Joining the praise of Wilder’s ‘Ace’

THANKS to Susan King for writing on “Ace in the Hole” [“Wilder’s ‘Ace’ Is a Classic,” July 15]. I’ve waited 25 years for this film to come out on video.

This is one of my favorite films, and one of the reasons I wanted to work in the film business when I was still a teenager. Some people enjoy fantasy films; some enjoy horror films. I happen to enjoy “realism” films (which aren’t even considered a genre -- probably because most people don’t like them).

Here’s a small story about Billy Wilder that backs up King’s anecdote that he thought it was his best. About 10 years ago, I went to an award ceremony at the Writers Guild for Billy Wilder. Larry Gelbart interviewed him for about an hour. At one point, Gelbart said to Billy something like, “There’s one of your films which doesn’t get a lot of notice, but I think it’s one of your best ....” Billy cut right in and said, “You mean ‘Ace in the Hole’?” Gelbart disappointed him by talking about some other film. Personally, I also think “Ace” is Billy’s best film.

It’s a matter of personal taste, but, as King’s article points out, “What’s most shocking about the film, though, is that it ever got made.” That says a lot. Of course, truth is stranger than fiction.

JIM GLADSTONE

Los Angeles

Gladstone is executive vice president of business and legal affairs at Lionsgate.

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FUNNY, but noting as I did that “Ace in the Hole” was being released on DVD, I was about to drop Susan King a note suggesting she mention it in her column.

Then, voila! She devotes an entire column to it. I find it to be a wonderful film. Dark, cynical, sure, but dead-on in its look at human nature.

[My] favorite line (uttered by Jan Sterling, when prompted by Kirk Douglas to attend church services so the press can get pictures of her mourning for her husband): “I don’t go to church. Kneeling bags my nylons.”

GARY PARKER

Palm Springs