Context

This line is spoken by Norma Desmond, played by Gloria Swanson, in the film Sunset Blvd., directed by Billy Wilder (1950).

When Joe Gillis wanders into a seemingly deserted mansion, he comes across a woman he swears he's seen before. It turns out to be long-forgotten silent film star, Norma Desmond. Imagine that!

Norma isn't too thrilled about the state of Hollywood these days. When Joe tells Norma he recognizes her from her films and that she used to be a big star, she corrects him. She still is a big star. It's just the movies today aren't worthy of her greatness.

Arrogant much?

This is pretty much the framing device for the whole story. Norma is looking to make a comeback, but she needs some help with her movie script. And it just so happens that Joe is a screenwriter. He moves into the Desmond mansion and things just go downhill from there.

Poor Joe. You should've run when you had the chance.

Where you've heard it

Let's hope you have never met anyone as self-involved as Norma Desmond. If you have heard this line, fingers crossed it was said as a joke.

Additional Notable References:

• When Sally becomes a minor celebrity on 3rd Rock from the Sun, things start to take a bit of a Norma Desmond turn, complete with this quote.
• This quote was #24 on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Movie Quotes.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Telling people you're a big deal? Yeah, you've just been crowned King of Pretentiousville.