Lost Fame

Norma is no longer a celebrity, although she does not realize it. Although it might be painful for her to discover that her fame has passed, it is far more detrimental that she lives her life in ignorance of the fact that her days of glory have come to an end.

Instead of having to cope with reality, Norma spends each day preparing for her next big role and imagining a newly-launched career based on a script she is having Joe polish. She cannot understand that people no longer enjoy silent films now that talkies have been invented and she is also unaware that she lacks the acting skills to appear in newer films. Norma's delusions of grandeur have been protected for so long by Max that she becomes a danger to herself and others. Cecil De Mille, her former director, also reinforces her deluded ideas when...