In addition to the fiftieth anniversary of the Jerusalem Cinematheque, the year 2025 also marks the centennial of the birth of Jack Lemmon. Lemmon was one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the decades following World War II, bringing to the screen the image of the white American male grappling with a new social and economic reality. In a series of hits, he portrayed the "common man"—the soldier, the blue-collar worker, the business owner—striving to succeed and repeatedly confronting the distortions of the American system and the social, economic, and emotional challenges it posed.
Lemmon's ability to move seamlessly between comedy and drama, while maintaining a deeply human presence throughout his career, made him a beloved actor with an enduring appeal. Part of this credit goes to his long and fruitful collaboration with director Billy Wilder, who helped Lemmon shape his ironic view of America in a series of comedies, from Some Like It Hot to The Apartment and beyond.
This month's tribute brings some of Lemmon's most notable films back to the screen—timeless classics that are always worth revisiting. Pay attention to them. Enjoy the viewing.
