Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Gloria Swanson is magnificent as the aging Hollywood star left behind by the talkies who offers a May-December romance of convenience with William Holden’s destitute screenwriter seeking refuge from creditors. Written and directed by Billy Wilder, this film noir masterpiece garnered three Academy Awards and eight more nominations. Did you know that Wilder previewed his film before a Poughkeepsie audience prior to its 1950 release and, based on the response, changed the ending!? (Hint – the Bardavon was a Paramount-owned theater.)