Directed by AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Billy Wilder, SUNSET BLVD. (1950) is the quintessential LA film noir –enshrined not only as a definitively dark encapsulation of the City of Angels, but also across the American Film Institute’s lists of the art form’s finest. It appeared on both lists of the greatest American films of all time – the original and 10th anniversary edition – as well as among the cinema’s great film scores. Starring William Holden – named by AFI among the greatest screen legends – and Gloria Swanson, the latter’s iconic lines “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up” and “I am big! It’s the pictures that got small” are both ranked on AFI’s list of the great movie quotes in cinematic history.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about SUNSET BLVD.
