Part of Holiday Classics.
Bud Baxter (Jack Lemmon) is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he’s left with a major problem to solve. In a stroke of genius, Billy Wilder stuck this scenario of lowered inhibitions and misunderstandings into the week of Christmas and New Year’s, elevating THE APARTMENT from brilliant romantic farce to a stone holiday classic.
“Lemmon and MacLaine are magical together….” —Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle “This essential Billy Wilder film smoothly combines trenchant social observation with hilarious comedy.” —Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle “Mr. Wilder has done more than write the film. His direction is ingenious and sure, sparkled by brilliant little touches and kept to a tight, sardonic line.” —Bosley Crowther, New York Times (June 1960)
