'' Irma la Douce '' was conceived as a Marilyn Monroe vehicle in 1962 . The project would have reunited her with director Billy Wilder and actor Jack Lemmon , both of whom had worked with her on '' Some Like It Hot '' in 1959 . After Monroe 's death , the movie was recast with Shirley MacLaine , who had worked with Wilder and Lemmon on '' The Apartment '' ( 1960 ) . MacLaine was paid $ 350,000 plus a percentage
Monroe 's death
Death of Marilyn Monroe
Irma la Douce