Amerikansk noir-film från 1950 med element av drama och svart humor. Filmen regisserades och var delvis skriven av Billy Wilder. William Holden spelar manusförfattaren Joe Gillis och Gloria Swanson spelar Norma Desmond; en avdankad filmstjärna som lockar Gillis till sin fantasivärld där hon drömmer om en triumfartad comeback. Billy Wilder directs this Oscar-winning classic exposé of the Hollywood studio system. Struggling Hollywood writer Joe Gillis (William Holden) is attempting to avoid his creditors when he pulls his car into the garage of an apparently deserted mansion. He soon discovers that it is in fact the home of Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), an ageing actress who was once a star of silent films. Desperate for money, Gillis agrees to work on a screenplay adaptation of ‘Salome’ which Norma has written for her intended comeback. Gillis then gradually becomes trapped in Norma’s bizarre fantasy world, and when he tries to leave her, she makes an attempt at suicide. The film also features silent screen legends Cecil B. DeMille, Buster Keaton and Erich von Stroheim in supporting roles.
