At a mansion on Sunset Boulevard, police officers and photographers discover the body of Joe Gillis floating face down in the swimming pool. In a flashback, Joe relates the events leading to … See more

• William Holden as Joe Gillis (Joseph C. Gillis)
• Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond
• Erich von Stroheim as Max von Mayerling See more

Franz Waxman's musical score was the final element added to Sunset Boulevard. His theme for Norma was based on tango music, inspired by her having danced the tango with Rudolph Valentino. This style was contrasted with Joe's bebop theme. Waxman also used … See more

Sunset Boulevard was the last collaboration between Wilder and Brackett. They parted amicably and did not publicly air any … See more

Background
The street known as Sunset Boulevard has been associated with Hollywood film production since 1911, when the town's first film studio, See more

Previews and revision
Wilder and Brackett, nervous about a major screening in Hollywood, held a preview in See more

Of the various films that have attracted Academy Award nominations in all four acting categories, Sunset Boulevard is one of only three not to win in any category, the others being See more