Sunset Boulevard Quotes Flashcards
(12 cards)
Last one I wrote was about [ ]. You’d never know because when it [ ], the whole thing played on a [ ].
Last one I wrote was about [ Okies in the Dust Bowl ]. You’d never know because when it [ reached the screen ], the whole thing played on a [ torpedo boat ].
Means: the original story got changed very drastically by Hollywood, they don’t support individual creativity.
Betty: the reason I hated “Bases Loaded” is that I knew your name. I’d always heard you had some [ ].
Joe: That was [ ]. This year I’m trying to [ ].
Betty: the reason I hated “Bases Loaded” is that I knew your name. I’d always heard you had some [ talent ].
Joe: That was [ last year ]. This year I’m trying to [ earn a living ].
Means: Joe has a cynical outlook on Hollywood, having developed this through his experiences at writing. Hollywood wants the money.
Max: “She was the [ ]. You wouldn’t know. You are too [ ]. In one week she got seventeen thousand fan letters.”
Max: “She was the [greatest]. You wouldn’t know. You are too [young]. In one week she got seventeen thousand fan letters.”
Means: Norma was a star a long time ago and it’s evident that the new generation wouldn’t know of her.
Max: “She never will. That is [ ]. It has been for a long time. You must understand I discovered her when she was sixteen. I [ ] star, and I cannot let her be [ ].”
Max: “She never will. That is [ ]. It has been for a long time. You must understand I discovered her when she was sixteen. I [ made her a ] star, and I cannot let her be [ destroyed ].
Means: Max reveals a deeper and more significant connection to Norma. More than just being her butler, but one who was the catalyst for her stardom. He expresses a sense of ownership or responsibility over her.
Betty: “It’s just a [] of something that wasn’t very good to begin with.”
Betty: “It’s just a [rehash] of something that wasn’t very good to begin with.”
Means: Joe’s writing isn’t creative. He’s desperate to try and achieve success but his draining wealth is catching up to him.
Betty: “I just think a picture should say [] something.”
Betty: “I just think a picture should say a little something.”
Means: Betty thinks deeper meaning behind pictures is more important than what sells on screen - challenging the superficiality of Hollywood.
Betty: “I’d always heard that you’d had some []”
Joe: “That was last year. This year I’m trying to make []”
Betty: “I’d always heard that you’d had some [talent]”
Joe: “That was last year. This year I’m trying to make [a living]”
Means: Joe is trading his talent for trite stories which is a sign of desperation. He’s running out of time to be successful in Hollywood, running out of time to become financially stable.
Betty: “It’s not your career — it’s mine. I kind of hoped to get in on this []. I don’t want to be a reader all my life. I want to write.”
Betty: “It’s not your career — it’s mine. I kind of hoped to get in on this [deal] I don’t want to be a reader all my life. I want to write.”
Means: this quote captures Betty’s ambitious and independent nature. She goes against gender norms that the man is in charge.
Assistant: “She must be a million years old!”
CB: “I hate to think where that puts me.”
Means: CB chuckles as he is way older than Norma yet isn’t subject to ageism due to his gender. This quote really emphasises the extent of gender norms relating to age.
CB: “30 million fans have given her the [], isn’t that enough?”
CB: “30 million fans have given her the [brush], isn’t that enough?”
Means: CB feels a little guilty over Norma’s loss in stardom.
CB: “You didn’t know Norma Desmond as a lovely little girl of 17, more [] that ever came together in a youngster.”
CB: “You didn’t know Norma Desmond as a lovely little girl of 17, more [courage and wit and heart] that ever came together in a youngster.”
Means: DeMille sympathises for Norma, humanizing her and he subtely critiques Hollywood as he feels guilty over how she was a young radiant star chewed up and spat out by the Hollywood machine.
