classicflickchick:

I’m finishing up my final grad school application and in my Letter of Intent, basically my personal statement, I explain why I decided to pursue Cinema Studies, and why Classical Hollywood and the Studio Era specifically. 

This question is easy to answer but hard to articulate. I know what I felt, but I’m not sure how I can explain it to the admissions board in less than 500 words.

Back in the fall of my second year, back in September 2008, my first screening in my Film History class was Billy Wilder’s Sunset Blvd. It dawned on me that, while I was raised on musicals like Singin’ in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz, the first movie that made me think about how much there really was to Classic Hollywood was Sunset Blvd. It was the very first screening in my very first class once I had been granted admission into the program officially. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the shock, awe and elation I felt at the end of that screening.

I’d had this feeling before after seeing movies, but this time was different. It was an epiphany where I realized that I got this feeling from Classical Hollywood movies almost exclusively and I couldn’t wait to see more and learn more about them.

What movies have made you feel this way? Classics or no, I just feel like remembering these powerful connections to movies can be really therapeutic sometimes. I’d love to hear about them if you’re had any!

In the meantime, wish me luck with this final application - I can’t wait to get back to writing once I have the time again! Miss you Tumblr (and Twitter) fam

Sunset Boulevard was “The movie that started it all for me” as well: if you haven’t, you MUST see it, reader. Whoever you are.

The stars are ageless, aren’t they? - Sunset Boulevard (1950)

stardustmelody:

Bridge with the ‘Waxworks’ in Sunset Boulevard, featuring Gloria Swanson, Buster Keaton, Anna Q. Nilsson, and H.B. Warner, all big names from the silent film era.

my heart

queerliness:

Sunset Blvd - original Polish film poster

(Source: gloriaswanson)

gloriaswanson:

Gloria’s magnificent imitation of friend Charlie Chaplin in Sunset Boulevard

iconicscenes:

Film: Sunset Boulevard
Year: 1950
Director: Billy Wilder
Actors: Gloria Swanson, William Holden

As the weeks went by, I hated to have the picture end. None had ever challenged or engrossed me more. The final mad scene raised problems. I had to descend a grand staircase crowded with extras and a few real people like Hedda Hopper, in a state of derangement, and Billy Wilder wanted me to come down on the inside of the stairway where the steps were the narrowest. On high heels I would have tripped for sure, so I played the scene barefoot. I imagined a steel ramrod in me from head to toe holding me together and descended as if in a trance. When Mr. Wilder called “Print it!” I burst into tears. I had a party planned for this last day, but then and there the cast and crew game me one instead, right on the set.

-Gloria Swanon on Norma Desmond’s famous descent down the staircase, and into madness, in Sunset Boulevard

tracylord:

Gloria Swanson when she is announced as an Oscar nominee for Best Actress in “Sunset Boulevard”

Judy Holliday (the winner) on the left

(Source: gloriaswanson)

forestofveils:

Reblogging for truth.

when it’s true, it’s true

(Source: carygranted)

(Source: carygranted)

likeadoll:

For classicflickchick. Originally scanned by Alexa :)

already posted, but… who cares.

(Source: becketts)

presentinglilymars:

opheliaincardiff:

butinmyarmsshewasalwayslolita:

colettesaintyves:

Sunset Boulevard.

ohthati:

I’m just going to leave some John here.

John Barrowman as Joe Gillis in Sunset Blvd. by Andrew Lloyd Webber.