Ep 63: Sunset Boulevard ft Phyllis Nagy

Flixwise Podcast

On today's show Lady P welcomes back Carol (2015) screenwriter, Phyllis Nagy, for an in-depth discussion of Phyllis' all-time-favorite film, Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard (1950). Phyllis isn't the only one celebrating her glorious return to Flixwise. This is also the second appearance of one Norma Desmond, or rather Lady P's rather embarrassing imitation of the silent age film star. Norma first appeared on our original Sunset Boulevard episode, which features Professor Joseph McBride offering behind the scenes details of the filming of this Wilder classic.

Today we're paying another visit to that old familiar street with Phyllis' personal take on the depiction of 1950s Hollywood. Lady P and Phyllis discuss their reactions to Gloria Swanson's bold representation of an aged actress, and how William Holden serves as an important ballast to Swanson's electric performance. Then Phyllis sets out to debunk some popular interpretations of the film - namely that it's either satirical or Campy. Phyllis tells listeners why she thinks critics often confuse a lack of sentimentality with satire, and offers up evidence for why she thinks Wilder was completely sincere in his depiction of these characters. Plus, Lady P and Phyllis offer up comparisons to other films of this era including All About Eve (1950), Sudden Fear (1952), and What Ever Happened To Baby Jane (1962) and talk about why Sunset Boulevard is truly "the greatest of them all".

And if you haven't already please go back and listen to Phyllis' previous episode in which she goes into detail on the making of Carol. Plus she and Lady P offer up a couple of suggestions on Isabelle Huppert movies that all film buffs should seek out.