Paris When It Sizzles (1964)

The sprightly young assistant of a Hollywood screenwriter helps him over his writer's block by acting out his fantasies of possible plots.

Director:

Richard Quine

Writers:

Julien Duvivier (story "La fête à Henriette"), Henri Jeanson (story "La fête à Henriette")

Stars:

William Holden, Audrey Hepburn, Grégoire Aslan

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Holden	...	Richard Benson / Rick
Audrey Hepburn	...	Gabrielle Simpson / Gaby
Grégoire Aslan	...	Police Insp. Gilet
Raymond Bussières	...	François - 1st Gangster
Christian Duvaleix	...	Maitre d'Hotel
Michel Thomass	...	(as Michel Thomas)
Dominique Boschero
Evi Marandi
Noël Coward	...	Alexander Meyerheim (as Noel Coward)

Storyline

Hollywood producer Alexander Meyerheimer has hired drunken writer Richard Benson to write his latest movie. Benson has been holed up in a Paris apartment supposedly working on the script for months, but instead has spent the time living it up. Benson now has just two days to the deadline and thus hires a temporary secretary, Gabrielle Simpson, to help him complete it in time.

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Plot Keywords:

scriptwriter | writer's block | screenwriter | american in paris | reference to buenos aires argentina | 

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Taglines:

GO ABSOLUTELY APE IN PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

8 April 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Together in Paris

Filming Locations:

Hôtel du Cap, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Richard Quine Productions, George Axelrod Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Dracula sequence was the last one completed for the film. It had to be shortened because William Holden smashed his new Ferrari into a wall and wound up in a splint.

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Goofs

During the chase, Gaby's hat and veil are both through the sunroof of her car in the long shots, but only her hat is out for the in car shots.

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Quotes

Richard: The music soars, and there, totally oblivious of the fireworks, the fountains, and the holiday mad throngs, they fall happily and tenderly into each other's arms. Two enormous, highly paid heads come together for that ultimately inevitable moment, the final, earth-moving, studio rent-paying, theater-filling, popcorn-selling kiss.

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Crazy Credits

Audrey Hepburn's perfume is credited to Hubert de Givenchy.

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Connections

References La Dolce Vita (1960)

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Soundtracks

The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower
Music by Nelson Riddle
Lyrics by Richard Quine
Performed by Frank Sinatra

User Reviews

Silly and Naive, But Also Charming and Delightful

In Paris, the successful alcoholic forty-two years old screenplay writer Richard Benson (William Holden) has three days to write a script to his producer that has paid in advance. The typist Gabrielle Simpson (Audrey Hepburn) arrives to his hotel to type the screenplay. Along the three days, she helps him to develop the story and they fall in love for each other.

"Paris – When It Sizzles" is absolutely silly and naive, but also charming and delightful and only works because of the chemistry between the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn and the ironic William Holden. There are many jokes with the cinema, with many stories within the lead story, and the most hilarious scenes have the uncredited participation of Tony Curtis. Marlene Dietrich and Mel Ferrer have also uncredited participation. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Quando Paris Alucina" ("When Paris Gets Crazy")