Jack Lemmon plays C. C. Baxter, a young employee for an insurance company in New York City. Four different company managers take turns in using his apartment for their various extramarital liaisons. Unhappy with the situation, but unwilling to challenge them directly, he juggles their conflicting demands while hoping to catch the eye of the beautiful elevator operator, Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine).
Meanwhile the neighbours, a medical doctor and his wife, assume Baxter is a "good time Charlie" who gets a different woman drunk every night. Baxter accepts their criticism rather than reveal the truth.
The four managers write glowing reports about Baxter. The reports are a little too glowing. Personnel director Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) suspects something illicit behind the praise. Mr. Sheldrake lets Baxter's promotion go unchallenged on condition that Baxter's apartment accept a fifth regular customer. Still delighted about the promotion, Baxter asks Miss Kubelik to a Broadway show. She agrees, then stands him up. On Christmas Eve Baxter is astounded to come home and find her in his bed, fully clothed, and overdosed on sleeping pills. Mr. Sheldrake had borrowed the apartment for the evening.
Baxter and his neighbour the doctor keep her alive and safe without notifying the authorities. She explains that she had an affair with Mr. Sheldrake the previous summer, ended it when his wife returned from vacation, and caved in to his appeals and promises later in the fall. When Sheldrake offered her money instead of a Christmas present she realised the ugliness of the situation and tried to commit suicide. The act shows a startling side of her usually sunny personality. Baxter tries to comfort her with assurances of Sheldrake's concern even though Sheldrake refuses to speak to her on the telephone.
Kubelik recuperates in Baxter's apartment for two days, long enough for her taxi driver brother-in-law to assume the worst of Baxter and come to blows. Sheldrake's catty secretary, one of his former mistresses, "educates" Mrs. Sheldrake. Faced with divorce, Sheldrake moves into a room at his athletic club and continues to string Fran along while he enjoys his newfound bachelorhood. Baxter finally takes a stand when Sheldrake demands the apartment for New Year's Eve, which results in Baxter quitting the firm.
Kubelik realises that Baxter is the man who truly loves her and leaves Sheldrake on New Year's Eve to be with him that evening and runs to him. They end as two misfits, both out of a job, playing a game of gin rummy. When Baxter declares his love for Fran, her reply is the now-famous final line of the movie: "Shut Up and Deal."
This comedy classic has remained a legendary classic since it's 1960 release. At the Academy Awards, the film won Best Picture, Best Director (Billy Wilder), Best Art Direction, amongst others. Meanwhile Jack Lemmon was nominated for Best Actor and Shirley MacLaine was also nominated for Best Actress.
It's a must-see for all fans of Jack Lemmon. The film definitely belongs to him. He steals every scene and gave a brilliant performance. Along with SOME LIKE IT HOT, it was one of the greatest performances of Jack Lemmon's legendary career.
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