AWPL Classic Monday - Sunset Blvd. (1950) Billy Wilder’s brilliant black comedy stars William Holden, Gloria Swanson and Erich von Stroheim. Joe Gillis (Holden), a struggling screenwriter (turned gigolo), befriends Norma Desmond (Swanson), a former silent-film star (turned sugar mama); Desmond gradually draws him into her demented fantasy world, where she dreams of making a triumphant return to the silver screen. Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up. Not Rated: 1 hour 50 minutes.