 Gloria Swanson (qv) almost considered rejecting the role of Norma  Desmond after Billy Wilder (qv) requested she do a screen test for  the role. Her friend George Cukor (qv), who initially recommended  her for the part, told her, "If they want you to do ten screen  tests, do ten screen tests. If you dont, I will personally shoot  you." Swanson agreed to the audition, and won the role.