This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
William Holden and Sunset Boulevard’s watershed rise
Bob Thomas narrates Holden’s path from near replacement in Sunset Boulevard to Oscar recognition, including Wilder’s gamble, Swanson’s aging makeup, and Holden’s self doubt. The article then follows Holden to the 1951 ceremony and his emotional response to a split night of acclaim and loss.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William Holden
Stalag 17
Bob Thomas
Wilder
Charles Brackett
Paramount
Joe Gillis
Holden
Bill Holden
Ardis
Gloria Swanson
Norma Desmond
Max von Mayerling
Norma
Erich von Stroheim
Miss Swanson
Queen Kelly
Clift
Joe
Miss Olson
Paramount Writers’ Building
Bill
Nancy
Sunset Boulevard
Evanston, IL
Long Island
N.Y
Gillis
Thomas M. Pryor
New York Times
Hollywood
Brenda Marshall
New York
Brenda
Pantages Theater
the Haldens
Billy Wilder
Audrey
Eve
Jose Ferrer
Macambo
Sunset Strip
Holdens
Wilders
Halden
Sefton