Ready for His Close-Up: The Films of Billy Wilder
Kiss Me, Stupid (Billy Wilder; US, 1964)
- When
- Sun Feb 8, 2015
- Where
- PFA Theater
- Time
- 6:30pm
- Cost
- $5.50 - $9.50
- Tags
- Movies, Comedy, Film Screenings
Description
Deliriously vulgar sex comedy played as embittered film noir, Kiss Me, Stupid is one of Wilder's most vicious, devastating films. Dean Martin plays a version of himself that we can only hope is exaggerated, a lascivious lounge singer who drifts out of Vegas on a sea of booze and lands in desolate Climax, Nevada. He's taken in by piano teacher and frustrated pop songwriter Ray Walston, who, torn between his desire to butter up the insatiable Dino and his own pathological jealousy, hires "cocktail waitress" (euphemism) Kim Novak as a stand-in for his own dangerously attractive wife. Novak is uncomfortably convincing as the good–natured gal trapped in the body of a Playboy cartoon; Walston's maniacally hypocritical husband is downright horrifying. Referring to the script's outrageously sexual humor, Walston reportedly asked Wilder, "How do you think you're gonna get away with some of this stuff?" The restored uncensored ending of tonight's print gets away with more than anyone could wish for.• Written by Wilder, I.A.L., based on the play L'ora della fantasia by Anna Bonacci. Photographed by Joseph La Shelle. With Dean Martin, Kim Novak, Ray Walston, Felicia Farr. (124 mins, B&W, 'Scope, 35mm, From Park Circus)
More Info
- Link
- http://bampfa.berkeley.edu/film/FN21941
- Call
- (510) 642-1412
- Call
- 510.642.5249 (Box Office)
- Contact Form (account required)
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