Showbiz Showdown: Gloria Swanson vs. Bette Davis
(NR) USA – 1 hr 50 min
1950 · d. Billy Wilder
Starring Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich von Stroheim
Floating face down in a pool with three bullets in his body, deceased screenwriter Joe Gillis (William Holden) relates a strange yarn about faded silent-film star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) and her plan for a grand comeback. “I am big, it’s the pictures that got small,” Norma says. Not this one! Billy Wilder’s iconic Hollywood noir was nominated for eleven Academy Awards.
After the film, author Michael Schulman will join us to discuss his new book, Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears, for sale on site from Main Point Books.
Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, online, using the showtimes listed below the “Buy Tickets” heading. The Box Office is open for ticket sales 30 minutes prior to the first show of the day.
All screenings at BMFI are open seating.
Saturday, June 24
1.00
