026 - The Apartment (1960)

DVD Box

Sometimes after you watch a film, it makes you feel all happy inside. The Apartment is one of those pick-me-ups.

The storyline of The Apartment is simple; C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) loans his rented flat to his philandering superiors and in return they give good feedback to the company director J.D. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) in order to achieve quick promotions.

When cheating Sheldrake asks for the key to the apartment, Baxter thinks nothing of it, having done it time and time before. Following a bust-up between him and his mistress, Sheldrake leaves the apartment and the mistress overdoses on sleeping pills. When Baxter returns home he finds the mistress is none other than Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine) - the girl he fantasises over. Baxter is left with the ultimate decision to make - his job, or his girl.

Theatrical Poster

It is a typically late 50's film, with all the characters playing to stereotype. The doctor with his doctor's bag, the early "ready-meal" and round dial telephones. Although when the film was released in 1960 these items would have all been commonplace, it adds to the film's charm in the 21st Century.


The storyline is thoroughly well acted, engaging my attention from start to finish - which is sometimes rare for a black and white film. It never drags, and gets straight to the point while flowing well between the scenes.

Occasionally it can feel predictable, but there are a couple of anti-climaxes that are more than welcome.

A film with plenty of charm.

• Empire Review
• Internet Movie Database
• Wikipedia
• Amazon