Sunset Boulevard (film)

:For the Broadway production see: Sunset Boulevard (musical).

After Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard was the last collaboration between Wilder and Brackett. Their relationship was reportedly damaged by disputes over filming the montage scenes of Norma preparing her return to the screen. The film marked an approximate midpoint of Wilder's most successful years.

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Charles Brackett's Hollywood career continued after his split with Wilder. He won an Academy Award for his screenplay for Titanic (1953), and wrote Niagara (1953), which was the breakthrough film for Marilyn Monroe as a dramatic actress. It was Wilder however, who realized Monroe's comedic abilities in The Seven Year Itch and Some Like it Hot. Brackett's career waned by the end of the decade.

Related Topics:
Titanic - Niagara - Marilyn Monroe - The Seven Year Itch - Some Like it Hot

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William Holden began receiving more important parts and his career rose. In 1953, he won the Best Actor Oscar for Stalag 17 (also directed by Wilder) and by 1956 he was the number one box-office attraction in the United States.

Related Topics:
1953 - Stalag 17 - 1956

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Gloria Swanson was not able leverage her own success in Sunset Boulevard. Although offered scripts, she felt that they all were poor imitations of Norma Desmond. Imagining a career that would eventually reduce her to playing "a parody of a parody" she virtually retired from films. {{mn|Perry|2}}

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In 1957 Swanson initiated discussions with Paramount Studios to adapt Sunset Boulevard into a musical called Boulevard! In her version the romance between Gillis and Shaefer was allowed to blossom and rather than shoot Gillis at the end, Norma gave the couple her blessing, sending them on their way to live "happily ever after." Swanson employed a songwriter and several songs were completed. Paramount Studios, who owned the copyright, encouraged Swanson to continue but withdrew its consent in 1959, saying it would not permit an interpretation that would damage the existing and future reputation of the film. It allowed television productions for Lux Video Theatre with Miriam Hopkins, and Robert Montgomery Presents with Mary Astor and Darren McGavin, because the storyline remained faithful to the original script. {{mn|Staggs|5}}

Related Topics:
1957 - 1959 - Lux Video Theatre - Miriam Hopkins - Robert Montgomery Presents - Mary Astor - Darren McGavin

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Sunset Boulevard was shown in New York City in 1960 and drew such a positive response that Paramount arranged for a limited rerelease in theaters throughout the United States. It is arguably best known to modern audiences as a result of its television screenings since the 1960s. {{mn|Perry|2}}

Related Topics:
New York City - 1960 - 1960s

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