Paris When It Sizzles (1964)

57% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(7,556 ratings)

Richard Quine directs George Axelrod's acerbic script (adapted from Julien Duvivier's La Fête à Henriette) in this romantic comedy that reunites William Holden and Audrey Hepburn for the first time since 1954's Sabrina. Holden plays Richard Benson, a Hollywood screenwriter being pressured by movie… More Richard Quine directs George Axelrod's acerbic script (adapted from Julien Duvivier's La Fête à Henriette) in this romantic comedy that reunites William Holden and Audrey Hepburn for the first time since 1954's Sabrina. Holden plays Richard Benson, a Hollywood screenwriter being pressured by movie producer Alexander Meyerheimer (Noël Coward) to finish his script entitled "The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower." Meyerheimer gives Richard a two-day ultimatum to complete his work, unaware that Richard has yet to even start on the script. In an effort to get moving on his project, Richard hires a live-in secretary, Gabrielle Simpson (Audrey Hepburn), to help him. Soon enough, the two fall in love and spend the time enacting various scenes from the unwritten screenplay as the time slips away and Richard's deadline looms. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Richard Quine
Written By: Julien Duvivier, Henri Jeanson
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1964 Wide
On DVD: Apr 10, 2001

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A more appropriate title would have been Paris When It Fizzles.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Above average Holden-Hepburn vehicle.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Hopeless script, but lots to look at.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Esta interessante farsa cita (e utiliza) os clichês mais batidos de sua época, enrolando-se sobre si mesma de forma divertida e despretensiosa.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Seems I'm in the minority for liking this little gem. I have a feeling that since Hepburn said it was one of her least favorite films, people fail to look beyond that at what a clever little piece this is. Or it may take an appreciation of cinema itself. To me, this was way… More
Seems I'm in the minority for liking this little gem. I have a feeling that since Hepburn said it was one of her least favorite films, people fail to look beyond that at what a clever little piece this is. Or it may take an appreciation of cinema itself. To me, this was way before its time. It makes fun of the system, writers, and actors. Some of the film is very stupid or silly, but that's the point. They are writing a BAD film, and as such, we see this bad film come to life. It's also a great spoof. Tony Curtis, in a very extended cameo plays himself. But himself as an actor in a supporting role. It's hard to describe the brilliance of this performance. From his initial entrance with the exaggerated mannerisms of a method actor, to his delivery of lines usually reserved for insignificant extras. It does become tedious in spots, and Holden and Hepburn's romance is just as forced and sudden as the one in their poorly written movie. See this if you are a Curtis fan, or love seeing actors lampoon themselves. I'm surprised to see so much post-modernism so early on in cinema.
jay n

Inconsequential piffle that wants to be a saucy souffle but is just a flat contrived trifle. Lovely locations and Audrey as a secretary who can afford to dress in Givenchy! can't make this nonsense sparkle. Guest cameos are totally wasted although Marlene Dietrich looks smashing.… More
Inconsequential piffle that wants to be a saucy souffle but is just a flat contrived trifle. Lovely locations and Audrey as a secretary who can afford to dress in Givenchy! can't make this nonsense sparkle. Guest cameos are totally wasted although Marlene Dietrich looks smashing. A fizzle.
Dean M

Good comedy-romance tale of a screenwriter and his secretary who act out story scenarios in an attempt to knock out a script in 48 hours.
Dannielle A

Couldn't hold my attention for more than five minutes. I really tried with this one but I couldn't get through it.
Anastasia B

one of the most entertaining films ever made about cinema itself.