A classic of the Hollywood Golden Age as a struggling screenwriter finds himself in the thrall of a faded film star of the Silent Age determined to make a comeback.
Avoiding having his car re-possessed, Joe Gillis (William Holden) finds himself hiding the vehicle in the grounds of what appears to be an abandoned Hollywood mansion. But it turns out to be the home of the once-great Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). Living alone in the vastness of the house with only Max Von Mayerling (Erich von Stroheim) for company, she sees the scriptwriter as her way back.
Money is no object as Gillis becomes a kept man by the possessive, obsessed Desmond demanding complete commitment from Gillis. Her mental balance is tipped over the edge on discovering his liaison with Betty Schaefer (Nancy Olson), a script reader at the Studios.
Writer/director Billy Wilder is at his searing best with this savage but heartfelt melodrama of the Hollywood system at its worse with a tour de force over the top performance from the deranged Swanston. In short, brilliant.
Nominated for 11 Oscars in 1951 including best film, director, actress, actor, supporting actor, supporting actress – won 3 for best screenplay, art direction, original score (Franz Waxman)
Rating: 94%
Director: Billy Wilder (The Apartment, Stalag 17)
Writer: Billy Wilder (The Apartment, Stalag 17), Charles Brackett (The Lost Weekend, Ninotchka), D.M. Marshman Jnr (Taxi, Second Chance)
Main cast: Gloria Swanson (Sadie Thompson, Queen Kelly), William Holden (Stalag 17, Network), Erich von Stroheim (La grande illusion, Storm Over Lisbon)
An Opinion or Two 