«We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!»

 

Gloria Swanson’s dialogue, in ‘Sunset Boulevard’ (1950), as the character Norma Desmond, but in fact referring to none other but herself.. (*)


Joe Gillis: Wait a minute, haven't I seen you before? I know your face.
Norma Desmond: Get out! Or shall I call my servant?
Joe Gillis: You're Norma Desmond. You used to be in silent pictures. You used to be big.
Norma Desmond: I *am* big. It's the *pictures* that got small.


Norma Desmond: We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!