

Billy Wilder 1961-1981 (The Old Man is Still Alive, Part 9)
Mar 11, 2025
Billy Wilder's cinematic evolution during the 1960s and 70s showcases his daring shift from accoladed films to more controversial themes. The podcast highlights his bold collaborations with I.A. Diamond and stories like 'One, Two, Three' that critique capitalism. It dives into 'Avanti,' exploring romance and social expectations, as well as the late work 'Fedora,' which reflects Wilder's feelings of obsolescence in a changing Hollywood. These topics reveal Wilder's fearless engagement with the cultural landscape of his time.
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Wilder's Post-Oscar Weirdness
- Billy Wilder won three Oscars for The Apartment in 1960, marking the peak of his career.
- His subsequent films, however, deviated from Academy-approved material, becoming more cynical and vulgar.
Wilder's Late-Career Themes
- Wilder's later films reflected changing times and his shifting position within Hollywood.
- Avanti and Fedora echoed themes from The Apartment and Sunset Boulevard, respectively, showcasing his evolving perspective.
Wilder's Writing Partnerships
- Wilder's career is divided by writing partners: Charles Brackett and I.A. Diamond.
- Brackett, a conservative force, clashed with Wilder politically, while Diamond offered creative liberation.