Wilder Times: The Life of Billy Wilder by Kevin Lally

In Wilder Times, Kevin Lally delivers the definitive biography of Billy Wilder — one of cinema’s greatest writer-directors. From his early days as a journalist in Vienna and Berlin to his flight from Nazi Germany and eventual triumph in Hollywood, Wilder’s life mirrors the tumult and brilliance of the 20th century. Lally explores the creative process behind such classics as Sunset Boulevard, The Apartment, and Some Like It Hot, revealing Wilder’s razor-sharp wit, fierce intelligence, and uncompromising artistic vision. Drawing on extensive interviews and archival research, this biography captures both the man and the maverick who redefined American film.