Today, Paramount Home Entertainment is releasing the mesmerizing 1950 classic Sunset Boulevard for the first time on Blu-ray.  Directed by Billy Wilder and winning three Oscars including one for Franz Waxman’s beautiful score, the film tells the story of Joe Gillis (William Holden) a broke screenwriter who is hired by Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a faded silent movie star struggling with mental illness and an obsessive streak.

The film picked up an Oscar for Best Screenplay, and the brilliant script for Sunset Boulevard is still just as fresh after over sixty years, including the haunting and groundbreaking use of posthumous narration.  With excellent leading work from William Holden and an unforgettable turn from Gloria Swanson, Sunset Boulevard is a true Hollywood classic that has been beautifully restored and is absolutely ready for it’s “close up” on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray includes commentary with author Ed Sikov, a never before seen deleted scene and lost pages from the script as well as numerous featurettes on many different aspects of the film.

Sunset Boulevard is 110 minutes and rated PG.

-John C.