READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream

Jason Culp offers an excellent, well-toned, and enthusiastic narration, complete with spot-on imitations of Austrian-born director Billy Wilder, in this well-researched examination of the iconic 1950s Paramount film SUNSET BOULEVARD. The movie features Gloria Swanson as the faded silent screen star Norma Desmond. Culp's breaths at the ends of sentences distract slightly, but David Lubin's text is articulate, his words carefully chosen and instructive. Exhaustive insights are provided regarding preproduction, production, filming, and immediate reception, as well as long-term critical and societal reactions. Bravo for a fun listening experience. It's likely that this audiobook will compel listeners to view the film--for the first or the hundredth time. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2025]