Sunset Blvd.-1950

A hard-up Hollywood writer pulls into a vacant garage while being chased by repossessers and happens upon a famous silent actress' home. She hasn't acted in years and slowly leaves reality for her own glamorous world. The picture begins with the writer (William Holden-star of Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn) floating dead in a pool. Directed by Billy Wilder it is the ultimate self-critique of Hollywood.

http://www.doctormacro.com/movie%20star%20pages/Swanson,%20Gloria-Annex.htm

The former movie queen is played by Gloria Swanson who was one of the top screen actresses of her day. She had not been in films for many years, like her character, but stayed busy with children, projects etc. Her most famous affair was with Joe Kennedy, the Kennedy patriarch. Her autobiography, Swanson on Swanson, is a wonderful read and very entertaining. It is also chock full of information about the silent era, which is a piece of history unto itself.

http://www.stanford.edu/~gdegroat/swanson.htm

One of the most famous quotes from the film, and there are several, "Alright Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my closeup" is the best known. It is the last line in the film but gives nothing away, you must watch the film to know the weight it carries.

http://blogs.dixcdn.com/leftofcybercenter/?p=3318

 

The movie Norma shows Joe is actually one of Gloria Swanson's real silent films. Von Stroheim, who plays the butler, directed Swanson in the silent movie, it was lost a small fortune in the making and was the downfall of both their careers.

 Montgomery Clift was set to play Joe Gillis but pulled out after reading the script feeling it related to closely to his personal life. He was having an affair with an older, well known actress, Libby Holman. Holman was the former wife of Smith Reynolds, of Reynolds tobacco-they make Camels, Winstons etc. and was indicted for his murder in the early thirties. Such a small world!
 
I hope you watch and enjoy this film, it is considered a true Hollywood classic. For more trivia, visit IMDB. It's great!