Movie buffs who love films made before the age of the blockbuster love Audrey Hepburn. They can talk about her for ages, from how she legitimized the romantic comedy, to her impeccable fashion sense, to the delightful voice that shocked everyone in “My Fair Lady.” Their eyes light up and their breathing shallows, almost reverentially. Until you bring up “Paris When It Sizzles.”
“Paris When It Sizzles” is a 1964 comedy that spends little effort taking itself seriously. Audrey Hepburn and William Holden, most famously appearing together in “Sabrina,” play the lead characters — a Hollywood scriptwriter with a deadline and his temporary typist. He narrates his new movie to her as she types, and the audience watches it unfold onscreen.
This film is often considered the worst of the Hepburn collection, and even she admitted to not liking it. The biggest problem was that nobody could quite understand what they were seeing. From beginning to end, “Paris When It Sizzles” is filled with inside jokes and movie trivia, not to mention referencing itself repeatedly. The world of 1964 didn’t have paparazzi, social media and trivia geeks in nearly the number it does now, so only the truly passionate were able to connect all of the seemingly anarchic dots scattered about.
One of the best jokes depends squarely on the fact that Tony Curtis, hugely popular at the time, is in the movie. In the dialogue, his boss constantly reminds him that he has a bit part to play in the scenario that is unfolding and he won’t be remembered. He is not listed in the credits and his character is known simply as “Policeman number two,” even though some went to see the film specifically after discovering he was in it.
“Paris When It Sizzles” is absurd, self-referential and crammed front to back with in-jokes and spoofs. It is also delightful, witty and worth a look. Then again, Audrey Hepburn is always worth a couple of hours.