Billy Wilder on Assignment

115–117; mustache of, 111–112, 113, 116; “Rhapsody in Blue,” 8, 117; success of, 111, 115–117; in Vienna, 111–114; Viennese composers played by, 114; Wilder’s interviews and reviews of, 7–8, 8
“Whiteman Triumphs in Berlin” (Wilder), 115–117
“Why Don’t Matches Smell That Way Anymore?” (Wilder), 65–68
Wilder, Billy: Americanophilia of, 9, 10; in Berlin, 7–13, 20, 23–41, 74–75, 96, 161–164; Billie vs. Billy, 1; cameos in film by, 12, 14; caricatures of, 9, 10; crossword puzzles by, 3, 4, 6; as dancer for hire, 10, 20, 23–41, 96, 161–164; early childhood of, 1–3; early film career of, 12–15; early journalism career of, 19–21, 20; as emigrant to Hollywood, 15, 17, 17; emigration to America by, 15, 17; English language skills of, 15, 17; father’s career plans for, 3; favorite Berlin spots of, 12–13, 74–75; Hollywood films of, 12; interviewing skills of, 7; journalism career of, 3–8; life interests and goals, 3; in Max Reinhardt Circle, 4, 5; mentors of, 9–10, 14, 23, 96, 161–164; personality traits of, 3–4, 5–6, 7; as racing reporter, 9, 10; real-life experiences, influence of, 3–4; in Vienna, 2–8; visiting card of, 6, 6; Whiteman’s relationship with, 7–8, 8; wit and intelligence of, 3–4, 7, 17–18; writing style of, 10–11, 17–19, 95–96, 163–164
Wild West, American, 165, 188–189
Wilhelm, Wolfgang, 191
Wilkerson, W. R., 157, 159–160
Willy (dancer), 31–35, 38
The Winged Horseman (1929), 165, 188–189
wishes, power of, 131–133
witchcraft, 131–134
Witzmann, Karl, 5
Wolwode, Lina, 5
Wolzogen, Hans von, 185
The Woman in Flames (Frau im Feuer, 1924), 98
A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923), 159
The Wonderful Lies of Nina Petrovna (Die wunderbare Lüge der Nina Petrovna, 1929), 81
words, power of, 17–18
work and willpower, 166, 181–182
Wreede, Fritz, 112, 113, 114
Young Woodley (play), 166, 184
youth and young actors, 184–185
Yvette (dancer), 25, 34
Zaharoff, Sir Basil, 90–93
Zilzer, Wolfgang, 173, 175
Zinnemann, Fred, 162, 163
Zionism, 166, 181–182
Zoreff, Fritz, 174
Zweig, Stefan, 89