Sunset Boulevard (film)

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

Casting

In 1948 Wilder discussed the Norma Desmond character with Greta Garbo (who had not made a movie since 1941) in the hope she might return to the screen, however she expressed little interest. The role was then offered to Mae West who declared herself too young to play a former silent-movie star. Wilder recalled that "in a bout of insanity" he and Brackett visited Mary Pickford. She was interested but cautious and was ruled out when she disagreed with the storyline. They also approached Pola Negri who "threw a tantrum at the mere suggestion of playing a has-been" and refused the role.{{mn|Perry|2}}

Related Topics:
1948 - Greta Garbo - 1941 - Mae West - Mary Pickford - Pola Negri

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George Cukor suggested Gloria Swanson. Wilder later commented they had not considered her because they thought she was "somehow unattainable." Swanson had been one of the most feted actresses of the silent-screen era, known for her beauty, talent and extravagant lifestyle. At the peak of her career in 1925 she was said to have received 10,000 fan letters in a single week and had lived on Sunset Boulevard in an elaborate Italianate palace from 1920 until the early 1930s. In many ways she resembled the Norma Desmond character and like her, she had been unable to make a smooth transition into talking pictures. The similarities ended there though, as Swanson accepted the end of her film career and in the early 1930s moved to New York City where she worked in radio and television. Although Swanson was not seeking a comeback she was intrigued when Wilder discussed the role with her. {{mn|Perry|2}}

Related Topics:
George Cukor - 1925 - 1920 - 1930s - Talking pictures - New York City - Radio - Television

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Swanson was chagrined at the notion of submitting to a screen test, saying she had "made twenty films for Paramount. Why do they want me to audition?" Her reaction was later echoed in the screenplay when Norma Desmond declares, "without me there wouldn't be any Paramount." In her memoir Swanson recalled asking Cukor if it was unreasonable to refuse the screen test and he replied that Norma Desmond was the role for which she would be remembered. "If they ask you to do ten screen tests, do ten screen tests, or I will personally shoot you," Cukor replied. His enthusiasm convinced Swanson to participate. {{mn|Swanson|6}} In a 1975 interview Wilder recalled Swanson's reaction with the observation, "there was a lot of Norma in her, you know."{{mn|AboutFilmNoir|4}}

Related Topics:
Screen test - 1975

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Montgomery Clift was signed to play Joe Gillis but withdrew. Then Fred MacMurray declined the role. William Holden, who had made an impressive debut in Golden Boy (1939) before spending a decade in second-rate films, accepted the part.

Related Topics:
Montgomery Clift - Fred MacMurray - Golden Boy - 1939

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Erich von Stroheim, a leading film director of the 1920s who had directed Swanson, was signed to play Max, the faithful servant and Norma's protector. For the role of Betty Schaeffer, Wilder wanted a newcomer who could project a wholesome and ordinary image to contrast with Swanson's flamboyant and obsessive Desmond. He chose Nancy Olson, who had recently been considered for the role of Delilah in Samson and Delilah. {{mn|Staggs|5}}

Related Topics:
Erich von Stroheim - Nancy Olson - Delilah - Samson and Delilah

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