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Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream
For readers of Sam Wasson and Glenn Frankel, a cultural history about the making and lasting significance of Sunset Boulevard, whose piercing—and in many ways, prophetic—critiques of fame continue to resonate today.
Great films are born of great collaborations, and Sunset Boulevard represents one of the most extraordinary confluences of cinematic talent in film history—but its production was surprisingly fraught, filled with unexpected twists. Why was William Holden, who had never caught fire as a leading man, hired to play Joe Gillis after the fastest‑rising star in the business dropped out at the last minute? After Mae West and Mary Pickford turned down the now iconic role of Norma Desmond, how did Billy Wilder convince Gloria Swanson, who had long been absent from Hollywood at this point, to leave her low‑paying job as a TV talk show host to join the cast? From the writers' room during Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett’s final collaboration to the moment when the film won three Academy Awards, scholar and former Rolling Stone staffer David M. Lubin takes readers on a fascinating journey through film history that proves, once and for all, why Sunset Boulevard is one of the most iconic films in cinematic history.
Just in time for the film's 75th anniversary, Ready for My Closeup breathes life into a beloved masterpiece of American cinema.
Great films are born of great collaborations, and Sunset Boulevard represents one of the most extraordinary confluences of cinematic talent in film history—but its production was surprisingly fraught, filled with unexpected twists. Why was William Holden, who had never caught fire as a leading man, hired to play Joe Gillis after the fastest‑rising star in the business dropped out at the last minute? After Mae West and Mary Pickford turned down the now iconic role of Norma Desmond, how did Billy Wilder convince Gloria Swanson, who had long been absent from Hollywood at this point, to leave her low‑paying job as a TV talk show host to join the cast? From the writers' room during Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett’s final collaboration to the moment when the film won three Academy Awards, scholar and former Rolling Stone staffer David M. Lubin takes readers on a fascinating journey through film history that proves, once and for all, why Sunset Boulevard is one of the most iconic films in cinematic history.
Just in time for the film's 75th anniversary, Ready for My Closeup breathes life into a beloved masterpiece of American cinema.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 26, 2025
David Lubin is an American writer who's published many books on American art and culture. His 2025 book Ready for My Closeup is a 336-page exploration of the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard, directed by Billy Wilder and starring Gloria Swanson as silent movie star-turned-delusional has-been Norma Desmond and William Holden as washed-up screenwriter-turned-kept man Joe Gillis.
I think film historians and Golden Age of Hollywood aficionados will appreciate this book, as Lubin goes into extensive detail about the backstories of practically everyone involved in this production. As a more casual reader, I was hoping for a more focused take on the movie filming itself, which surprisingly didn't start into well over halfway into the book. This is a long-winded way of saying there's a ton of (what I'd consider) filler here, and the content I was waiting for could've been a 30-minute Youtube documentary or Medium article. I was hoping Lubin would continue into the musical adaptions of Sunset Boulevard, most notably the 1993 Andrew Lloyd Webber production which closely follows the 1950 film, and which also happens to be my favorite ALW work (long predating the recent West End/Broadway revival) -- but alas, this isn't covered.
My statistics:
Book 295 for 2025
Book 2221 cumulatively
I think film historians and Golden Age of Hollywood aficionados will appreciate this book, as Lubin goes into extensive detail about the backstories of practically everyone involved in this production. As a more casual reader, I was hoping for a more focused take on the movie filming itself, which surprisingly didn't start into well over halfway into the book. This is a long-winded way of saying there's a ton of (what I'd consider) filler here, and the content I was waiting for could've been a 30-minute Youtube documentary or Medium article. I was hoping Lubin would continue into the musical adaptions of Sunset Boulevard, most notably the 1993 Andrew Lloyd Webber production which closely follows the 1950 film, and which also happens to be my favorite ALW work (long predating the recent West End/Broadway revival) -- but alas, this isn't covered.
My statistics:
Book 295 for 2025
Book 2221 cumulatively
August 27, 2025
Very enjoyable and informative book about how one of my favorite films, "Sunset Boulevard," was created, the people behind it, and the stars. I loved all the Erich Von Stroheim stuff.
August 31, 2025
Confession: despite being a classic film fan with an addiction to TCM, I've never seen Sunset Boulevard, which I've been "saving" (?!?) for some unspecified future viewing. If you are like me, spoilers abound in this book, but if you're a normal person who has seen the movie first, I think it's probably infinitely informative and light-shedding on both the backstory and the technical movie making aspects. I think the balance of those two is great: the majority of the book is dedicated to the professionals involved, how they got there, and where they went after, but the author goes into a reasonable amount of detail on the plot and filmmaking techniques (2-3 chapters of 17?). The context is everything, though, for a movie about the movies, and anyone with any prior knowledge of the major systems and personalities in the industry will find this adds a lot to related reading. I also appreciated that the book stays narrowly focused on Hollywood, and not as much on wider cultural issues (although the blacklist and WWII/Korean war come up) - he saves a little of that for the epilogue, where we get the mic drop of: Donald Trump is basically Norma Desmond. We are all Joe Gillis. Awesome.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
May 26, 2025
Book Review: Ready for My Closeup: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream by David M. Lubin
David M. Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is a meticulously researched and engagingly written cultural history that delves into the making of Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard (1950), one of Hollywood’s most enduring and darkly prophetic films. Spanning 25 chapters, along with a prologue, epilogue, and extensive notes, Lubin’s work offers a comprehensive exploration of the film’s production, its troubled yet brilliant creative process, and its lasting impact on both cinema and the mythology of Hollywood itself.
Lubin, a scholar and former Rolling Stone contributor, masterfully weaves together film history, biography, and cultural critique. His analysis goes beyond mere behind-the-scenes anecdotes, situating Sunset Boulevard within broader themes of fame, obsession, and the destructive allure of stardom. One particularly gripping chapter, “Adultery, Addiction, and Mass Murder,” exemplifies Lubin’s ability to blend scandalous Hollywood lore with sharp cultural commentary—proving that the film’s themes of decay and desperation were as much a reflection of real-life Hollywood as they were of Wilder’s fictional narrative.
The book excels in its detailed recounting of the film’s chaotic production and what emerges is a portrait of a film that was as much a product of Hollywood’s golden age as it was a scathing indictment of it.
How I would describe this book:
-A must-read for cinephiles and cultural historians alike—Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is as mesmerizing as the film it chronicles.
-A gripping deep dive into the making of Sunset Boulevard, revealing the dark underbelly of Hollywood’s dream factory.
-Perfect for fans of Sam Wasson and Glenn Frankel—this book proves why Sunset Boulevard remains a timeless masterpiece.
-Just in time for the film’s 75th anniversary, Lubin’s book is the definitive account of Wilder’s noir classic.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing an advance review copy of this exceptional work. Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is not only a vital addition to film scholarship but also a riveting read for anyone fascinated by Hollywood’s myths and realities.
In sum, Ready for My Closeup is both an academic triumph and a page-turner—a book that will appeal to scholars, film buffs, and general readers alike. It reaffirms Sunset Boulevard’s place in cinematic history while offering fresh insights into its creation and enduring legacy.
David M. Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is a meticulously researched and engagingly written cultural history that delves into the making of Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard (1950), one of Hollywood’s most enduring and darkly prophetic films. Spanning 25 chapters, along with a prologue, epilogue, and extensive notes, Lubin’s work offers a comprehensive exploration of the film’s production, its troubled yet brilliant creative process, and its lasting impact on both cinema and the mythology of Hollywood itself.
Lubin, a scholar and former Rolling Stone contributor, masterfully weaves together film history, biography, and cultural critique. His analysis goes beyond mere behind-the-scenes anecdotes, situating Sunset Boulevard within broader themes of fame, obsession, and the destructive allure of stardom. One particularly gripping chapter, “Adultery, Addiction, and Mass Murder,” exemplifies Lubin’s ability to blend scandalous Hollywood lore with sharp cultural commentary—proving that the film’s themes of decay and desperation were as much a reflection of real-life Hollywood as they were of Wilder’s fictional narrative.
The book excels in its detailed recounting of the film’s chaotic production and what emerges is a portrait of a film that was as much a product of Hollywood’s golden age as it was a scathing indictment of it.
How I would describe this book:
-A must-read for cinephiles and cultural historians alike—Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is as mesmerizing as the film it chronicles.
-A gripping deep dive into the making of Sunset Boulevard, revealing the dark underbelly of Hollywood’s dream factory.
-Perfect for fans of Sam Wasson and Glenn Frankel—this book proves why Sunset Boulevard remains a timeless masterpiece.
-Just in time for the film’s 75th anniversary, Lubin’s book is the definitive account of Wilder’s noir classic.
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing an advance review copy of this exceptional work. Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is not only a vital addition to film scholarship but also a riveting read for anyone fascinated by Hollywood’s myths and realities.
In sum, Ready for My Closeup is both an academic triumph and a page-turner—a book that will appeal to scholars, film buffs, and general readers alike. It reaffirms Sunset Boulevard’s place in cinematic history while offering fresh insights into its creation and enduring legacy.
September 16, 2025
Unsatisfying and overwritten book that is actually very little about the "making of" Sunset Boulevard and a whole lot about the history of Hollywood. How one critic can say it's "an example of the behind-the-scenes genre at its best" is laughable because there's so little new about what went into the making of the movie.
Namely, there's a whole lot about people and movies that have nothing to do with Sunset Boulevard. And almost everything is based on secondary or tertiary sources, so it reads like a weak college term paper where the student thinks he'll get a better grade for being verbose.
If you want rehash of the careers of those involved, or that tangentially had anything to do with those involved, then you might enjoy it. But if you're looking for pages filled with interesting factoids on how the movie was made, you'll be unhappy. The author seemed more interested in his own projections onto events that happened decades ago or his interpretations of the film than writing a true behind-the-scenes book. David Lubin wasn't ready to give the movie it's closeup.
Namely, there's a whole lot about people and movies that have nothing to do with Sunset Boulevard. And almost everything is based on secondary or tertiary sources, so it reads like a weak college term paper where the student thinks he'll get a better grade for being verbose.
If you want rehash of the careers of those involved, or that tangentially had anything to do with those involved, then you might enjoy it. But if you're looking for pages filled with interesting factoids on how the movie was made, you'll be unhappy. The author seemed more interested in his own projections onto events that happened decades ago or his interpretations of the film than writing a true behind-the-scenes book. David Lubin wasn't ready to give the movie it's closeup.
August 17, 2025
Like taking a big spoon to my heart and stirring ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
August 22, 2025
Major thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of David Lubin’s excellent and engaging Ready for My Close-Up: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream. This was a great book that focuses primarily on the making and impact of Sunset Boulevard, a movie that just recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, but continues to influence movies and popular culture in fascinating ways. I not only enjoyed reading about this book because of the cultural significance of this film, but I also only recently watched Sunset Boulevard for the first time and was amazed at how brisk and relevant the film is. I remember reading somewhere that David Lynch was influenced by Sunset Boulevard, and that attracted my attention. After watching, I can see how this film that challenges traditional narrative techniques and presents a view of the underside of what Lubin sometimes refers to as America’s Dream Factory influenced some of Lynch’s most iconic films. In particular, I was struck by the similarities between Sunset Boulevard and Mulholland Drive, Lynch’s 2001 film about the dark side of Hollywood (also named after a street in Los Angeles). David Lubin, who is a film scholar and professor, not only presents the germination of the film and contextualizes its creation within the history of Hollywood but also presents biographies and career histories for all of those involved Sunset Boulevard. His detailed research into the lives and backgrounds of the writers and stars of this film provided an important context for understanding how Sunset Boulevard performs not just as a noir film classic, but also as a kind of commentary on the Hollywood system and its fickle, ever-changing demands for stars that it sometimes views as disposable and interchangeable. I found the book to be particularly interesting in today’s media landscape with a continued focus on sequels and nostalgia-tinged remakes or updates. Also, there’s been more and more hagsploitation in films, presenting audiences with terror and fear of aging, specifically in older women, which Lubin explores as one of the themes and criticisms of Sunset Boulevard.
Lubin’s book is a page-turner, especially for someone interested in film history and criticism. He presents biographies of the actors involved in the film, and how the two screenwriters, Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, developed a working relationship in Hollywood, despite coming from very different backgrounds. The ideas of stories and messages in films is also integral to Wilder and Brackett’s working relationship as this was something that they questioned was important to films. Nevertheless, Lubin highlights the work that these two collaborated on prior to Sunset Boulevard, which would be there last collaborative effort. Lubin also examines how these two arrived in Hollywood, with Wilder’s journey from Europe and jumping in a pool for money at a Hollywood party shedding some light on potential biographical influences on Sunset Boulevard. Lubin also shares the biography and career of Gloria Swanson, the silent star who was coaxed into inhabiting the role of Norma Desmond, and Erich von Stroheim, whose life and career I also found incredibly interesting. Von Stroheim played Max von Mayerling in the film, who is Norma Desmond’s driver and butler, but was previously an acclaimed director from the silent era, just like von Stroheim’s real-life background. According to Lubin’s research and writing, von Stroheim seemed like a real arrogant but intriguing character, known initially as “the man you love to hate”. I found the character of Max von Mayerling to be equally intriguing, someone who is both dedicated to Desmond, but also feeding her delusions by writing her fictitious fan mail. His character, along with many of the others in the film, have this kind of dual nature where the ambiguity of their motivations and behaviors can lead to vastly different interpretations of the film and its greater meanings.
Although Lubin’s research into the biographies and careers of those involved in the making of Sunset Boulevard are engaging and illuminating, I found his analysis of the film’s most important scenes to be the strength and heart of this book. After providing background about the film’s creation and the lead up to its production, Lubin then goes in to document and analyze the integral scenes, breaking them down by noting the significant details, staging, acting choices, and even the lines of dialogue from the film. This was exciting to see not only how nuanced the staging and direction of the film is, but also how timeless and relevant the film remains today. Furthermore, I loved how Lubin notes that the film’s ability to transcend genres, a fact that the studio considered as a hindrance to audiences, is actually one of the elements of the film that makes it timeless and so impactful. When I watched Sunset Boulevard, I considered it something like a film noire, which at the time was a relatively newer genre. However, Lubin notes that the film has elements of romance, tragedy, comedy, and even horror. While I found Norma Desmond’s life somewhat deranged and delusional, I didn’t necessarily consider it comedic. However, Lubin identifies some key scenes and how they contrast one another—for example, when Norma’s friends come over to play bridge, and how that party contrasts with Joe’s friend’s new years party. These contrasts not only highlight the youth and aging differences, but also emphasize the living and the dead, or the future and the past. I didn’t realize that the Norma’s friends included key actors from the silent screen, including Buster Keaton. Furthermore, I hadn’t considered the absurdity of Norma burying her chimpanzee to begin the film, and how Joe becomes something like a chimp- a replacement child-companion for a lonely, isolated woman. Some of the best analysis comes from Norma’s visit to the Paramount studios during Cecil B. DeMille’s filming. I was surprised to see that this was the real DeMille, but Lubin provides key details about Swanson and DeMille’s prior working relationship, and how DeMille’s lines and acting in the film present the audience with some ways to sympathize with Norma. This was my favorite part of the book since it provides readers/viewers with new ways to consider the meaning of the film and elements of individual scenes to consider. I also kept thinking about how these scenes influenced other films, as Lubin provides notes and interviews from Hitchcock and Goddard suggesting the lasting influence of Sunset Boulevard on later films. In particular, the tonal shifts and the ways that the story and shots affect the audience’s emotions were innovative for a film from the 1950s. We probably take this for granted today since we recognize that films can often transcend genres, but Sunset Boulevard challenged viewers at the time. Again, I kept thinking about David Lynch films, and how sometimes the ambiguity and tonal shifts allow for varied interpretations. While some people may seek an easy resolution where everything is explained, I love the ambiguity and openness to interpretation. Lubin’s book points out how innovative and challenging this was at the time, but also how this ambiguity in the film leads to the film’s staying power and frequent inclusion in the top 10 films of all time.
The later chapters detail the critical reactions to the film, as well as what happened to all of those involved in the film, mostly focusing on the actors, but also including Wilder and Brackett. Again, it was interesting to learn more about these individuals, especially Gloria Swanson and William Holden. After watching Sunset Boulevard, I read a little about Holden’s life and work. However, reading about Gloria Swanson was also fascinating, as it seemed like Sunset Boulevard provided her with new opportunities, but also seemed to kind of trap her in this ideal of Norma Desmond. Regardless, it seemed like she was careful in her later career decisions, sometimes appearing on talk shows and television, but not often in the movies. Lubin also discusses the directing careers of Wilder and DeMille, who were at opposite ends of their careers, and who also appeared at opposite ends of the political spectrum especially when the House un-American Committee was seeking out names for their political blacklists. Lubin also includes an Epilogue that explores some of the legacy of Sunset Boulevard, particularly focusing on the idea of fading glory and how no one can escape time, as well as how the film remains a great film about filmmaking. Again, this is one of the reasons why the film remains to powerful and relevant today. While reading, I couldn’t help but think about the current state of politics and the kind of delusions that people feed to others to get ahead. It was surprising, then, to learn the Sunset Boulevard is a favorite film of another politician that seems to live in a fantasy world fueled by their delusions. Although it’s a brief epilogue, it’s still amazing to consider the similarities between Norma, a woman who continues to pine for a past that no longer exists while others placate and feed her delusions, and current leadership who also wish for faded glory over living in the present. This was a great book about a great film. Not only does Lubin’s research provide important details about the creation of this film, but his analysis also provides important insights into understanding and interpreting Sunset Boulevard and other films that followed. Lubin’s book has made me want to re-watch Sunset Boulevard, and think about other films that follow in its legacy. Highly recommended!
Lubin’s book is a page-turner, especially for someone interested in film history and criticism. He presents biographies of the actors involved in the film, and how the two screenwriters, Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, developed a working relationship in Hollywood, despite coming from very different backgrounds. The ideas of stories and messages in films is also integral to Wilder and Brackett’s working relationship as this was something that they questioned was important to films. Nevertheless, Lubin highlights the work that these two collaborated on prior to Sunset Boulevard, which would be there last collaborative effort. Lubin also examines how these two arrived in Hollywood, with Wilder’s journey from Europe and jumping in a pool for money at a Hollywood party shedding some light on potential biographical influences on Sunset Boulevard. Lubin also shares the biography and career of Gloria Swanson, the silent star who was coaxed into inhabiting the role of Norma Desmond, and Erich von Stroheim, whose life and career I also found incredibly interesting. Von Stroheim played Max von Mayerling in the film, who is Norma Desmond’s driver and butler, but was previously an acclaimed director from the silent era, just like von Stroheim’s real-life background. According to Lubin’s research and writing, von Stroheim seemed like a real arrogant but intriguing character, known initially as “the man you love to hate”. I found the character of Max von Mayerling to be equally intriguing, someone who is both dedicated to Desmond, but also feeding her delusions by writing her fictitious fan mail. His character, along with many of the others in the film, have this kind of dual nature where the ambiguity of their motivations and behaviors can lead to vastly different interpretations of the film and its greater meanings.
Although Lubin’s research into the biographies and careers of those involved in the making of Sunset Boulevard are engaging and illuminating, I found his analysis of the film’s most important scenes to be the strength and heart of this book. After providing background about the film’s creation and the lead up to its production, Lubin then goes in to document and analyze the integral scenes, breaking them down by noting the significant details, staging, acting choices, and even the lines of dialogue from the film. This was exciting to see not only how nuanced the staging and direction of the film is, but also how timeless and relevant the film remains today. Furthermore, I loved how Lubin notes that the film’s ability to transcend genres, a fact that the studio considered as a hindrance to audiences, is actually one of the elements of the film that makes it timeless and so impactful. When I watched Sunset Boulevard, I considered it something like a film noire, which at the time was a relatively newer genre. However, Lubin notes that the film has elements of romance, tragedy, comedy, and even horror. While I found Norma Desmond’s life somewhat deranged and delusional, I didn’t necessarily consider it comedic. However, Lubin identifies some key scenes and how they contrast one another—for example, when Norma’s friends come over to play bridge, and how that party contrasts with Joe’s friend’s new years party. These contrasts not only highlight the youth and aging differences, but also emphasize the living and the dead, or the future and the past. I didn’t realize that the Norma’s friends included key actors from the silent screen, including Buster Keaton. Furthermore, I hadn’t considered the absurdity of Norma burying her chimpanzee to begin the film, and how Joe becomes something like a chimp- a replacement child-companion for a lonely, isolated woman. Some of the best analysis comes from Norma’s visit to the Paramount studios during Cecil B. DeMille’s filming. I was surprised to see that this was the real DeMille, but Lubin provides key details about Swanson and DeMille’s prior working relationship, and how DeMille’s lines and acting in the film present the audience with some ways to sympathize with Norma. This was my favorite part of the book since it provides readers/viewers with new ways to consider the meaning of the film and elements of individual scenes to consider. I also kept thinking about how these scenes influenced other films, as Lubin provides notes and interviews from Hitchcock and Goddard suggesting the lasting influence of Sunset Boulevard on later films. In particular, the tonal shifts and the ways that the story and shots affect the audience’s emotions were innovative for a film from the 1950s. We probably take this for granted today since we recognize that films can often transcend genres, but Sunset Boulevard challenged viewers at the time. Again, I kept thinking about David Lynch films, and how sometimes the ambiguity and tonal shifts allow for varied interpretations. While some people may seek an easy resolution where everything is explained, I love the ambiguity and openness to interpretation. Lubin’s book points out how innovative and challenging this was at the time, but also how this ambiguity in the film leads to the film’s staying power and frequent inclusion in the top 10 films of all time.
The later chapters detail the critical reactions to the film, as well as what happened to all of those involved in the film, mostly focusing on the actors, but also including Wilder and Brackett. Again, it was interesting to learn more about these individuals, especially Gloria Swanson and William Holden. After watching Sunset Boulevard, I read a little about Holden’s life and work. However, reading about Gloria Swanson was also fascinating, as it seemed like Sunset Boulevard provided her with new opportunities, but also seemed to kind of trap her in this ideal of Norma Desmond. Regardless, it seemed like she was careful in her later career decisions, sometimes appearing on talk shows and television, but not often in the movies. Lubin also discusses the directing careers of Wilder and DeMille, who were at opposite ends of their careers, and who also appeared at opposite ends of the political spectrum especially when the House un-American Committee was seeking out names for their political blacklists. Lubin also includes an Epilogue that explores some of the legacy of Sunset Boulevard, particularly focusing on the idea of fading glory and how no one can escape time, as well as how the film remains a great film about filmmaking. Again, this is one of the reasons why the film remains to powerful and relevant today. While reading, I couldn’t help but think about the current state of politics and the kind of delusions that people feed to others to get ahead. It was surprising, then, to learn the Sunset Boulevard is a favorite film of another politician that seems to live in a fantasy world fueled by their delusions. Although it’s a brief epilogue, it’s still amazing to consider the similarities between Norma, a woman who continues to pine for a past that no longer exists while others placate and feed her delusions, and current leadership who also wish for faded glory over living in the present. This was a great book about a great film. Not only does Lubin’s research provide important details about the creation of this film, but his analysis also provides important insights into understanding and interpreting Sunset Boulevard and other films that followed. Lubin’s book has made me want to re-watch Sunset Boulevard, and think about other films that follow in its legacy. Highly recommended!
September 24, 2025
I loved this book, it's a thoughtful, insightful, funny and touching look at one of the greatest films ever made that I think, more than any other I've seen from the era, still stands up today as vital and important.
The book covers the lives and careers of the four stars in detail, before, during and after filming, as well as those of the writers/director and offers a lot of insight in to the detail of the film, what makes it stand out, why it's so important and just how extraordinary it was when it was first made. There's a lot of humour in there as well and some great anecdotes, particularly from Billy Wilder.
Huge recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in old Hollywood or this film in particular.
The book covers the lives and careers of the four stars in detail, before, during and after filming, as well as those of the writers/director and offers a lot of insight in to the detail of the film, what makes it stand out, why it's so important and just how extraordinary it was when it was first made. There's a lot of humour in there as well and some great anecdotes, particularly from Billy Wilder.
Huge recommendation for anyone with even a passing interest in old Hollywood or this film in particular.
August 1, 2025
If (like me) you are a big fan of Sunset Boulevard, or simply a Hollywood history buff, you are very likely to enjoy this fairly breezy account of the pre-history, making of, and aftermath of this landmark movie. There is plenty of humor (the chapter on Erich Von Stroheim was particularly amusing), as well as jargon-free analysis of the themes and moviemaking craft that went into the picture. The three chapters that give a scene-by-scene breakdown of the movie lagged a bit compared to the rest of the book, but that was entirely forgivable.
If, on the other hand, you have not seen Sunset Boulevard, what are you waiting for? I cannot recommend that you read the book before seeing the movie, simply because everyone deserves an unspoiled first experience with this audacious film.
I could write more, but this book has left me aching to rewatch the movie. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an early review copy of this book.
If, on the other hand, you have not seen Sunset Boulevard, what are you waiting for? I cannot recommend that you read the book before seeing the movie, simply because everyone deserves an unspoiled first experience with this audacious film.
I could write more, but this book has left me aching to rewatch the movie. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an early review copy of this book.
October 30, 2025
This was a long read for me, probably because wasn’t what I was expecting, at all. What was advertised as a “behind the scenes” look at the making of “Sunset Boulevard” quickly turned into a deep, analytical experience about what each scene meant. I’m not exaggerating, I’m serious.
There were at least 100+ pages with a blow-by-blow of each scene in the film. I wanted the before and after, not the film itself. I figured anyone who was interested in reading this book had already seen the movie. 🤷♀️ This was pure filler and unnecessary. There had to be another way to throw in facts and trivia without laying out the entire story. I almost skipped this entire section but I kept hoping it would wrap up, but it never did.
I was happy we got to learn what happened to each important player—Wilder, Brackett, the cast, and even some other uncredited players. The book, though, should’ve ended with that instead of the author throwing in opinions about both Biden and Trump, at the last chapter, and particularly, Trump’s “obsession” (?) with Norma Desmond at the last second. I wish the author had focused on the movie’s preservation efforts and remastering, or other aspects of the legacy—a prime example would be the now long-running musical—rather than this political bullshit. Is it really that deep? It felt like a stretch. I could at least understand *why* the author would explain what was going in the country and Hollywood during the late 40s, early 50s…you know during the making of “Sunset.” Again, it felt like the book was trying to stretch the number of words out to some goal, only known to the author.
The author’s research was beautifully laid out by page number and chapter. It was relatively easy to find out his source, although some facts listed I couldn’t find in the back. I don’t want to snub the research aspect, because I know any non-fiction subject isn’t for the faint of heart. There were a handful of interesting footnotes I wish had made it into the actual book, as actual footnotes in the text.
On the positive, the photos were printed on glossy paper, the cover bright green, electric and eye-catching. I wish this book hadn’t leaned so heavily on the author’s opinions, and instead relied on actual quotes from the creators.
There were at least 100+ pages with a blow-by-blow of each scene in the film. I wanted the before and after, not the film itself. I figured anyone who was interested in reading this book had already seen the movie. 🤷♀️ This was pure filler and unnecessary. There had to be another way to throw in facts and trivia without laying out the entire story. I almost skipped this entire section but I kept hoping it would wrap up, but it never did.
I was happy we got to learn what happened to each important player—Wilder, Brackett, the cast, and even some other uncredited players. The book, though, should’ve ended with that instead of the author throwing in opinions about both Biden and Trump, at the last chapter, and particularly, Trump’s “obsession” (?) with Norma Desmond at the last second. I wish the author had focused on the movie’s preservation efforts and remastering, or other aspects of the legacy—a prime example would be the now long-running musical—rather than this political bullshit. Is it really that deep? It felt like a stretch. I could at least understand *why* the author would explain what was going in the country and Hollywood during the late 40s, early 50s…you know during the making of “Sunset.” Again, it felt like the book was trying to stretch the number of words out to some goal, only known to the author.
The author’s research was beautifully laid out by page number and chapter. It was relatively easy to find out his source, although some facts listed I couldn’t find in the back. I don’t want to snub the research aspect, because I know any non-fiction subject isn’t for the faint of heart. There were a handful of interesting footnotes I wish had made it into the actual book, as actual footnotes in the text.
On the positive, the photos were printed on glossy paper, the cover bright green, electric and eye-catching. I wish this book hadn’t leaned so heavily on the author’s opinions, and instead relied on actual quotes from the creators.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance copy of this book that looks at the creation of a movie that has been embraced by numerous fans over the years for many reasons, but one that still speaks about the cost of fame, of being forgotten, ignored, discarded, and for the lead actress spectacular wardrobe.
I don't know when I realised movies were made about things other that cartoons, science fiction, crime, westerns, monsters. Dramas were never really my thing. Having an illegal cable box allowed me to watch a lot of channels, usually with something blowing up, or an alien appearing somewhere. Occasionally I would come across movies where things didn't blow up or go into hyperspace and I would watch to see if it was horror, especially if they were black and white. That's how I came across Sunset Boulevard the first time. Body in a pool, car chase, a weird house, weird acting people. The more I watched the more confused I got. However I was locked in, and wanted to know what was happening. I don't know if this is when I realized how good movies could be, or how bad Hollywood could be. I know that soon after I was looking at movies in a different way, watching things without robots, taking note of performance, something I never thought of before. Which is why I found this book so interesting. Ready for My Closeup: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream by film scholar and writer David M. Lubin is a look at the making of this film from creation, to rewrites, to first screenings, and beyond.
The book begins in the days when Hollywood was still silent, with performance and acting being what people went to the movies for. We meet some of the actors who will make appearances in the movie, tracking the path of a young Gloria Swanson from Chicago to Hollywood, her rise in film, her continuing success when sound was introduced, and her slow fading out as the industry changed and so did Swanson as she aged. The history of Hollywood, from casting couch to changes in how movies were developed are all looked at, as they have an effect on the story the movie is telling. Billy Wilder was the director and screenwriter, a man who fled Europe without much money, nor his wife, arriving in California with a plan to punch up dialogue in movies, but without speaking English that would be tough. Wilder soon learned English, and soon with his writing companion Charles Brackett began to create scripts that were successful, successful enough to allow Wilder to direct, something he did well, and on time. The germination of an idea, a movie about Hollywood, starting with a body in a pool, was their next project, all they needed was a script, a cast and a house to film at.
There is a part that Lubin describes the film, and how it appears at first to be a film noir, than a rom-com, back to action and suddenly a horror movie. That is exactly what drew me to the movie the first time, and I love how the book looks at the writing of the film. I am not sure how David Lubin found so much information on a movie that is over 75 years old, but Lubin has done an excellent job of research in sharing how this film came together. Information about the wardrobe, the finding of the house, how the two writers worked together, and why these two, Wilder and Brackett, never worked together again. There is a lot of stories about the actors, but the book is not gossipy, more stating facts. Holden wooing his younger co-star, strange comments from studio heads. Even the hunt to find the right house to film is is interesting. The writing is really good, one never gets lost, and the book never drags. Each page has something new to think about. How a bet to swim across a pool fully clothed might have given Wilder an idea to open the movie. The lost opening scenes of the movie. Stories from the first screening, and much more.
This is the first book by Lubin I have read, and I really enjoyed it. I love film, love to read about movies and how the magic happens. This was a a lot of fun, much more than I expected, and much more informative than I had thought. Perfect for fans of the film, film scholar and for people who dream of writing something that will last the ages.
I don't know when I realised movies were made about things other that cartoons, science fiction, crime, westerns, monsters. Dramas were never really my thing. Having an illegal cable box allowed me to watch a lot of channels, usually with something blowing up, or an alien appearing somewhere. Occasionally I would come across movies where things didn't blow up or go into hyperspace and I would watch to see if it was horror, especially if they were black and white. That's how I came across Sunset Boulevard the first time. Body in a pool, car chase, a weird house, weird acting people. The more I watched the more confused I got. However I was locked in, and wanted to know what was happening. I don't know if this is when I realized how good movies could be, or how bad Hollywood could be. I know that soon after I was looking at movies in a different way, watching things without robots, taking note of performance, something I never thought of before. Which is why I found this book so interesting. Ready for My Closeup: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream by film scholar and writer David M. Lubin is a look at the making of this film from creation, to rewrites, to first screenings, and beyond.
The book begins in the days when Hollywood was still silent, with performance and acting being what people went to the movies for. We meet some of the actors who will make appearances in the movie, tracking the path of a young Gloria Swanson from Chicago to Hollywood, her rise in film, her continuing success when sound was introduced, and her slow fading out as the industry changed and so did Swanson as she aged. The history of Hollywood, from casting couch to changes in how movies were developed are all looked at, as they have an effect on the story the movie is telling. Billy Wilder was the director and screenwriter, a man who fled Europe without much money, nor his wife, arriving in California with a plan to punch up dialogue in movies, but without speaking English that would be tough. Wilder soon learned English, and soon with his writing companion Charles Brackett began to create scripts that were successful, successful enough to allow Wilder to direct, something he did well, and on time. The germination of an idea, a movie about Hollywood, starting with a body in a pool, was their next project, all they needed was a script, a cast and a house to film at.
There is a part that Lubin describes the film, and how it appears at first to be a film noir, than a rom-com, back to action and suddenly a horror movie. That is exactly what drew me to the movie the first time, and I love how the book looks at the writing of the film. I am not sure how David Lubin found so much information on a movie that is over 75 years old, but Lubin has done an excellent job of research in sharing how this film came together. Information about the wardrobe, the finding of the house, how the two writers worked together, and why these two, Wilder and Brackett, never worked together again. There is a lot of stories about the actors, but the book is not gossipy, more stating facts. Holden wooing his younger co-star, strange comments from studio heads. Even the hunt to find the right house to film is is interesting. The writing is really good, one never gets lost, and the book never drags. Each page has something new to think about. How a bet to swim across a pool fully clothed might have given Wilder an idea to open the movie. The lost opening scenes of the movie. Stories from the first screening, and much more.
This is the first book by Lubin I have read, and I really enjoyed it. I love film, love to read about movies and how the magic happens. This was a a lot of fun, much more than I expected, and much more informative than I had thought. Perfect for fans of the film, film scholar and for people who dream of writing something that will last the ages.
July 23, 2025
I have loved old movies since girlhood but somehow had never seen Sunset Boulevard, although I had seen snippets and heard about it. A local theater is showing it in August and we bought tickets to see it with our son, a movie buff. So, when I saw this book, I thought what a perfect read before seeing the movie. And, after reading it, I will get so much more out of the experience.
In Hollywood, memories are short. Indeed, that was a major theme of the movie about to be shot: the agony of being overlooked, or, worse, forgotten. from Ready for My Closeup
First, we learn about screenwriter Billy Wilder, a refugee from Nazi Germany whose films reflected his bitter view of humanity. The studio paired him with Charlie Brackett, whose straight laced idealism clashed with the womanizer Wilder.
I was surprised to learn about the “also-rans” and “failed comebacks” of the actors in this film about “has-beens.”
The actors include many whose careers were forged in the silent era when social conventions were being broken, the beginning of sexual liberation. Movies portrayed the changing marital and sexual relationships. Women wore daring costumes, showing lots of skin.
Gloria Swanson plays the lead, Norma, an aging film star in denial that her career is over, her fans moved on. Swanson had been a silent movie star, the first “modern” girl. Erich Von Stroheim, who sounds as disagreeable in life as his movie role characters, had directed Swanson in an unfinished film. He plays a butler to Swanson’s character. Master comedian of the silent era turned impoverished alcoholic, Buster Keaton has a cameo appearance.
Lubin covers every aspect of the film—set, music, lighting. The early cut was an audience failure,forcing Wilder to cut an opening scene he was proud of writing. The photographs in Norma’s house were Swanson’s personal collection. Cecile De Mille played the studio head in the film as he had for Swanson in life.
The dissection of the film was particularly well done, touching on the technological and artistic aspect of the film, and even the music.
The film has elements of horror and comedy, melodrama, and social satire. I look forward to seeing it on the big screen!
Fame is fleeting, accolades transient, and dreams of glory easily foiled. from Ready for My Closeup
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley
In Hollywood, memories are short. Indeed, that was a major theme of the movie about to be shot: the agony of being overlooked, or, worse, forgotten. from Ready for My Closeup
First, we learn about screenwriter Billy Wilder, a refugee from Nazi Germany whose films reflected his bitter view of humanity. The studio paired him with Charlie Brackett, whose straight laced idealism clashed with the womanizer Wilder.
I was surprised to learn about the “also-rans” and “failed comebacks” of the actors in this film about “has-beens.”
The actors include many whose careers were forged in the silent era when social conventions were being broken, the beginning of sexual liberation. Movies portrayed the changing marital and sexual relationships. Women wore daring costumes, showing lots of skin.
Gloria Swanson plays the lead, Norma, an aging film star in denial that her career is over, her fans moved on. Swanson had been a silent movie star, the first “modern” girl. Erich Von Stroheim, who sounds as disagreeable in life as his movie role characters, had directed Swanson in an unfinished film. He plays a butler to Swanson’s character. Master comedian of the silent era turned impoverished alcoholic, Buster Keaton has a cameo appearance.
Lubin covers every aspect of the film—set, music, lighting. The early cut was an audience failure,forcing Wilder to cut an opening scene he was proud of writing. The photographs in Norma’s house were Swanson’s personal collection. Cecile De Mille played the studio head in the film as he had for Swanson in life.
The dissection of the film was particularly well done, touching on the technological and artistic aspect of the film, and even the music.
The film has elements of horror and comedy, melodrama, and social satire. I look forward to seeing it on the big screen!
Fame is fleeting, accolades transient, and dreams of glory easily foiled. from Ready for My Closeup
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley
October 20, 2025
Huge fan of old school classical movies here, and fellow aficionados will immediately recognize this film from the first five words of the title alone. Yes, of course, Sunset Boulevard.
(Rod Taylor Twilight Zone voice) Picture, if you will, a moldering Hollywood mansion. With a pool. And in that pool, the fully clothed body of a young man serenely floats.) That young man is Joe Gillis, played by William Holden, and that mansion belongs to Norma Desmond, as played by the unforgettable Gloria Swanson.
This movie was the product of the writing/directing due of Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, already famous for The Lost Weekend and Double Indemnity. They had the general sketch, writing had begun, but it was time to start casting and that began with their female lead. They contacted both Mary Pickford and Mae West and were turned down by both. Then Gloria Swanson was mentioned. She had dropped out of movies years back, and was currently hosting a local television interview show on the East Coast. One thing though, they wanted her to do a screen test. She wasn’t too pleased about that, but finally consented. She tried the lines that were given to her in various ways, as suggested by the pair, as an addled old lady, as a meek old lady, but they weren’t getting what they were looking for. Finally, they just suggested that she do it the way she wanted. The lines came from the now famous interchange with Joe Gillis.
Joe Gillis: You’re Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big.
Norma Desmond: I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.
And if you’ve ever seen the movie, you know she is basically breathing fire when she delivers them. And that’s when they knew they had their Norma.
Plenty of good stories in this telling, and Swanson, who was anything but a diva in real life, kept contributing. The final scene where she announces to Mr. De Mille that she is ready for her close-up and walks straight into the camera? Gloria’s idea.
(Rod Taylor Twilight Zone voice) Picture, if you will, a moldering Hollywood mansion. With a pool. And in that pool, the fully clothed body of a young man serenely floats.) That young man is Joe Gillis, played by William Holden, and that mansion belongs to Norma Desmond, as played by the unforgettable Gloria Swanson.
This movie was the product of the writing/directing due of Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, already famous for The Lost Weekend and Double Indemnity. They had the general sketch, writing had begun, but it was time to start casting and that began with their female lead. They contacted both Mary Pickford and Mae West and were turned down by both. Then Gloria Swanson was mentioned. She had dropped out of movies years back, and was currently hosting a local television interview show on the East Coast. One thing though, they wanted her to do a screen test. She wasn’t too pleased about that, but finally consented. She tried the lines that were given to her in various ways, as suggested by the pair, as an addled old lady, as a meek old lady, but they weren’t getting what they were looking for. Finally, they just suggested that she do it the way she wanted. The lines came from the now famous interchange with Joe Gillis.
Joe Gillis: You’re Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big.
Norma Desmond: I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.
And if you’ve ever seen the movie, you know she is basically breathing fire when she delivers them. And that’s when they knew they had their Norma.
Plenty of good stories in this telling, and Swanson, who was anything but a diva in real life, kept contributing. The final scene where she announces to Mr. De Mille that she is ready for her close-up and walks straight into the camera? Gloria’s idea.
November 21, 2025
"Sunset Boulevard" is one of the greatest movies ever. People know "the closeup" line even if they have never seen the movie. "Ready for my Close Up" by David Lubin gives the backstory of how this movie was made and the stories of its main players, both on and off the screen.
The main person in Lubin's book is the co-writer and director of the film, Billy Wilder. He was still in the early stages of his career, still to make, among other films, "Some Like It Hot" and "The Apartment." His nihilistic view of life is probably best illustrated in this film in which an aging actress who is both its victim to an industry that tosses people away, especially actresses, when they are viewed as no longer profitable and its villain in that she kills the other main character, her younger lover. This is not a spoiler because he is lying face down in a pool in the early minutes of the film, even though Lubin rightly points out that Wilder's use of misdirection makes the viewer forget the movie's beginning by the time they find out why the young lover is dead.
Although Lubin's examination of "Sunset Boulevard" is certainly entertaining (the passages on Erich von Stroheim are really fun) and mostly smart (the sections on Gloria Swanson clearly show the movies' attitude toward actresses who dare to age), his frequent digressions mar what otherwise would be a better book. He can't resist telling the reader about other aspects of film history, even when they add nothing to the main narrative. It also doesn't appear he talked to Stefanie Powers, William Holden's last serious paramour, who could have helped flesh out the section about what happened to its main players after the release of the film.
All in all, if you love this film, you will enjoy Lubin's book.
The main person in Lubin's book is the co-writer and director of the film, Billy Wilder. He was still in the early stages of his career, still to make, among other films, "Some Like It Hot" and "The Apartment." His nihilistic view of life is probably best illustrated in this film in which an aging actress who is both its victim to an industry that tosses people away, especially actresses, when they are viewed as no longer profitable and its villain in that she kills the other main character, her younger lover. This is not a spoiler because he is lying face down in a pool in the early minutes of the film, even though Lubin rightly points out that Wilder's use of misdirection makes the viewer forget the movie's beginning by the time they find out why the young lover is dead.
Although Lubin's examination of "Sunset Boulevard" is certainly entertaining (the passages on Erich von Stroheim are really fun) and mostly smart (the sections on Gloria Swanson clearly show the movies' attitude toward actresses who dare to age), his frequent digressions mar what otherwise would be a better book. He can't resist telling the reader about other aspects of film history, even when they add nothing to the main narrative. It also doesn't appear he talked to Stefanie Powers, William Holden's last serious paramour, who could have helped flesh out the section about what happened to its main players after the release of the film.
All in all, if you love this film, you will enjoy Lubin's book.
October 2, 2025
How much is possible to write about the making of a movie without a detailed written explanation of the movie itself. Short answer: very few. But the way the film is summarized, the analysis, to me is the key to the quality of the book.
On that front alone, "Ready for my Closeup" succeeds admirably. As many times as I've seen "Sunset Blvd.," probably 10+ times, I enjoyed the writer's view of the film itself as well as all the fascinating background on the details that enabled "Sunset Blvd." to become the masterpiece it was then and still is.
The book looks at the movie in the broader context of how Hollywood treated older women, certainly a broader context than the usual horror show context of the film. That gives it a relevance in today's filmmaking as well as its meaning 75 years ago when it was new and fresh.
The profiles of Wilder, Brackett, Holden, Olsen, Swanson, DeMille and Von Stroheim are fresh takes on their careers and well detailed. The Swanson profile was especially well done, ensuring that today's audiences appreciate that Norma Desmond and Gloria Swanson were not the same at all, that this was a bravura performance that the actress undertook fully understanding the consequences of playing a file so perfectly crafted around her and yet not at all the real woman.
Ingrid Bergman was not Ilsa in "Casablanca." She portrayed Ilsa. Both actresses should be seen as giving great memorable performances without erroneously assuming that what we saw on the screen gave us any insight to the "real" performer.
Treat yourself. Look her up on YouTube and see the difference between her most famous role and the tiny interesting woman she was.
I gave the book four stars because the writer tended to overanalyze the film rather than fill it more with even more anecdotes. But if you're a fan of the film or a student of film, put this on your "must read" list.
On that front alone, "Ready for my Closeup" succeeds admirably. As many times as I've seen "Sunset Blvd.," probably 10+ times, I enjoyed the writer's view of the film itself as well as all the fascinating background on the details that enabled "Sunset Blvd." to become the masterpiece it was then and still is.
The book looks at the movie in the broader context of how Hollywood treated older women, certainly a broader context than the usual horror show context of the film. That gives it a relevance in today's filmmaking as well as its meaning 75 years ago when it was new and fresh.
The profiles of Wilder, Brackett, Holden, Olsen, Swanson, DeMille and Von Stroheim are fresh takes on their careers and well detailed. The Swanson profile was especially well done, ensuring that today's audiences appreciate that Norma Desmond and Gloria Swanson were not the same at all, that this was a bravura performance that the actress undertook fully understanding the consequences of playing a file so perfectly crafted around her and yet not at all the real woman.
Ingrid Bergman was not Ilsa in "Casablanca." She portrayed Ilsa. Both actresses should be seen as giving great memorable performances without erroneously assuming that what we saw on the screen gave us any insight to the "real" performer.
Treat yourself. Look her up on YouTube and see the difference between her most famous role and the tiny interesting woman she was.
I gave the book four stars because the writer tended to overanalyze the film rather than fill it more with even more anecdotes. But if you're a fan of the film or a student of film, put this on your "must read" list.
September 3, 2025
An engaging and erudite deep dive into the world of "Sunset Boulevard." This is more than a celebrity/film fan popcorn read, its a thoughtful, witty and fun exploration of the participants, the places, the then prevailing culture and the craft that came together to create what still stands as one of Hollywood's major masterpieces. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there's so much I didn't know about the cast, the writers, the locations, the milieu of post-war Hollywood -I was born the year this movie came out. But it sure was interesting to learn about it. I only recently watched this film for the first time (sorry!), and it's almost unnerving how contemporary it feels in its concerns and general vibe. The author does a great job of explaining why that's the case, and why this now 75 year old classic still connects emotionally and artistically. Not unlike Lennon/McCartney, the Brackett/Wilder partnership seems to have been a complementary if not always congenial collaboration that relied on the contrasting strengths and weaknesses of the principals. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and am all the more appreciative that the author was kind enough to mention the help of his college librarians in the acknowledgments!
September 11, 2025
Superb book about the making of the iconic movie, Sunset Boulevard. If you are interested in movies and you have seen Sunset Boulevard, this is the book for you. Fully describing how the script was written, how the stars were cast is a fascinating story in itself. Sunset Boulevard rescued the careers of Gloria Swanson and William Holden. Gloria Swanson made the unpardonable crime in Hollywood by growing old. Her camp portrayal of an aging and forgotten movie queen is gold. She should have won the Academy Award but the vote was split and Judy Holliday from Born Yesterday took home the coveted Best Actress Award. I find the process to make movies very interesting. Huge amounts of moving parts, and even the participants are unsure sometimes if they are making a masterpiece or a turkey. It is amazing when it works out. Billy Wilder, the German Jewish immigrant, was the director.
He left Germany in the 1930’s and the rest of his family was murdered in the Holocaust. Hollywood, in the 30’s, was filled with Jewish refugees escaping the Nazis. Their stupid, insane loss is America’s gain. Germany murdered all of the Jews who wanted to be seen as normal Germans, and they have imported millions who do not want to be Germans.
He left Germany in the 1930’s and the rest of his family was murdered in the Holocaust. Hollywood, in the 30’s, was filled with Jewish refugees escaping the Nazis. Their stupid, insane loss is America’s gain. Germany murdered all of the Jews who wanted to be seen as normal Germans, and they have imported millions who do not want to be Germans.
October 31, 2025
When I first heard of the book I was mildly intrigued as I had never seen the original movie and only had vague memories of the mediocre musical. But after reading the book I realized that my views on the film were like if I had seen the movie CATS, and thought ‘this is awful’ and gave up on the superior source material.
So the book chronicles the lives and careers of the writers, producers, actors and directors that contributed to the film. It is a fairly dark book, as the characters are incredibly tragic. Most of the actors had seen their career peak and dissolve well before the film was written, with many of them being early Hollywood stars that did not fit into the rapidly changing film landscape. The book chronicles how the writer and director Billy Wilder capitalized on the career decline of Gloria Swanson by casting her as an aging silent film queen that refuses to accept that her stardom has ended. Her relationship with a writer trying to revive her career leads to a tragic end, mixing madness, violence and murder.
This was an incredibly thorough and well researched work on one of the masterpieces of Golden Age Hollywood, and is well worth the read. I watched the original film with a much better understanding of its origins, and enjoyed more than I thought I would because of this book.
So the book chronicles the lives and careers of the writers, producers, actors and directors that contributed to the film. It is a fairly dark book, as the characters are incredibly tragic. Most of the actors had seen their career peak and dissolve well before the film was written, with many of them being early Hollywood stars that did not fit into the rapidly changing film landscape. The book chronicles how the writer and director Billy Wilder capitalized on the career decline of Gloria Swanson by casting her as an aging silent film queen that refuses to accept that her stardom has ended. Her relationship with a writer trying to revive her career leads to a tragic end, mixing madness, violence and murder.
This was an incredibly thorough and well researched work on one of the masterpieces of Golden Age Hollywood, and is well worth the read. I watched the original film with a much better understanding of its origins, and enjoyed more than I thought I would because of this book.
September 1, 2025
I love a behind-the-scenes book about Hollywood. This one delivers many delicious little tidbits about most of the personalities involved with bringing Sunset Boulevard to the big screen, and I found them delightful and entertaining. I find Lubin’s style to be a little heavy handed in moments, where he overstates what I think doesn’t need to be. For this, he would benefit from paring back the manuscript. And this book would level up tremendously with just a little more effort to craft a bit of build up to a climax. Reading the book, it all passes calmly and gently by on placid waters, and I could have used a bit more of a sense of the waves of instability he depicts in the production process, the reaction to the early screenings, and the troubled dynamic between Brackett and Wilder. The book could learn a thing or two from the art form it details… a build up, a climax, and a feeling of closure.
November 17, 2025
I have always enjoyed the film Sunset Boulevard since the first time I saw it, many years ago. If you've never seen it, I heartily recommend it. It's about Hollywood, how it chews you up and spits you out, uses you for as long as you are useful, and about the frailties of humans. Stellar performances by all the cast members, with a marvellous screenplay by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder, it crosses genres and is part classic film noir, part horror movie, part story of unrequited love, and part nostalgia documentary. It is also a film that confuses reality and fantasy. Watching it, you almost swear it was a biopic, and that Norma Desmond was real, so marvellously is it crafted.
This most excellent book tells the story behind the story and is a must read for any fan of the movies from the old days. If you're of a certain age, you'll know what I mean. If you know what I mean, you'll enjoy this book! Now, where did I put my Erich Von Stroheim biography?
This most excellent book tells the story behind the story and is a must read for any fan of the movies from the old days. If you're of a certain age, you'll know what I mean. If you know what I mean, you'll enjoy this book! Now, where did I put my Erich Von Stroheim biography?
September 16, 2025
Fascinating look at Billy Wilder and Charlie Brackett’s 1950 classic, Sunset Boulevard, starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden. While not one of my favorite films, I do love some of Wilder’s other movies (Double Indemity and The Apartment in particular). Author Davis M. Lubin’s book runs through the backstories of all the principals: Wilder, Brackett, Swanson, Holden, and Erich von Stroheim, provides a thorough look at the film itself and a lot of info on pre-production and the movie’s effect after it was released. It’s a good history, although I’m a bit fuzzy on where “the Dark Side of Hollywood” mentioned in the subtitle fits in, other than Hollywood chews up its stars and drops them when their shelf life expires. I love a good movie history book and I’m grateful that we seem to be getting more of them these days. This one is a worthy addition to your movie book shelf.
November 30, 2025
Vivid and well-researched account of how the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard was made. Lubin describes reactions of the time and of later generations. He also mentions some intriguing parallels with All about Eve and The Bride of Frankenstein and several other classics.
I'm surprised that most of the fetishes that Erich von Stroheim tried to include in the movies he directed are STILL considered too shocking for mainstream entertainment today. He tried to include close-ups of women's feet and made one character a panty sniffer. For Sunset Boulevard, he wanted his butler/ex-husband character to hand-wash his employer's underwear.
Now I have to go re-watch the movie.
I'm surprised that most of the fetishes that Erich von Stroheim tried to include in the movies he directed are STILL considered too shocking for mainstream entertainment today. He tried to include close-ups of women's feet and made one character a panty sniffer. For Sunset Boulevard, he wanted his butler/ex-husband character to hand-wash his employer's underwear.
Now I have to go re-watch the movie.
September 11, 2025
A wonderfully written and deeply engaging book that captures both the brilliance and the shadows of Hollywood through the lens of Sunset Boulevard. As it is a formative film in the history of cinema, about cinema itself, analyzing Sunset Boulevard requires exploring the broader context of its creation and legacy. Through thorough research, Ready For My Close Up does exactly that without ever turning dull or too dense, perfectly balancing the film’s characters and message analysis with insights about Hollywood’s allure and dark sides alike. Just a deeply illuminating read for anyone interested in film - and I need to rewatch Sunset Boulevard now.
November 21, 2025
I first saw Sunset Boulevard on TCM during a college snow day and was instantly captivated. It shot straight onto my list of top classic films. I stumbled across this book in the Museum of the Moving Image gift shop and decided to download the audiobook version (it’s okay, we bought other things in the gift shop, I promise).
This ended up being a great deep dive into so many aspects of the film and the people behind it. I especially appreciated the biographical details and the thoughtful analysis of the movie’s legacy. I recommend if you’re a fan of the film specifically or just love classic Hollywood history in general.
This ended up being a great deep dive into so many aspects of the film and the people behind it. I especially appreciated the biographical details and the thoughtful analysis of the movie’s legacy. I recommend if you’re a fan of the film specifically or just love classic Hollywood history in general.
August 29, 2025
If you have an interest in, or love, Billy Wilder’s “Sunset Boulevard”, then this is the book for you. It profiles the key creatives of the film (Wilder, Brackett, Holden, Swanson, Stroheim), describing their lives before, during, and after the film. I hold back one star from the review as I wish it had gotten a little deeper into the production itself; there are numerous references to some issues or sots but I would have liked more. Or maybe I’m just being too picky. In any case, if you like the film, I definitely recommend this book.
November 23, 2025
I'm a big fan of books about the making of classic films. This is one of the best ones I've read. Sunset Boulevard is one of the truly great films to come out of the Hollywood Studio system. It has a pitch perfect screenplay by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder (who also directed the film). This book looks at how the film was made but also the backgrounds of its major players, onscreen and behind the camera. I found the whole thing fascinating but I'm also a big fan of the film.
If you don't know this film, watch it now. Like, right now. Then read this book.
If you don't know this film, watch it now. Like, right now. Then read this book.
October 2, 2025
I will devour anything about old Hollywood. This was well researched and well written. Sunset Boulevard is one of my favorite movies and has one of the most interesting process stories. I’d recommend this to anyone with an interest in old Hollywood or film historians.
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my arc in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for my arc in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 13, 2025
There have been a few books about the making of classic movies published recently... about such films as Rear Window, Strangers on a Train, and the joint works of Humphrey Bogart and John Huston. This book about Sunset Boulevard is one of the better efforts of that ilk. The author blends the plot of the film in with the histories of its makers, and you get a sense of the true excellence of the work. It makes you want to see Sunset Boulevard again, which is probably the best recommendation.
September 16, 2025
I wanted to go see Sunset Boulevard at a Regal theater for their Movie Masterpieces month, but alas, life got in the way.
But this book shows why Sunset Boulevard continues to be a classic. Lublin writes the history and its players in a detailed but easy style and it never got boring at one point. Recommended for anyone interested in behind the scenes of classic movies.
But this book shows why Sunset Boulevard continues to be a classic. Lublin writes the history and its players in a detailed but easy style and it never got boring at one point. Recommended for anyone interested in behind the scenes of classic movies.
November 20, 2025
While I enjoyed this book, at less than 250 pages, I found it a bit lacking. I have read books on Sunset Boulevard that were far better, namely Close-Up On Sunset Boulevard by Sam Staggs. That book had much more in-depth information and because of it, I learned nothing new from Ready For My Close Up.
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