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*Sunset Boulevard* is classified as a 1950 American dark comedy film noir.
Answer: True
The film *Sunset Boulevard* is indeed classified as a 1950 American dark comedy film noir, combining elements of dark humor with the cynical tone and visual style of the genre.
The film *Sunset Boulevard* earned less than its budget at the box office.
Answer: False
With a budget of $1.75 million and a gross of $5 million, *Sunset Boulevard* earned significantly more than its budget at the box office.
*Sunset Boulevard* was released on August 10, 1950, and has a running time of 110 minutes.
Answer: True
The film *Sunset Boulevard* was indeed released on August 10, 1950, and has a running time of 110 minutes.
*Sunset Boulevard* had its world premiere at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
Answer: False
*Sunset Boulevard* had its official world premiere at Radio City Music Hall, not Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
What genre best describes the film *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: Dark Comedy Film Noir
The film *Sunset Boulevard* is classified as a dark comedy film noir, a genre that blends dark humor with the cynical and visually distinctive style of film noir.
What was the approximate budget for *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: $1.75 million
The production budget for *Sunset Boulevard* was approximately $1.75 million.
When was *Sunset Boulevard* officially released?
Answer: August 10, 1950
*Sunset Boulevard* had its official release on August 10, 1950.
Where did *Sunset Boulevard* have its official world premiere?
Answer: Radio City Music Hall
*Sunset Boulevard* held its official world premiere at the prestigious Radio City Music Hall on August 10, 1950.
The plot of *Sunset Boulevard* begins with Joe Gillis narrating his life story from the present day.
Answer: False
The film's plot begins with Joe Gillis's body being discovered in a swimming pool, and he then narrates the events leading to his death in flashback.
Joe Gillis is a successful screenwriter at the beginning of the film, seeking new projects.
Answer: False
At the beginning of the film, Joe Gillis is a struggling screenwriter who is down on his luck and fleeing repo men, not a successful one.
Joe Gillis first encounters Norma Desmond when he intentionally seeks her out for a script collaboration.
Answer: False
Joe Gillis stumbles upon Norma Desmond's mansion by accident while evading repo men, not by intentionally seeking her out for a collaboration.
Norma Desmond's grand plan for her return to the screen involves starring in a film about Salome, using her own script.
Answer: True
Norma Desmond's grand plan for her comeback is to star in a film about Salome, based on a script she has written herself.
Joe Gillis is hired by Norma Desmond as her personal assistant and chauffeur.
Answer: False
Joe Gillis is hired by Norma Desmond as a script doctor for her *Salome* script, not as her personal assistant or chauffeur.
Max von Mayerling secretly writes fan mail to Norma Desmond to maintain her delusion of fame.
Answer: True
Max von Mayerling secretly writes all of Norma Desmond's fan mail to preserve her delusion that she is still a beloved star.
Joe Gillis realizes Norma Desmond's romantic feelings for him at a New Year's Eve party.
Answer: True
Joe Gillis becomes aware of Norma Desmond's romantic feelings for him during a New Year's Eve party at her mansion.
Max von Mayerling was Norma Desmond's brother who became her devoted servant.
Answer: False
Max von Mayerling was Norma Desmond's first husband and the director who discovered her, not her brother.
Joe Gillis's death occurs after he attempts to leave Norma Desmond's mansion and she shoots him.
Answer: True
Joe Gillis is shot by Norma Desmond after he confronts her about her delusions and attempts to leave her mansion.
In the film's conclusion, Norma Desmond is aware she is being arrested for murder and accepts her fate.
Answer: False
In the film's conclusion, Norma Desmond is deluded, believing the police and reporters are film cameras for her comeback, and she makes a dramatic speech, unaware of her arrest for murder.
How does the plot of *Sunset Boulevard* initially unfold?
Answer: It starts with police discovering Joe Gillis's body, followed by his narration in flashback.
The film opens with the discovery of Joe Gillis's body in a swimming pool, after which he narrates the events leading to his death in a flashback sequence.
What is Joe Gillis's profession and initial predicament at the beginning of the film's flashback?
Answer: He is a struggling screenwriter trying to interest Paramount Pictures and fleeing repo men.
At the outset of the flashback, Joe Gillis is depicted as a struggling screenwriter attempting to sell a script to Paramount Pictures while simultaneously evading repo men.
How does Joe Gillis first encounter Norma Desmond?
Answer: He stumbles into her driveway while evading repo men.
Joe Gillis's initial encounter with Norma Desmond occurs when he accidentally drives into her mansion's driveway while attempting to escape repo men.
What is Norma Desmond's grand plan for her return to the screen?
Answer: To star in a film about Salome, using a script she has written herself.
Norma Desmond's ambitious plan for her cinematic comeback involves starring in a film based on her own script about Salome.
What role does Joe Gillis assume in Norma Desmond's household?
Answer: A script doctor for her *Salome* script
Joe Gillis is hired by Norma Desmond to serve as a script doctor for her *Salome* screenplay, despite his low opinion of its quality.
What is the secret behind the fan mail Norma Desmond receives?
Answer: Her devoted butler, Max, secretly writes all of it.
Norma Desmond's fan mail is secretly penned by her loyal butler, Max, as a means to sustain her illusions of continued fame and public adoration.
What event causes Joe Gillis to realize Norma Desmond's romantic feelings for him?
Answer: A New Year's Eve party at her mansion.
Joe Gillis discerns Norma Desmond's romantic attachment to him during a New Year's Eve party hosted at her mansion.
What is revealed about Max von Mayerling's past relationship with Norma Desmond?
Answer: He was once a respected film director who discovered her, made her a star, and became her first husband.
It is revealed that Max von Mayerling was a renowned film director who discovered Norma Desmond, launched her career, and was her first husband, later becoming her devoted butler.
What ultimately leads to Joe Gillis's death in *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: Norma Desmond shoots him after he confronts her and attempts to leave.
Joe Gillis meets his demise when Norma Desmond shoots him after he confronts her about her delusions and attempts to depart from her mansion.
How does *Sunset Boulevard* conclude with Norma Desmond's final scene?
Answer: She believes the police and reporters are film cameras for her comeback and makes a dramatic speech.
In her final scene, Norma Desmond, in a state of delusion, mistakes the police and news cameras for a film crew, delivering a dramatic speech as she descends her staircase, believing it to be her triumphant return.
Charles Brackett was the sole writer and producer for *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: False
Charles Brackett co-wrote the screenplay with Billy Wilder and D. M. Marshman Jr., and also served as producer. He was not the sole writer.
Wilder and Brackett avoided censorship by submitting the entire *Sunset Boulevard* script at once, disguised as a different project.
Answer: False
Wilder and Brackett circumvented censorship by submitting the script a few pages at a time, leading executives to believe it was a different, non-existent story.
A clip from Gloria Swanson's earlier film *Queen Kelly*, directed by Erich von Stroheim, is shown within *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: True
Norma Desmond shows Joe Gillis a clip from *Queen Kelly*, an earlier Gloria Swanson film directed by Erich von Stroheim, who also plays Max in *Sunset Boulevard*.
Director Billy Wilder insisted on making Gloria Swanson appear significantly older to emphasize the age difference with Joe Gillis.
Answer: False
While Wilder initially wanted to make Swanson look older, she argued against it, and they ultimately agreed to make William Holden appear younger instead.
John F. Seitz, the cinematographer, used color film to enhance the glamour of Norma Desmond's mansion.
Answer: False
*Sunset Boulevard* was intentionally filmed in black and white to reflect the noir genre and enhance its dark mood, not in color.
The challenging shot of Joe Gillis's corpse in the pool was achieved by filming William Holden underwater.
Answer: False
The shot of Joe Gillis's corpse in the pool was achieved by placing a mirror on the pool's bottom and filming William Holden's reflection from above.
Edith Head designed Norma Desmond's costumes to be perfectly in line with contemporary 1950s fashion trends.
Answer: False
Edith Head designed Norma Desmond's costumes to be 'a trifle outdated, a trifle exotic,' reflecting a mid-1940s Dior look with embellishments, not contemporary 1950s fashion.
The boat-shaped bed in Norma Desmond's mansion was a custom prop created specifically for *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: False
The boat-shaped bed in Norma Desmond's mansion had a history, having previously appeared in the 1925 film *The Phantom of the Opera*.
The musical score for *Sunset Boulevard* by Franz Waxman featured a bebop theme for Norma Desmond.
Answer: False
Franz Waxman's score featured a tango theme for Norma Desmond, while Joe Gillis's theme was influenced by bebop.
The original opening scene of *Sunset Boulevard* featured a morgue where corpses discussed their deaths, but it was changed due to audience laughter.
Answer: True
The initial opening scene, featuring corpses in a morgue, was indeed changed after preview audiences reacted with laughter, making the filmmakers reconsider the tone.
Who co-wrote the screenplay for *Sunset Boulevard* and also served as its producer?
Answer: Charles Brackett
Charles Brackett co-wrote the screenplay for *Sunset Boulevard* with Billy Wilder and D. M. Marshman Jr., and also held the role of producer.
Which actor portrayed the character of Norma Desmond in *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: Gloria Swanson
Gloria Swanson delivered an acclaimed performance as the iconic character Norma Desmond in *Sunset Boulevard*.
Which real-life director made a cameo appearance as himself in *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: Cecil B. DeMille
Renowned director Cecil B. DeMille made a cameo appearance as himself in *Sunset Boulevard*, further blurring the lines between fiction and Hollywood reality.
How did the screenwriters of *Sunset Boulevard* circumvent censorship by the Breen Code and studio oversight?
Answer: They submitted the script a few pages at a time, leading executives to believe it was a different story.
Wilder and Brackett circumvented censorship by submitting the script in fragments, leading studio executives to mistakenly believe they were working on a different, less controversial project.
Which prominent actress rejected the role of Norma Desmond, offended by the idea of playing a 'has-been' star?
Answer: Mae West
Mae West notably declined the role of Norma Desmond, reportedly offended by the prospect of portraying a 'has-been' star.
What film, featuring Gloria Swanson and directed by Erich von Stroheim, is shown within *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: *Queen Kelly*
Within *Sunset Boulevard*, Norma Desmond screens a clip from *Queen Kelly*, an earlier film starring Gloria Swanson and directed by Erich von Stroheim.
Why did Montgomery Clift withdraw from the role of Joe Gillis?
Answer: He claimed the role of a young man involved with an older woman was too similar to a previous part.
Montgomery Clift withdrew from the role of Joe Gillis, citing its similarity to a previous role involving a young man and an older woman.
Who was the cinematographer for *Sunset Boulevard*, known for his dark, shadowy black-and-white cinematography?
Answer: John F. Seitz
John F. Seitz served as the cinematographer for *Sunset Boulevard*, employing his distinctive dark, shadowy black-and-white style to enhance the film's noir aesthetic.
Why was *Sunset Boulevard* intentionally filmed in black and white?
Answer: To reflect the noir genre and enhance the dark mood.
*Sunset Boulevard* was deliberately filmed in black and white to align with the conventions of the film noir genre and to intensify its dark and cynical atmosphere.
How was the challenging shot of Joe Gillis's corpse at the bottom of the pool achieved?
Answer: By placing a mirror on the pool's bottom and filming William Holden's reflection from above.
The complex shot of Joe Gillis's corpse submerged in the pool was accomplished by positioning a mirror on the pool's floor and capturing William Holden's reflection from an overhead perspective.
Who designed the costumes for *Sunset Boulevard*, creating Norma Desmond's 'a trifle outdated, a trifle exotic' wardrobe?
Answer: Edith Head
Edith Head was responsible for designing the distinctive costumes for *Sunset Boulevard*, crafting Norma Desmond's wardrobe to appear 'a trifle outdated, a trifle exotic.'
What was unique about the bed in Norma Desmond's mansion?
Answer: It was shaped like a boat and had previously appeared in *The Phantom of the Opera*.
The boat-shaped bed in Norma Desmond's mansion possessed a unique history, having been previously featured in the 1925 film *The Phantom of the Opera*.
Who composed the musical score for *Sunset Boulevard*, incorporating tango music for Norma Desmond's theme?
Answer: Franz Waxman
Franz Waxman composed the musical score for *Sunset Boulevard*, notably integrating tango music to characterize Norma Desmond's theme.
What was the initial opening scene of *Sunset Boulevard* during previews, which was later changed?
Answer: A morgue where assembled corpses discussed how they came to be there.
The original opening scene of *Sunset Boulevard* depicted a morgue where corpses engaged in conversation about their deaths, a concept later revised due to audience reactions.
The film *Sunset Boulevard* is named after a famous street in New York City.
Answer: False
The film is named after Sunset Boulevard, a major street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, not New York City.
Billy Wilder was inspired by the lives of successful, active film stars residing on Sunset Boulevard.
Answer: False
Billy Wilder was inspired by the grand houses and the reclusive former silent stars residing on Sunset Boulevard, imagining their lives after their celebrity faded, not by successful, active stars.
The character of Norma Desmond was partly inspired by the reclusive existences of Mary Pickford and Pola Negri.
Answer: True
The character of Norma Desmond draws inspiration from the reclusive lives of silent film stars such as Mary Pickford and Pola Negri, among others.
Norma Desmond's name is commonly believed to be a combination of silent film actress Mabel Normand and director William Desmond Taylor.
Answer: True
The name Norma Desmond is widely believed to be a portmanteau of silent film actress Mabel Normand and director William Desmond Taylor.
Billy Wilder initially wanted to adapt F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby* before writing *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: False
Billy Wilder initially considered adapting Evelyn Waugh's novel *The Loved One* before writing *Sunset Boulevard*, not *The Great Gatsby*.
Billy Wilder confirmed that *Sunset Boulevard* was intended as a black comedy.
Answer: False
When asked if *Sunset Boulevard* was a black comedy, Billy Wilder simply replied, 'No, just a picture,' indicating his preference against genre classification.
What historical context of Sunset Boulevard inspired Billy Wilder's film?
Answer: The grand houses and reclusive former silent stars residing on the street.
Billy Wilder's inspiration for *Sunset Boulevard* stemmed from observing the opulent homes and the reclusive lives of former silent film stars along Sunset Boulevard, envisioning their post-fame existences.
Which real-life silent film stars' reclusive existences mirrored aspects of Norma Desmond's character?
Answer: Mary Pickford and Pola Negri
The character of Norma Desmond was partly inspired by the reclusive lives of silent film stars such as Mary Pickford and Pola Negri, among others.
What is the commonly accepted origin of Norma Desmond's name?
Answer: A combination of silent film actress Mabel Normand and director William Desmond Taylor.
Norma Desmond's name is widely believed to be a composite of silent film actress Mabel Normand and director William Desmond Taylor.
What was Billy Wilder's response when asked if *Sunset Boulevard* was a black comedy?
Answer: No, just a picture.
When questioned about the genre of *Sunset Boulevard*, Billy Wilder famously responded, 'No, just a picture,' indicating his preference for the film to be appreciated on its own terms rather than categorized.
*Sunset Boulevard* was recognized by the U.S. Library of Congress for its cultural significance in 1989.
Answer: True
In 1989, *Sunset Boulevard* was included in the first group of films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress, acknowledging its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.
The American Film Institute ranked *Sunset Boulevard* as the number 1 film of the 20th century in 1998.
Answer: False
The American Film Institute ranked *Sunset Boulevard* number 12 on its 1998 list of the 100 best American films of the 20th century, not number 1.
*The New Yorker* gave *Sunset Boulevard* a glowing review, calling it a masterpiece.
Answer: False
*The New Yorker* offered a rare negative review, calling *Sunset Boulevard* 'a pretentious slice of Roquefort,' not a masterpiece.
Roger Ebert retrospectively criticized Gloria Swanson's performance as over-the-top in *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: False
Roger Ebert retrospectively praised Gloria Swanson's performance as 'one of the all time greatest,' not as over-the-top.
*Sunset Boulevard* won all four acting Academy Awards for which it was nominated.
Answer: False
*Sunset Boulevard* was nominated in all four acting categories but did not win any of them.
The Writers Guild of America ranked the screenplay for *Sunset Boulevard* as the 7th greatest ever.
Answer: True
The Writers Guild of America indeed ranked the screenplay for *Sunset Boulevard* as the 7th greatest ever written.
Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett continued their successful collaboration on several films after *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: False
*Sunset Boulevard* marked the final collaboration between Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, who parted ways amicably after its production.
Gloria Swanson's career flourished after *Sunset Boulevard*, leading to many new film roles.
Answer: False
Despite her acclaimed performance, Gloria Swanson virtually retired from films after *Sunset Boulevard*, fearing she would be reduced to playing 'a parody of a parody.'
*Sunset Boulevard* was digitally restored in 4K for its 75th anniversary in 2025.
Answer: True
For its 75th anniversary in 2025, *Sunset Boulevard* is indeed being restored in 4K for limited theater screenings and Ultra HD Blu-ray release.
What significant recognition did *Sunset Boulevard* receive from the U.S. Library of Congress in 1989?
Answer: It was included in the first group of films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
In 1989, *Sunset Boulevard* was recognized for its cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance by the U.S. Library of Congress and inducted into the National Film Registry.
How did the American Film Institute rank *Sunset Boulevard* on its 1998 list of the 100 best American films of the 20th century?
Answer: Number 12
The American Film Institute placed *Sunset Boulevard* at number 12 on its 1998 list of the 100 best American films of the 20th century.
Which publication offered a rare negative review of *Sunset Boulevard*, calling it 'a pretentious slice of Roquefort'?
Answer: *The New Yorker*
*The New Yorker* published a notably negative review of *Sunset Boulevard*, characterizing it as 'a pretentious slice of Roquefort.'
How many Academy Awards did *Sunset Boulevard* win?
Answer: Three
*Sunset Boulevard* received 11 Academy Award nominations and ultimately won three awards: Best Story and Screenplay, Best Art Direction – Black-and-White, and Best Original Score.
What was the nature of the professional split between Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett after *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: They parted amicably, but Brackett never fully recovered from the split.
Following *Sunset Boulevard*, Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett concluded their professional partnership amicably, though Brackett later expressed that he never fully reconciled with the separation.
What happened to Gloria Swanson's film career after her acclaimed performance in *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: She virtually retired from films, fearing she would be reduced to playing a 'parody of a parody.'
Despite her critically acclaimed role in *Sunset Boulevard*, Gloria Swanson largely withdrew from film acting, concerned that subsequent roles would merely be imitations of Norma Desmond.
The first musical adaptation of *Sunset Boulevard*, featuring Gloria Swanson, had a tragic ending similar to the film.
Answer: False
Gloria Swanson's musical adaptation, *Boulevard!*, featured a happy ending where Norma Desmond gave Joe and Betty her blessing, a stark contrast to the film's tragic conclusion.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of *Sunset Boulevard* won a Tony Award for Best Musical.
Answer: True
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of *Sunset Boulevard* was awarded the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1995.
Glenn Close is set to direct the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: False
Glenn Close is producing the film adaptation of the musical, but the provided information does not state she is set to direct it; Rob Ashford is no longer attached as director.
*The Carol Burnett Show* parodied *Sunset Boulevard* in a sketch called 'Sunnyset Boulevard'.
Answer: True
*The Carol Burnett Show* famously parodied *Sunset Boulevard* with its recurring sketch 'Sunnyset Boulevard,' featuring Carol Burnett as 'Nora Desmond.'
The *Twilight Zone* episode 'The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine' was influenced by *Sunset Boulevard*.
Answer: True
The 1959 *Twilight Zone* episode 'The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine,' starring Ida Lupino as an aging film star, was clearly influenced by *Sunset Boulevard*.
Donald Trump has cited *Sunset Boulevard* as one of his personal favorite films.
Answer: True
Donald Trump has indeed cited *Sunset Boulevard* as one of his personal favorite films and screened it multiple times during his presidency.
The song 'Floating' by Blue Rodeo directly references the movie *Sunset Boulevard* and William Holden.
Answer: True
The Blue Rodeo song 'Floating' contains the chorus line 'I feel like William Holden floating in a pool,' a direct reference to the opening scene of *Sunset Boulevard*.
Who composed the music for the successful Broadway musical adaptation of *Sunset Boulevard*?
Answer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the music for the highly successful Broadway musical adaptation of *Sunset Boulevard*.
Which actress originated the role of Norma Desmond in the London premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical?
Answer: Patti LuPone
Patti LuPone originated the role of Norma Desmond in the London premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of *Sunset Boulevard*.
Which television show famously parodied *Sunset Boulevard* with a recurring sketch called 'Sunnyset Boulevard'?
Answer: *The Carol Burnett Show*
*The Carol Burnett Show* created a memorable and recurring parody of *Sunset Boulevard* titled 'Sunnyset Boulevard.'
The 1959 *Twilight Zone* episode 'The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine' was influenced by *Sunset Boulevard*. Who starred in this episode as an aging Hollywood film star?
Answer: Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino starred as Barbara Jean Trenton in *The Twilight Zone* episode 'The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine,' a character clearly influenced by Norma Desmond from *Sunset Boulevard*.