1949
Struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis hides in a decaying mansion and is drawn into the isolated, opulent world of Norma Desmond, a delusional former silent film star who hires him to revise her comeback script. Joe becomes Norma's kept man, attempting to leave after her declarations of love and suicide attempts, but always returning to her control. While Norma believes her comeback is imminent, Joe secretly collaborates with Betty Schaefer on his own project and falls in love with her, leading Norma to discover his betrayal. As Joe attempts to leave her, Norma shoots him, and she descends her grand staircase for the police, believing she is on set for her close-up in Salome.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Joe Gillis, a down-on-his-luck screenwriter, stumbles into the decaying world of Norma Desmond, a faded silent-film star, and becomes entangled in her delusional quest for a comeback.
Open full beat sheetJoe Gillis is listed as Protagonist / Screenwriter. A struggling, cynical Hollywood screenwriter who becomes entangled with Norma Desmond. In the parsed data, Joe Gillis is connected to 52 scenes, 86 dialogue lines, 88 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
52 scenes / 86 dialogue linesNorma Desmond is listed as Antagonist / Former Silent Film Star. A faded, delusional silent film star living in a decaying mansion, obsessed with making a comeback. In the parsed data, Norma Desmond is connected to 34 scenes, 55 dialogue lines, 57 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
34 scenes / 55 dialogue linesMax von Mayerling is listed as Norma's Butler / Former Director. Norma's devoted butler, chauffeur, and former husband/director who protects her delusions. In the parsed data, Max von Mayerling is connected to 27 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
27 scenes / 11 dialogue linesBetty Schaefer is listed as Paramount Reader / Love Interest. A young, ambitious script reader at Paramount who collaborates with Joe. In the parsed data, Betty Schaefer is connected to 12 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
12 scenes / 25 dialogue linesCecil B. DeMille is listed as Director. A legendary film director who maintains a respectful distance from Norma. In the parsed data, Cecil B. DeMille is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 41.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesArtie Green is listed as Assistant Director. Joe's friend and Betty's fiancé. In the parsed data, Artie Green is connected to 2 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
2 scenes / 16 dialogue linesSheldrake is listed as Paramount Producer. A busy, ulcer-ridden studio executive. In the parsed data, Sheldrake is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGordon Cole is listed as Paramount Property Department. An employee at Paramount who wants to rent Norma's car.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesPolice and reporters arrive at a mansion to investigate a murder.
Joe Gillis is confronted by finance company men about his car payments.
Joe GillisJoe retrieves his car from a hidden parking spot.
Joe GillisJoe pitches a story to Sheldrake, but Betty Schaefer dismisses it.
Joe Gillis, Betty Schaefer, SheldrakeJoe makes desperate calls to find work.
Joe GillisJoe asks his agent for a loan.
Joe GillisJoe is chased by the finance men and hides his car at a mansion.
Joe GillisJoe meets Max and Norma Desmond.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma and Gillis discuss her script for Salome and her desire for a comeback.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma and Max bury a pet monkey.
Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingGillis reads the script and Norma asks him to stay.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondMax shows Gillis to his room.
Joe Gillis, Max von MayerlingGillis wakes up to find his belongings moved.
Joe GillisGillis confronts Max and Norma about his belongings.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingGillis works on the script while Norma signs photos.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondNorma and Gillis watch one of her old films.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingGillis tries to get money from Norma as men arrive for his car.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingGillis tries to talk to Norma about his financial troubles while she plays bridge, but she ignores him. He leaves the house in frustration.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondGillis watches from the doorway as men from the finance company take his car.
Joe Gillis, Max von MayerlingNorma confronts Gillis about his car, dismissing his concern and boasting about her Isotta-Fraschini.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondMax drives Norma and Gillis in the restored Isotta-Fraschini; Norma criticizes Gillis's clothes.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma forces Gillis to try on expensive clothes, including a tuxedo.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondDue to rain, Max moves Gillis into the main house. Gillis discovers the lack of locks on the doors.
Joe Gillis, Max von MayerlingGillis briefly looks into Norma's room, observing its opulent, dated decor.
Joe GillisAt a private New Year's Eve party, Norma confesses her love to Gillis, who is deeply uncomfortable.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingGillis flees the house and hitches a ride to Artie Green's party.
Joe GillisGillis arrives at Artie's party, meets Betty Schaefer, and asks to stay on the couch.
Joe Gillis, Betty Schaefer, Artie GreenGillis and Betty discuss his writing; he then attempts to call Max to retrieve his things.
Joe Gillis, Betty SchaeferMax answers the phone, telling Gillis he cannot talk because the doctor is there.
Joe Gillis, Max von MayerlingGillis finds Norma after her suicide attempt; they argue and eventually reconcile.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondThe orchestra plays Auld Lang Syne to an empty room.
Gillis and Norma reconcile and wish each other a Happy New Year.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondMax answers a phone call from Betty Schaefer and refuses to let her speak to Gillis.
Max von Mayerling, Betty SchaeferNorma instructs Max to take her script to DeMille; she discusses her astrologer's chart with Gillis.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma and Gillis drive to a bridge game; Gillis stops at a drugstore for cigarettes.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingGillis runs into Artie and Betty, who tell him about a potential script deal.
Joe Gillis, Betty Schaefer, Artie GreenNorma performs for Gillis; Max informs her that Paramount is calling.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma and Gillis drive to Paramount Studios.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma demands entry to the studio.
Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingDeMille learns Norma is coming and prepares to meet her.
Cecil B. DeMilleNorma meets DeMille and discusses her script.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Cecil B. DeMilleNorma visits DeMille on set, discussing her potential comeback while Max and Gillis wait outside.
Norma Desmond, Cecil B. DeMille, Max von Mayerling, Joe GillisMax reminisces about the studio's past to Gillis while prop men eye the car.
Max von Mayerling, Joe GillisGillis offers his script to Betty, and they discuss collaborating.
Joe Gillis, Betty SchaeferMax warns Gillis about the studio's true intentions regarding the car.
Max von Mayerling, Joe GillisDeMille dismisses the idea of using Norma's car.
Cecil B. DeMille, Norma DesmondNorma believes her comeback is set, while Max and Gillis share a knowing look.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma prepares for bed and checks on Gillis.
Norma Desmond, Joe GillisGillis and Betty work on the script and bond.
Joe Gillis, Betty SchaeferNorma discovers the script and realizes Gillis is working with Betty.
Norma Desmond, Joe GillisNorma calls Betty to expose Gillis.
Norma Desmond, Joe Gillis, Betty SchaeferJoe and Norma argue; Joe waits for Betty's arrival.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondBetty and Connie arrive at Norma's house.
Betty SchaeferNorma whimpers while Joe prepares to leave.
Joe Gillis, Norma DesmondJoe greets Betty at the door.
Joe Gillis, Max von Mayerling, Betty SchaeferJoe shows Betty the house and explains his situation.
Joe Gillis, Betty SchaeferJoe sends Betty away.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Betty SchaeferJoe packs to leave; Norma confronts him with a gun.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma shoots Joe.
Joe Gillis, Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingPolice interrogate Norma.
Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNorma descends the stairs for her final scene.
Norma Desmond, Max von MayerlingNow you're being silly. We don't need two cars. We have a car. And not one of those cheap new things made of chromium and spit. An Isotta-Fraschini. Have you ever heard of Isotta-Fraschinis? All hand-made. Cost me twenty-eight thousand dollars.
I understand some rich guy bought up all the tickets for a performance at the Metropolitan and sat there listening to La Traviata, all by himself. He was afraid of catching cold.
The greatest. They call me the Elsa Maxwell of the assistant directors. Hey, easy on the punch bowl. Budget only calls for three drinks per extra. Fake the rest.
No, Phillip, no. We must be strong. You're still wearing the uniform of the Coldstream Guards! Furthermore, you can have the phone now.
It was the room of the husband. Or of the husbands, I should say. Madame has been married three times.
I've got some ideas myself. One of them being this is New Year's Eve. How about living it up a little?
We have to be very careful. No sleeping pills, no razor blades. We shut off the gas in her bedroom.
Has it ever occurred that I may have a life of my own? That there may be some girl I'm crazy about?
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