Join us at the 1:00 PM screening for a brief introduction and post-screening discussion.

An aging silent film queen refuses to accept that her stardom has ended. She hires a young screenwriter to help set up her movie comeback. The screenwriter believes he can manipulate her, but he soon finds out he is wrong. The screenwriters ambivalence about their relationship and her unwillingness to let go leads to a situation of violence, madness, and death.

“Billy Wilder’s cynical edge is finely honed in this darkly amusing satire, which won three Academy Awards. It’s a film that is perennially ready for its close-up.” Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

“One of the greatest movies ever made.” — RogerEbert.com

“A Hollywood story presented with such a caustic cynicism that it becomes fascinating.” — The New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

“Brilliantly written, magnificently directed and flawlessly acted.” — Variety

“A masterpiece.” — The Guardian

This presentation is part of the film & lectures series Wilder Times in partnership with St. Louis Oasis. Thursday matinees for six of the films: Double Indemnity (July 9), Sunset Boulevard (Aug. 13), Ace in the Hole (Sept. 10), Some Like It Hot (Oct. 8), The Apartment (Nov. 19), and One, Two, Three (Dec. 10) will be followed by a discussion of 30 minutes led by Cliff Froehlich, retired executive director of Cinema St. Louis and former film critic for The Riverfront Times.