Blue Moon Blog

Just finished a great book, Conversations With Wilder by Cameron Crowe. I had no idea this came out ten years ago. I wish I’d caught it sooner, but thanks for the tip from writer and pal, Alex Grecian.

If you’ve no idea who Billy Wilder is, go watch Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Stalag 17, Double Indemnity and/or Sabrina, and you’ll know plenty. One of the first writer/directors, he was a writer first who became the latter so directors wouldn’t mess up his scripts.

The book is a revelation, with tons of anecdotes and insights on storytelling, collaboration, the creative process and more. It’s special because it’s one director interviewing another, the closest thing approaching Truffaut’s book/interview with Hitchcock; they speak the same language. In terms of style and genre, these two directors couldn’t be more unalike. Hitchcock spent his career almost exclusively in the genre of suspense, exploring repeatedly his favorite themes and motifs, and had a flashy, theatrical style. Wilder jumped from genre to genre, choosing to mix it up, as long as he was telling a good story with an emphasis on smart and witty dialogue. His camera and point of view is understated, saving a dramatic shot for special moments. But they shared a common motivation and goal. They sought to entertain the masses first and foremost, adding depth and artistry as gravy. With these priorities in order as moviemakers, they achieved both.