Silents star Swanson entered Billy Wilder’s caustic Hollywood hall of mirrors early.

“We knew no time would be wasted getting into the story as soon as Swanson appeared,” said cowriter Charles Brackett.

“Youngsters who never saw her would accept her as an old-time movie queen. Older fans would identify her and get a bigger emotional wallop….”

But if Swanson’s messy love’n’work past provided meta-ayers, she also transcended self-reflection, walking a tightrope between theatrical, boggle-eyed insanity and terribly tragic Tinseltown casualty.

“Poor devil, still waving proudly to a parade which had long since passed her by…”

Greatest moment: “We had faces!” Screenworshipping herself, talons piercing ciggy-smoke clouds.

Also See: Sadie Thompson (Sadie Thompson), Queen Kelly (Queen Kelly).