Sunset Blvd. (1950)

Plot Summary

Joe Gills, a screenwriter in debt, hides out in the mansion of Norma Desmond, a silent film star who wants to return to her glory days. Joe agrees to rewrite a script for her but Norma intends to go further in their relationship, which becomes obsessive and dangerous. Max, the butler, collaborates in the actress's return to the movies and monitors Joe's movements. Directed by Billy Wilder, this is a classic film noir about Hollywood and the passage of time, with a magnificent and hypnotic performance by Gloria Swanson.

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Release Date

Also Known As (A.K.A.)

Certification

Sensitive content guide

Awards

Academy Awards, USA (1951)

Oscar 1951

Winner

Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture

Franz Waxman

Oscar 1951

Nominated

Best Cinematography, Black-and-White

John F. Seitz

Oscar 1951

Winner

Best Writing, Story and Screenplay

Charles Brackett Billy Wilder D.M. Marshman Jr.

Oscar 1951

Winner

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White

Hans Dreier John Meehan Sam Comer Ray Moyer

Oscar 1951

Nominated

Best Film Editing

Arthur P. Schmidt Doane Harrison

Oscar 1951

Nominated

Best Picture

Charles Brackett

Golden Globes, USA (1951)

Golden Globe 1951

Winner

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Golden Globe 1951

Nominated

Best Cinematography - Black and White

John F. Seitz

Golden Globe 1951

Nominated

Best Screenplay

Charles Brackett D.M. Marshman Jr. Billy Wilder

Golden Globe 1951

Winner

Best Original Score

Franz Waxman