The films of Billy Wilder, from Double Indemnity to Some Like It Hot, are American classics created by a brilliant Austrian in love with his newfound country. This is a re-examination of the key American films of Wilder, often challenging previous readings of his filmmaking style and personality, emphasizing the pop-cultural, film-historical, and sociohistorical content of well known films like Sunset Boulevard and less frequently remembered ones, like The Fortune Cookie. The book interprets Wilder as more than the "cocky little Viennese" or "closet Romantic" stereotypes often attached to him. Here the student will find provocative analysis and the enthusiast will find evocative commentary on one of the most important figures in American film. Photographs add to the text, and a complete filmography and bibliography are also included. Fully indexed.

“a pleasure to read”—Choice; “valuable contribution to the study of Wilder...extraordinarily handy...extensive research...useful”—Film & History; “fascinating...exhaustive researching...the book so excellently researched and written should be the first thing a first-year film student reads without a doubt...a must-read for all film buffs, film students and actors”—Canyon News; “excellent”—Senses of Cinema; “fifteen Wilder films from 1941–81 are analyzed in separate chronological chapters”—Reference & Research Book News.

Richard Armstrong teaches film studies at Cambridge University and is an associate tutor affiliated with the British Film Institute. He lives in Warwickshire, United Kingdom.