Connections
Remade as
Edited into
In the opening credits
References
Norma Desmond's bedroom is designed after the room the Phantom has prepared for Chriatine DaaƩ, and the elaborately carved, fairytale boat-shaped beds are identical.
publicity photo of Swanson from this film seen in Norma Desmond's house
The script planned by Joe and Betty (the story of a couple, which is never together because of jobs with incompatible working time) is the script for this film.
Joe makes a King Kong joke when talking about the chimpanzee.
Mysterious reclusive older woman with an overprotective male servant falls for a younger man. By bizarre coincidence, the Dracula lead actress is Gloria Holden, whereas Sunset Blvd.'s leads are Gloria Swanson and William Holden.
there's a line about reading inside "a private cigarette case"
The guests at Artie's New Year's Eve party sing "Buttons and Bows".
Set elements and costumes from Cecil B. DeMille's recent Samson and Delilah were pulled out of storage, and cast members from that film re-hired, to re-create his filming the Biblical epic as Norma Desmond comes to visit the director on the Paramount lot, creating a deliberate contrast between Norma's antiquated notions of how this sort of film should be told (her creaky, un-filmable "Salome" script) and the more "modern" interpretation of cinematic Scripture being pursued by DeMille in sound and Technicolor.
Referenced in
Gloria Swanson is promoting the film
Milton Berle briefly mentions this film while making a joke in response to Gertrude Berg's character jokingly calling herself "Gloria Swanson"
A lonely older woman's destructive relationship with a younger gigolo.
Mike Wallace discusses the film with Gloria Swanson.
the same story of an aging actress (Ida Lupino) trying to get back her career, watching her old movies in a private screening room, etc.
Mentioned as part of Gloria Swanson's filmography.
same stock characters: old time actress trying to hang onto her younger memories, naive young man coming to meet her, creepy old servant whose wise advice is the best option
He says "I'm not ready for my closeup Mr. Demille"
Appearance of Nora Desmond character in "Disaster '75" sketch a parody of Gloria Swanson's appearance in "Airport 1975".
An aging actress, desperate to make a comeback, spends most of her free time watching her old films in a small private movie theatre.
Structural similarities and Holden-narrated flashback.
Some characters mention the movie, and a crossdresser spoofs Gloria Swanson.
Ian Mahoney takes Janet Conway to a screening. Miss Conway later gives her rendition of Norma Desmond's "close-up" line.
Quoted by Priscilla in front of the mirror
Some aspects of Veronika Voss are loosely adapted from Sunset Boulevard
photos
Allie recites a version of the speech, "Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up".
On the set of the porno movie, a woman is dressed as Norma Desmond and imitates her final walk down the staircase.
closing line
"I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille"
The opening shot of The Big Easy is the same as the famous opening of Sunset Boulevard, a dead man face down in a pool.
An old actress with a German servant who'd been her lover takes up with a younger man who gives her a chance at restarting her career, neither understanding the danger.
mentioned by the realtor
Norma Desmond's character is mentioned by Kathy Zielinski.
The character of Shelldrake is named after the producer who turns down William Holden's script in Sunset Blvd. (1950).
Oscar quotes 'Ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille'
A character exclaims, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."
Victoria Catlin's line: "She's ready for her close-up now."
Stanley says, "I'm still big; it's the pictures that got small."
References to Gloria Swanson and turbans
Nearly the entire episode is based off of this movie.
Shelly (impersonating Ms. Musso) says, "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. Lemmer!"
Producer Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) takes a call from someone who identifies himself as Joe Gillis, the character played by William Holden in "Sunset Boulevard." Not getting the reference, Mill asks no one in particular, "Anybody know who Joe Gillis is?"
Character names (Gordon Cole, played by David Lynch, is a homage to this film, & Chris Isaak's character's last name is Desmond). There is also a monkey in Fire Walk With Me.
Characters discuss a possible movie about women playing baseball.
Joel: "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille!"
Tom: "He's driving to Norma Desmond's house."
Crow: "Hey, who pulled William Holden out of the pool?"
"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."
Crow: Hey, it's Norma Desmond's house.
A writer meets older actress, and they fall in love.
The queen's last line "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" was Norma's famous closing line in the classic 1950 film.
When Diana tells her cameraman, "I'm ready for my closeup Mr. Demille."
cited in connection with Gloris Dwanson and Erich von Stroheim
Diana Stride's line, "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille," quotes Gloria Swanson's famous closing line from the film.
"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Spielberg"
Richard watching film reel of himself, brooding.
Hexadecimal to Bob: "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Guardian."
Dave "it's the pictures that got small"
Jerrys line at the end "I'm still big. It's the bootlegs that got small"
Both this movie and that one take place behind the scenes of an upcoming film.
Crow: I'm ready for my execution Mr. DeMille.
referenced by the bus driver
The Regina character in "Willa" is very much like "Sunset Boulevard"'s Norma Desmond
There is a poster of this film in Bill's flat.
mentioned once
Poster shown.
Close plays a woman who's gone crazy. It's no accident that the play she directs is 'Solome'. The reference is obscure but undeniable.
"I'm ready for my close up" shirt
Edy says the "I'm ready for my close up" quote.
documentary features movie poster
mentioned/quoted by Brendan
Various themes and elements of plot are concurrent with the two films. Even the title of both are street names in Hollywood.
Newton says "I'm ready for my close up now"
poster in video store window
Zelda says she and Hilda will get ready for their close-ups.
This documentary is always referencing this movie, because is a making of of it.
it is referenced as being among the ship's movie library and Dr. Phlox may like it
Lorelai mentions watching the film
Emmett tells Ted that he is ready for his close-up.
mentioned in dialogue
Michael and Ben watch the film.
Mentioned in dialogue
Someone mentions this film.
An over-the-hill actress spends most of her free time watching her old films while surrounded with countless photographs of her hey-days.
mentioned in documentary
the ending parallels the ending of this film
The vast collection of framed photographs of Jackson's past is similar to the collection of photographs Norma Desmond has.
Lorelai says that Rory's sleeping over at her grandparents' will assure her a Norma Desmond style breakfast.
Ted and Emmett reference the "I am big. It's the pictures that got small" line.
Someone mentions this film.
Dickie plays poker with washed-up child stars; Norma Desmond plays bridge with superannuated silent film stars in Sunset Blvd.
character based on Gloria Swanson's performance as Norma Desmond
When Lorelai prepares to go on stage, Rory asks her, "Are you ready for your close up, Miss Desmond?".
quotes liberally from the "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" scene
"I'm ready for my close-up"
When the characters go see a movie, this is on the marquee.
Darren references Norma's line about disliking the word "comeback".
Posthumous narration of character.
Dialogue on William Holdens death in Sunset Blvd.
Scenes from the film are recreated throughout the 'Goodbye Cruel World' video with Siobhan Fahey as Norma Desmond.
Joe: Call Maury Povich - tell him I'm ready for my close-up."
poster in Scotty's apartment
In dialog, after Tommy is shot.
(said by movie studio tour guide) "Are you ready for your close-up?"
Opens with a shot of the protagonist, from the point of view of the bottom of a pool.
Emmett describes his getting a job at Channel 5 as his return to the cameras, while imitating Norma Desmond.
Ted compares Deb's return to the diner as Norma Desmond's comeback, before Emmett corrects him, saying "I believe it was a return." Emmett also describes Ted's doctor as "Dr. DeMille", saying Ted is ready for his close-up before he goes in for surgery.
Mickey says, "I'm ready for my close-up".
The line about being able to see Catalina
"Where's the camera, Mr. DeMille? A star is born."
Domino references this movie in her narration
"She's ready for her close-up."
discussion of a stage production of this movie
Lucy points out the similarity between the events at the Rousseau and the film Sunset Blvd (bodies lying face down in a pool), and recommends that Jenny rent the film (even going so far as to order it up to her room).
as he looks into a video camera, a man says "Ready for close-up?"
Dead body in a pool.
correct response in "Movie Catch Phrases" category
Mentioned by Christopher Nolan.
The watch Toni gave George is inscribed with the same message: "Mad about the boy"
blonde, over-the-hill-actress' comeback + the monkey + queen kelly scene
"I think I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Spielberg"
Taylor paraphrases the famous "I'm ready for my close-up" line.
Character of Helen Bedd is a parody of Norma Desmond.
When the undercover officer Kamen is in the victim's appartment, she tells Sofia (who has a camera and microphone in the living room) "I'm ready for my close-up".
"Mr. Demille I'm ready for my closeup"
(said during filming) "Are you ready for your close-up?"
"Are you ready for your close-up?"
Frank: "Ready for my close-up on the back of my sweater, Mr. DeMille."
Dan quotes from it
"We're ready for our close-ups."
"Am I ready for my close up?"
Referenced by John Cork.
Todd tells a Hollywood studio guard that he's "ready for his close-up"
I'm ready for my close-up, mr. director.
French movie poster seen on wall (as "Boulevard du Crepuscule")
Vincent Price (Bill Hader) mentions it when introducing Gloria Swanson (Kristen Wiig).
Prior to a press conference, Joan is asked if she's "ready for her close-up."
Last line of cartoon introduction is: "Mr. Demille, I'm ready for my close-up".
"I'm all ready for my surgery, Mr. DeMille."
Ellen says Billy Wilder also directed Some Like it Hot (1959) & Sunset Blvd. (1950)
the "close-up" line is imitated
Dialogue: Jenny says "I had a queer dream..." and Cassie asks "Was there an organ grinder and a monkey?"
Chowder's interaction with 'Big Food' was a takeoff of the movie.
Sixsixsix says that he saw a movie about repo men - "the dude was chased by repo men, drove to the mansion of old Hollywood movie star and then ended up drowned in the pool."
Sandy says, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille," even though the line is actually, "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."
"It looks like our honored guest is ready for his closeup."
Dave uses this as an example of why his narration does not prove he survived
"I am ready for my close-up, Mr. Ed"
Mentioned by Ryan.
Madame Gothel is modeled after Norma Desmond
Adrianna moves into Gloria Swanson's old house, and the movie is mentioned and she recites lines from it
One of the 50 gold film reels you can find.
Luli says: "I am big. It's the pictures that got small."
"I'm ready for my close-up"
the plot about the heroine arriving in Hollywood
title reference
Brass calls another character "Norma Desmond"
"Mr. Randel. Ready for our close-up."
"ready for my close-up"
wax figures of Gloria Swanson, William Holden, and Erich von Stroheim are shown.
Michelle Visage misquotes, "I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. Demille," when discussing Jinkx Monsoon's runway look.
Michelle uses a line from the movie when she needles Fanny about taking advantage of Milly, 'Hey, I'm not judging. "As long as the lady's paying for it, why not take the vicuna?"'
"I'm ready for my close-up."
Much of the plot of the film revolves around the same ideas featured in Sunset Blvd. There are also numerous references to Billy Wilder in this film, who made Sunset Blvd.
Derek mentions the movie by name.
The position of Gatsby in the pool, the police and reporters standing around the pool, and the camera angle are the same as the introduction of Joe Gillis.
"ready for my close-up"
Features
The movie that Joe and Norma watch in the private screening room is this movie, which had not yet been released. It was directed by Erich von Stroheim, who plays the butler.
Featured in
A clip from this film was shown during the opening segment.
Scene with Swanson yelling at projector
The film is identified on screen and clips are shown.
TV version only includes clip from Sunset Blvd.
Clip shown to demonstrate the benefits of filming in black and white
The famous scene of Norma Desmond about to descend her staircase for the last time is shown at the beginning and end of the film.
Clips are shown.
This film is #12 on the list.
Clips shown.
Brendan watches this movie on TV
Scenes from this film are shown.
Scenes from this film are shown.
footage appears throughout
The characters are watching the scene on tv where Norma Desmond says "I am big, it's the pictures that got small."
excerpt shown
The quotes "Alright, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." and "I am big! It's the pictures that got small." are #7 and #24 on the list.
excerpt of film used in documentary on director
Clips shown.
This film is #16 on the list.
Harper watches it in the movie theatre
Fragment showed during the end
Footage of this movie is shown.
Footage of this movie is shown.
Clip shown during intro: Norma is ready for her closeup.
Clips shown
Spoofed in
Like the earlier film, the old lady and the derelict isolated house,and the butler who was her lover and still cares and protects her from strangers, are main characters in the drama.
Episode features an old "has-been" actress who plans to return to pictures. She is introduced at the top of a staircase being photographed by the press, just like Gloria Swanson's character, and she seems obsessed with being well-known again. Also, Jack Webb was in both.
Parodied as "Sunnyset Boulevard".
The character of Gloria Swansong is a spoof of Norman Desmond in "Sunset Blvd."
Porn take-off of dark comedy.
character Evelyn Morrison says parody quotes of Gloria Swanson's character from the film
Opening sequence
"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr Dibbler."
Spoofed as "Cats of Phantom Boulevard"
actress hires writer to rewrite her musical while a romance blossoms on the side and ends with him drowning in a pool and her on a staircase speaking the famous lines "I'm ready for my closeup-box"
About 15 minutes into the episode the scene with the flowers not coming is a spoof and Harry says: "She still is big, it's the planet that got small."
Angelica says "I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Deville"
The line "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Demented" spoofs the line "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" from the end of this movie.
An old time actress Gloria Swansong does a great performance in Sunshine Boulevard. The character is called Nora Dumont.
In the final scene, Alan spoofs Norma Desmond's "ready for my close-up"-ending.
Framing device of narrator floating face down in pool
while in zombie make-up, someone says "I'm ready for my close-up"
Norma Desmond is fired (she starts to say "I'm ready for my (close-up)")