It’s amazing to think Billy Wilder’s blend of noir and studio satire was originally pegged to be a comedy starring Mae West.
This tale of a washed-up writer (William Holden) and an ageing silent-movie star (Gloria Swanson) may have some darkly funny moments, but it’s far removed from Ms West’s cheek (so to speak).
Cynical, scathing and highly daring in its
Tinseltown broadsides, it bites the hand that feeds long before it was hip.
There is some overlap among the extras, but it’s a vast hoard, including pieces on Paramount in the ’50s and legendary costume designer Edith Head.
