Parallax

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Sunset Boulevard backdrop
Sunset Boulevard poster
The Canon / Parallax Editorial Archive
Curated by Pedro Neves, Founder of Parallax

Sunset Boulevard

Die große Liebe

Directed by Billy Wilder
1942•1h 40m•18•★ 6.8
Drama / Romance

Synopsis

The attractive Oberleutnant Paul Wendlandt is stationed in North Africa as a fighter pilot. While in Berlin to deliver a report he is given a day's leave, and on the stage of the cabaret theatre "Skala" sees the popular Danish singer Hanna Holberg. For Paul it is love at first sight. When Hanna visits friends after the end of the performance, he follows her, and speaks to her in the U-Bahn. After the party in her friends' flat, he accompanies her home and chance throws them further together when an air raid warning forces them to take cover in the air raid shelter. Hanna reciprocates Paul's feelings, but after a night spent together Paul has to return immediately to the front. There now follows a whole series of misunderstandings, and one missed opportunity after another. While Hanna waits in vain for some sign of life from Paul, he is flying on missions in North Africa. When he tries to visit her in her Berlin flat, she is giving a Christmas concert in Paris.

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Sunset Boulevard

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Cinematic Profile

Billy Wilder

Billy Wilder

Cast & Crew

DirectorBilly Wilder
WriterBilly WilderD.M. Marshman Jr.Charles Brackett
CinematographyJohn F. Seitz
MusicFranz Waxman
Principal Cast
William Holden
William HoldenJoe Gillis
Gloria Swanson
Gloria SwansonNorma Desmond
Erich von Stroheim
Erich von StroheimMax von Mayerling
Nancy Olson
Nancy OlsonBetty Schaefer
Fred Clark
Fred ClarkSheldrake
Lloyd Gough
Lloyd GoughMorino
Jack Webb
Jack WebbArtie Green
Franklyn Farnum
Franklyn FarnumUndertaker

Technical Specifications

Runtime1h 40m (100 mins)

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Production Details

DirectorBilly Wilder
LanguagesGerman
CountryDE
StudioUFA
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