the films

‘Call Me Bud’ seeks to challenge the myth that Lemmon was only - or even primarily - a light comedic actor. He could do this – and did it to spectacular effect in some of his biggest films – but it significantly short changes his talents. He also made searing dramas that had political ramifications; he was an environmental activist and was active in raising issues long before they were either as known or as fashionable as they are today. The book also challenges the idea that his later years produced no notable work – he was still providing captivating performances in the 90’s and he managed to transcend a move away from Hollywood to the small-screen by creating memorable performances in Made-for-TV work right up to his death in 2001.

If you know Mr Lemmon for ‘Some Like It Hot, ‘The Apartment’ and ‘Mr Roberts’ then you are in for a treat when you discover that this is just the tip of the iceberg. His work will make you laugh but it will also make you think and cry.

In admiration of the screenplays of Billy Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond, he once said that ‘it’s hard enough to write a good drama, it’s much harder to write a good comedy and it’s hardest of all to write a drama with comedy - which is what life is’. The same could be said of acting – and he is one of the few actors who excelled at just this mix.