Sunset Boulevard

I only wish I could help. I loaned it to my accountantHe has an important client down in Palm Springs Felt like shooting the breeze

It's about a rookie shortstop. He's batting .347The kid was once mixed up in a holdup. Now he's trying to go straight

Here's that "Based Loaded" material, Mr. Sheldrake. I made a two-page synopsis for you, but I wouldn't bother to read it

You've got to give me some work, I'll take whatever's on offer. There must be some shit that needs a rewrite, throw it my way

I only wish I could help, there's no spare shit at the moment. Remember the greatest writers starved in Garrets, didn't care about pay

He's working on 'Samson and Delilah'. They're doing a red-hot scene with Hedy Lamarr. You want to stay and watch?

What a lovely sight! At the end of the driveway: A great big empty garage. This thing must burn up 10 gallons to a mile.

(V.O.)When he'd gone, I stood looking out the window for a while. There was the ghost of a tennis court with faded marking and a sagging net. There was an empty pool where Clara Bow and Fatty Arbuckle must have swum 10,000 midnights ago. And then there was something else; The chimp's last rites, as if she were laying a child to rest. Was her life really as empty as that?

Look, Betty, it can't be done, it's out. Let's keep in touch through Artie. That way if you get stuck, we can at least talk.

I don't think you understand, Mr. Gillis, Madame is extremely fagile. She has moment of melancholy. There have been suicide attempts.

Who the hell do you think you are, bringing my stuff up from my apartment Without consulting me? I have a life of my own--Now you're telling me I'm supposed to be a prisoner here.

I think, perhaps, sir, you will have to make up your mind to abide by the rules of this house. That is, if you want the job.

In December, the rain came. One great big package, over-sized, like everything else in California; and it came right through the roof of my room above the garage. So she had me move into the main house. Into what Max called " The room of the husbands". And on a clear day, the theory was, you could see Catalina. And little by little I worked through the end of the script. At which point I might have left; only by then those two boys from the finance company had traced my car and towed it away; and I hadn't seen one single dollar of cash money- Since I arrived.

No, Joe, No, it's just the beginning, it's just the first draft; I couldn't dream of letting you go, I need your support.

Oh come on. Come on. Come on. Get up. Follow me. And one, two....and one, two, one two together. And one....Don't lean back like that.

We'll have a wonderful time next year. I'll have the pool filled up for you. I'll open up my house in Malibu, and you can have the whole ocean. I have enough money to buy us anything we want.

Norma, what I'm trying to say is that I'm the wrong guy for you; you need a big shot, someone with polo ponies, a Valentino...

I had to get out, I needed to be with people my own age, to hear the sound of laughter and mix with hungry actors, underemployed composers, nicotine-poisoned writers. Real people, real problems, having a really good time.

Hey, Gillis! We'd given you up. Let me take your coat. Jesus, Joe, what's this made of? Mink? Who did you borrow this from? Adolphe Menjou?

Where have you been hiding? I called your apartment. I called your ex-agent. I was about to call the Bureau of Missing Persons.

I never meant to hurt you, Norma. You've been good to me; you're the only person in this stinking town that's ever been good to me

I've been waiting twenty years now. What's a few more days, my dear? It's happened, Joe, I told you so, the perfect year. Now, let's go upstairs

Now, I know how busy you are during shooting, but I really think you could have picked up the phone yourself instead of leaving it to some assistant.

The name is Sheldrake. A couple of weeks ago, I was looking out of my office window, I saw you drive onto the lot, and I said, that's exactly the car I've been looking for, great for my new Crosby picture. So, I made a few inquiries, I've just been calling you for two weeks. Doesn't she ever pick up the phone? You know, outside a museum, you don't see that kind of quality anymore. We're willing to pay, At least a hundred dollars a week....

Whose phone number is this? I've been worried about the line of my throat. I think this woman has done wonders with it.

You don't understand Joe, I'm under a terrible strain. It's been so hard I even got myself a revolver. The only thing that stopped me from killing myself was the thought of all those people waiting to see me back on the screen. How could I disappoint them? All I ask is a little patience, a little understanding.

Sounds good to me, I love the back lot here. It's all cardboard, all hollow, all phony, all done with mirrors. I think I love it more than any street in the world. I spent my childhood here.

But my family always expected me to become a great star. I had ten years of dramatic lessons, diction, dancing, everything you can think of. And then the studio made a test.

Not at all. Come on, I was born two blocks from here. My father was head electrician at the studio until he died. My mother still work in wardrobe.

Well, what's stopping you, now that we've finished the script...Hey. why are you crying? You're getting married, isn't that what you wanted?

Well, we're not helping any, feeding her lies, more lies. What happens when she find out they're not going to make her picture?

I directed all her early pictures. In those days there were three young directors who showed promises; D.W.Griffith, Cecil B. De Mille and-

Hello, is this Gladstone 9281? Miss Schaeffer? ...Hello, Miss Schaeffer, you must forgive me for calling so late, but I really feel it's my duty. It's about Mr. Gillis...You do know a Mr. Gillis? Well, exactly how much do you know about him? Do you know where he lives? Do you know what he lives on?

...Or better yet, come over and see for yourself. Yes, right now. The address is ten thousand eighty-six, Sunset Boulevard

Don't hate me, Joe, I did it because I need you. Look at me. Look at my hands. Look at my face. Look under my eyes. How can I go back to work if I'm wasting away? No! Don't stand there hating me, Joe. Shout at me, strike me, but say you don't hate me...Joe, Joe.

And as dawn breaks over the murder house, Norma Desmond, famed star of yesteryear, is in a state of completely mental shock

I can't go on with the scene; I'm too happy. May I say a few words, Mr. De Mille? I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be back in the studio making the picture. I promise you I'll never desert you again. This is my life. It's always will be. There's nothing else. Just us and the cameras and all you wonderful people out there in the dark… And now, Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my close-up