“Joe Gillis: [Norma threatens suicide again] Oh, wake up, Norma, you'd be killing yourself to an empty house. The audience left twenty years ago. Now, face it. Norma Desmond: That's a lie! They still want me!”Tagged: Fame, movie star, faded glory, suicide threat
“There once was a time in this business when I had the eyes of the whole world! But that wasn't good enough for them, oh no! They had to have the ears of the whole world too. So they opened their big mouths and out came talk. Talk! TALK!”Tagged: Fame, movie star, faded glory, silent movies, talkies
“Joe Gillis: Wait a minute, haven't I seen you before? I know your face. Norma Desmond: Get out! Or, shall I call my servant? Joe Gillis: You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big. Norma Desmond: I am big. It's the pictures that got small.”Tagged: Fame, silent movies
“Norma Desmond: You heard him. I'm a star. Joe Gillis: Norma, you're a woman of 50, now grow up. There's nothing tragic about being 50, not unless you try to be 25. Norma Desmond: The greatest star of them all.”Tagged: Fame, movie star, faded glory
“Joe Gillis: I didn't know you were planning a comeback. Norma Desmond: I hate that word. It's a return, a return to the millions of people who have never forgiven me for deserting the screen.”Tagged: Fame, Comeback, Return
“And I promise you I'll never desert you again because after Salome we'll make another picture and another picture. You see, this is my life! It always will be! Nothing else! Just us, and the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark!... All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my…”Tagged: Fame, Delusion, cecil b. demille