Trump and “Sunset Boulevard”: Faded Glory and Projection
How my grandfather’s Oscar-winning movie found its way into a red-meat MAGA crowd
Trump’s speech landed with a thud on my screen
One would think that having a sitting president mentioning the name of a movie your grandfather wrote and produced — resulting in three Academy Awards — would be a big plus for your day. In almost any other universe I’d be inclined to agree…except in the toxic universe of Donald J. Trump.
Earlier this week, Mr. Trump, speaking to a rally of his followers in Colorado Springs, bemoaned the Oscar-nod to “Parasite.” Quoted in The Washington Post, Trump said,
“And the winner is a movie from South Korea, what the hell was that all about?” Trump said, drawing laughter from the crowd. “We got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of it, they give them the best movie of the year? Was it good? I don’t know. Can we get like ‘Gone with the Wind’ back, please? ‘Sunset Boulevard.’ So many great movies.”
Various news reports highlighted “Gone With the Wind’s” Academy Award for Best Picture, in 1940, and went on to say that “Sunset Boulevard,” while not winning a Best Picture nod, did receive three Oscars in other categories.
