“I am big. It's the pictures that got small.”Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950)
Dec
21
Short Girl Appreciation Day
Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) descending an ornate staircase. The size of the set gives you an approximate idea of her height. Even when several steps above him, Swanson's dwarfed by the photographer in the dark suit and glasses. DP: John F. Seitz.
The main character is a “short girl” [I do not agree with the infantilizing wording] on Short Girl Appreciation Day, USA.
The great Gloria Swanson (4'11” – 5ft 2 / 1,49 m) – fabulously decked out by Edith Head (5'1” / 1,55 m) with an endless parade of platform shoes – in Billy Wilder's Sunset Blvd. (1950).
– Norma Desmond
Also starring, Buster Keaton, who was 5'5” / 1,65 m.