Has anyone seen the classic movie Sunset Blvd., if so, what did you think of it?

I disagree on your take with Sunset Blvd, and assume by “overacting” you mean the over the top performance of Gloria Swanson. Unlike the other movies on your list, I cannot watch this one without regarding it as a wonderful sort of inside joke about the absurdities of Hollywood and stardom. All of those exaggerations Swanson imparts to the clearly deranged Norma Desmond are just too wonderful to be dismissed as mere camp. Watch it again. The writing and dialog will stand up next to any film on your list, including the great Casablanca.

@stanleybmanly Sorry, I have to disagree. I thought it was horrible, despite understanding it. I just thought it was awful. I thought Gloria Swanson’s character was a bad imitation of Gloria Swanson doing Gloria Swanson. I also didn’t like Casablanca. I thought it was very boring, although the acting was just fine.

I love old movies, and have seen scads of them, but Sunset Blvd. was a stinker.

Well as I said before, this is probably why Baskin Robbins provides 31 flavors. I still strongly recommend that you watch the film again. I think a lot of people who don’t like this film miss the point that it is in fact a comedy.

Cant believe you don’t like Casablanca! I’m shocked, shocked! But I guess I’ll go tell Mr. Demille that you’re ready for your close up.

Lawrence of Arabia is one of my favorites. “We’ve taken Aqaba”. “Who told you to take Aqaba?” “Shouldn’t an Officer use his initiative at all times, sir?” “Not really Lawrence, it’s awfully dangerous”.

Exactly! The dialogue in all 3
of those movies is almost exquisite. Lawrence has the luxurious bonus of being visually stunning, but those other 2 are worth listening to even without the visuals.

You are true conneiseur of Classic Cinema sir!

“Of all the gin joints in all the cities in all of the world, she has to walk in to mine”. Love that line!

If you don;t like Casablanca, @Kardamom, you probably won’t like The Maltese Falcon, although i think it is one of Bogart’s best.

Sunset Blvd. is, as @stanleybmanly mentions, is a send-up of Hollywood at its worst. The whole point is Gloria Swanson doing bad Gloria Swanson!

Since you seem to prefer movies in color, have you seen Chinatown?

Or The African Queen? Another Bogart classic. Unusual role for Bogart as his female passenger has to twist his less than heroic arm to do the right thing.

I’ve seen very little of Sunset Blvd. I had it on once, but I was getting ready to go shopping or to bed, so I was distracted.

You might like the drama based on the Scopes trial, Inherit the Wind.

Great movie that!

In the words of the immoral Roger Ebert, “It was fuckin’ A bitchin’, Man”!

It was indeed. Spencer Tracey had the Clarence Darrow role. If my memory serves me correctly.

Sine you liked Singing In The Rain, try An American In Paris.
Swanson’s performance reflects her vision of herself in Silent Cinema. I’m not crazy about Sunset Boulevard, but for other reasons.
Check out the silent films “Sunrise” and “Flesh and the Devil”.

Nobody mentioned Breakfast At Tiffany’s yet??!! It is a must see.

@PattyMelt, I did see Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I love Audrey Hepburn. Haven’t seen it in years. I should watch it again. I recently watched her and the beautiful Peter O’Toole in How to Steal a Million. It was very cute.

I like Humphrey Bogart too. Looking forward to finding some of these.

If you want to see a wonderful and beautiful movie with an unusual story line, try “Black Narcissus”. I think you can watch the full movie free on youtube. I still think it’s the best film that Deborah Kerr ever made

And that reminds of another favorite “The Nun’s Story”.

Bogart’s “The Big Sleep” and “The Maltese Falcon” are two of his best

Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Good thriller with some surprising plot twists.

@All, I hope some of these are on Netflix. I’m looking forward to seeing some of them.

I’ll tell you what, though. Seeing these classics on the big screen is really wonderful. I almost wet myself when I saw Singing in the Rain at the theater. Wow!

It’s kind of ironic, though. It almost never rains here in CA, where the movie was set : (

You can get alot of old movies on You Tube for free.

LOL. Casablanca is one of my favorite films. The very best lines were delivered by Claude Rains, playing the cynical, laconic, corrupt, but good humored Captain Renault. He is hilarious in Casablanca. The guy has seen so much crap go down in real life that he couldn’t care less who wins the war anymore—and cares even less about all the intrigue around him as long it doesn’t affect him personally. He’s decided that he will survive, in style if possible, and not be nuisance to anyone in the process.

Rick: And remember, this gun is pointed right at your heart.
Captain Renault: That is my least vulnerable spot.

My favorite Rains’ line is at the end of this conversation:

[Rick and Renault discussing Victor Laszlo’s chances of escaping Casablanca]
Captain Renault: This is the end of the chase.
Rick: Twenty thousand francs says it isn’t.
Captain Renault: Is that a serious offer?
Rick: I just paid out twenty. I’d like to get it back.
Captain Renault: Make it ten. I’m only a poor corrupt official.

Captain Renault: Rick, there are many exit visas sold in this café, but we know that you’ve never sold one. That is the reason we permit you to remain open.
Rick: Oh? I thought it was because I let you win at roulette.
Captain Renault: That is another reason.

Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
Captain Renault: I’m Shocked, SHOCKED, SHOCKED to find that gambling is going on in here!
[a croupier hands Renault a pile of money]
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: [sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much.
Captain Renault: EVERYBODY OUT AT ONCE!

And his efforts at CYA while the Gestapo is in town breathing down his neck
Captain Renault: Realizing the importance of the case, my men are rounding up twice the usual number of suspects.

Captain Renault: Hello Rick.
Rick: Hello Louis.
Captain Renault: How extravagant you are, throwing away women like that. Someday they may be scarce. You know, now I think I shall pay a call on Yvonne. Maybe get her on the rebound. Hmm?
Rick: When it comes to women, you’re a true democrat.

Captain Renault: Carl, see that Major Strasser gets a good table, one close to the ladies.
Carl: I have already given him the best, knowing he is German and would take it anyway.

Bogart had some great lines as well. My favorite was when he is sitting at the table with Renault and two Gestapo officers:
Major Strasser: What is your nationality?
Rick: I’m a drunkard.
Captain Renault: That makes Rick a citizen of the world.

Lol – great dialogue, great movie.

You forgot what I think is Renaults best line: “I have no politics, I blow with the wind. At present, the wind prevails from Vichy.”

I may have to revisit Casablanca. I saw it in my 20’s and thought it was dull. I’m willing to give it another go.

You’ll enjoy it.

“How does an American come to live in Casablanca? Abscond with the church funds, run off with a Senators daughter, kill a man?” I’m here for my health- the waters.” “What waters, we’re in a desert!” “I was misinformed”.

And btw, many of those people you see crying while singing “The Marseillaise” in the scene where they over-sing the Germans and their “Deutchland Uber Alles”, are actually Jewish refugee actors. Hollywood was filled with refugee actors from Europe, many of them Jews, looking for a better life away from Nazis from 1936 onwards. Director Michael Curtiz made sure to hire as many as possible for that scene. The exuberance of the singing and those tears were very real. It was a one-take deal. Afterwards, there was silence on the set for a long time. Nobody could work after that and Curiz called it a day.

Never knew that. Interesting. And I have never seen Citizen Kane, but I’ll go our on a limb here and say Casablanca is the greatest film of all time.

A pity we aren’t actors @ Espiritus_Corvus. We could remake Casablanca. You take the Rick role and let me do Captain Renault. I always identified with that character for some reason. Maybe his personality and attitude mirror my own a bit better.

LOL. That would be fun. Yeah, I could do Rick. I definitely identify with him.

Then round up the usual suspects!

That’s your job, Louis. I just run a cafe packed with intrigue. That’s enough for me.

In Casablanca I am master of my own fate. The Gestapo does not interfere with me. Of course, tell the Colonel will be there immediately!

LOL. LINE CHECK! LINE CHECK!

Captain Renault: My dear Ricky, you overestimate the influence of the Gestapo. I don’t interfere with them and they don’t interfere with me. In Casablanca I am master of my fate! I am…
Police Officer: Major Strasser is here, sir!
Rick: You were saying?
Captain Renault: Excuse me. [Stands at stiff attention and crisply salutes Major Strasser]

A couple of other lines I like:

Senor Ferrari [Sydney Greenstreet]: Might as well be frank, monsieur. It would take a miracle to get you out of Casablanca, and the Germans have outlawed miracles.

*

Major Strasser: We have a complete dossier on you: Richard Blaine, American, age 37. Ran guns to Ethiopia. Fought against the fascists in Spain. Cannot return to his country. The reason is a little vague. We also know what you did in Paris, Mr. Blaine, and also we know why you left Paris.
[hands the dossier to Rick]
Major Strasser: Don’t worry, we are not going to broadcast it.
Rick: [reading dossier] Are my eyes really brown?

Lol I just lost the Renault role dammit. Have to watch my copy again I suppose…

Oh, no. You’re perfect for the part. You can do this. Let’s try this one:

Captain Renault: [suspecting that Rick has the letters of transit] Rick, have you got those letters of transit?
Rick: Louis, are you pro-Vichy or Free French?
Captain Renault: [laughs] Serves me right for asking a direct question. The subject is closed.

As he said he blows with the wind and the wind prevails from Vichy. ; )

“You speak of the Third Reich as though you expect another”. Renault: “I’ll take what comes.”

The first time I saw Sunset Blvd. was a few years ago. I rated it a 7 out of 10. It’s dated, yet still held my attention.

Films starring Jimmy Stewart or Humphrey Bogart are typically a disappointment. They play the same character in almost every movie.

@Pied_Pfeffer
Bogart is usually tough, smart, and a bit brutal. I don’t agree with you, but I will concede a similar flavor.
You couldn’t be more wrong about Jimmy Stewart. Take a look at The Naked Spur, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence, Winchester 73, and Shenandoah, all westerns, and you will see meek, vicious, strong, weak, and determined. Add in films like The Philadelphia Story, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, and you see an actor of remarkable range.

To continue with what @filmfann said, compare Jimmy Stewart in “Harvey” with Jimmy Stewart in “Vertigo”.

I like Jimmy Stewart, but I’m in the camp that didn’t like It’s a Wonderful Life. He was way too mean to Donna Reed. She should have kicked him to the curb early on.

Then the film might have the uplifting title “Kick Him to the Curb”. Was it your impression that being mean to Donna Reed was the norm in their relationship?

I too am a big fan of the great Claude Rains. I don’t care what role he plays in whatever
movie he appears, I cannot envision the film without him. No one will ever approach Rains when it comes to portraying the hardened cynic. And he was so good at it
that I can’t think of a single film in which he appears that his absolute mastery of the this is not lavishly displayed. Check him out in Paths of Glory.

Also as Dryden in Lawrence of Arabia.

Scratch Paths of Glory. Make that Robin Hood

Claude Rains is brilliant when it comes to taking on the character’s role.

@filmfann We will have to disagree when it comes to Bogart and Stewart for now. What is a movie where Bogart didn’t play the same cranky character. Maybe I haven’t seen it. Stewart comes across as the same innocent, vilifying, fighting against an evil character in just about every film.