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IMDbPro

Sunset Blvd.

  • 19501950
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
219K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,538
35
William Holden, Nancy Olson, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Trailer for the classic film Sunset Blvd., starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson, and Erich von Stroheim
Play trailer3:14
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir
A screenwriter develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return.A screenwriter develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return.A screenwriter develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return.
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
219K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,538
35
  • Director
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Charles Brackett
    • Billy Wilder
    • D.M. Marshman Jr.
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Gloria Swanson
    • Erich von Stroheim
Top credits
  • Director
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Charles Brackett
    • Billy Wilder
    • D.M. Marshman Jr.
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Gloria Swanson
    • Erich von Stroheim
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 682User reviews
    • 195Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #60
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 18 wins & 20 nominations total

    Videos3

    Sunset Blvd.
    Trailer 3:14
    Sunset Blvd.
    'Sunset Blvd.' | Annivesary Mashup
    Clip 1:36
    'Sunset Blvd.' | Annivesary Mashup
    Sunset Boulevard: Centennial Collection
    Clip 1:25
    Sunset Boulevard: Centennial Collection

    Photos157

    Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. (1950)
    Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. (1950)
    Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. (1950)
    Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. (1950)
    Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. (1950)
    William Holden, Erich von Stroheim, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. (1950)
    "Sunset Boulevard" William Holden 1950 Paramount
    "Sunset Boulevard" William Holden 1950 Paramount
    "Sunset Boulevard" Eric Von Stroheim and William Holden 1950 Paramount
    Gloria Swanson in "Sunset Blvd," 1950 Paramount / MPTV
    "Sunset Boulevard" Gloria Swanson and William Holden 1950 Paramount / MPTV
    "Sunset Boulevard" Gloria Swanson and William Holden 1950 Paramount

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Holden
    William Holden
    • Joe Gillisas Joe Gillis
    Gloria Swanson
    Gloria Swanson
    • Norma Desmondas Norma Desmond
    Erich von Stroheim
    Erich von Stroheim
    • Max Von Mayerlingas Max Von Mayerling
    Nancy Olson
    Nancy Olson
    • Betty Schaeferas Betty Schaefer
    Fred Clark
    Fred Clark
    • Sheldrakeas Sheldrake
    Lloyd Gough
    Lloyd Gough
    • Morinoas Morino
    Jack Webb
    Jack Webb
    • Artie Greenas Artie Green
    Franklyn Farnum
    Franklyn Farnum
    • Undertakeras Undertaker
    Larry J. Blake
    Larry J. Blake
    • 1st Finance Manas 1st Finance Man
    • (as Larry Blake)
    Charles Dayton
    • 2nd Finance Manas 2nd Finance Man
    Cecil B. DeMille
    Cecil B. DeMille
    • Cecil B. DeMilleas Cecil B. DeMille
    Hedda Hopper
    Hedda Hopper
    • Hedda Hopperas Hedda Hopper
    Buster Keaton
    Buster Keaton
    • Buster Keatonas Buster Keaton
    Anna Q. Nilsson
    Anna Q. Nilsson
    • Anna Q. Nilssonas Anna Q. Nilsson
    H.B. Warner
    H.B. Warner
    • H. B. Warneras H. B. Warner
    Ray Evans
    • Ray Evansas Ray Evans
    Jay Livingston
    • Jay Livingstonas Jay Livingston
    Fred Aldrich
    Fred Aldrich
    • Cop Who Drags Joe's Body from Poolas Cop Who Drags Joe's Body from Pool
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Charles Brackett
      • Billy Wilder
      • D.M. Marshman Jr.
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Unlike the character she played, Gloria Swanson had accepted the fact that the movies didn't want her anymore and had moved to New York, where she worked on radio and, later, television. Although she had long before ruled out the possibility of a movie comeback, she was nevertheless highly intrigued when she got the offer to play the lead.
    • Goofs
      When Max is telling Joe about directing Madam's first pictures, there is a bad dub of the word "sixteen". After the Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle trial and the subsequent establishment of the Hays Office to enforce the new Production Code, the producers were concerned that the original age of 14 would be considered child porn and had the line changed in post.
    • Quotes

      Joe Gillis: Wait a minute, haven't I seen you before? I know your face.

      Norma Desmond: Get out! Or shall I call my servant?

      Joe Gillis: You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big.

      Norma Desmond: I *am* big. It's the *pictures* that got small.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Edited into Les Amoureux du cinéma (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      The Paramount-Don't-Want-Me Blues
      (1950) (uncredited)

      Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

      Performed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans at Artie's party

    User reviews682

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A true Hollywood horror story
    Hack screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) accidentally falls in with faded screen legend Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). She lives in a crumbling old mansion with her butler Max (Erich von Stroheim). She refuses to believe that she's no longer remembered and will never make another movie. She gets Gillis to stay with her and rewrite "Salome" which she thinks will be her comeback. Gillis has no other choice and things slowly get out of hand.

    A VERY cynical view of Hollywood--especially for 1950. It shows what Hollywood does to people like Norma--it makes them stars, tells them that they're great and dump them coldly when they're no longer needed. It also takes swipes at directors, agents, screenwriters, even entire studios! It has a tight quick script, is appropriately filmed in gloomy black and white and is masterfully directed by Billy Wilder. Everybody thought this was a bad idea when it was being made. It was believed to be too cold and vicious for the public. Also Holden was warned it would ruin his career by playing a younger man kept by an older woman. But it turned out great and is now rightfully considered a classic.

    The acting is almost all good. I never thought Nancy Olson was that good. Her character is too pure and sweet to be believable. Everybody else is right on target though. Holden is just great in his role. You see the pity, anger and helplessness on his face when he realizes Norma is falling in love with him--and he's trapped. von Stroheim was equally good as Max who encourages Norma's delusions. Swanson however is just magnificent! She has a very showy role and could have overplayed it--but she doesn't. She's mad for sure--but you only see it peeking through every once in a while. When she loses it completely at the end it's frightening. If she had played it like that all through the movie it never would have worked. How she lost the Oscar that year to Judy Holliday for "Born Yesterday" is beyond me. This is a must see and a true Hollywood classic but VERY cold and cynical. A 10 all the way.

    "I am big--it's the pictures that got small". "All right Mr. deMille--I'm ready for my closeup".
    helpful•112
    13
    • preppy-3
    • Mar 15, 2008

    FAQ7

    • A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
    • What is the correct title - "Blvd." or "Boulevard"?
    • What is the movie Joe and Norma watch?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 4, 1950 (Turkey)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sunset Boulevard
    • Filming locations
      • 10060 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,752,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $299,645
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $169,067
      • May 13, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $300,073
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

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