don Diamond | ... |
Man with Samples (uncredited)
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| Duke Fishman | ... |
Street Vendor (uncredited)
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| Paul Frees | ... |
Trailer Narrator (uncredited) (voice)
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Ben Frommer | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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Bobby Gilbert | ... |
Busted Patron in Raid (uncredited)
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| Joseph Glick | ... |
Convict (uncredited)
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Mickey Golden | ... |
Diner Patron (uncredited)
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Jack Gordon | ... |
Worker (uncredited)
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| Joe Gray | ... |
Bar Gangster (uncredited)
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Maria Haro | ... |
Worker (uncredited)
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Jack Henderson | ... |
Convict (uncredited)
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Chester Jones | ... |
Street Vendor (uncredited)
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| Louis Jourdan | ... |
Narrator (uncredited) (voice)
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| Ethan Laidlaw | ... |
Butcher (uncredited)
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Richard LaMarr | ... |
Diner Patron (uncredited)
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William Meader | ... |
Busted Patron in Raid (uncredited)
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Ralph Moratz | ... |
Pimp (uncredited)
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Mike Morelli | ... |
Street Vendor (uncredited)
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Daniel Nunez | ... |
Convict (uncredited)
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| Doye O'Dell | ... |
Ticket Seller (uncredited)
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Joe Palma | ... |
Prison Guard (uncredited)
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Emma Palmese | ... |
Worker (uncredited)
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| Richard Peel | ... |
Englishman (uncredited)
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| Joe Ploski | ... |
Street Vendor (uncredited)
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| Bill Raisch | ... |
Man in Church (uncredited)
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Waclaw Rekwart | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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| June Smaney | ... |
Prostitute (uncredited)
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Mabel Smaney | ... |
Cashier (uncredited)
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| Stephen Soldi | ... |
Street Vendor (uncredited)
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Theresa Testa | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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Bob Whitney | ... |
Diner Patron (uncredited)
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| Harry Wilson | ... |
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
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John Zimeas | ... |
Worker (uncredited)
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| Jean-Pierre Zola | ... |
Policeman at Bridge (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Billy Wilder | ||
Written by
| Alexandre Breffort | ... | (play) |
| Billy Wilder | ... | (writer) and |
| I.A.L. Diamond | ... | (writer) |
Produced by
| Edward L. Alperson | ... | producer |
| I.A.L. Diamond | ... | associate producer |
| Doane Harrison | ... | associate producer |
| Alexandre Trauner | ... | producer (uncredited) |
| Billy Wilder | ... | producer (produced by) |
Music by
| André Previn | ... | (as Andre Previn) |
Cinematography by
| Joseph LaShelle | ... | (as Joseph La Shelle) |
Editing by
| Daniel Mandell | ||
Casting By
| Lynn Stalmaster | ... | (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| Alexandre Trauner | ... | (as Alexander Trauner) |
Set Decoration by
| Maurice Barnathan | ||
| Edward G. Boyle | ||
Costume Design by
| Orry-Kelly | ||
Makeup Department
| Emile LaVigne | ... | makeup artist |
| George Masters | ... | hair stylist |
| Alice Monte | ... | hair stylist |
| Harry Ray | ... | makeup artist |
| Frank Westmore | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Allen K. Wood | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Hal W. Polaire | ... | assistant director (as Hal Polaire) |
| Christian Ferry | ... | first assistant director (uncredited) |
| Thomas L. Miller | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Frank Agnone | ... | property master |
| Arden Cripe | ... | property master |
| Hub Braden | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
| Harold Michelson | ... | illustrator (uncredited) |
| David Thorne | ... | scenic artist (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Gilbert D. Marchant | ... | sound effects editor |
| Robert Martin | ... | sound |
Special Effects by
| Milt Rice | ... | special effects (as Milton Rice) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Léo L. Fuchs | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Jack Spicer | ... | best boy (uncredited) |
| Don Stott | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
| Bob Young | ... | grip (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Irene Caine | ... | wardrobe |
| Wesley Jeffries | ... | wardrobe (as Wes Jefferies) |
| Joan Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Richard Carruth | ... | music editor |
| David Heneker | ... | lyrics |
| Julian More | ... | lyrics |
| Monty Norman | ... | lyrics |
| Alexander Courage | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Marshall J. Wolins | ... | script supervisor (as Marshall Wolins) |
Additional Crew
| Edward L. Alperson | ... | presenter |
| Christian Ferry | ... | technical advisor (uncredited) |
| Laure Lourié | ... | technical advisor (uncredited) |
| John Wilson | ... | main titles (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1963) (United States) (theatrical)
- Dear Film (1963) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1963) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Les Artistes Associés (1963) (France) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1963) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1963) (Argentina) (theatrical) (as Artistas Unidos)
- United Artists (1963) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1963) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Nova Film (1964) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- C.B. Films S.A. (1969) (Spain) (theatrical)
- American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1973) (United States) (tv) (pan/scan)
- Rank Filmes de Portugal (1974) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- United Artists (A-Asia) (1975) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Nova Film (1976) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (re-release)
- RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana (1984) (Italy) (tv) (Rai 3)
- Image Entertainment (1990) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1990) (United States) (VHS) (pan / scan)
- Warner Home Video (1990) (Argentina) (video)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print Technicolor)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1997) (United States) (VHS) (pan/scan)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1997) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- Warner Home Video (1997) (United States) (VHS) (For MGM/UA)
- Action Gitanes (1998) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- TGG Direct (2013) (United States) (DVD)
- Ciné-Sorbonne (2015) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Kino Lorber (2018) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Kino Lorber (2018) (United States) (DVD)
- Eureka Entertainment (2019) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray)
- Artaire Films (2020) (Spain) (VOD)
- Odeon (2021) (Greece) (theatrical) (re-release)
- 9Gem (2023) (Australia) (tv)
- CBS/Fox (United States) (video) (CED VideoDisc)
- Epoca (Argentina) (VHS)
- Plaion Pictures (2025) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Plaion Pictures (2025) (Germany) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of: affiliated with A.F.L.-C.I.O.)
- Stalmaster-Lister Co. (casting)
- Westrex Recording System (acknowledgement)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Naive, by-the-book French police officer Nestor Patou is transferred to the Red Light district. Upon witnessing what must be a brothel, he calls the station, organizes a raid, and transports all the "ladies" to the jail. Unfortunately, this disrupts the well-organized system of the police and the pimps' union, not to mention inadvertently netting his station superior at the brothel. Fired, he goes to a bar to drink, is befriended by Irma, beats up her pimp, and finds he is that he is her pimp now. He does not like the thought of his girl seeing other men, so he comes up with a plan.
Written by Brian W Martz |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | A story of passion, bloodshed, desire and death... everything, in fact, that makes life worth living See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $5,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The pimps' union is called the "Mecs (Guys or Blokes) Paris Protective Association" (MPPA), which also stands for "Motion Picture Producers Association", an organization which had given Director Billy Wilder some trouble. See more » |
| Goofs | The shadow of the boom can be seen on the brown wall, at the right of the screen, just after Nestor shows up in Irma's apartment following his jailbreak. It shows up behind Lefevre just after Irma's sarcasm that Nestor can be found in jail. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Alternate-language version of Irma la Douce (1972). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Ah Dis Donc, Dis Donc See more » |
| Quotes |
Moustache:
But that's another story... See more » |