The 19 Jan 1961 DV announced that a film version of the stage musical Irma La Douce would be produced by Joseph Pasternak for United Artists Corporation. The 1 Feb 1961 LAT noted that the project would be a “reunion” of the team that created The Apartment (1960, see entry), including actors Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine, screenwriter I. A. L. Diamond, and writer-director Billy Wilder. The Mirisch Company was credited as producers. Nearly seventeen months later, the 25 Jun 1962 DV described the upcoming film as “a straight comedy, with emphasis on a love story,” rather than a musical. However, a review in the 3 Jul 1963 LAT noted that one song, “Dis-Donc,” and some instrumental music from the stage show were also included in the film. In addition, Diamond composed new lyrics for the French song, “Alouette,” as reported in the 23 Oct 1962 DV. Exterior photography would take place in Paris, France, with interior scenes filmed at Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood, CA. Columnist Earl Wilson claimed in the 23 Nov 1962 LAT that only one line of dialogue was retained from the original play.
       On 27 Jan 1962, LAT announced that Charles Laughton had joined the cast. As the start of production approached, the 4 Jul 1962 LAT reported that Laughton was experiencing health problems, but would likely be well enough to begin work in mid-Sep 1962. Within the month, however, Laughton underwent surgery and he was replaced by Lou Jacobi, as stated in the 2 Aug 1962 LAT. Laughton died on 15 Dec 1962.
       The 21 Oct 1962 NYT noted that a Paris set was constructed on a Goldwyn sound stage at cost of $250,000. The 9 Aug 1962 DV reported the arrival of Wilder’s production unit in Paris for two weeks of filming. Principal photography began 13 Aug 1962, as stated in 24 Aug 1962 DV production charts. Shirley MacLaine told the 4 Nov 1962 LAT that she researched her role by acquainting herself with a Parisian prostitute and studying her walk and mannerisms, noting that the young woman’s movements always contained “an air of innocence.” She added that Wilder began shooting with only sixty-two completed pages of the screenplay, suggesting it was normal for the director, who began The Apartment with only thirty written pages. The Paris excursion was highlighted by Jack Lemmon’s marriage to actress Felicia Farr. MacLaine returned to the U.S. several days before the wedding. Photography resumed 8 Oct 1962 at Goldwyn Studios, according to that day’s DV.
       A news item in the 31 Oct 1962 DV stated that MacLaine was banned from the set because her laughter ruined several takes of a staged fight between Lemmon and co-star Bruce Yarnell. Columnist Hedda Hopper revealed in the 20 Nov 1962 LAT that when the Mirisch brothers’ octogenarian father, Max Mirisch, visited the set, MacLaine made considerable effort to divert his attention, fearing the elder Mirisch would be offended by the sight of prostitutes. The 9 Feb 1963 LAT reported that she had been admitted to Mt. Sinai Hospital five days earlier for treatment of a pinched nerve in her back. Although only three days of filming remained, MacLaine was unable to continue without treatment. According to the 15 Feb 1963 LAT, she performed her final scenes that week, then traveled to Cambridge, MA, where Harvard University’s Hasting Pudding Club had voted her “Broad of the Year.” Coincidentally, Jack Lemmon was a former president of the club. Editing was underway later that month, as noted in the 25 Feb 1963 DV.
       The 16 Jan 1963 DV reported that Legion of Decency affiliate Father Brian E. Kane was technical advisor on the wedding scene that concluded the film. However, this was not considered to be an endorsement by the Roman Catholic Church. Approximately 100 background actors were hired for the scene. The 19 May 1963 LAT estimated the cost of the church set at $250,000. Costumer Orry-Kelly revealed in the 28 Mar 1963 issue that he created MacLaine’s wedding gown from a lace tablecloth, used as a bedspread in her character’s apartment.
       Irma La Douce marked the screen debut of stage actor Bruce Yarnell. The 6 Apr 1963 LAT identified Louis Jourdan as the film’s narrator. The 19 Oct 1962 DV noted that Mirisch Company attorney Ray Kurtzman appeared on screen as a prostitute’s customer, and the 15 Jul 1963 LAT revealed that Wilder hired his butcher to play a butcher in the film. Casting announcements included the following: Julie Payne (27 Nov 1962 LAT); Barbara Barrett (20 Dec 1962 LAT); Tim Williams, Bill Beck, and Max Cutler as policemen (10 Jan 1963 DV). An obituary for actress Amelia Gentry in the 27 Jun 1963 DV stated that she was also a cast member.
       The 23 Jan 1963 DV revealed that Wilder shot two endings to ensure approval by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The first concludes with “Irma” giving birth in the church, immediately following the wedding. The second depicts the birth occurring in the bistro across the street. The former ending appeared in the release print. Several months earlier, Wilder told the 10 Oct 1962 DV that he was willing to release the picture without MPAA approval. MacLaine described “Irma” as the greatest role of her career, saying it was the first time she “really wanted to go to work.” She also declared, “After the way we treated prostitutes in this film, there can never be another film made about prostitutes!”
       I. A. L. Diamond admitted in the 27 Jun 1963 DV that production went six weeks over schedule, but the stars generously waived the fifty-percent pay increase due them under contemporary labor laws. Lemmon, who “was detained for most of this period,” was rewarded with a higher share of profits.
       A news brief in the 7 Jan 1963 DV stated that photographer Stephen Fuchs offered still shots of MacLaine’s nude bathing scene to Life magazine, pending the actress’s approval. MacLaine refused to grant permission, as reported in the 22 Jan 1963 DV. Fuchs estimated his fee for the images at $10,000.
       The company received several visitors during production, including Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown of California (16 Oct 1962 DV), actor Tony Curtis (25 Oct 1962 DV), author Henry Miller (12 Dec 1962 DV), entertainer Maurice Chevalier (17 Jan 1963 DV), and a group of French “officers and midshipmen” from the training ship Jeanne D’Arc, which was docked in Long Beach, CA.
       According to the 5 Feb 1963 DV, Wilder attempted to sell his Paris sets to Universal Pictures for the upcoming production, Wild and Wonderful (1964, see entry), known at the time as Monsieur Cognac. Later that year, the 13 Dec 1963 DV announced that portions of the set would be included in the “Hollywood Pavilion” at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.
       The 12 Feb 1963 DV reported the Mirisch Company’s plans to open the film in Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, and New York City in May 1963. On 21 Mar 1963, DV announced plans for a world premiere in Jun 1963 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. The 14 May 1963 edition noted an upcoming preview that week for “adults only.” The film was also screened at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) theater on 31 May 1963, as stated in that day’s DV.
       Irma La Douce opened 5 Jun 1963 in New York City, and 3 Jul 1963 in Los Angeles. The 24 Jun 1963 DV reported that Lemmon and MacLaine would place their hand and foot impressions in concrete outside the Chinese Theatre on 29 Jun 1963. Although reviews were generally positive, the 5 Jun 1963 DV and 6 Jun 1963 NYT complained that the film, at 149 minutes, was much longer than necessary. It was also declared “morally objectionable in part for all” by the Legion of Decency. Regardless, the public responded enthusiastically, evidenced by reports of “new attendance records” in the 15 Jul 1963 LAT. Robert F. Blumofe of United Artists told the 12 Jan 1964 NYT that the $5 million production was expected to earn gross receipts of $18 million. The 8 Jan 1964 DV noted that it was the longest-running film in the history of St. Paul, MN, despite the city’s large Roman Catholic population.
       Irma La Douce was nominated for three Academy Awards: Actress (Shirley MacLaine); Cinematography—Color (Joseph LaShelle); Music—Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment (Andre Previn). The film won in the latter category. Previn and his wife, Dory Langdon, also wrote the theme song, “Look Again,” which was recorded by several prominent artists, including Jack Lemmon, according to an advertisement in the 11 Sep 1963 DV.
       MacLaine, who won a Golden Globe award for her performance, was criticized in the 13 May 1964 LAT for her acceptance speech, in which she reportedly implied that she almost abandoned her career to become a French prostitute. MacLaine was also voted most popular actress by the readers of Film Daily, and received a Golden Laurel award, as did Jack Lemmon.
       The 5 Jul 1963 DV stated that Lemmon intended to reprise his character’s alter-ego, Lord X, for Wilder’s next project, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970, see entry). Although casting was underway, the production was delayed for several years.