FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Irma La Douce [DVD] [1963]

Irma La Douce [DVD] [1963]
enlarge	Director: Billy Wilder Actors: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Lou Jacobi, Bruce Yarnell, Herschel Bernardi Studio: MGM Entertainment Category: DVD List Price: ~~£15.99~~ Buy New: £1.06 as of 25/11/2009 19:31 GMT details You Save: £14.93 (93%) New (18) Used (3) from £1.06 Seller: fastdvd2006 Rating: 3 reviews Sales Rank: 10039 Format: Anamorphic, Subtitled, PAL, Widescreen Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), French (Subtitled), Italian (Subtitled), Dutch (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Swedish (Subtitled), Norwegian (Subtitled), Danish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), German (Dubbed), Italian (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 137 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5050070007404 ASIN: B00005KISZ Theatrical Release Date: June 5, 1963 Release Date: November 26, 2001 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: The Apartment [DVD] [1960] Avanti [DVD] [1972] How To Murder Your Wife [DVD] [1965] The Fortune Cookie [DVD] [1967] Kiss Me, Stupid [DVD] [1964]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review IIrma La Douce/I reunited IThe Apartment/I team of Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine with director Billy Wilder in an adaptation of the stage musical of the same name which had been a hit in Paris, London and New York. The screen transfer by Wilder and his colleague--writer IAL Diamond--however, omits the show's songs, relegating them to a background score refashioned by Andre Previn with some additional themes of his own. Background here is a complimentary term, for whatever qualms one might entertain as to this move, the two sets of themes are skilfully woven together by Previn and emerge as a witty and lyrical aural delight in their own right which is given due prominence on the soundtrack. p Wilder is no rush to tell prostitute Irma's story: her affair with Lemmon being the pivot of the tale as he takes on the disguise of an English Lord. Lemmon and MacLaine beautifully play their mutual attraction under Wilder's deft direction with the slapstick never allowed to get out of hand. Many will recognise Wilder's touch in his handling of the scene where Lemmon as a policeman is carted off in a van full of voracious prostitutes from the bunks-in-the-train sequence in ISome Like It Hot/I. The handsome production, designed by Alexander Tranner--with the occasional view of the Seine thrown in for good measure--and the Panavision photography by Joseph La Shelle are further assets.p BOn the DVD:/B The DVD contains a longer than usual theatrical trailer, half shot as a cartoon with characters closely resembling those Pink Panther figures who emerged at the same time from the Mirisch Brothers, a pair prominent in sustaining the unique success of United Artists, whose name was deleted, in favour of the MGM logo, in the early 1960s. It's too bad that the music on this DVD transfer sometimes strikes a coarse note particularly over the extended opening credits. --IAdrian Edwards/I

Customer Reviews: Delightful screwball comedy - no pun intended January 30, 2002 20 out of 20 found this review helpful A delicious treat for the lover of classic comedy, this movie abounds with quirky characters and witty dialogue. Lemmon and MacLaine are in top form, infusing their characters with charm and joie de vivre. Wilder's script is solid, the mis-en-scene is evocative of Toulouse Lautrec crossed with 'Guys and Dolls', and the comic pacing is as masterful as we've come to expect of Wilder's films. It is an all-around satisfying comedy experience. Fun Quirky Movie March 23, 2009 Dismal Angel (Scotland) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful Hard working, honest and good-hearted policeman Nestor encounters a stunning, quirky but lovable and sweet natured prostitute by the name of Irma La Douce (Shirley MacLaine, a vision in bright green stockings!) while on the beat in the back streets of Paris. br / br /Trying to arrest and imprison Irma and many of the other call-girls in the district leads him to unfortunately being fired. Weeks later he encounters the beautiful Irma again and in his bumbling drunk way manages to defend her against her abusive pimp-boyfriend. br / br /Ironically, the heroic act influences Irma to take the homeless and unemployed Nestor in, with the full intention of supporting him with the money she makes from making love with other men. Unexpectedly, Nestor ends up falling madly in love with Irma, and wants to be the only man she will ever be with. br / br /In a radical attempt to keep Irma off the streets, he concocts a crazy scheme which he is sure is foolproof - until it has to be put into action. Soon, he finds himself going to extreme lengths to keep the woman he loves all to himself. br / br /Despite the serious themes of sex and prostitution, the movie is nothing more than a light uplifting romantic comedy, and the undertones of sex and prostitution (while in your face) are still so innocent that even the easily offended could watch this without feeling upset. This movie is very subtle and enjoyable and isn't too thought provoking. br / br /A classic that really gave Lemmon and MacLaine the chance to shine together again. Definately a must for romantic-comedy fans! br / br / Don't think this is "Irma La Douce" the musical,because it isn't!. July 30, 2007 Seaside (UK) 3 out of 5 found this review helpful Billy Wilder had the wonderful idea of transferring "Irma La Douce" the musical, to the screen.The only problem was,that when he started to make it, he thought(rather oddly)that the songs slowed down the action! br /So what did he do?Tighten up the script,drop an odd song or two?NO,he just ditched ALL the sung lyrics,and used the remaining music as background. br /So if you think this is the musical, you are going to be sadly disappointed. br /As the reviewer above had said it's a great comedy,but NOT the musical that many people were(and are looking) for.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.