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Sunset Blvd. (1950)

110 min  -  Drama | Film-Noir   -  25 August 1950 (Australia)
8.7
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Ratings: 8.7/10 from 70,905 users  
Reviews: 360 user | 126 critic

A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent-film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.

Director:

Billy Wilder
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Holden ...
Gloria Swanson ...
Erich von Stroheim ...
Nancy Olson ...
Fred Clark Fred Clark ...
Lloyd Gough Lloyd Gough ...
Jack Webb ...
Franklyn Farnum Franklyn Farnum ...
Larry J. Blake Larry J. Blake ...
1st Finance Man (as Larry Blake)
Charles Dayton Charles Dayton ...
2nd Finance Man
Cecil B. DeMille ...
Himself
Hedda Hopper ...
Herself
Buster Keaton ...
Himself
Anna Q. Nilsson Anna Q. Nilsson ...
Herself
H.B. Warner H.B. Warner ...
Himself
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Storyline

The story, set in '50s Hollywood, focuses on Norma Desmond, a silent-screen goddess whose pathetic belief in her own indestructibility has turned her into a demented recluse. The crumbling Sunset Boulevard mansion where she lives with only her butler, Max who was once her director and husband has become her self-contained world. Norma dreams of a comeback to pictures and she begins a relationship with Joe Gillis, a small-time writer who becomes her lover, that will soon end with murder and total madness. Written by alfiehitchie  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Writer | Mansion | Director | Comeback | Time  | See more »

Taglines:

A HOLLYWOOD STORY: Sensational...Daring...Unforgettable...Sunset Blvd. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(Australia) See more »

Also Known As:

Sunset Boulevard See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,752,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$5,000,000 (Worldwide) (January 1960)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | Argentina:  | West Germany: (cut version)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite the fact that Erich von Stroheim plays a butler/chauffeur, he could not drive in real life. During the scenes in which he drove, the car was towed by another car. In the scene in which he drives Norma Desmond to Paramount Pictures, it was rumoured he crashed into the famous Paramount gate. According to the DVD commentary by Wilder biographer Ed Sikov, this story was most likely invented/exaggerated by Billy Wilder. See more »

Goofs

Crew or equipment visible: When Joe Gillis gets out of the pool and Norma offers to dry him off, several crewmembers as well as lighting, microphones, and other equipment, are reflected in Norma's large, dark sunglasses. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Joe Gillis: Yes, this is Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California. It's about 5 0'clock in the morning. That's the homicide squad, complete with detectives and newspaper men.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The Paramount logo appears as a transparency over the opening shot. The
words "Sunset Blvd." are shown stenciled on the curb of that street. See more »

Connections

Referenced in "Queer as Folk: Episode #5.2" (2005) See more »

Soundtracks

"Dance of the Seven Veils"
(1905) (uncredited)
Music by Richard Strauss
In the score near the end See more »