Directed by 1 writing credits 3 cast 71 produced by 1 music by 1 cinematography by 1 film editing by 1 art. There are sharks and wackos here, sure, but sunset blvd has an eye for what else lives alongside grotesque visions of successit cares enough, or has enough charity, to neither write off hollywood nor spare it. Forget the address given in the movie 10086 sunset boulevard, which would place it west of beverly hills, toward bel air, norma desmonds glorious old renaissancestyle mansion could. The film is highly regarded as a classic, considered billy wilders greatest work. At first he thinks the place is abandoned, but the owner.
Billy wilders sunset boulevard ranks among the most scathing satires of hollywood and the cruel fickleness of movie fandom. All images and subtitles are ed to their respectful owners unless stated otherwise. Ageing silent movie star norma desmond gloria swanson takes in flatbroke screenwriter joe gillis william holden in billy wilders brilliant satire noir. Sunset boulevard 1950, the blackest of hollywoods selfportraits, is an old dark house of a ghost story inhabited by the living shadows of its discarded stars. Sign in sign up login with facebook login with twitter. In one of hollywoods best films, an outofwork screenwriter attaches himself to a tragically deluded screen star attempting a comeback. Screenwriter joe william holden, now dependent on faded star norma gloria swanson, realizes that shes planned the new years eve party for just two, in billy wilders sunset blvd. Gallery of 48 movie poster and cover images for sunset blvd. This weeks film noir is also a comedy a dark, sardonic comedy, but a comedy nonetheless. Gloria swanson as norma desmond in billy wilders black comedy sunset boulevard 1950. The story begins at the end as the body of joe gillis william holden.
When the silent star first greets the penniless writer inside her mansion, they have a classic exchange. Sunset boulevard is a 1950 american film noir directed and cowritten by billy wilder, and produced and cowritten by charles brackett. In the movie, normas address is 10086 sunset boulevard but in reality, the house wasnt on sunset boulevard, or even near it. Sunset boulevard 1950 tt0043014 a hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into hollywood obscurity. Glenn closes sunset boulevard remake proves shes not giving. Billy wilders sunset boulevard is the portrait of a forgotten silent star, living in exile in her grotesque mansion, screening her old films. A screenwriter develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return. Sunset boulevard, american film noir, released in 1950, that is often cited as one of hollywoods greatest films, especially noted for gloria swansons portrayal of a fading movie star. Sunset boulevard is a 1950 film noir directed by billy wilder. Sunset boulevard 1950 is a classic black comedydrama, and perhaps the most acclaimed, but darkest filmnoir story about behind the scenes hollywood, selfdeceit, spiritual and spatial emptiness, and the price of fame, greed, narcissism, and ambition. This classic movie, from legendary writerdirector billy wilder, is set in contemporary 1950 hollywood and stars william holden as joe gillis, an outofluck. Films that discuss sunset boulevard in their screenplays or pay homage in scenes or dialogue include soapdish 1991, the player 1992, gods.
See what the critics had to say and watch the trailer. Sunset boulevard 1950 by michael schilf january 20. As the police begin converging on the house joes voice narrates, in flashback style, the events leading up to his. So many of the scenes are so classically dark and spooky it almost makes you shiver. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. Sunset boulevard, american film noir, released in 1950, that is often cited as one of hollywoods greatest films, especially noted for gloria. The mood of the film is immediately established as decadent and decaying by the posthumous narrator a dead man floating facedown in a. The performances are all great, and the story is moving and emotional without being cheesy. A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into hollywood obscurity. Aging silentfilm star norma desmond ensnares a young screenwriter in this. Rob ashford tonywinning choreographer rob ashford will make his feature helming debut with paramounts adaptation of the broadway musical that in turn was taken.
Glenn closes sunset boulevard remake proves shes not. Vehicle used a lot by a main character or for a long time. Sunset boulevard 1950 is a classic black comedydrama, and perhaps the most acclaimed, but darkest film noir story about behind the scenes hollywood, selfdeceit, spiritual and spatial emptiness, and the price of fame, greed, narcissism, and ambition. The winner of 3 academy awards including best screenplay. The lifeless body of a young man, joe gillis holden floats in the swimming pool of a palatial mansion. Were at a mansion on sunset boulevard and we see the dead body floating in a pool as the police arrive. Still the best insidehollywood movie ever made because its the most nuanced. While trying to escape from his creditors, he has a flat tire and parks his car in a decadent mansion in sunset boulevard. Swanson gave her alltime performance in the movie the same year that bette davis gave her legendary performance in all about eve, and most of. Attempting to elude creditors, downonhisluck hollywood screenwriter joe gillis william holden pulls into the driveway of a decrepit mansion on sunset boulevard to stash his car. The film starred famous silent film actress, gloria swanson, in what is now her most famous role.
What follows is an excerpt from my biography of wilder, on sunset boulevard. Irving blvd, hollywood from 1957 to 1963 teaching skating at polar palace until it burned to the ground. Sunset boulevard is a 1950 american film noir directed and cowritten by billy wilder, and. This norma desmonds mansion in sunset boulevard 1950 in the process of being demolished in 1957. Starting, as has been noted, in the gutter, the opening credits and the first part of william holden as joe gillis narrating his own homicide, from billy wilders sunset blvd. Sunset boulevard alternate opening 1950 lost media. Sunset boulevard 1950 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. The good news is, you can still see the digs of scriptwriter joe gillis, which is the mediterraneanstyle alto nido apartments, 1851 north ivar street, hollywood. Through voiceover, a narrator tells us that well get a distorted version of the facts from the hollywood gossip columnists, but hell tell us the true story. She was nominated for the academy award for best actress at the 1951 oscars ceremony, but unfortunately lost. In the same year sunset boulevard was released, perinos moved a few blocks west to 4101 wilshire, but now even that restaurant is gone torn down in 2005 to make way for apartments.
Mar 01, 2019 swanson gave her alltime performance in the movie the same year that bette davis gave her legendary performance in all about eve, and most of hollywood assumed it was a twowoman race sort of. Drama film noir film geregisseerd door billy wilder. Oct 10, 2011 billy wilders sunset boulevard ranks among the most scathing satires of hollywood and the cruel fickleness of movie fandom. Aug 03, 2015 4 responses to norma desmonds mansion in sunset boulevard 1950 at 641 s. Directed by 1 writing credits 3 cast 71 produced by 1 music by 1 cinematography by 1 film editing by 1 art direction by 2 set decoration by 2 costume design by 1 makeup department 5 production management. A screenwriter is hired to rework a faded silent film stars script, only to find himself developing a dangerous relationship. She hires a young screenwriter to help set up her movie comeback. Ive always liked william holden but my experience with gloria swanson was limited to her brief role in airport 75. Sunset boulevard is yet another amazing billy wilder movie that has its place in cinematic history. Sunset boulevard remains the best drama ever made about the movies because it sees through the illusions, even if norma doesnt.