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IMDbPro

Sunset Blvd.

  • 19501950
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
224K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,081
143
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
DramaFilm-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
224K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,081
143
    • Billy Wilder
    • Charles Brackett
    • Billy Wilder
    • D.M. Marshman Jr.
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Gloria Swanson
    • Erich von Stroheim
    • Billy Wilder
    • Charles Brackett
    • Billy Wilder
    • D.M. Marshman Jr.
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Gloria Swanson
    • Erich von Stroheim
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 699User reviews
    • 196Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #59
    • Won 3 Oscars

    Videos3

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

    Photos156

    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 Gillis
    Gloria Swanson
    Gloria Swanson
    • Norma Desmond
    Erich von Stroheim
    Erich von Stroheim
    • Max Von Mayerling
    Nancy Olson
    Nancy Olson
    • Betty Schaefer
    Fred Clark
    Fred Clark
    • Sheldrake
    Lloyd Gough
    Lloyd Gough
    • Morino
    Jack Webb
    Jack Webb
    • Artie Green
    Franklyn Farnum
    Franklyn Farnum
    • Undertaker
    Larry J. Blake
    Larry J. Blake
    • 1st Finance Man
    • (as Larry Blake)
    Charles Dayton
    • 2nd Finance Man
    Cecil B. DeMille
    Cecil B. DeMille
    • Cecil B. DeMille
    Hedda Hopper
    Hedda Hopper
    • Hedda Hopper
    Buster Keaton
    Buster Keaton
    • Buster Keaton
    Anna Q. Nilsson
    Anna Q. Nilsson
    • Anna Q. Nilsson
    H.B. Warner
    H.B. Warner
    • H. B. Warner
    Ray Evans
    • Ray Evans
    Jay Livingston
    • Jay Livingston
    Fred Aldrich
    Fred Aldrich
    • Cop Who Drags Joe's Body from Pool
    • (uncredited)
      • Billy Wilder
      • Charles Brackett
      • Billy Wilder
      • D.M. Marshman Jr.
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Norma Desmond says to the guard at the "Paramount Studio" gates, "Without me there wouldn't be any 'Paramount Studio'" the words could apply to Gloria Swanson herself, as she was the studio's top star for six years running.
    • 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 reviews699

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    The Hollywood Myth FOREVER Shattered !!!
    Until 1950, American films were strictly entertainment, some deeper than others. Studio executives were very protective of image and star-making. In essence, everything seemed perfect. Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett, and D.M. Marshman, Jr. created a stunning work of art that splits the Hollywood sign in two and exposed a dream factory for what it really is: a struggle to both gain and keep notoriety in the limelight. "Norma Desmond" and "Joe Gillis" are at opposite ends of this warped Hollywood mindset, with Gillis, played by that most cynical of actors, William Holden trying to pay the rent and Norma (Gloria Swanson) living a lie as a silent queen whose star burned "10,000 midnights ago". How a picture with such a snide look at the industry could come out in 1950 is simply mind-boggling, considering some of the light fodder that came out of Hollywood at the time. It has inspired many modern day disciples such as Altman's THE PLAYER, and Sonnenfeld's GET SHORTY, both of which took their vicious, hilarious parodies to the jugular of the movie capital of the world. SUNSET BLVD is the father of all socially oriented pictures regarding the movies and is by far the best.

    The images of this beautiful black and white powerhouse are fascinating and unforgettable: the dead writer floating in a pool, eyes wide open, looking right at us at the beginning; the eerie pipe organ that plays by the breeze in the middle of one of the most deep and dustiest sets ever; the funeral ceremony of the dead monkey in Norma's courtyard ("That must have been one important chimp. The grandson of King Kong perhaps." says Holden in a delightfully crisp and wise voice-over.) Holden pulls his car into a driveway off of the boulevard that will change his life forever. He is the emblem of the struggle to get notoriety. He has only a few B Movies to his credit. Swanson as Norma Desmond is the symbol of lost fame and has become the talk of legend. What is ironic about her character is that she may be playing herself in an odd way. She WAS an actual silent star whose career went down the tubes after the talkies came about. Her madness combined with Holden's last drop of naiveté combine to give us one of the most electrifying "give and take" between actors I've ever witnessed.

    Both lead parts were passed over by several actors. Holden was eventually forced into it as a contract player. How could you pass on such a script? Even "wax figures" (as Holden calls them) Buster Keaton, H.B. Warner, and Anna Q. Nilsson come to Norma's to play bridge, of course being Hollywood outcasts themselves, after the invention of sound in film. Some of the dialogue takes a swing at actual movies and people (GONE WITH THE WIND, Zanuck, Menjou). This must have brought the house down in Hollywood screening rooms throughout the town. Louis B. Mayer even condemned Billy Wilder for "ruining the industry". The film is sad and darkly humorous depicting the antics of Norma, who is quite insane, and Holden who is going along with what Norma is giving him, but has plans of his own. Another wax figure still alive and kicking in 1950 appears as himself in an important role. Cecil B. Demille, who once directed Norma/Gloria back in the silent heyday, tries to set her straight, telling her pictures have "changed". They had indeed, especially after this searing comment on celebrity status. I wonder if they knew what they were creating while making this gem.

    Scenes are shot right on the lot of Paramount Studios (even the front gate), and Norma's mansion is an unforgettable piece of history and gloom with a floor that "Valentino once danced on." There is so much to discuss, but little to enlighten you on how great SUNSET BLVD is without you seeing it. Just two years later, films began to crop up with the same tainted view of Hollywood, most with varying degrees of deception. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, one of the all-time entertainments quietly had a nasty taste in its mouth regarding celebrity and the invention of sound movies. Watch these films closely and see the skeletons of the modern Hollywood bash films.

    RATING: 10 of 10
    helpful•268
    56
    • Don-102
    • Apr 22, 1999

    Movies About Movies

    Movies About Movies

    Take a look at photos from The Fabelmans, Cinema Paradiso, and more films about the art of cinema.
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    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)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • 10060 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 50 minutes
      • Black and White

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