Sunset Boulevard Quotes
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Source: Sunset Boulevard
Speaker: Norma Desmond
I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.
Context
This misquoted line is spoken by Norma Desmond, played by Gloria Swanson, in the film Sunset Boulevard, directed by Billy Wilder (1950).
At the end of Sunset Boulevard, delusional crackpot (i.e., actress) Norma Desmond stalks toward a camera, thinking it's a movie camera, saying, "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." In reality, it's a news camera and everyone is there because she's about to be arrested for murder. What a misunderstanding.
Many people misquote the line as "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." It's a minor mistake that doesn't change the meaning of the quote. But hey, that's what we do. We take a close-up look at quotes and find all the flaws. Check yourself before you misquote yourself.
Where you've heard it
You've heard this any time someone is ready for their close-up, but Carol Burnett did it best.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Vain, yes. Pretentious? You could do worse.