--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only when they have outrun the…" description: "\"“Only when they have outrun the all-too-eager shadows of the Canyon and they are back in the glare of the billboards on Sunset Boulevard, do they wipe ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/clive-barker-773_sunset-boulevard_only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-e_37449.png" --- # Only when they have outrun the all-too-eager shadows of… ![“Only when they have outrun the all-too-eager shadows of the Canyon and they are back in the glare of the billboards on Sunset Boulevard, do they wipe their clammy palms, and wonder to themselves how it was that in such a harmless” quote by Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/clive-barker-773_sunset-boulevard_only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-e_37449.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/clive-barker-773_sunset-boulevard_only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-e_37449.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/clive-barker-773_sunset-boulevard_only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-e_37449.png) > ““Only when they have outrun the all-too-eager shadows of the Canyon and they are back in the glare of the billboards on Sunset Boulevard, do they wipe their clammy palms, and wonder to themselves how it was that in such a harmless”” [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A reflection on how the relentless pursuit of fame and material success can strip away innocence, leaving a lingering sense of unease despite outward safety. **In simple terms:** Fame erodes innocence. Key Takeaway Success can mask inner discomfort. Themes fame materialism innocence urban life psychological conflict Mood melancholic reflective Type philosophical cautionary When to use this quote - celebrity culture - urban ambition - post-success introspection Key Concepts illusion of safety cultural critique Practical Applications - cautionary storytelling - cultural analysis Questions to Reflect On - What does true safety feel like? - How does success alter self‑perception? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sunset boulevard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunset-boulevard/) ## Related quotes > [Haven's warm, clammy palms press hard against my cheeks as the tarnished edge of her silver skull ring leaves a smudge on my skin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-noel/haven-s-warm-clammy-palms-press-hard-against-my-cheeks-as-the/) [Alyson Noel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-noel/) > [The Paramount executives were so pleased with Sunset Boulevard that they asked me to do a publicity tour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-swanson/the-paramount-executives-were-so-pleased-with-sunset-boulevard-that/) [Gloria Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-swanson/) > [A dozen press agents working overtime can do terrible things to the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-b-demille/a-dozen-press-agents-working-overtime-can-do-terrible-things-to-the/) [Cecil B. DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-b-demille/) > [We had individuality. We did as we pleased. We stayed up late. We dressed the way we wanted. I used to whiz down Sunset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clara-bow/we-had-individuality-we-did-as-we-pleased-we-stayed-up-late-we/) [Clara Bow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clara-bow/) > [“During this period, I served many celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, Gary Oldman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Rob Lowe, Colin Farrell, Tom Selleck,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hartford/during-this-period-i-served-many-celebrities-including-jennifer/) [Paul Hartford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hartford/) > ['Sunset Boulevard' by Billy Wilder, it's one of my favorite films. I love all the movies from the 1950s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginevra-elkann/sunset-boulevard-by-billy-wilder-it-s-one-of-my-favorite-films-i-love/) [Ginevra Elkann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginevra-elkann/) > [“engages youth through film in the promotion of safer and more diverse learning environments, free from homophobia, transphobia and bullying.”) Follow him @razielreid. Table…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raziel-reid/engages-youth-through-film-in-the-promotion-of-safer-and-more-diverse/) Raziel Reid > [So they were turning, after all - those cameras. Life, which can be strangely merciful, had taken pity on Norma Desmond. The dream she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-swanson/so-they-were-turning-after-all-those-cameras-life-which-can-be/) [Gloria Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-swanson/) > [ “Spending time around her house, I came across a cache of 16mm movies in her basement. It turned out that Barbara \[Stanwyck\] had a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wagner/spending-time-around-her-house-i-came-across-a-cache-of-16mm-movies/) [Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wagner/) > [Every Friday I used to have about fifty, sixty kids who would wait for me on Sunset Boulevard and I'd take them all to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-lewis/every-friday-i-used-to-have-about-fifty-sixty-kids-who-would-wait-for/) [Al Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-lewis/) > [“I rented a dark little bar on Sunset Boulevard that had pool tables, three bars inside and out, and a movie theater where we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-joan-hart/i-rented-a-dark-little-bar-on-sunset-boulevard-that-had-pool-tables/) [Melissa Joan Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-joan-hart/) > [I woke up one morning to find I was famous. I bought a white Rolls-Royce and drove down Sunset Boulevard, wearing dark specs and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-o-toole/i-woke-up-one-morning-to-find-i-was-famous-i-bought-a-white-rolls/) [Peter O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-o-toole/) > [I hate that word. It's return--a return to the millions of people who've never forgiven me for deserting the screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/i-hate-that-word-it-s-return-a-return-to-the-millions-of-people-who/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) > [I was actually the one who decided to move to LA. Mom and I were driving on Sunset Boulevard during one of our trips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/i-was-actually-the-one-who-decided-to-move-to-la-mom-and-i-were/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [“The major challenge was Navin Johnson’s mansion, which he bought when the Opti-Grab glasses made him rich, and did we get lucky. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-v-picker/the-major-challenge-was-navin-johnson-s-mansion-which-he-bought-when/) David V. Picker ## More by Clive Barker > [I've always thought that the most extraordinary special effect you could do is to buy a child at the moment of its birth, sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-ve-always-thought-that-the-most-extraordinary-special-effect-you/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [Those old hypocrites. They talk about killing witches but the Good Book’s full of magic. Turning the Nile to blood and parting the Red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/those-old-hypocrites-they-talk-about-killing-witches-but-the-good/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [I dreamt a limitless book, A book unbound, Its leaves scattered in fantastic abundance On every line there was a new horizon drawn, New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-dreamt-a-limitless-book-a-book-unbound-its-leaves-scattered-in/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [I firmly believe that a story is only as good as the villain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-firmly-believe-that-a-story-is-only-as-good-as-the-villain/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [“Let us not neglect the forbidden. Let us not sophisticate ourselves out of the cheap thrill and chill of it: the story told for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/let-us-not-neglect-the-forbidden-let-us-not-sophisticate-ourselves/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [You can plan to be brave - it's even better if you just try to be brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/you-can-plan-to-be-brave-it-s-even-better-if-you-just-try-to-be-brave/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [“Pleasure is a reward, given to the human system by evolution in return for services rendered to the preservation and increase of the species.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/pleasure-is-a-reward-given-to-the-human-system-by-evolution-in-return/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [I love meeting people who've read my books. The prime reason to be on the planet is to make things I can show to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-love-meeting-people-who-ve-read-my-books-the-prime-reason-to-be-on/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [Nothing happens carelessly. We’re not brought into the world without reason, even though we may never understand the reason. An infant that lives an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/nothing-happens-carelessly-we-re-not-brought-into-the-world-without/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [“Despite his intent, tears sprang to his eyes, and he went into her embrace, both of them sobbing freely, like enemies joined by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/despite-his-intent-tears-sprang-to-his-eyes-and-he-went-into-her/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [Always, worlds within worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/always-worlds-within-worlds/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [“I'm an inclusionist. I've always divided up (very, very broadly, I admit) the artistic instincts into the inclusionist and the exclusionist. The exclusionist is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-m-an-inclusionist-i-ve-always-divided-up-very-very-broadly-i-admit/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [I think I'm less and less labelled a 'horror writer'. The books tend not to go on horror shelves any more, and when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-think-i-m-less-and-less-labelled-a-horror-writer-the-books-tend-not/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [“Horror shows us that the control we believe we have is purely illusory.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/horror-shows-us-that-the-control-we-believe-we-have-is-purely-illusory/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [If there was a horror movie showing somewhere in Liverpool between 1967 and 1975, I saw it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/if-there-was-a-horror-movie-showing-somewhere-in-liverpool-between/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) [Explore all 365 Clive Barker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) ## More Sunset boulevard quotes > [“The major challenge was Navin Johnson’s mansion, which he bought when the Opti-Grab glasses made him rich, and did we get lucky. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-v-picker/the-major-challenge-was-navin-johnson-s-mansion-which-he-bought-when/) David V. Picker > [I was actually the one who decided to move to LA. Mom and I were driving on Sunset Boulevard during one of our trips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-collins/i-was-actually-the-one-who-decided-to-move-to-la-mom-and-i-were/) [Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-collins/) > [I hate that word. It's return--a return to the millions of people who've never forgiven me for deserting the screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-wilder/i-hate-that-word-it-s-return-a-return-to-the-millions-of-people-who/) [Billy Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-wilder/) > [I woke up one morning to find I was famous. I bought a white Rolls-Royce and drove down Sunset Boulevard, wearing dark specs and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-o-toole/i-woke-up-one-morning-to-find-i-was-famous-i-bought-a-white-rolls/) [Peter O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-o-toole/) > [“I rented a dark little bar on Sunset Boulevard that had pool tables, three bars inside and out, and a movie theater where we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-joan-hart/i-rented-a-dark-little-bar-on-sunset-boulevard-that-had-pool-tables/) [Melissa Joan Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-joan-hart/) > [Every Friday I used to have about fifty, sixty kids who would wait for me on Sunset Boulevard and I'd take them all to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-lewis/every-friday-i-used-to-have-about-fifty-sixty-kids-who-would-wait-for/) [Al Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-lewis/) > [ “Spending time around her house, I came across a cache of 16mm movies in her basement. It turned out that Barbara \[Stanwyck\] had a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wagner/spending-time-around-her-house-i-came-across-a-cache-of-16mm-movies/) [Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wagner/) > [So they were turning, after all - those cameras. Life, which can be strangely merciful, had taken pity on Norma Desmond. The dream she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-swanson/so-they-were-turning-after-all-those-cameras-life-which-can-be/) [Gloria Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-swanson/) > [“engages youth through film in the promotion of safer and more diverse learning environments, free from homophobia, transphobia and bullying.”) Follow him @razielreid. Table…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raziel-reid/engages-youth-through-film-in-the-promotion-of-safer-and-more-diverse/) Raziel Reid > ['Sunset Boulevard' by Billy Wilder, it's one of my favorite films. I love all the movies from the 1950s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginevra-elkann/sunset-boulevard-by-billy-wilder-it-s-one-of-my-favorite-films-i-love/) [Ginevra Elkann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginevra-elkann/) > [“During this period, I served many celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, Gary Oldman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Rob Lowe, Colin Farrell, Tom Selleck,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hartford/during-this-period-i-served-many-celebrities-including-jennifer/) [Paul Hartford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hartford/) > [We had individuality. We did as we pleased. We stayed up late. We dressed the way we wanted. I used to whiz down Sunset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clara-bow/we-had-individuality-we-did-as-we-pleased-we-stayed-up-late-we/) [Clara Bow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clara-bow/) > [A dozen press agents working overtime can do terrible things to the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-b-demille/a-dozen-press-agents-working-overtime-can-do-terrible-things-to-the/) [Cecil B. DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-b-demille/) > [The Paramount executives were so pleased with Sunset Boulevard that they asked me to do a publicity tour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-swanson/the-paramount-executives-were-so-pleased-with-sunset-boulevard-that/) [Gloria Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-swanson/) > [Sunset Boulevard' is my favorite film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-todd/sunset-boulevard-is-my-favorite-film/) [Tony Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-todd/) [Browse all 41 Sunset boulevard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunset-boulevard/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Only when they have outrun the all-too-eager shadows of the Canyon and they are back in the glare of the billboards on Sunset Boulevard, do they wipe their clammy palms, and wonder to themselves how it was that in such a harmless”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clive Barker" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-eager-shadows-of-the-canyon/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Sunset boulevard" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-eager-shadows-of-the-canyon/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/clive-barker-773_sunset-boulevard_only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-e_37449.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/clive-barker-773_sunset-boulevard_only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-e_37449.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/040/clive-barker-773_sunset-boulevard_only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-e_37449.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Only when they have outrun the all-too-eager shadows of the Canyon and they are back in the glare of the…” — Clive Barker", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Clive Barker", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Only when they have outrun the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-eager-shadows-of-the-canyon/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/only-when-they-have-outrun-the-all-too-eager-shadows-of-the-canyon/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```