Sunset Boulevard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 film noir film directed by Billy Wilder, starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim. It drew a wide audience and shaped its genre.
Plot
At a mansion on Sunset Boulevard, police officers and photographers discover the body of Joe Gillis floating face down in the swimming pool. In a flashback, Joe relates the events leading to his death. Six months earlier, Joe, a down-on-his-luck screenwriter, tries to interest Paramount Pictures in a story he submitted. Script reader Betty Schaefer harshly critiques it, unaware that Joe is listening. Later, while fleeing from repo men seeking his car, Joe turns into the driveway of a seemingly deserted mansion inhabited by forgotten silent film star Norma Desmond.
Production
Written by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, the film was produced by Paramount Pictures. Franz Waxman composed the score. John F. Seitz handled the cinematography. The film runs 110 minutes. The crew and editing refined every shot.
Reception
On a budget of $1,752,000, Sunset Boulevard grossed $5,000,000 worldwide at the box office. A critic consensus praised its screenplay and score.
Legacy
Its legacy endures through a remake, a sequel and a lasting franchise; later cinema cites its influence and symbolism.
See also
References
- "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time". topfilms100. Retrieved 30 June 2026.
- Ebert, Roger. The Great Movies. Broadway Books.
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