I’m not sure people understand the depth of thought that goes into these Classic Movie Gush posts. Like seriously…I spent entire MINUTES trying to decide whether to write Sunset Boulevard in the title of this post versus Sunset Blvd. Wikipedia spells it one way, IMDB the other. The movie poster spells Boulevard out. It’s stylized on screen as Blvd. So basically, no one knows. Hard decisions!
But anyway, Sunset Blvd (I decided to make nice with inconsistency and switch it up throughout) is one of those movies you HAVE to see if you are even a little bit of a classic movie fan. Obviously not everyone is as Robert Osborne wannabe-ish as movie cohort Clay Morgan and I, but even if you’ve got a moderate interest, you can’t pass up Sunset Boulevard.
Yes, it’s a classic in and of itself, but it also acts as basically one huge nod to Golden Era Hollywood.There are tons of cameos, insider jokes and details, and true-to-life moments. The storyline could be pulled straight from the lives of many studio age actors.
We had a lot of fun talking about Gloria Swanson’s disturbing-yet-sympathetic Norma Desmond, William Holden’s not-so-admirable Joe Gillis and Erich von Stroheim’s poor-poor Max. Other random stuff we talk about:
- Other movie roles we’re convinced were inspired by the Norma Desmond character
- One of Clay’s favorite comedies that Melissa hasn’t seen!!*
- How, when it comes to Oscar noms and wins, it apparently really paid off to play opposite William Holden.
Have you seen Sunset Blvd? Isn’t Gloria Swanson amazing in it? And let’s take a vote: Boulevard or Blvd?
*True story: Since the recording of this vlog, I’ve watched said comedy. Likely because either a) I’m just that nice of a friend or b) I couldn’t handle living under Clay’s judgment. Probably both.
p.s. Check out all our videos on our YouTube channel. We’re getting all professional and stuff and will even have a channel trailer soon. (One that may or may not have taken us multiple attempts to film due to my failure to make it through without laughing. Like I said…professional.)
Comments 6
This is one I actually haven’t seen. Shame on me! I know all about it, now I just need to sit down and view it:)
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Haha, no shame, BUT it is definitely worth the viewing. It’s so impressive.
Hi Melissa,
I have not seen this. I think Carol Burnett did some skits based on Gloria.
Have a great day!
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Yeah, I was actually talking about Sunset Blvd with someone last week and she told me to check out Carol Burnett’s skits. Hilarious!!
I love this movie so much! (You two are really picking some amazing movies lately.) It’s so creepy and bizarre and tragic but still awesome. I watched it for the first time when I was just getting into classic movies, and I loved it then, but I loved it so much more later on when I could notice all of the cameos and crazy behind-the-scenes Hollywood connections. It’s definitely one of those films that sticks with you. =) I’ll never forget the shock I felt at the body in the pool during that first scene (and how the story is sort of told backwards), or when the monkey’s paw falls out from under the sheet. So creepy…
I also love all of the quotable lines and the unusual look of the cinematography (didn’t they blow dust on the camera lenses or something like that to make it look that way? It seems like I read that before…).
I watched A Face in the Crowd last week, and it sort of reminds me of this movie in a way. Probably because it also feels like watching a train wreck. And because it deals with the issue of fame, though in that one the emphasis is more on the power that comes with fame (rather than wanting to live in the glory days of the past). I had never seen Andy Griffith like that before…it was a bit disturbing. But also fascinating. =)
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You make a good point, Kristin–this is an awesome movie to watch for anyone, but it’s especially awesome when you catch the cameos and Hollywood connections all over it. And yes, I had completely forgotten about the dead monkey when I watched it this time and as soon as I saw the paw I was like, “OH YEAH! Ewwww…”
And you’re right on the blowing dust thing. It’s the same technique they used in Double Indemnity. Too cool.
I haven’t seen A Face in the Crowd, but sounds like I’ll have to check out…partially because I have trouble picturing Andy Griffith in a disturbing role!