The Apartment: Limited Edition – Arrow Video (UHD)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1960
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, Edie Adams

Release Date: November 24th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 125 Minutes 15 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10 Dolby Vision
Rating: PG (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English, DTS-HD 5.1 English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £29.99 (UK)

"C.C. Bud Baxter (Lemmon) is a lowly Manhattan office drone with a lucrative sideline in renting out his apartment to adulterous company bosses and their mistresses. When Bud enters into a similar arrangement with the firm's personnel director, J.D. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray, The Caine Mutiny), his career prospects begin to look up... and up. But when he discovers that Sheldrake's mistress is Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine, Irma la Douce), the girl of his dreams, he finds himself forced to choose between his career and the woman he loves..." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5 (4K UHD)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “The 4K master has been made available by MGM via Park Circus.

The HDR10 and Dolby Vision grades were completed by Fidelity in Motion."

The Apartment comes on a 100 GB triple layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 92 GB

Feature: 83.7 GB

The source looks immaculate; this is another exemplary encode from Fidelity in Motion. That said, this transfer looks gorgeous, and The Apartment has never looked better on home media.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD Mono English), 4.5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in English and a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English. The mono mix is in excellent shape; dialogue always comes through clearly; everything sounds balanced; and ambient sounds are well-represented. Range-wise, this track sounds excellent considering its mono limitations. The 5.1 mix is also in great shape, and it does a good job of expanding the mono source. Included with this release are removable English subtitles.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 19 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), scene select audio commentary with film historian Philip Kemp (8 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Philip Kemp titled The Key to The Apartment (10 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by filmmaker David Cairns titled The Flawed Couple, in which he discusses Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon collaborations (20 minutes 23 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview director Billy Wilder titled The Writer Speaks, from the Writers Guild of America's Oral Histories series (23 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actress Hope Holiday titled A Letter to Castro (13 minutes 23 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival featurette titled Magic Time: The Art of Jack Lemmon (12 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival featurette titled Inside The Apartment, featuring interviews with Shirley MacLaine, executive producer Walter Mirisch, and others (29 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with film producer and historian Bruce Block, reversible cover art, a slipcover (limited to the first pressing), and 44-page booklet (limited to the first pressing) with cast & crew information, an essay titled Sweet and Sour: The Greatest of Billy Wilder’s The Apartment written by Neil Sinyard, an essay titled Broken Mirrors: Illusions and Disillusion in Billy Wilder’s “Diamond” Comedies written by Kat Ellinger, an essay titled “Shut Up and Deal”: The Changing Candor of 1960’s Hollywood Cinema… Morality-Wise written by Travis Crawford and H.V. Hyche and information about the transfer.

Summary:

An insurance clerk trying to get ahead at his job lets his executives at his company use his apartment for rendezvous with their mistresses.

The Apartment would reunite Jack Lemmon and Billy Wilder, who had previously collaborated on Some Like It Hot. In all, Jack Lemmon and Billy Wilder would collaborate seven times. The other five films are Irma la Douce, The Fortune Cookie, Avanti!, The Front Page, and Buddy Buddy. Although The Apartment contains all the ingredients that have since become synonymous with their other collaborations, most notably, their use of humor, the end result is a much darker film than those aforementioned films.

The entire cast are excellent in their roles, and yet there would be no The Apartment without its two leads: Jack Lemmon (Some Like It Hot) and Shirley MacLaine (Being There). Jack Lemmon portrays the protagonist, an insurance clerk named C.C. Baxter, whose apartment executives are using for their affairs. Shirley MacLaine portrays an elevator operator named Fran Kubelik, who is having an affair with C.C. Baxter’s boss. Both actors deliver performances that many consider their finest, and they display truly remarkable on-screen chemistry.

While cinephiles are aware of who Billy Wilder was, with each passing generation he is becoming less known. He was a gifted filmmaker who had a knack for executing poignant moments and humor and, in many instances, blending these two elements. His direction for The Apartment is masterful; he was a filmmaker at the pinnacle of his craft, and his subsequent films never surpassed what he accomplished with The Apartment.

Although there are many memorable moments in The Apartment, there are two that stand out. The first notable moment is when a distraught Fran takes a large dose of sleeping pills after realizing her affair with a married man has no future. The second moment is the finale, which many consider to be one of cinema’s most satisfying conclusions.

From a production standpoint, there is no area where The Apartment does not excel. The premise is superbly realized; characters are well-defined, and a flawlessly executed narrative moves briskly for a film that clocks in at 125 minutes. Ultimately, The Apartment is a perfect blend of melodrama and humor, making it one of Billy Wilder’s greatest films.

The Apartment gets a definitive release from Arrow Video. Highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Fortune Cookie – Twilight Time (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1966
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ron Rich, Cliff Osmond, Judi West, Lurene Tuttle, Harry Holcombe, Les Tremayne, Lauren Gilbert, Marge Redmond

Release Date: April 18th, 2017
Approximate Running Time: 125 Minutes 42 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: OOP

"The tale focuses on the travels of a TV cameraman (Jack Lemmon) who is injured while shooting a sporting event and then inveigled into an insurance scam by his brother-in-law, the infamous Whiplash Willie (Walter Matthau)." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

The Fortune Cookie comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.2 GB

Feature: 31.5 GB

Although the source is dated, it is in excellent shape. Flesh tones look healthy, image clarity is solid, contrast and black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds excellent; dialogue comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 36 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an isolated music track, and an 8-page booklet with an essay written by Julie Kirgo.

Summary:

A crooked lawyer manipulates his brother-in-law into filing a frivolous lawsuit in hopes of securing a large settlement.

Comedy and tragedy go hand in hand; when executed correctly, these two elements create a synergy. Where modern comedy cinema has shifted to gutter humor, it is always a joy seeing for the first time or revisiting a film by someone like Billy Wilder, who understood better than anyone how to balance comedy and tragedy. That said, far too many modern films lack the core elements that are key to the success of the best comedies; it is why they have endured and continue to resonate.

The most surprising aspect of how comedy had changed over the decades is what subject matter is acceptable and what is considered taboo. A perfect example of a film that falls into this category is The Fortune Cookie; its premise is built up around a protagonist’s physical and emotional suffering. His suffering is compounded by his brother-in-law, a lawyer who specializes in frivolous lawsuits. His situation further spirals out of control when his gold-digging ex-wife enters the fray.

The Fortune Cookie would mark the beginning of the first of 10 films that Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon made together. The Fortune Cookie is also the first of three films Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon made with Billy Wilder. Jack Lemmon (The Apartment) is cast in the role of Harry Hinkle, a TV cameraman who is injured on the job, and Walter Matthau (A New Leaf) in the role of a crooked lawyer named Willie Gingrich. They both deliver exemplary performances, which are greatly aided by their onscreen chemistry. For his performance, Walter Matthau won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

The Fortune Cookie features a solid premise, which Billy Wilder fully exploits. The narrative is flawlessly constructed and perfectly paced, and an exceptional finale serves as a perfect coda. There are an abundance of absurd scenarios, which lend themselves to humorous moments that always hit the mark. Another area where The Fortune Cookie excels is the visuals, which do an outstanding job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, The Fortune Cookie is a highly entertaining farce that embodies all of the elements that are synonymous with the cinema of Billy Wilder.

The Fortune Cookie gets a strong audio/video presentation from Twilight Time. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Kiss Me, Stupid – Olive Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1964
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
Cast: Dean Martin, Kim Novak, Ray Walston, Felicia Farr, Cliff Osmond, Mel Blanc, Henry Gibson

Release Date: February 17th, 2015
Approximate Running Time: 124 Minutes 49 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"When pop crooner Dino (Dean Martin) is detoured to Climax, NV, on his way to Las Vegas, he stumbles on fame-hungry, would-be songwriters Orville (Ray Walston) and Barney (Cliff Osmond); the wheels are set in motion for a comedy that is pure Billy Wilder." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Kiss Me, Stupid comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.3 GB

Feature: 21.9 GB

Outside of some very minor debris, most of the time the source looks excellent. Flesh tones look healthy, image clarity is solid, contrast and black levels are strong, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English. The audio sounds excellent; dialogue comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and ambient sounds are well represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles).

Summary:

A pop music crooner named Dino is compelled to take a detour while traveling from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, where he is scheduled to film his next TV special in a few days. Along the way he finds himself in a small rural town named Climax, and when he stops for gas, he is quickly noticed by the gas station attendant, who also happens to be an aspiring songwriter. Not wanting to let his one chance at stardom slip through his fingers, the gas station attendant enlists the help of a songwriting partner. They come up with a plan that ensures that Dino will be found, forced to stay the night in Climax, and hear their music. Unfortunately for them, Dino has other ideas of what he would like to do for the night, and these plans involve hooking up with a beautiful lady. Not willing to give up just yet, the two songwriters hire a waitress to play the role of one of their wives, and she is also given the task of keeping Dino happy while they try to get him to listen to their music.

If ever there was a case to be made about a film that missed its audience due to being ahead of its time, then that film would be Kiss Me, Stupid. Upon its initial release, this film was panned by critics and failed to capture an audience at the box office. With the majority of the blame for Kiss Me, Stupid’s failure being pinned on its morally objectionable subject matter. Fortunately, time can be kind, and things that were once condemned can be reevaluated and given their just due.

Ironically, the primary issue that led to the troubles faced by Kiss Me, Stupid was essentially the same factor that contributed to the success of The Apartment just four years earlier for Billy Wilder. Both films feature characters who manipulate others to achieve their goals. However, they approach this theme in distinctly different ways. Most notably there is a cynical undertone that runs throughout Kiss Me, Stupid that is in direct contrast to the vibe going on in The Apartment.

All around, the cast are excellent. Dean Martin (Ocean’s 11) is cast in the role of a pop crooner named Dino. His character is essentially a caricature of his public persona. The most memorable performance is Kim Novak (Vertigo), who portrays Polly the Pistol, a waitress that was hired by the two songwriters to pretend that she is one of their wives. Dean Martin and Kim Novak have strong onscreen chemistry, and they create the best moments when they share the screen.

At a time when the majority of films were shot in color, Billy Wilder insisted on shooting in black and white, which puts the spotlight on characters and the story at hand. The well-constructed narrative moves briskly; it does an excellent job building momentum and holding your attention. When it comes to humor, it is a very satisfying blend of self-deprecating and morality-based humor that is often laced with double entendres. Ultimately, Kiss Me, Stupid is a vastly underrated film that deserves a place next to Billy Wilder’s more highly regarded films.

Kiss Me, Stupid gets a strong audio/video presentation from Olive Films. Recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Fedora – Eureka Video (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: France/West Germany, 1978
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond, Tom Tryon
Cast: William Holden, Marthe Keller, Hildegard Knef, José Ferrer, Frances Sternhagen, Mario Adorf, Stephen Collins, Henry Fonda, Michael York, Hans Jaray, Gottfried John, Arlene Francis

Release Date: September 26th, 2016
Approximate Running Time: 113 Minutes 23 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: 12 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region B, Region 2 NTSC
Retail Price: £13.99 (UK)

"Washed-up producer Barry ‘Dutch’ Detweiler (William Holden) attempts to lure the iconic but reclusive actress Fedora (Marthe Keller) out of retirement in a bid to revive both their careers. But her privacy is hard won, and with good reason, and opening up the secrets surrounding her could spell disaster." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "sourced from Bavaria Media/CinePostproduction's 2K restoration."

Fedora comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.2 GB

Feature: 27 GB

The source used for this transfer is in excellent shape. Colors and flesh tones look correct, the image looks crisp, and the image retains an organic look. That said, though black levels look very good, there are a few moments where they are not as convincing.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English, and included with this release are removable English SDH subtitles. The audio sounds clean and balanced, and range-wise, ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a restoration comparison (4 minutes 3 seconds, no sound), deleted scenes (12 minutes 49 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), and forty-eight page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled The Dying of the Light: Billy Wilder’s Fedora written by Neil Sinyard, an essay titled Hollywood Forever written by David Cairns, an essay titled The Life and Hard Times of Fedora, and the Trials and Tribulations Billy Wilder Faced in Filming the Tale of a Legendary Star written by Rex McGee and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Included with this release is a DVD that has the same content as the Blu-ray included as part of this combo release.

Summary:

With Fedora, Billy Wilder returns to familiar territory with a film about Hollywood and its artificiality. And though Fedora explores many of the same themes Billy Wilder explored in Sunset Boulevard, the result is two distinctly different films. Besides Fedora’s connection to Sunset Boulevard, throughout Fedora Billy Wilder also makes references to other films, most notably Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.

Though not as well regarded as Billy Wilder’s most celebrated films, Fedora is an underrated film whose reputation has grown over time. Even a lesser film from Billy Wilder is better than most filmmakers' best films.

The cast members all give excellent performances, particularly Marthe Keller (Marathon Man) in the dual roles of Fedora and Anonia. Though she spends most of her screen time as Fedora, she manages to create two well-defined characters, and she does a superb job portraying them. Another performance of note is by William Holden (The Bridge on the River Kwai). A frequent collaborator of Billy Wilder, they worked on three other films: Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 17, and Sabrina. He gives an outstanding performance as Barry "Dutch" Detweiler, a filmmaker who wants Fedora to come out of retirement and star in his film.

From a production standpoint, Fedora is a well-made film that takes advantage of its resources. The premise is well-executed, and the narrative does a great job of building momentum and counseling information, making the bittersweet finale all the more potent. Ultimately, Fedora is a sensational piece of filmmaking that is a must-see if you're a fan of Billy Wilder.

Fedora gets a first-rate release from Eureka Video that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and an insightful booklet, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: UK/USA, 1970
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Billy Wilder, I.A.L. Diamond
Cast: Robert Stephens, Colin Blakely, Geneviève Page, Christopher Lee, Tamara Toumanova, Clive Revill, Irene Handl, Mollie Maureen, Stanley Holloway

Release Date: January 22nd, 2018
Approximate running time: 125 Minutes 21 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: PG (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Sherlock Holmes (Robert Stephens) and Dr. Watson (Colin Blakely), are tasked with locating the missing husband of a mysterious woman fished out of the River Thames. The course of their investigation leads them to Scotland and encounters with a group of monks, some dwarfs and even the Loch Ness Monster. Can Holmes and Watson crack the case?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 40.7 GB

Feature: 34.1 GB

Though this transfer comes from the same master that was used for Kino Lorber’s 2014 Blu-ray, it is a stronger encode that gives about twenty more GB’s to the main feature. That said, the source is not without its shortcomings. There are very minor instances of print debris, the image at times looks too soft, colors are good but could look better, and black levels are adequate.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English, and included with this release are removable English SDH subtitles. The audio sounds clean and balanced, and range-wise, ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (3 minutes, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), an interview with editor Ernest Walter (28 minutes 40 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with Christopher Lee titled Christopher Lee: Mr. Holmes, Mr. Wilder (15 minutes 17 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio only extra titled Deleted Epilogue Scene (6 minutes 20 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a presentation of the film's deleted sequences, using script excerpts, production stills and surviving film footage titled The Missing Cases (50 minutes 3 seconds, LPCM mono with music from the film playing in the background), an interview with film scholar Neil Sinyard (20 minutes 45 seconds, LPCm stereo English, no subtitles), and fifty-two page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Far from elementary - the vicissitudes of Wilder’s Sherlock Holmes written by Philip Kemp, an article titled The Curious Case of the Missing Footage written by Trevor Willsmer and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

Though Sherlock Holmes has been adapted numerous times, it is safe to say that there has never been an adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s literary creation Sherlock Holmes like Billy Wilder’s The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.

Content wise, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes has many of the elements that are synonymous with the cinema of Billy Wilder. Most notably, humorous scenarios and witty dialog, which also contribute to some of the humor. That said, despite the elements of humor throughout, to call The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes a satire of Sherlock Holmes would be doing this film a great disservice.

Most films about Sherlock Holmes are adaptations of stories, or at least loosely based on stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a new adventure concocted by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond. Though The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a new Sherlock Holmes adventure, it never strays away from Sherlock Holmes' identifiable character traits and obsessions.

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes features a strong cast who are very good in their roles, especially Robert Stephens’ (A Taste of Honey) portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He delivers a perfectly pitched performance that captures the essence of Sherlock Holmes. Notable cast members include Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man) in the role of Sherlock Holmes’ brother; Stanley Holloway (My Fair Lady) in the role of a gravedigger; and Geneviève Page (Belle de Jour) in the role of a mysterious woman who hires Sherlock Holmes to find her missing husband.

From the get-go, it is clear that what is about to unfold is going to be a wild ride. The tongue-in-cheek opening credits are filled with the subversive humor that one has come to expect from Billy Wilder. And a briskly paced narrative that has a few well-placed moments of misdirection ensures there is rarely a dull moment. Ultimately, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is arguably Billy Wilder’s most underrated film, and even though Billy Wilder’s version of the film never saw the light of day, even in its current form, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a highly entertaining film that holds up really well.

Though the audio/video presentation leaves room for improvement, this release from Eureka Video is The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes' best home video release to date, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

A Foreign Affair – Kino Lorber (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1948
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, Richard L. Breen, Robert Harari, David Shaw
Cast: Jean Arthur, Marlene Dietrich, John Lund, Millard Mitchell, Peter von Zerneck, Stanley Prager, William Murphy

Release Date: August 6th, 2019
Approximate Running Time: 116 Minutes 34 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"From Billy Wilder, the legendary director of Five Graves to Cairo, Double Indemnity, Some Like It Hot, Irma La Douce and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes comes this classic comedy that mixes romance with hard-boiled wit in a story about stiff-necked Iowa congresswoman Phoebe Frost (Jean Arthur, Easy Living) mired in jaded postwar Berlin. As she investigates the morale of American troops, she is cynically wooed by fellow Iowan Captain John Pringle (John Lund, The Mating Season), who is trying to cover up his affair with Nazi-tainted chanteuse Erika von Schlütow (Marlene Dietrich, Witness for the Prosecution). In this often amusing and forever endearing film, Wilder peppers the love story with tart dialogue and satiric jabs at Midwestern naïveté. A Foreign Affair features the wonderful character actor Millard Mitchell (Singin’ in the Rain) as Colonel Rufus J. Plummer." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.5/5

A Foreign Affair comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.4 GB

Feature: 31.5 GB

There’s no information provided about transfers. That said, the source is in very good shape. Image clarity looks strong throughout, contrast and black levels fare well, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English, and included with this release are removable English subtitles. The audio sounds are clean, clear and balanced throughout.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 1 second, Dolby Digital mono English), and an audio commentary with film historian Joseph McBride.

Other extras include trailers for Witness for the Prosecution, One, Two, Three, Irma la Douce, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, Avanti!, and The Front Page.

Summary:

When discussing cinema’s greatest filmmakers, the term "auteur" is too often overused. But there are many filmmakers who have consistently produced a strong body of work. Their oeuvre lacks a distinctive style that’s instantly recognizable. This is not the case when it comes to the cinematic legacy of Billy Wilder, a filmmaker whose legacy is arguably one of cinema’s strongest.

That said, one of the things that sets Billy Wilder’s films apart from most of his contemporaries is his contributions when it comes to the screenplays. Many filmmakers give ideas that work their way into a screenplay, or they simply shape the screenplay to fit their style. Billy Wilder was a filmmaker who began as a screenwriter, and because of this, his films retained a constant thread of creativity from creation to completion.

Billy Wilder was a versatile filmmaker who excelled in every genre that he worked in. It’s not surprising that he’s most remembered for his work in the comedy genre, since humor is an element that is prominent in most of his films.

A Foreign Affair is a highly entertaining farce that contains all of the elements that have become synonymous with Billy Wilder's cinema. Though the focal point of A Foreign Affair’s humor is witty one-liners. Finally, Billy Wilder's ability to create comedic situations is at the heart of A Foreign Affair.

The cast is excellent in their roles, particularly Jean Arthur (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) as an uptight congresswoman, Phoebe Frost, and Marlene Dietrich (The Blue Angel) as Erika Von Schluetow, a café singer who's the mistress of a Gestapo agent who's evaded capture. Both of these actresses deliver captivating performances, and the few moments they share are magical.

A few of A Foreign Affair’s memorable moments include a scene where Phoebe Frost pretends to be German and she’s accosted by two American soldiers vying for her attention who take her to an illicit German nightclub; a scene where Phoebe enlists Captain John Pringle in her search for information about Erika Von Schluetow and he distracts her by seducing her; and a scene where Erika uses a raid on the nightclub to humiliate Phoebe, who stands in the way of her relationship with John. Ultimately, A Foreign Affair is an extraordinary film that’s languished in the shadows for too long and is ripe for rediscovery.

A Foreign Affair gets a good release from Kino Lorber that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and an informative audio commentary, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer