The article in the link was written in 2016. Looking at the two films today, we can readily note the similarity of the endings. It's also plausible to theorize that Wilder could have been influenced by Williams' play. However, growing up in the 50's and being a young theatre/movie geek, I never read or heard anything like that about Wilder and the genesis of Blvd, nor later when it and Streetcar made their TV debuts.
Reportedly Wilder was influenced by circumstances in the lives of film icons Mary Pickford, Clara Bow, and Mae Marsh. All three had huge careers in silent films, which abruptly halted with the advent of talkies. Pickford became shockingly reclusive. Bow suffered a nervous breakdown and was plagued (as was Marsh) with bouts of mental illness for many years. Marsh, however, recovered and had a fine career resurgence as a character actress.
Supposedly Williams based Blanche on his tragic sister, who was eventually lobotomized. However, looking at his play through a 21st century lens, we can easily note the similarity of Blanche's demise to that of Rosemary Kennedy, a pretty young woman from a famous family with a low IQ , rebellious nature, and a predilection toward promiscuity. In '41 her father had her lobotomized (without the knowledge and consent of both Rosemary and her mother). Just sayin'. |
