How old is Norma?

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 11:07am

I got involved in a thread on another site discussing Glenn Close and her age vs. the character of Norma in Sunset Boulevard. A friend pointed out that it's in the film script that she's 50. Is her specific age mentioned in the book of the musical?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 11:10am

Yes. Joe says "Nothing's wrong with being 50 unless you're acting 20."

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 11:12am

Ah to be 50 again

[LarryD2]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 11:35am

From the film: "Norma, grow up. You're a woman of fifty. There's nothing tragic about being fifty - not unless you try to be twenty-five."

Of course, being 50 years old in 1949 was viewed in a completely different light than it is today, so it's not really outrageous to cast an older actress in the role.

Updated On: 4/6/16 at 11:35 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:34pm

Being 50 or 60 or like me pushing the next big one is the same now as it was than. You are OLD and you cannot run from it. It is what it is.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:39pm

Roxy bringing the cheer as always.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:41pm

LOL

[newintown]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:41pm

"There's nothing tragic about being fifty - not unless you try to be twenty-five."

Well, that's an attitude that seems to have changed completely (viz. Salma Hayek, Robin Wright, Helena Bonham Carter, Tea Leoni, Halle Berry, Dean Cain, Matthew Fox, Michael Imperioli, Peter Krause, Brooke Shields, etc. - although some of them are probably aiming more for thirty than twenty-five).

[beaemma]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:45pm

In later productions I've seen, the line was changed to "There's nothing tragic about being your age." 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:49pm

Norma is 50 and Gloria Swanson was 49 during the filming of SUNSET BLVD.  The make-up team actually had to "age" her a bit due to William Holden reading older on film than his true age.  Originally cast Montgomery Clift would have made more impact on the age difference between Joe and Norma.  

 

And yes, 40-50 back in the 1950s looked quite differently. People looked much older as life's responsibilities were in full force by your late teens/early 20s.  Scary to think Bette Davis was only 41 when she played older theatre queen Margo Channing in ALL ABOUT EVE.  She looks and behaves like a woman in her late 50s by today's standards.   

[newintown]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:55pm

The mere fact that we call women "brave" who allow themselves to age (like Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, or Judi Dench) says something about how our values (as a society) have not much evolved.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 12:59pm

You "allow" yourself to age? Both sexes age and there is nothing you can do about. In this day and age, being old is not the worst thing. I would hate to be young these days

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 1:06pm

She's older than Joe and with a lot of money. I think there is wiggle room there-he can be 30, she can be 50, he can be 40 she can be 70. Glenn looks wonderful and very robust. On most days I see her as looking the same as she always has. I'm actually upset they toned her make-up down. I liked the intense look, but that would definitely age her now.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 1:10pm

Diet, smoking, drinking and general life style can age you Roxy. If you don't take care of yourself you can age quite rapidly. Some are however blessed with good genes. Take A RECENT EXAMPLE Doris Day! In the 50s many looked older then their actual age.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 1:11pm

If Norma is 70 in 1950 (when the story takes place), then she would have been in her late 40s-mid 50s during the silent movie days. This detail only matters, however, to audience members who are paying attention to they story, which lets the majority off.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 1:12pm

"Diet, smoking, drinking and general life style can age you Roxy."

And lots and lots of surgery can keep you looking what some call "young."

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 1:18pm

Mr Roxy said: "Being 50 or 60 or like me pushing the next big one is the same now as it was than. You are OLD and you cannot run from it. It is what it is.

 
Sorry to burst your bubble Mr. Roxy but 50 back in the olden days is NOT the same as being 50 today, no matter how much you elders try to tell us it is it really truly isn't. IT IS WHAT IS - - - NOW.

 

 

Updated On: 4/6/16 at 01:18 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 10:48pm

newintown said: "If Norma is 70 in 1950 (when the story takes place), then she would have been in her late 40s-mid 50s during the silent movie days. This detail only matters, however, to audience members who are paying attention to they story, which lets the majority off.

 

"

True. Likewise, Blanche du Bois was intended to be 26 or thereabouts. But we commonly think of her (and play her) as in her 40s, because we don't think of single women in their late 20s as desperate and "over the hill". We certainly don't hide them in the shadows of paper lanterns.

But regardless of how they word Joe's line about aging, Norma intends to play Salome, who is 16, IIRC. If Norma is 70, she isn't tragic, just silly. I saw Ellen Geer play Blanche in her 60s and, fine actress though she is, the play got laughs in all the wrong places.

[Fantod]

Posted: 4/6/16 at 11:07pm

Gloria Swanson would have been 51 years old when the movie came out, which is a good reference for the show.