June 27, 2008
Holden's death scene in Sunset Boulevard:
An edited re-post of something. Part of an ongoing project I'm working on, the topic of which - if you've been paying attention - should be clear.
Now.
The death scene in Sunset Boulevard: Holden has to be shot three times - stagger forward - turn back - turn the other way - be shot one last time and fall face first into the pool. One take. That takes not only acting chops - and make-believe chops but also athletic chops.
One long take of an actor being shot multiple times, twirling this way, that, before plunging himself into the pool is old-fashioned film-making. Great great stuff.
Billy Wilder said to Cameron Crowe, about Holden: "Holden was very good. Physically, he was first-class."
Holden comes out onto the lawn - followed by Norma with her gun - he is shot in the back the first time. It stops him in his tracks - his back kind of arches, his head goes back ...
Then he plunges forward - wounded - dropping his suitcase ...
She shoots him again - from the side - he takes the hit ...
Out of control now, staggering away from her - turning back to see his attacker -
Disoriented, wounded - he flails about - flailing for the dropped suitcase ...
Which is when she shoots him for the final time. The death blow. His swoon is practically balletic. Fearless. Throwing himself off to the side and over the edge.
Here's the clip. Bravo.
Great post, pointing out something I had never thought about -- the physical difficulty of that scene. Of course you think about Lancaster doing a stunt in The Crimson Pirate or Fairbanks Sr in anything, but something like this doesn't register as an effort because after all, he's only dying.
It does make me sad for what Holden did to his body with alcohol over the years, I must say.
Posted by: Campaspe at June 28, 2008 8:19 AMCampaspe - I know - it's painful for me to think of how he ended. Just awful.
Such an athlete, such a hardy graceful man - and what an actor!!
Billy Wilder tells a funny story about how there was a moment in Sabrina where he wanted Holden to jump over a stair railing and land right next to Hepburn. Holden did it. Wilder said to him, not realizing at first how ridiculous it was, "Could you please somehow fall slower?" hahahaha Like Holden could somehow halt gravity and make his body slowly float down!! Holden joked about that for a long time. "I know, Billy, I know - you want me to fall slower ..."
Look for my big piece on Holden on House Next Door next week - I've been working really hard on it!!
Posted by: red at June 28, 2008 8:29 AM"Could you please somehow fall slower?"
Haha, that's great! I love that movie.
Great post, by the way! I hadn't really thought about the physical element of that scene. I do remember being kind of shocked, when I first saw it, that he tries to keep walking after he's first shot. Deliberately, like the way he walked out of the mansion. Great stuff..
Posted by: Jess at June 29, 2008 5:27 PM