Paris When It Sizzles [1964] [DVD]

Paris When It Sizzles is an unusual screwball comedy to say the least. Whether it works is another matter, but the premise and humour are interesting enough to make it enjoyable. The basic problem with the film is its two stars: William Holden and Audrey Hepburn hardly sizzle with onscreen chemistry, and Hepburn's character, Miss Simpson, falls far too easily into the hands of Holden's drunken screen writer. However, the story is an interesting play on the typical Hollywood romance, with two plot lines running in parallel to each other. Holden's Richard Benson has only two days to finish a script for an enigmatic producer (Noel Coward). Hepburn's Miss Simpson is drafted in as the typist and as the script is dictated it manifests itself on the screen, allowing the two lead characters to play out any number of romantic stories. It's the cameo appearances in the imaginary world that really steal the show, with the blink-and-you'll-miss-it last screen appearance by Marlene Dietrich, as well as Tony Curtis having fun with his own screen persona. It's not one of Hepburn or Holden's best, but is worth a look purely for the interesting slant on the mechanical nature of Hollywood's romances.

On the DVD Paris When It Sizzles offers little of any note in regards to special features, with only an extended trailer (which seems to try and sell the film on the merits of the stars alone). The mono soundtrack is nothing special, though the print has cleaned up nicely, offering a 1.78:1 widescreen picture that brings the Technicolor to life. --Nikki Disney

DVD Special Features
Theatrical Trailer
Running Time: 106 mins approx

A veteran Hollywood screenwriter goes to Paris to write the screenplay of his career--in three days. Lacking fresh ideas, he turns to his gamine secretary to provide fuel for his imagination, and they come up with various scenarios for his screenplay, called THE GIRL WHO STOLE THE EIFFEL TOWER. Richard Quine (BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE) ably helms PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES, which travels back and forth between fantasy and reality. William Holden and Audrey Hepburn heat up the main characters, with terrific supporting help from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Noel Coward, Tony Curtis, Fred Astaire, Marlene Dietrich, and the glorious city of Paris.

This special edition is to celebrate the anniversary of Audrey Hepburn’s 80th birthday.

William Holden portrays a screenwriter with a script deadline in three days. When he asks secretary Audrey Hepburn to help concoct ideas, she acts out a potpourri of preposterous plots. Beautifully shot on location in Paris by famed cinematographer Claude Renoir.