The Legend of Lylah Clare

The Legend of Lylah Clare

Year: 1968

Runtime: 130 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Aldrich

DramaMysteryCrimeHumanity and the world around usDreamlike quirky and surreal storytelling

A tyrannical film director obsessed with recreating the life of a deceased Hollywood icon recruits a fresh, unknown actress to portray the star in his ambitious biopic. As she steps into the role, she swiftly rises from obscurity to fame, transforming overnight into a sensation and, over time, into a legend.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)

Trace every key event in The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Lylah Clare backstory and legend

Lylah Clare, a flamboyant star, died under suspicious circumstances twenty years ago. This tragedy haunts Hollywood and fuels the idea of hiring a look alike. The public remains fascinated by Lylah's legacy, driving the plan to recapture her presence on screen.

20 years ago Hollywood
2

Elsa Brinkmann identified as look alike

Agent Bart Langner discovers Elsa Brinkmann, an aspiring actress who bears a striking resemblance to Lylah Clare. He convinces the director Lewis Zarkan to meet her and consider her for the lead. Langner and Zarkan then persuade studio head Barney Sheean to back the project with Elsa as Lylah.

early development Langner's office
3

Studio greenlights the project with Elsa as Lylah

Barney Sheean, the studio head, is won over by the idea of Lylahs image and Elsa's resemblance. He agrees to finance the film with Elsa stepping into Lylahs shoes. The deal secures Elsa's participation and sets a high pressure tone for the production.

pre-production Barney Sheean's office
4

Elsa faces tyrannical direction and on set hazards

Filming begins under director Zarkan, who rules with an iron hand. Elsa must cope with his tyranny and with the temptations of alcohol and drugs available on set. The pressure of Hollywood intensifies as she tries to inhabit Lylahs larger than life persona.

early filming Film set
5

Molly Luther stalks Elsa

Malicious journalist Molly Luther hounds Elsa, pursuing scandal and sensational headlines. Her interference threatens Elsa's fragile hold on the Lylah persona and fuels the drama surrounding the production. Elsa must dodge relentless scrutiny as the cameras roll.

early filming Studio / press area
6

Rossella Falk enters as coach and admirer

Rossella, the acting coach and admirer, complicates Elsa's life with her strong presence and advice. Her critiques add tension on the set and influence how Elsa shapes her performance. The dynamic underscores the pressures of creative control in Hollywood.

during filming Set / coaching area
7

Elsa's identity tightens with Lylah

As filming continues, Elsa's identification with the Lylah role deepens. She starts to inhabit Lylahs traits, voice, and mannerisms in increasingly unsettling ways. The line between Elsa and Lylah blurs as production pushes forward.

mid production Set
8

Elsas romance with Zarkan and power dynamics

Elsa falls for Zarkan, who accepts the attention but makes clear that finishing the film is his top priority. He uses her in the romance while steering the production toward completion. The relationship becomes a tool in the larger battle over control of the movie.

mid production Set / Zarkan's office
9

Last day escalates into confrontation

On the last day of shooting, Elsa tries to antagonize Zarkan by letting him find her in bed with the gardener. The tense moment signals the collapse of their relationship and foreshadows the tragedy to come.

last day of shooting Set
10

Tragic high wire fall seals Lylahs echo

During a circus sequence, Elsa, still fused with Lylahs persona, loses balance and falls to her death from a high wire. The fall appears to be driven by the same acrophobia that killed Lylah decades earlier, with jealousy as the underlying motive.

last day of shooting Set, high wire rig
11

Publicity fuels huge box office

The film leaves the set and becomes a media sensation, its publicity ensuring a huge commercial success. The public fascination is tinged with tragedy as the audience learns of Elsa's death and the parallels to Lylahs past.

post production / release Premiere / press
12

Zarkan confronts his guilt

Zarkan is deeply shaken by the recurrence of a death linked to his obsessive control. The weight of Lylahs and Elsas fates hangs over him, threatening to destroy him as the story closes. His fear and guilt linger unanswered.

after filming / release Set / studio
13

Rossella contemplates revenge

Rossella, grieving two losses to Zarkan's obsessions, loads a pistol in a final act that could target Zarkan or herself. The scene underscores the brutal toll of Hollywood power games. Her plan hints at a possible vigil or reckoning yet to come.

closing moments Rossellas location
14

Dog eats dog: the meta ending

A TV dog food commercial interrupts the film within the film, underscoring the literal dog eat dog nature of Hollywood. The moment blurs fiction and industry, leaving the audience with a grim joke about power and profit.

final sequence Broadcast / on set

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:21

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Legend of Lylah Clare

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