Episode 139: Billy Wilder’s “Sunset Boulevard”

We return to the work of Billy Wilder with a discussion of his 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard.”

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In 1950, Billy Wilder breaks into a new decade with one of his most revered films. “Sunset Boulevard” tells the tale of an aged-actor who is unable to make the transition from the silent films to filmmaking with sound. Her demented demeanor tangles a talented screenwriter who is disillusioned with the Hollywood system. “Sunset Boulevard” serves as a cautionary tale of the trappings of celebrity and Hollywood.

Why does “Sunset Boulevard” works so well in 2012 as it did in 1950? Why did Billy Wilder frame the picture as a horror film? And what does “Sunset Boulevard” say about celebrity today?

We’re returning to the work of Billy Wilder with his film “Sunset Boulevard” as the subject of episode 139 of the AuteurCast…