Context

This line is spoken by Norma Desmond, played by Gloria Swanson, in the film Sunset Boulevard, directed by Billy Wilder(1950).

The film Sunset Boulevard (not the setting for the similarly named Xbox game) ends with delusional actress Norma Desmond being interrogated under suspicion of murder.

The wackadoodle actress thinks that the news cameras belong to the famous director Cecil B. DeMille, so she stalks dramatically toward them, saying, "Alright, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." 

The cameras, unable to handle so much crazy, go all blurry, and the film ends, cementing itself as an all-time classic.

Where you've heard it

This line is often misquoted as "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." You've heard it quoted and mis-quoted in Mrs. Doubtfire, Gilmore Girls, The Comeback, and basically any time someone is ready for a close-up.

Make sure to check the mirror first for any stray hairs, zits, or signs of insanity.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

In Hollywood, it's always difficult to tell the difference between pretentious and crazy.