A Hollywood Story|Aug. 10, 1950|United States|110 Min.|Passed
Genre: Drama
Description: At a mansion located on Sunset Boulevard, police officers and photographers find the lifeless body of Joe Gillis floating in the swimming pool. Through a flashback, Joe recounts the events that led to his untimely demise.
Six months earlier, Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter, attempts to pitch a story to Paramount Pictures producer Sheldrake. Script reader Betty Schaeffer harshly critiques Joe’s work, unaware that he is present. Later, while evading repossession agents chasing his car, Joe stumbles upon a seemingly abandoned mansion. Hiding his vehicle, he is called inside by a woman who mistakes him for someone delivering a coffin for her deceased pet chimpanzee. Once inside, Joe recognizes the woman as Norma Desmond, a once-famous silent film star now forgotten by the industry. When Joe remarks, “You used to be big,” Norma defiantly replies, “I *am* big. It’s the pictures that got small.”
Upon learning that Joe is a writer, Norma asks for his opinion on a script she has written for her planned comeback film about Salome, in which she intends to star. Although Joe finds the script poor, he flatters her into hiring him to revise it. Norma insists Joe move into her mansion, and despite his initial resistance, he gradually accepts his dependent role.
Joe discovers that Norma refuses to accept her faded stardom and that the fan letters she receives are actually written by Max, her butler. Max reveals that Norma is emotionally fragile and has tried to take her own life in the past. Norma showers Joe with attention and buys him expensive gifts. During a New Year’s Eve party, Joe realizes he is the only guest and that Norma has fallen in love with him. When he tries to gently reject her advances, Norma reacts angrily and retreats.
Joe seeks refuge with his friend Artie Green and reconnects with Betty, Artie’s girlfriend, who had previously critiqued his script. The story unfolds as Joe navigates his complicated relationship with Norma, leading to the tragic events that culminate in his death.
Cast director: Billy Wilder
Cast actor: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson, Fred Clark, Lloyd Gough, Jack Webb, Franklyn Farnum, Larry J. Blake, Charles Dayton
Original name: Sunset Boulevard