tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post709375864398710995..comments2024-03-24T04:12:24.783-04:00Comments on A PERSON IN THE DARK: SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) - COUGAR TOWN!FlickChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-53725066892219494972016-07-12T20:12:34.273-04:002016-07-12T20:12:34.273-04:00Your site is wonderful.Good to know that I'm n...Your site is wonderful.Good to know that I'm not the only living person(20) interested in Silver Age(as I call the early times of movie making,there is some resemblance between the silent pictures and the clear,sharp material of silver).I was always captivated by the complexity of Norma Desmond.Unlike the black and white movies,it's not the case with her character.She isn't just an antagonist,who lives in the past,is sexually pervert(I read it somewhere that she actually used that monkey as a sexual tool,and when she refers of Salome kissing the severed head of the holy man suggests that she is a necrofiliac too)all in all a lunatic wanna-be femme fatale.In this analyses of Billy Wilder's creation you get the incarnation of original greek female godess/beasts,and the reinforcement of the old saying "The devil is a woman".While I was reading that analyses I was shocked by the fact that how one sided it was written,total symphaty for the greedy,hypocrate Joe and hatred for the THD(Theatrical Hystorical Disorder)narcissistic Norma.<br />How I see Norma is completley different from that characterization.Norma in some ways doesn't live in the past,for her the past is her present,and she isn't a delusional completely(as Glenn Close portrayes her in the musical version of Sunset Boulevard),but the past/present reality is held together and is strengthened by Max.Who is in my wiew, more mentally disturbed(he sacrificed evrethyng for Norma and became totally obsessed with her,even strongly possessive)so, here's the thing,what if Max possessiveness held Norma back from facing and coping with reality,or at least had a big part in it? One might think that if Norma had so much money(because of her clever investments choices)why she never tried to make a movie of her script ?<br />Of course we know that she had several suicide attempts,but we weren't given the whole backstory to know the reasons as well.For instance what happened during her previous marriages,why she was abandoned by all of her friends(those card playing mates are like marionattes,paid and controlled by Norma)what was the journey that lead her so enstranged from the outside of her mansion? This wasn't just a matter of a night,when she woke up everything was gone,it was a complicated,slow process,kept on the right road by Max.Why I think this way? Max had many opportunities during those years spent with Norma,he could have shown her the reality,encouraged her to invest her talent in something else than acting,perhaps producing,directing or anything ,but instead he watched her isolation in silence,kept her alive for himself as his Madam,wrote her fan letters so the past slowly forged together with the present.<br />When Jo confronts Norma with these facts,the reality becomes impossible to deal with ,but before her surrender to total delusion ,she anreged by the lies that Joe and Max told her ,shoots him.Then comes the total mental shock,but somehow she still recognizes Max,although she is clearly out of touch with reality,now that is interesting.<br /><br />I'm also curious about her faith after the close-up scene.Maybe she wasn't found guilty about the murder for reason of insanity,and was released under the care of Max,but who knows? But in the end it doesn't matter because when she surrenders Norma Desmond dies.<br /><br />I'm sorry for my (with the voice and tone of Blanche Deveroux/Rue Maclanahan)many many many mistakes, but English isn't my native tounge.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18241826815509416132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-74444429432582589592014-06-09T20:47:59.783-04:002014-06-09T20:47:59.783-04:00blondeatthefilm - that you for giving poor Norma t...blondeatthefilm - that you for giving poor Norma the benefit of the doubt!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-54722705578467690892014-06-09T20:47:21.794-04:002014-06-09T20:47:21.794-04:00Ginny - Brownlow is an absolute god - so please do...Ginny - Brownlow is an absolute god - so please do find that book and enjoy! He was so lucky to be able to talk to them all before their parade passed by for good.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-46257771207946223862014-06-09T20:46:21.306-04:002014-06-09T20:46:21.306-04:00Thank you, Lady Eve. And really, how totally creep...Thank you, Lady Eve. And really, how totally creepy was Love in the Afternoon?FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-52320433611712030802014-05-27T19:39:58.360-04:002014-05-27T19:39:58.360-04:00I really enjoyed your unique take on this movie! I...I really enjoyed your unique take on this movie! It's one I've only seen once a long time ago, so I'd love to watch it again keeping your thoughts in mind, especially since I have a deeper appreciation for the silent film era now and could probably better relate to Norma. I just recently became familiar with Kevin Brownlow so I definitely want to read the book you mentioned. Thanks for the info!Ginnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05488652520343338827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-52544412586942613882014-05-27T14:07:10.331-04:002014-05-27T14:07:10.331-04:00Great review--you made me think of this movie in a...Great review--you made me think of this movie in a different way! Love the comparison to Love in the Afternoon, too...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-24176448867527751202014-05-27T02:03:51.631-04:002014-05-27T02:03:51.631-04:00FlickChick - a fascinating look at the Queen of mo...FlickChick - a fascinating look at the Queen of motion pictures, Sunset Blvd. L.B. Mayer considered Wilder heretical for making this film, and having von Stroheim playing a butler as well as Norma's former director says something about showing Hollywood's cruelty to its own as one of the legacies of the movie. Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-31773523045542741662014-05-26T22:45:08.210-04:002014-05-26T22:45:08.210-04:00Your posts are never anything less than unique, we...Your posts are never anything less than unique, well-written and entertaining, but this one is really something special. <br /><br />I'd never given much thought to whether Norma deserved sympathy and protection or not, but you've got me thinking about it now. In my youth I viewed her as a crazy old bat- but I'm a 50++ year-old-woman now. Funny how one's perspective changes.<br /><br />(Gary Cooper paired with Audrey Hepburn in Love in the Afternoon has always given me the creeps - now THAT's grotesque). <br /><br />Wonderful piece, M. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-70485634897205335422014-05-26T21:23:34.474-04:002014-05-26T21:23:34.474-04:00Hi Dorian - thanks for the very kind words!Hi Dorian - thanks for the very kind words!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-3862620025480864832014-05-26T21:23:16.607-04:002014-05-26T21:23:16.607-04:00Silver Screenings - thanks so much. Go Team Norma!...Silver Screenings - thanks so much. Go Team Norma!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-27904074049295336872014-05-26T21:21:54.320-04:002014-05-26T21:21:54.320-04:00Grandoldmovies - sadly, so many talented personali...Grandoldmovies - sadly, so many talented personalities were thrown o the trash heap with the coming of sound. I guess Norma's pride couldn't take it!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-38099585879046696912014-05-26T21:20:28.104-04:002014-05-26T21:20:28.104-04:00Fritzi- thank you for appreciating my poor Norma. ...Fritzi- thank you for appreciating my poor Norma. She always gets such a bad rap. FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-50375337488628691072014-05-26T21:19:10.979-04:002014-05-26T21:19:10.979-04:00Page, you naughty wench! I saw what you did to my ...Page, you naughty wench! I saw what you did to my poor Norma! Better watch out -Max still has the gun!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-76618387648956225962014-05-26T21:18:27.778-04:002014-05-26T21:18:27.778-04:00Aubyn - thank you. I think changing perspectives i...Aubyn - thank you. I think changing perspectives is the mark of a great film - and this one has it in spades!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-21979400211793516552014-05-26T21:17:15.071-04:002014-05-26T21:17:15.071-04:00Le - really? Garbo's old age? Boy, the mean gi...Le - really? Garbo's old age? Boy, the mean girls never go away, do they?FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-36707626751733078822014-05-26T21:16:18.016-04:002014-05-26T21:16:18.016-04:00Vintage Cameo - many thanks. And I sure hope life ...Vintage Cameo - many thanks. And I sure hope life doesn't end at 40!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-66557159602986323492014-05-26T14:20:02.071-04:002014-05-26T14:20:02.071-04:00Marsha,
I purposely avoided reading your review un...Marsha,<br />I purposely avoided reading your review until I was finished with mine. It's hilarious that we have some of the same screen shots. And similar thoughts. ha ha This is a riot. <br /><br />Laughed at Cougar Town! Perfect description of this Wilder masterpiece. <br /><br />Very entertaining. <br />See ya soon!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-14079083188583014882014-05-26T13:57:06.875-04:002014-05-26T13:57:06.875-04:00If somebody hadn't written up this movie for t...If somebody hadn't written up this movie for the blogathon, I'm sure I would have started throwing a Norma Desmond-style tantrum so I'm so glad that someone did--and that person was you! I love how you work your way into a sympathetic study of Norma. Isn't it interesting how your perspective on her can change after multiple viewings of the film. When I saw it as a teenager, Norma seemed more like a cartoon witch. Now, I feel rather outraged on her behalf. Great write-up!Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-27424106630505598302014-05-25T22:45:44.354-04:002014-05-25T22:45:44.354-04:00Marsha, you've outdone yourself with your witt...Marsha, you've outdone yourself with your witty and poignant post about SUNSET BOULEVARD. Age always seems to change over time, becoming malleable, thanks to the likes of Botox, plastic surgery and such. I'm 50 and so are most of my friends loved ones", so there isn't as much of a stigma; we're all "women of a certain age" nowadays! :-D Norma might find her fate very different these days, happy as she is instead of being a nigh-grotesque, but I guess that wouldn't be as dramatic! :-) It really makes one think as this crazy old world evolves! In any case, Marsha, you did a superb job, Marsha! Hope you're having a fine Memorial Day Weekend, my friend!DorianTBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357778472575080022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-60229709395884649052014-05-24T18:16:12.358-04:002014-05-24T18:16:12.358-04:00So beautifully written. This really captures the e...So beautifully written. This really captures the essence of the film, and the essence of the silent stars.<br /><br />Well done!Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-22051112154769247102014-05-23T23:04:27.383-04:002014-05-23T23:04:27.383-04:00Just a great post! So much you observe about Norma...Just a great post! So much you observe about Norma is true - she's a crazy old bat only in Joe Gillis' shallow eyes; when we see her, she's vibrant, energetic, smart, and still good-looking (if a trifle eccentric). One thing this movie always makes me wonder is why someone like Norma wouldn't have continued in talkies (she obviously has a good speaking voice). Seems she was just too big for the screen to contain her.grandoldmovieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10773085288675763855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-51203573571328006222014-05-23T18:36:10.823-04:002014-05-23T18:36:10.823-04:00This was a very entertaining post, and how true! M...This was a very entertaining post, and how true! Mary Pickford only 45 and "washed up" in Hollywood. It sure is funny ( yes, I'm under 50 ). The way they talked about the silent era you'd think it was a hundred years ago. That's like referring to Schindlers List or Goldeneye as being OLD movies. Gosh! That already makes me feel old at 25. The Metzinger Sistershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10728879307994086409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-1984828044666287262014-05-23T15:53:25.790-04:002014-05-23T15:53:25.790-04:00Wonderful post about the movie I consider to be th...Wonderful post about the movie I consider to be the best ever made. <br />I always pitied Norma, exactly for her "waving at a parade gone by". Hollywood was hard with its stars. I once read and article about Two Faced-Woman and it said "Garbo couldn't hide her old age". OLD? she was 35!<br />Again, congratulations on your great post. <br />Kisses! Lêhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02419693749682458647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-43354464847262503632014-05-23T14:29:17.353-04:002014-05-23T14:29:17.353-04:00One of my very, very favorite films, and Norma one...One of my very, very favorite films, and Norma one of my favorite characters!<br /><br />I'm always stunned to remember that Gloria/Norma is only 50 here—Wilder does a great job of exaggerating her "old age" in a way that really highlights the hypocrisy in how Hollywood treats the aging woman... as though life ends at 40!Vintage Cameohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12198989922609440510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9143901229925085760.post-26165780531749495142014-05-23T13:56:57.210-04:002014-05-23T13:56:57.210-04:00CW - I am blushing. But, I loved this film so much...CW - I am blushing. But, I loved this film so much - I wanted to do Norma some justice!FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.com