What It's About:

C.C. Baxter (Lemmon), a junior executive in an insurance company, climbs the corporate ladder by lending out his conveniently located apartment for the assignations of his superiors. Complications arise when the young man falls for elevator girl Fran Kubelik (MacLaine), who is also girlfriend to big boss J.D. Sheldrake (MacMurray). When Sheldrake wants to use the apartment too, Baxter’s professional rise accelerates, but his feelings for Fran start to make him question the whole arrangement.

Why I Love It:

Peerless director Wilder seamlessly blends comedy, romance and pathos in this touching tale of a lonely man forced to confront the corruption of his life, just as he falls helplessly in love. With winning performances by all (both Jack and Shirley received Oscar nods)-- and a priceless script by the director and frequent collaborator I.A.L. Diamond-- this film deservedly won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and stands as my personal favorite Billy Wilder film. And believe me-that’s saying something!