1. ENTR’ACTE
2. SUNSET BOULEVARD
JOE
Sure, I came out here to make my name
Wanted my pool, my dose of fame
Wanted my parking space at Warners’
But after a year, a one-room hell
A murphy bed, a rancid smell
Wallpaper peeling at the corners
Sunset Boulevard
Twisting Boulevard
Secretive and rich, a little scary
Sunset Boulevard
Tempting Boulevard
Waiting there to swallow the unwary
Dreams are not enough to win a war
Out here they’re always keeping score
Beneath the tan, the battle rages
Smile a rented smile, fill someone’s glass
Kiss someone’s wife, kiss someone’s ass
We do whatever pays the wages
Sunset Boulevard
Headline Boulevard
Getting here is only the beginning
Sunset Boulevard
Jackpot Boulevard
Once you’ve won you have to go on winning
You think I’ve sold out?
Dead right I’ve sold out
I’ve just been waiting for the right offer:
Comfortable quarters, regular rations
24-hour five-star room service
And if I’m honest
I like the lady
I can’t help being touched by her folly
I’m treading water, taking the money
Watching her sunset…
Well, I’m a writer
L.A.’s changed a lot over the years
Since those brave gold rush pioneers
Came in their creaky covered wagons
Far as they could go, end of the line
Their dreams were yours, their dreams were mine
But in those dreams were hidden dragons
Sunset Boulevard
Frenzied Boulevard
Swamped with every kind of false emotion
Sunset Boulevard
Brutal Boulevard
Just like you we’ll wind up in the ocean
She was sinking fast, I threw a rope
Now I have suits, and she has hope
It seemed an elegant solution
One day this must end, it isn’t real
Still I’ll enjoy a hearty meal
Before tomorrow’s execution
Sunset Boulevard
Ruthless Boulevard
Destination for the stony-hearted
Sunset Boulevard
Lethal Boulevard
Everyone’s forgotten how they started
Here on Sunset Boulevard
3. THERE’S BEEN A CALL/JOURNEY TO PARAMOUNT
NORMA
There’s been a call
What did I say
They want to see me right away
Joe, Paramount, they love our child
Mr. DeMille is going wild
JOE
Well, that’s wonderful, Norma.
NORMA
But it was some fool assistant
Not acceptable at all
It he wants me, then Cecil B.
Himself must call
JOE
I don’t know if this is the time to stand on ceremony.
NORMA
I’ve been waiting twenty years now
What’s a few more days, my dear?
It’s happened, Joe
I told you so
The perfect year
Now, let’s go upstairs
JOE
Shouldn’t you at least call back?
NORMA
No; they can wait until I’m good and ready.
JOE (V.O.)
It took her three days and she was ready
She checked with her astrologer
Who sacrificed a chicken
She dressed up like a pharaoh
Slapped on a pound of make-up
And set forth in her chariot
Poor Norma
So happy
Re-entering her kingdom
MAX (V.O.)
If you will pardon me, Madame, the shadow over the left eye is not quite balanced.
NORMA (V.O.)
Thank you, Max.
GUARD
Hey, that’s enough of that.
MAX
To see Mr. DeMille. Open the gate.
GUARD
Mr. DeMille is shooting. You need an appointment.
MAX
This is Norma Desmond. No appointment is necessary.
GUARD
Norma who?
NORMA
Jonesy?
JONES
Why, if it isn’t Miss Desmond. How have you been, Miss Desmond?
NORMA
Fine, Jonesy. Open the gate.
JONES
You heard Miss Desmond.
GUARD
They don’t have a pass.
JONES
Stage 18, Miss Desmond.
NORMA
Thank you, Jonesy. And teach your friend some manners. Tell him without me, there wouldn’t be any Paramount Studio.
JONES
Get me Stage 18. I have a message for Mr. DeMille.
HEATHER
Mr. DeMille?
DEMILLE
What is it?
HEATHER
Norma Desmond is here to see you, Mr. DeMille.
DEMILLE
Norma Desmond?
HEATHER
She’s here at the studio.
DEMILLE
It must be about that appalling script of hers. What shall I say?
HEATHER
Maybe I could give her the brush.
DEMILLE
Thirty million fans have given her the brush. Isn’t that enough? Give me a minute.
NORMA
Won’t you come along, darling?
JOE
It’s your script. It’s your show. Good luck.
NORMA
Thank you, darling.
HEATHER
Miss Desmond.
DEMILLE
Well, well, well.
NORMA
Hello, Mr. DeMille.
The last time I saw you, we were someplace terribly gay. I was dancing on the table.
DEMILLE
A lot of people were. Lindbergh had just landed.
NORMA
You read the script, of course.
DEMILLE
Well, yes…
NORMA
Now, I know how busy you are during shooting, but I really think you could have picked up the phone yourself, instead of leaving it so some assistant.
DEMILLE
I don’t know what you mean, Norma.
NORMA
Yes, you do.
DEMILLE
Come on in.
4. AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE
VOICE
Miss Desmond? Hey, Miss Desmond!
Up here, Miss Desmond: it’s Hog-eye!
NORMA
Hog-eye! Well, hello!
HOG-EYE
Let’s get a look at you.
NORMA
I don’t know why I’m frightened
I know my way around here
The cardboard trees, the painted seas
The sound here
Yes, a world to rediscover
But I’m not in any hurry
And I need a moment
The whispered conversations
In overcrowded hallways
The atmosphere, as thrilling here
As always
Feel the early morning madness
Feel the magic in the making
Why, everything’s as if we never said goodbye
I’ve spent so many mornings
Just trying to resist you
I’m trembling now, you can’t know how
I’ve missed you
Missed the fairy-tale adventures
In this ever-spinning playground
We were young together
I’m coming out of make-up
The lights already burning
Not long until the cameras will
Start turning
And the early morning madness
And the magic in the making
Yes, everything’s as if we never said goodbye
I don’t want to be alone
That’s all in the past
This world’s waited long enough
I’ve ocme home at last
And this time will be bigger
And brighter than we knew it
So watch me fly, we all know I can do it
Could I stop my hand from shaking?
Has there ever been a moment
With so much to live for?
The whispered conversations
In overcrowded hallways
So much to say, not just today
But always
We’ll have early morning madness
We’ll have magic in the making
Yes, everything’s as if we never said goodbye
Yes, everything’s as if we never said goodbye
We taught the world new ways to dream
5. PARAMOUNT CONVERSATIONS/SURRENDER (Reprise)
BETTY
Well, Hello Mr. Gillis
Where have you been keeping yourself?
JOE
Someone’s been doing it for me
BETTY
And meanwhile “Blind Windows”
Is stuck on the shelf
You said we’d work together
JOE
New Year’s crisis, what can I say?
BETTY
Always full of excuses
JOE
Promise I’ll call you later today
BETTY
You said that last time.
JOE
Look, Betty, I won’t let you down.
BETTY
I guess I’ll just have to trust you.
SHELDRAKE
You’re Miss Desmond’s German Shepherd?
I’m the one who’s been calling
The name is Sheldrake. A couple of weeks ago, I was looking out my office window, I saw you drive onto the lot. And I said, that’s exactly the car I’ve been looking for. Great for my new Crosby picture. So, I made a few inquiries. I’ve been calling for two weeks. Doesn’t she ever pick up the phone? You know, outside a museum, you don’t see that kind of quality anymore. We’re willing to pay, at least a hundred dollars a week…
MAX
It’s outrageous
You insult her
How can you be so cruel?
I forbid you to approach her
SHELDRAKE
You’re insane
MAX
Go away.
Go away!
NORMA
Did you see how they all came
Crowding around?
They still love me, and soon we’ll be
Breaking new ground
Brave pioneers
DEMILLE
Those were the days
NORMA
Just like before
DEMILLE
We had such fun
NORMA
We gave the world
New ways to dream
BOTH
We always found new ways to dream
DEMILLE
Let’s have a good long talk one day.
NORMA
The old team will be back in business
DEMILLE
Sorry, my next shot’s ready
MAX
Mr. Gillis…
JOE
What’s the matter, Max?
MAX
I just found out the reason for all those phone calls from Paramount. It’s not Madame they want. It’s her car.
JOE
Oh, my God.
NORMA
Now, you remember, don’t you? I don’t work before 10 or after 4:30 in the afternoon.
DEMILLE
It isn’t entirely my decision, Norma. New York must be consulted.
NORMA
That’s fine. Ask any exhibitor in the country. I’m not forgotten.
DEMILLE
Of course you’re not.
Goodbye, young fellow. We’ll what we can do.
NORMA
I’m not worried. It’s so wonderful to be back.
BETTY
Was that really Norma Desmond?
DEMILLE
It was.
HEATHER
She must be about a million years old.
DEMILLE
I hate to think where that puts me. I could be her father.
HEATHER
Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. DeMille.
DEMILLE
If you could have seen
Her at seventeen
When all of her dreams were new
Beautiful and strong
Before it all went wrong
She’s never known the meaning of surrender
She’s never known the meaning of surrender
6. GIRL MEETS BOY (Reprise)
JOE
How about
They don’t know each other
He works the night shift
And she takes clases all day?
Here’s the thing, they both share the same room
Sleep in the same bed
It works out cheaper that way
BETTY
I’ve a feeling you’re just kidding
But to me it sounds believable
Makes a better opening than that car chase scene
Girl find boy, borrowing her toothbrush
Or oversleeping
Or at her sewing machine
JOE
You know, it’s not bad, there are some real possibilities…
BETTY
Who’s Norma?
JOE
Who’s who?
BETTY
Sorry, I don’t usually read private cigarett cases.
JOE
Norma’s a friend of mine: middle-aged lady, very foolish, very generous.
BETTY
I’ll say: this is solid gold. “Mad about the boy”?
JOE
So how’s Artie?
BETTY
Stuck in Tennessee. It rains all the time, they’re weeks behind. No one knows when they’ll be back.
JOE
Good.
BETTY
What’s good about it? I’m missing him something fierce.
JOE
No, I mean this idea we had. It’s really pretty good.
Back to work.
BETTY
What if he’s a teacher?
JOE
Where does that get us?
Don’t see what good it would do.
BETTY
No, it’s great
If they do the same job
JOE
So much in common
They fall in love, wouldn’t you?
BETTY
Yes, but if he’s just a teacher
Then we lose those scenes in the factory
JOE
Not if he’s a champion for the working man.
Girl likes boy, she respects his talent
BETTY
Working with someone can turn you into a fan
JOE
This is fun, writing with a partner
BETTY
Yes, and it could be…
JOE
A helluva movie
BETTY
Can we really do this?
BOTH
I know that we can!
7. ETERNAL YOUTH IS WORTH A LITTLE SUFFERING
ASTROLOGER
I don’t think you should shoot before July 15th
Right now is a perilous time for Pisces
If you want ’til Venus is in Capricorn
You’ll avoid a catalogue of crises
MASSEUR 1
I need three more weeks to get these thighs in shape
No more carbohydrates, don’t be naughty
MASSEUR 2
We’ll soon have you skipping like an ingenue
You won’t look a day over forty
BEAUTICIAN 1
We have dry heat, we have steam
BEAUTICIAN 2
We have moisturizing cream
BEAUTICIAN 3
We had mud-packs, we have blood sacks
BEAUTICIAN 2
It’s a rigorous regime
ALL
Not a wrinkle when you twinkle
Or a wobble when you walk
BEAUTICIAN 3
Of course, there’s bound to be a little suffering
ALL
Eternal youth is worth a little suffering
ANALYST
Listen to your super ego not your id
Age is just another damn neurosis
I’ll have you regressing back to infancy
And back into the womb under hypnosis
DOCTOR
I inject the tissue of the fetal lamb
The forumla’s the one Somerset Maugham owns
Just modest course of thirty-sevent shots
And you will be a heaving mass of hormones
ALL
No more crow’s feet, no more flab
No more love handles to grab
You’ll be so thin they’ll all think you’re
Walking sideways like a crab
Nothing sagging, nothing bagging
Nothing dragging on the floor
Of course, there’s bound to be a little suffering
Eternal youth is worth a little suffering
Of course, there’s bound to be a little suffering
Eternal youth is worth a little suffering
Of course, there’s bound to be a little suffering…