The Lost Weekend (1945)

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Charles R. Jackson (novel)
Charles Brackett (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 September 1946 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

How daring can the screen dare to be? No adult man or woman can risk missing the startling frankness of The Lost Weekend!

Plot:

The desperate life of a chronic alcoholic is followed through a four day drinking bout.

Plot Keywords:

Escape | Grim | Downbeat | Male Nurse | Tavern

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Ray Milland	...	Don Birnam
Jane Wyman	...	Helen St. James
Phillip Terry	...	Wick Birnam
Howard Da Silva	...	Nat
Doris Dowling	...	Gloria
Frank Faylen	...	'Bim' Nolan
Mary Young	...	Mrs. Deveridge
Anita Sharp-Bolster	...	Mrs. Foley (as Anita Bolster)
Lillian Fontaine	...	Mrs. Charles St. James (as Lilian Fontaine)
Frank Orth	...	Opera Cloak Room Attendant
Lewis L. Russell	...	Charles St. James

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | Germany:12 | UK:PG | South Korea:15 (2003) | Argentina:16 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved

Filming Locations:

Bellevue Hospital - 550 First Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Paramount paid $50,000 for the rights to Charles R. Jackson's novel.

Goofs:

Continuity: Position of Don's hand changes. This is when Don gets Wick to call Helen after standing her up to meet her parents.

Quotes:

Don Birnam: What kind of party did you say that was?
Helen St. James: A cocktail party.
Don Birnam: In that case, I'll join you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'Sunset Blvd.': A Look Back (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL

Powerful landmark film on alcoholism has lost none of its status...Ray Milland deserved his Oscar...

I take exception to previous comments that call the film "daring for its time" or "dated". It's still a very powerful film and there is nothing dated about the theme of a man who loses his soul to the bottle. It was a landmark film in its time and still is--there is no question about its holding power and the excellence of writing, acting and direction. Yes, even by today's standards! It outclasses more recent films dealing with alcoholism as it focuses on one man's problem with the bottle--a problem that affects all of the people whose lives he touches--particularly his loyal girlfriend (Jane Wyman in one of her best roles) and Philip Terry as his more conventional brother. The emotions are stark and real. The pity we feel for Milland's character is also mixed with disgust for his weakness. It's an accurate depiction of an alcoholic's struggle for the next fix--a never ending search for the next bottle. The pseudo-babble of a previous commentator attempts to inject disdain for the film as outdated and outclassed by more serious works. Nonsense! This was a stark and powerful film in 1945 and I have news for you--it is just as powerful and timely today! No other American film comes close to it. It is as searing an indictment of alcoholism as you are ever likely to see and Milland fully deserved his Oscar.