Movie connections for
Sunset Blvd. (1950) More at IMDbPro »

Remade as

Sunset Boulevard (2010)

Edited into

Mrs. Harris (2005) (TV)
 -  In the opening credits

References

Das Wachsfigurenkabinett (1924)
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
 -  Norma Desmond's bedroom is designed after the room the Phantom has prepared for Chriatine Daaé, and the elaborately carved, fairytale boat-shaped beds are identical.
The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927)
Dracula (1931)
Das Blaue vom Himmel (1932/I)
King Kong (1933)
 -  Joe makes a King Kong joke when talking about the chimpanzee.
Dracula's Daughter (1936)
 -  Mysterious reclusive older woman with an overprotective male servant falls for a younger man.
The Importance of Being Earnest (1938) (TV)
 -  there's a line about reading inside "a private cigarette case"
Gone with the Wind (1939)
Great Expectations (1946)
The Paleface (1948)
 -  The guests at Artie's New Year's Eve party sing "Buttons and Bows".
Samson and Delilah (1949)
 -  Cecil B. DeMille is on location filming Samson and Delilah (1949).

Referenced in

Senso (1954)
 -  Very similar themes borrowed that were not found in the original novella "Senso;" older woman causes the death of her much younger gigolo after he scorns her.
"The Twilight Zone: The Sixteen Millimeter Shrine (#1.4)" (1959)
 -  the same story of an aging actress (Ida Lupino) trying to get back her career, watching her old movies in a private screening room, etc.
The Great Race (1965)
The Oscar (1966)
Valley of the Dolls (1967)
The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)
The Boys in the Band (1970)
 -  He says "I'm not ready for my closeup Mr. Demille"
"Columbo: Forgotten Lady (#5.1)" (1975)
 -  An aging actress, desperate to make a comeback, spends most of her free time watching her old films in a small private movie theatre.
Fedora (1978)
Portrait d'un homme 'à 60% parfait': Billy Wilder (1980)
 -  photos
Maledetti vi amerò (1980)
 -  Some characters mention the movie, and a crossdresser spoofs Gloria Swanson.
"Prisoner: (#1.270)" (1982)
 -  Ian Mahoney takes Janet Conway to a screening. Miss Conway later gives her rendition of Norma Desmond's "close-up" line.
L'ultima diva: Francesca Bertini (1982) (TV)
Die Sehnsucht der Veronika Voss (1982)
 -  Some aspects of Veronika Voss are loosely adapted from Sunset Boulevard
The 55th Annual Academy Awards (1983) (TV)
"Kate & Allie: The Very Loud Family (#1.2)" (1984)
 -  Allie recites a version of the speech, "Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up".
"Amazing Stories: Secret Cinema (#1.20)" (1986)
 -  closing line
The Big Easy (1986)
 -  The opening shot of The Big Easy is the same as the famous opening of Sunset Boulevard, a dead man face down in a pool.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Rejuvenatrix (1988)
 -  An old actress with a German servant who'd been her lover takes up with a younger man who gives her a chance at restarting her career, neither understanding the danger.
Rocket Gibraltar (1988)
La casa 4 (Witchcraft) (1988)
 -  mentioned by the realtor
"Freddy's Nightmares: Dust to Dust (#2.20)" (1990)
 -  A character exclaims, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille."
"Twin Peaks: (#2.3)" (1990)
 -  Victoria Catlin's line: "She's ready for her close-up now."
Barton Fink (1991)
Soapdish (1991)
 -  references to Gloria Swanson and turbans
The Player (1992)
 -  Producer Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) takes a call from someone who identifies himself as Joe Gillis, the character played by William Holden in "Sunset Boulevard." Not getting the reference, Mill asks no one in particular, "Anybody know who Joe Gillis is?"
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
 -  Character names (Gordon Cole, played by David Lynch, is a homage to this film, & Chris Isaak's character's last name is Desmond). There is also a monkey in Fire Walk With Me.
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Atomic Brain (#6.18)" (1993)
 -  Crow: Hey, it's Norma Desmond's house.
Sunny Side Up (1994)
Bullets Over Broadway (1994)
 -  Writer meets older star actress and they fall in love
Witch Hunt (1994) (TV)
"Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: The Eyes Have It (#2.12)" (1995)
 -  When Diana tells her cameraman, "I'm ready for my closeup Mr. Demille."
Shu dan long wei (1995)
 -  "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Spielberg"
Richard III (1995)
 -  Richard watching film reel of himself, brooding.
"ReBoot: Painted Windows (#2.5)" (1995)
 -  Hexadecimal to Bob: "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Guardian."
Spy Hard (1996)
Hustler White (1996)
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
"NewsRadio: Massage Chair (#3.3)" (1996)
 -  Dave "it's the pictures that got small"
"Seinfeld: The Little Kicks (#8.4)" (1996)
 -  Jerrys line at the end "I'm still big. It's the bootlegs that got small"
Just Write (1997)
 -  Both this movie and that one take place behind the scenes of an upcoming film.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Undead (#9.6)" (1997)
 -  Crow: I'm ready for my execution Mr. DeMille.
Cats Don't Dance (1997)
Hacks (1997/I)
 -  referenced by the bus driver
Willa: An American Snow White (1998) (TV)
 -  The Regina character in "Willa" is very much like "Sunset Boulevard"'s Norma Desmond
Gods and Monsters (1998)
Relax... It's Just Sex (1998)
Hayley Wagner, Star (1999) (TV)
She's Alive! Creating the Bride of Frankenstein (1999)
 -  mentioned once
The Best of Film Noir (1999) (V)
 -  Poster shown.
Cookie's Fortune (1999)
 -  Close plays a woman who's gone crazy. It's no accident that the play she directs is Solomee. The reference is obscure but undeniable.
American Beauty (1999)
"Backstory: The Seven Year Itch" (2000)
 -  documentary features movie poster
When Brendan Met Trudy (2000)
American Beauty: Look Closer... (2000) (V)
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
A Huey P. Newton Story (2001) (TV)
 -  Newton says "I'm ready for my close up now"
Walking Shadow (2001) (TV)
Who Is Cletis Tout? (2001)
 -  poster in video store window
'Sunset Blvd.': A Look Back (2002) (V)
 -  This documentary is always referencing this movie, because is a making of of it.
Andrew Lloyd Webber: Masterpiece (2002) (TV)
Orange County (2002)
"Enterprise: Dear Doctor (#1.13)" (2002)
 -  it is referenced as being among the ship's movie library and Dr. Phlox may like it
"Gilmore Girls: A-Tisket, A-Tasket (#2.13)" (2002)
 -  Lorelai mentions watching the film
The Back Lot Murders (2002) (V)
 -  mentioned in dialogue
Red Dragon (2002)
"Home Movies: My Cheatin' Heart (#3.7)" (2002)
 -  Mentioned in dialogue
Edith Head: The Paramount Years (2002) (V)
 -  Someone mentions this film.
Remembering 'Roman Holiday' (2002) (V)
Girls Will Be Girls (2003/I)
 -  An over-the-hill actress spends most of her free time watching her old films while surrounded with countless photographs of her hey-days.
A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
 -  mentioned in documentary
Die, Mommie, Die! (2003)
 -  the ending parallels the ending of this film
Living with Michael Jackson: A Tonight Special (2003) (TV)
 -  The vast collection of framed photographs of Jackson's past is similar to the collection of photographs Norma Desmond has.
"Gilmore Girls: Swan Song (#3.14)" (2003)
 -  Lorelai says that Rory's sleeping over at her grandparents' will assure her a Norma Desmond style breakfast.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
The Making of 'Carlito's Way' (2003) (V)
 -  Someone mentions this film.
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003)
 -  Dickie plays poker with washed-up child stars; Norma Desmond plays bridge with superannuated silent film stars in Sunset Blvd.
Exhumed (2003) (V)
 -  character based on Gloria Swanson's performance as Norma Desmond
"Gilmore Girls: The Festival of Living Art (#4.7)" (2003)
 -  When Lorelai prepares to go on stage, Rory asks her, "Are you ready for your close up, Miss Desmond?".
"Angels in America" (2003)
 -  quotes liberally from the "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" scene
A Home at the End of the World (2004)
 -  When the characters go see a movie, this is on the marquee.
Redentor (2004)
 -  Posthumous narration of character.
"Dead Like Me: Forget Me Not (#2.12)" (2004)
 -  Dialogue on William Holdens death in Sunset Blvd.
Shakespear's Sister: Best Of (2004) (V)
 -  Scenes from the film are recreated throughout the 'Goodbye Cruel World' video with Siobhan Fahey as Norma Desmond.
"Medium: A Couple of Choices (#1.3)" (2005)
 -  Joe: Call Maury Povich - tell him I'm ready for my close-up."
Film Geek (2005)
 -  poster in Scotty's apartment
Be Cool (2005)
 -  In dialog, after Tommy is shot.
29th and Gay (2005)
 -  (said by movie studio tour guide) "Are you ready for your close-up?"
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
 -  Opens with a shot of the protagonist, from the point of view of the bottom of a pool.
Bowser Makes a Movie (2005)
 -  "Where's the camera, Mr. DeMille? A star is born."
Domino (2005)
 -  Domino references this movie in her narration
"Nip/Tuck: KiKi (#3.2)" (2005)
 -  "She's ready for her close-up."
Colour Me Kubrick: A True...ish Story (2005)
 -  discussion of a stage production of this movie
"At the Hotel: Welcome to the Rousseau (#1.1)" (2006)
 -  Lucy points out the similarity between the events at the Rousseau and the film Sunset Blvd (bodies lying face down in a pool), and recommends that Jenny rent the film (even going so far as to order it up to her room).
Fatwa (2006)
 -  as he looks into a video camera, a man says "Ready for close-up?"
X-Gen (2006)
 -  Dead body in a pool.
Hollywoodland (2006)
 -  The watch Toni gave George is inscribed with the same message: "Mad about the boy"
Inland Empire (2006)
 -  blonde, over-the-hill-actress' comeback + the monkey + queen kelly scene
Trapped Ashes (2006)
 -  "I think I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Spielberg"
"Gilmore Girls: The Long Morrow (#7.1)" (2006)
 -  Taylor paraphrases the famous "I'm ready for my close-up" line.
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Monster in the Box (#7.16)" (2007)
 -  When the undercover officer Kamen is in the victim's appartment, she tells Sofia (who has a camera and microphone in the living room) "I'm ready for my close-up".
The Brave One (2007)
 -  (said during filming) "Are you ready for your close-up?"
Cinematic Titanic: The Oozing Skull (2007) (V)
 -  Frank: "Ready for my close-up on the back of my sweater, Mr. DeMille."
"Gossip Girl: School Lies (#1.12)" (2008)
 -  Dan quotes from it
Fly Me to the Moon (2008)
 -  "We're ready for our close-ups."
"The Replacements: Hollywoodn't (#3.11)" (2008)
 -  Todd tells a Hollywood studio guard that he's "ready for his close-up"
Igor (2008)
 -  I'm ready for my close-up, mr. director.
The Informers (2008)
 -  French movie poster seen on wall (as "Boulevard du Crepuscule")
"Saturday Night Live: Jon Hamm/Coldplay (#34.6)" (2008)
 -  Vincent Price (Bill Hader) mentions it when introducing Gloria Swanson (Kristen Wiig).
"Diamonds: Part Two (#1.2)" (2009)
 -  Prior to a press conference, Joan is asked if she's "ready for her close-up."
"The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Watchmen/Shuttle/12 (#1.2)" (2009)
 -  Ellen says Billy Wilder also directed Some like it hot (1959) & Sunset Blvd. (1950)
The Commune (2009/I)
 -  Dialogue: Jenny says "I had a queer dream..." and Cassie asks "Was there an organ grinder and a monkey?"
"Chowder: Endive's Dirty Secret/Big Food (#2.19)" (2009)
 -  Chowder's interaction with 'Big Food' was a takeoff of the movie.
"Glee: Acafellas (#1.3)" (2009)
 -  Sandy says, "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille," even though the line is actually, "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

Features

Queen Kelly (1929)

Featured in

"Hollywood" (1980)
Trading Places (1983)
 -  TV version only includes clip from Sunset Blvd.
Precious Images (1986)
The American Film Institute Salute to Billy Wilder (1986) (TV)
The 58th Annual Academy Awards (1986) (TV)
Visions of Light (1992)
 -  The famous scene of Norma Desmond about to descend her staircase for the last time is shown at the beginning and end of the film.
100 Years at the Movies (1994) (TV)
Mary Pickford: A Life on Film (1997)
The Race to Save 100 Years (1997)
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (1998) (TV)
 -  This film is #12 on the list.
The Best of Film Noir (1999) (V)
 -  Clips shown.
When Brendan Met Trudy (2000)
'Sunset Blvd.': A Look Back (2002) (V)
 -  Scenes from this film are shown.
Edith Head: The Paramount Years (2002) (V)
 -  Scenes from this film are shown.
The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003) (TV)
Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)
 -  footage appears throughout
Sex at 24 Frames Per Second (2003) (V)
Comfort and Joy (2003) (TV)
 -  The characters are watching the scene on tv where Norma Desmond says "I am big, it's the pictures that got small."
Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic (2004) (TV)
 -  excerpt shown
The 77th Annual Academy Awards (2005) (TV)
AFI's 100 Years... 100 'Movie Quotes' (2005) (TV)
 -  The quotes "Alright, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." and "I am big! It's the pictures that got small." are #7 and #24 on the list.
Billy Wilder Speaks (2006) (TV)
 -  excerpt of film used in documentary on director
Girl 27 (2007)
 -  Clips shown.
The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007) (TV)
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies: 10th Anniversary Edition (2007) (TV)
 -  This film is #16 on the list.
Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
 -  Harper watches it in the movie theatre
Un cortometraje de Alejandro Pérez (2009)
 -  Fragment showed during the end

Spoofed in

"Dragnet 1967: The Bank Examiner Swindle (#1.6)" (1967)
 -  Episode features an old "has-been" actress who plans to return to pictures. She is introduced at the top of a staircase being photographed by the press, just like Gloria Swanson's character, and she seems obsessed with being well-known again. Also, Jack Webb was in both.
Heat (1972)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Evil Dead II (1987)
"DuckTales: The Uncrashable Hindentanic (#1.65)" (1987)
 -  The character "Gloria Swansong," who desperately wants to revive her career (as in "Sunset Blvd."), appears in this episode.
Risque Business (1989)
 -  Porn take-off of dark comedy.
Sam and Max Hit the Road (1993) (VG)
 -  character Evelyn Morrison says parody quotes of Gloria Swanson's character from the film
Swimming with Sharks (1994)
"3rd Rock from the Sun: Fifteen Minutes of Dick (#2.23)" (1997)
 -  About 15 minutes into the episode the scene with the flowers not coming is a spoof and Harry says: "She still is big, it's the planet that got small."
Money Talks (1997)
"Rugrats: America's Wackiest Home Movies/The 'Lympics (#4.6)" (1997)
 -  Angelica says "I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Deville"
Krippendorf's Tribe (1998)
Cecil B. DeMented (2000)
 -  The line "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Demented" spoofs the line "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" from the end of this movie.
Movie Critters' Big Picture (2003) (TV)
 -  An old time actress Gloria Swansong does a great performance in Sunshine Boulevard. The character is called Nora Dumont.
"Two and a Half Men: Alan Harper, Frontier Chiropractor (#1.11)" (2003)
 -  In the final scene, Alan spoofs Norma Desmond's "ready for my close-up"-ending.
"American Dad!: Star Trek (#1.15)" (2005)
 -  Framing device of narrator floating face down in pool
Faces of Death: The Make-Up Effects of 'All Souls Day' (2006) (V)
 -  while in zombie make-up, someone says "I'm ready for my close-up"
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009)
 -  Norma Desmond is fired (she starts to say "I'm ready for my (close-up)")

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