Six Pix: Billy Wilder | Classic Movie Blog

Six Pix presents a sextet of movie posters representing a particular actor/director/genre. You pick the one you feel is visually the most artistic or best sums up the film.

Six Pix pays tribute to the posters of director Billy Wilder.

Included are: Double Indemnity (1944); Love in the Afternoon (1957); Sunset Boulevard (1950); Irma La Douce (1963); The Seven Year Itch (1955); and One, Two, Three (1961).

Wow. Not one but two Saul Bass posters in the mix and they don’t make my top three here. In third is The Seven Year Itch, where Marilyn Monroe’s blatant sexuality reduces (literally) Tom Ewell to immature voyeur. That leaves Sunset and Irma as my faves. I know I’ll be blasted for not choosing Sunset, complete with knotted up film motif and imposing Gloria Swanson But I like what I like. And I am smitten with Irma’s playful caricatures, the Paris street background etched into the hotel façade, the nifty tagline, the color palette, the mod ‘60s vibe,…well, everything!

Which one do you think is the winner? Should I have included something else? Tell me about it below! (And please feel free to suggest future topics.)

Joel

I will always cherish EVERYTHING about Double Indemnity, with Sunset Boulevard a close second!
Melody

SUNSET BLVD is the most evocative and eye catching
- Wayne P.
  
  I agree but Double Indemnity is a close second…in fact, if theyd taken out the little quizzical faced shot of EG Robinson from the poster, then mayve given that one the nod over Sunset. Blvd., but theyre both good visual depictions of the actual plot lines from the films!
edward

wow
Blair Kramer

“One, Two, Three” is one of the funniest comedies ever made. A genuine classic. When you watch that film you may wonder why James Cagney didn’t make more comedies. He’s absolutely hilarious!
- Grace
  
  I totally agree!!! Love Cagney in this movie!
ANH

You are so right! The cute, suggestive Irma la Deuce poster is the best. Next would be Sunset Boulevard, because of it’s not-so-subtle ‘twist’ ….however – most are neat posters. Double Indemnity, however, deserved a more striking ad than this one…. for instance, how about a closeup of Stanwyck’s cruelest facial expression at the steering wheel of the car as her husband is being killed in the back seat? To me, that would have been a much better poster. Another poster of a man and woman embracing just doesn’t seem to do the job, for that stellar movie.
OZ ROB

As a tribute to Marilyn,this weekend 50 years since her passing ..I would have to go for ,The Seven Year Itch,,but also this is a famous iconic image known and admired all over the world…
Steve in Sacramento

The “One, Two, Three” poster is pretty funny(!), as is the movie, but I like the “Sunset Boulevard” poster the best. ”Double Indemnity” a great, classic flick, but that’s not a great poster.
Burt

Wish he was still alive today. He would be making good movies like Some Like it Hot, Sunset Blvd and Seven Year Itch.
Cbeledw

Love in the Afternoon is not one of Billy Wilder’s great movies, although I am a big fan of both Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper. But wow! The poster from the movie is really sexy. Sexier than the movie, as a matter of fact.
Gonnaplotz

Where’s “Some Like It Hot???” Sheesh!
Robb

I like the classic “Apartment” black-and-white-on-orange, promotion-wise.
GrizzledGeezer

The balloons in “One Two Three” refer to the pro-capitalist balloons in the film, and suggest a woman’s breasts. And they can pop (explode), of course.

Jimmy Cagney almost didn’t survive this film. The scene with him barking out orders was nearly fatzl. He wouldn’t appear in another film for some years. But it’s a wonderful performance.
Gary Vidmar

You could always count on Saul Bass for evocative movie posters (ONE, TWO, THREE and LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON).
Logansky

I would love the poster from ‘Bless the Beasts and Children’ but have been unable to find it. Don McKinney. Logansky@aol.com
Gord Jackson

“Sunset Boulevard.”
Susan

How can one choose? The joy of The Seven Year Itch brings back Miss Monroe’s iconic comedic performance, Irma La Douce’s poster tells most of her naughty and funny story right there. The agony of Norma Desmond’s twisted existence is portrayed here in full force. Peeking into the lusty lovely world of Love in the Afternoon feels warm and daring for it’s day in this effort. I remember that when I was a kid and I saw the poster for One Two Three, I wondered if the lady pictured had three breasts. But now the image says that we are seeing a countdown to fun. The Double Indemnity poster is a portrayal for the entire genre of the sexy, mysterious Film Noir world. I can’t choose. Just like boxes opened at a shoe store, I want them all.
Susanjohnston

I have to vote with “Sunset Boulevard” and Gloria Swanson’s unforgettable expression of a film star of yesteryear gone seriously “around the bend.” “Double indemnity” is a close seond.