tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post3117695101370080571..comments2024-03-28T01:36:10.408-04:00Comments on Dancin' Dan On Film: Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Sunset BoulevardDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480863610135936930noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-44086998669022994112015-07-17T18:17:08.254-04:002015-07-17T18:17:08.254-04:00Thing is, if all you'd seen of Sunset Boulevar...Thing is, if all you'd seen of Sunset Boulevard was that final scene with the monologue, you'd totally think it WAS a horror film!Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11480863610135936930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-35657482059575641152015-07-17T12:31:54.405-04:002015-07-17T12:31:54.405-04:00Great choice and analysis. This film really is rip...Great choice and analysis. This film really is ripe for discussion and as you said, each viewing brings new fascinating aspects to ponder. I love that you mentioned Gloria's Bela Legosi realness, as the film made me sad that we never got to see a Billy Wilder horror movie. I bet that would have been great, based on the filmmaking we see here. Shane Slaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04527212913193906828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-24313430901583765952015-07-16T16:13:08.571-04:002015-07-16T16:13:08.571-04:00Yeah, I've seen the chain getting caught befor...Yeah, I've seen the chain getting caught before but honestly thought it was a mistake they left in, but this time, it just hit me the right way!<br /><br />I, too, love the way Max is nearly always lurking in the background of shots, ever the watchful eye over Norma. And that business with the microphone is perfection.<br /><br />LOVE Hedda Hopper in that scene! Wilder chose her over Louella Parsons, whom he was closer with, because she had acting experience, and it definitely shows in that scene. Also love how she tells the cop to get off the phone because her dictating the story to the newspaper is what's REALLY important! Really lovely work.<br /><br />Carol Burnett's face as Nora Desmond is just brilliant, but my favorite is the physicality of her walk down the stairs and the tumble to the floor as she tosses her pearls over her shoulder. It's guaranteed to make me laugh.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11480863610135936930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-81579375788237033072015-07-16T15:05:08.173-04:002015-07-16T15:05:08.173-04:00Great subtle choice of shot. I’ve noticed his gett...Great subtle choice of shot. I’ve noticed his getting his chain caught but never thought about that implication.<br /><br />The film is so wonderful and full of layers. I struggled with so many choices even though the last ultimate shot was disallowed. One thing I often notice is that despite the film being sympathic to Norma it still presents her as a form of succubus drawing the life out of Joe. Throughout the film she is often costumed in some spidery way. Her hats, often the way she wears her stoles or coats and the way she moves or holds Joe conjures up images of enfoldment. <br /><br />Some of the shots I considered were Max deep in the shadows where he has always remained revealing he was her first husband. The shot between Joe and the salesman when he snarkily advises getting the vicuna where he first realizes he is being bought. Norma’s lost look of desperation as she realizes Joe is leaving her with the gun in her hand. The profile shot as she feels the light from the projector off her face after having decried her abandonment by Hollywood. All great but I would chose the shared shot of Norma and the enemy microphone as it brushes her hat, again covering her face like a spider web when she is waiting for DeMille. The look of disdain on her face is perfect.<br /><br />A couple of asides. Who knew that Jack Webb could ever be so relaxed on screen! Also I think Hedda Hopper’s reaction at Norma’s final descent is very well played, as the room full of strangers impassively watch her descend Hedda, who probably would have known her is clearly moved to anguish at her destruction, it’s subtle and moving.<br /><br />LOVE the Nora Desmond clip!! I always got a kick out of them but this particular one was always my favorite. joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.com