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:

Paris When It Sizzles

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

At one point the song "Funny Face" sung by Fred Astaire is played on a phonograph. It is the same song Astaire sang to Audrey Hepburn in the film of the same name. Holden and Hepburn also have a short dance number reminiscent of the film.

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Goofs

Gabrielle and Richard disturb the script page on the rug when dancing to "That Face," but it is in the old position later.

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Quotes

Richard: Now then, the mysterious stranger. Who is he? What does he do? What suffering, what torment caused the deep sadness that lurks behind his eyes? And why, while we're asking questions, didn't I listen to my father and learn some sort of useful trade?

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

References Mädchen in Uniform (1958)

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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

Must See For Would-Be Writers

If you are a wannabe writer, a writer or simply a fan of movie making or the art of writing, this film is a must see. It's not a perfect film. One wonders at times whether some of the rare serious moments in the movie, or the sugary sweet romance, were poorly written on purpose - but it doesn't matter because it all fits together wonderfully with the parody of bad movie writing, which is what this movie is about. Don't watch this film with anyone who is uncomfortable with unconventional movies, or who is an impatient nitpicker - they won't be happy. The biggest mistake in making this movie was probably the title, which is too misleading and not punchy enough for this genre. Interestingly, Orsen Wells wanted to direct this film but didn't get the job. It would have become a classic under his direction, but as it is now, it's just a silly, lighthearted (mostly), fun, risque, self-indulgent, and even didactic, film about the movie business.