It was a triple win for Wilder as Director (Wilder""s second directing Oscar), Producer, and Screenplay author.In the unlikely story, a Gay Nineties saloon singer seduced a Salvation Army mission officer-worker/undercover cop (Cary Grant in one of his earliest roles), and sang bawdy songs (includingFrankie and Johnny,I Like A Guy What Takes His Time, andEasy Rider).at 49th St.).Although the film initially failed at the box-office and its plot was considered far-fetched, it anticipated the American obsession with conspiracy theories in the early to mid-60s.It opened with a washed out B/W/color sequence of contemptuous, undefeated heavyweight champion boxer Mason "The Line" Dixon (Antonio Tarver) quickly knocking out another opponent, and being blamed for the "decline" of the entire sport, with fans booing and pelting him with ice, presumably because he had easily risen through the ranks by only fighting patsies and bums.