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The Lost Weekend
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Synopsis
Billy Wilder's searing portrait of an alcoholic features an Oscar-winning performance by Ray Milland as Don Birnam, a writer whose lust for booze consumes his career, his life, and his loves. The story begins as Don and his brother Wick (Philip Terry) are packing their bags in their New York apartment, preparing for a weekend in the country. Philip, aware of his brother's drinking problem, is keeping an eye of him, making sure he doesn't sneak a drink before the departure of their train. Arriving at the apartment is Don's girlfriend, Helen St. James (Jane Wyman), who has tickets to a Carnegie Hall concert that night. Don persuades Wick and Helen to go to the concert without him, hoping to find one of his well-hidden bottles of booze. But when Wick and Helen go to the concert, Don discovers that Wick has gotten rid of the liquor. Don has no money, so he can't visit the neighborhood bar -- that is, until the cleaning lady arrives to reveal money hidden in a sugar-bowl. Don grabs the cash and hits the street, heading off to Nat's Bar. Nat (Howard Da Silva), a bartender who has seen it all, is surprised to see Don. But when Don shows he can pay for his drinks, Nat reluctantly serves him, telling Don, "One's too many and a thousand's not enough." Soon Don plunges in an alcoholic haze, his boozing landing him in a harrowing drunk tank, presided over by the cynical attendant Bim (Frank Faylen). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Cast

Anita Bolster Mrs. Foley
Howard Da Silva Nat the Bartender
Doris Dowling Gloria
Frank Faylen Bim
Lilian Fontaine Mrs. St. James
Frank Orth Opera Attendant
Lewis L. Russell Mr. St. James
Phillip Terry Nick Birnam
Jane Wyman Helen St. James
Mary Young Mrs. Beveridge
Ray Milland Don Birnam

Production Crew

Earl Hedrick Art Director
Hans Dreier Art Director
Charles R. Jackson Book Author
John F. Seitz Cinematographer
Giuseppe Verdi Composer (Music Score)
Miklos Rozsa Composer (Music Score)
Edith Head Costume Designer
Billy Wilder Director
Doane Harrison Editor
Giuseppe Verdi Featured Music
Wally Westmore Makeup
Victor Young Musical Direction/Supervision
Charles Brackett Producer
Billy Wilder Screenwriter
Charles Brackett Screenwriter
Bertram Granger Set Designer
Pat Moore Sound Editor
Joel Moss Sound/Sound Designer
Stanley Cooley Sound/Sound Designer
Gordon Jennings Special Effects
Year: 1945
Runtime: 100
Country: USA
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
Paramount

Release
by Paramount

Awards
1945 - 10 Best Films - Film Daily
1945 - 10 Best Films - New York Times
1945 - Best Film - New York Film Critics Circle
1945 - Best Picture - Academy
1945 - Best Picture - Golden Globe
1945 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1945 - Best Picture - New York Film Critics Circle
1945 - Best Picture - Golden Globe
1945 - Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1945 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1945 - Best Picture - New York Film Critics Circle
1945 - Best Picture - Hollywood Foreign Press Association
1945 - 10 Best Films - Film Daily
1945 - 10 Best Films - New York Times
1946 - Grand Prix - Cannes International Film Festival
1946 - Grand Prix - Cannes Film Festival
1946 - Grand Prix - Cannes Film Festival