Great movie. For 9 years I was exactly like Don Birnam, I can recognize myself in everything he does in this movie...When I watched the movie for the first time it was like I was watching myself. I did the same stuff, said the same things and told the same lies. But I got rid off my alcohol addiction 3 years ago, thank God. Now I live a normal life.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

5 жыл бұрын

That's great to hear! Glad you were able to overcome your addiction! Thanks for watching, by the way!

@WhattAreYouSaying

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheCinematicPackrat1 Thanks! But I failed...1 year ago I started drinking again. I was thinking that a few beers could do no harm..But it did. I woke up every morning, shaking, scared and sweating like a pig. So the first I did in the morning was having a drink to stop the shakings and sweating. I have been drinking for 1 year now...From morning to night. But now I am in a rehab/detox clinic in Norway. Been here 5 weeks. On Monday I go home...Im not sure if I manage to stay sober, but I will try...I have been drinking 85% Hand sanitizer a few times here on the clinic. Alcoholism is bad...I have lost almost everything because off it.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

3 жыл бұрын

@@WhattAreYouSaying I'm so sorry to hear that. Addictions are rough to say the very least. I struggle with my own. I've found it helps to remember that failing and regressing isn't the end of the world. The important thing is to keep trying the next day/week/month/year. I wish you all the best, and I really do hope you find a way to beat your addictions for good. I believe in you!

@ellex9882

3 жыл бұрын

@@WhattAreYouSaying best of luck to you in overcoming your addiction - hope you can find peace in nature somehow and try to replace alcohol with something more substantial 🙏 - Norway sure is a beautiful place!

One of my all time favourites. Ray Milland was such a talented actor. Loved him in Dial M for Murder, The Big Clock and Beau Geste.

@moniquelacosta5170

6 жыл бұрын

These are all Great Movies. I loved Love Story, The Major and the Minor, and Easy Living

Another good one is "Days Of Wine and Roses" with Jack Lemmon as the struggling alcoholic.

I actually liked The Lost Weekend a lot. I felt we saw enough of what a man Don was before his alcoholism, and could sympathies with him when he went through his struggle. And I could also understand his brother when he's leaving for the weekend, that he is tired of taking care of Don who is a grown man. I believe this was a good movie, and deserved the Oscars it won.

@garetmckenna8674

8 жыл бұрын

Same. This is probably in my top 5 of the Best Pictures so far.

Amazing Movie !!!!!

This film is, and always has been, my favourite movie along with another wonderful Ray MIlland flm...The Uninvited..

@TheCinematicPackrat1

4 жыл бұрын

I haven't seen The Uninvited. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for watching! :)

@marilynstevenson865

4 жыл бұрын

The Cinematic Packrat it’s worth the effort.. it’s supposed to be the “ first” ghost movie made in Hollywood..

@TheCinematicPackrat1

4 жыл бұрын

@@marilynstevenson865 While I'm always hesitate to call a film a first in anything, you have me intrigued. Will hunt it down.

@marilynstevenson865

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheCinematicPackrat1 Yes, it is best to be cautious...It's something I read a long time ago..A wonderful thing about talking to others about movies and music is you learn so much from other people..it regularly takes me in different directions..different films and music..nice talking with you..cheers..

I noticed he always places the cigarette backwards in his mouth and always corrects himself before he lights it.

As a recovering alcoholic this felt like a documentary, every single thing I've done myself except took a woman's handbag. The childish self pity was so well done it's incredible. The depiction of withdrawal where he can't walk a block and a half, awesome.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

5 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked the movie. And go you on beating your addiction one day at a time! You're awesome!

@Rozsaphile

4 жыл бұрын

He moans that the pawnshop is two whole blocks away. Then he walks two miles uptown and back again in a truly agonizing scene, powered by Miklos Rozsa's music.

Ahead of its time. Incredible movie

I wonder if Milland was cast in this role, because his established good guy/romantic lead image would automatically provide the audience with the context for the character that you say is not established properly in the film. From what I've read, the head of production at Paramount told Milland to read the book, because he was going to play the part. So there was a very clear decision by the studio to select Milland and there wasn't the usual several options for casting.

@AmyKaribian

Жыл бұрын

According to Wikipedia, Billy Wilder’s first choice for the role of Don was Jose Ferrer, but he turned it down.

Since Ray Milland was a tee-totaller, I have no idea how he was able to portray alcohol withdrawal. Not an experience I would have envied if I was an actor, because Millan is very convincing.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

7 жыл бұрын

He is very convincing. He gives the part such honesty and intensity that I wonder if he came home exhausted every day. Thanks for watching, by way. Hope you liked the video. If you liked, please like and subscribe if you haven't already.

@jamesvanslyke1259

5 жыл бұрын

That's why it's called 'acting. don't have to be an drunk to portray.

@IoEstasCedonta

3 жыл бұрын

Oh, yeah, I remember he said so on Jack Benny, didn't he? (And so was Jack Benny.) It's odd, the only other movie I know him from, the last thing he does is pour a round of drinks. I wonder if he ever actually played a nephalist.

This is a great movie. Even though it's old, it is still very relevant.

@danielstanwyck2812

2 жыл бұрын

Whatever do you mean, "even though it's old?" relevance makes it not old, aside from the performances and generally well put together cinema of it all.

I love Doris Dawson she looks like such a babe here!

Whenever you make a film that is out of the norm and you are successful, you will be awarded for that bravado effort. This film was ahead of it's time. I understand what you are saying. But there is a flashback that gave a glimpse of him being charming with Helen. That is the way Mr. Wilder wrote the script and it would have been a great story either way. I like the way it is written. Real Nitty Gritty and right to the point.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

6 жыл бұрын

And I see your point. I guess I wish I had seen more of that charming good man. I still commend Millland's performance and Wilder's direction. Thanks for watching, by the way.

David Alkhed: Wick's motivations are certainly understandable. Who wouldn't be tired of Don's behavior after so long. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. I get why you or others would like it. The movie just didn't connect with me for some reason, possibly for the reason I stated in the review. As always, thanks for watching!

I fail to see what that audience laughed about. This is a frightening film of and about addiction.

Ive not seen the film but i'm currently reading the book and its very good. The drunks delusional thoughts ring some familiar bells.

I disagree with this review. I first saw "The Lost Weekend" as a child on TV and found it powerful, moving, and unforgetable. Interestingly, I did not really understand alcoholism at the time, and the few people I came in contact with then through my parents that may have had "issues" with alcohol actually seemed to be having a good time. And when I went to college and happened to take a course in film history, "The Lost Weekend" was played and discussed. The movie seemed even better than I remembered it and even more meaningful, as by this time I did see and meet serious alcoholics, and really understood what great writing, acting, directing, cinematography, and editing went into the movie. And still years later, I checked into the film again just to see if my opinion about it had changed. Again, the movie seemed even richer and more powerful than before. In recent years, however, I would not jump to see the film and even watching this clip is somewhat painful for me for very personal reasons. I saw two very important people in my life tragically succumb to alcoholism at its worst. It was like watching two people commit suicide in slow motion, and ultimately led to their premature deaths. Nonetheless, the film remains one of the best--if not the best--about addiction ever made.

7 years later, but ... one thing missing from the novel is Don's homosexuality. Might be why the film feels incomplete. Your critiques are fair, but honestly, people didn't come to the show to see Don Birnam the Nice Man with Potential. They came to see Don the Depraved Drunk, and that's exactly what Wilder gave them. Give 'em what they want!

@TheCinematicPackrat1

2 жыл бұрын

I'd forgotten about his homosexuality from the book. Sad the times wouldn't have allowed it in a mainstream movie. I do see what you mean with the Good Don point. I guess what I tried to say (and it's been years since I looked at this review, so I don't remember exactly what I said) was if we see more of Don's good qualities and the good man he was before he became addicted to drink, the addicted Don stands out even more and we feel even more for him because we know what's being lost in the booze bottles. So, yes, the audience is coming to see a story about a severe alcoholic, but I think the film could've made feel even more for him if I saw more of the man before the drink gripped him. Thanks for watching, commenting, and sharing your thoughts! I enjoy the conversation! :)

I feel so bad for him. I imagine the treatment options weren't great back then.

@somexp12

Жыл бұрын

Well, it's kind of a fiction that there is a such thing as treatment. There's stuff out, but (unless AA is right about its "miracle" claims) nothing solves the problem as well as simple time-in-grade. The longer you go without, the better you're able to be happy without. Working on a triggers list wouldn't do to well for Don, because clearly his trigger is consciousness. This is very apparent at the start of the film, where his soul-crushing boredom while sober is thoroughly palpable. That aside, I think your reaction is kinda what the video maker is missing. You're not meant to regret the loss of the man he was so much as you're meant to feel the misery of being the man he is. Film can only portray this so well. I found the book, with all its depiction of his internal processes, much more effective (and much more accurate) at showing what it must be like.

The book was outstanding and autobiographical by Charles johnson and deals with amazing frankness (for the time) how the writer's closeted homosexuality and a horrific public humiliation when he was thrown out of his fraternity and college for a passionate crush on an older boy. The drinking was rooted in this deep self-loathing and shame. Take that motivation away and the movie makes NO real sense to me.

It was a phenomenal movie!,. Everyone's entitled to their opinion,but I don't care to hear him bash it,and tell us one by one all the reasons he didn't like it.

he shoulda done this this and that. or I woulda done this this and that... is not a good way of criticiizing movies. Wilder didn't want to make a 3 hour movie. That's that.

Also, Leaving Las Vegas with Nicholas Cage !!!

I’ve never seen a film capture the deception and humiliation that comes with alcohol addiction like this. I’m struggling, I really am. The shame makes me want to die. I’m trying,

@TheCinematicPackrat1

Жыл бұрын

I hope you don't mean you're trying to die. If so, you're life is worth living.

@adamhasideas6813

Жыл бұрын

Hang in their Willis. You can make it!

It's better NOT to feel it in my opinion. But that just be me. Best wishes.

We actually laughed at the hallucination part, with the bat in the wall.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

5 жыл бұрын

Really? I Didn't laugh, but I guess I can see why somebody would. I didn't love the film, but I did like how brutally they presented, though some of it may have been a little over-the-top, at least by today's standards. Thanks for watching, by the way. Please like and subscribe if you'd like.

@Danielle-pu3lm

Жыл бұрын

If you’ve grown up with alcoholics, you would not find this movie funny in anyway. It couldn’t be more true to form.

Well you are obiouvsly not a drunk like us lol

my mother and father were alcoholics and it destroyed the family! I am 66 and never have drunk in an excessive way. Both have passed mother died from heart attack, father old age 88, go figure

Reviewed in Graduate school...

After seeing this here is the current list of the Best Pictures I have seen (You don't have to show me yours): 1. Gone with the Wind (10/10) 2. Casablanca (10/10) 3. Mrs. Miniver (10/10) 4. It Happened One Night (10/10) 5. Rebecca (10/10/) 6. You Can't Take It With You (10/10) 7. All Quiet on the Western Front (10/10) 8. How Green Was My Valley (9/10) 9. Grand Hotel (9/10) 10. Going My Way (9/10) 11. Cavalcade (8/10) I look forward to The Best Years of Our Lives! It is one of my favorite movies! By the way, what were your thoughts on Jane Wyman in this movie? She is one of my favorites!

@TheCinematicPackrat1

9 жыл бұрын

ruthiehenshallfan99 You should track down The Life of Emile Zola (because it's surprisingly good) and The Broadway Melody (because it's horrifyingly bad). Would be interested to see where those fall on your list. I remember liking Jane Wyman just fine. I wouldn't say she stood out to me but she certainly did a good job in the movie. The Best Years of Our Lives, is on its way, by the way. Will hopefully have it ready in a couple weeks. Thanks for stopping by! Glad that you seem to be liking the videos!

@sliceoflife4220

5 жыл бұрын

I haven't seen your # 5 to # 10 but because of your top 4 I will trust you and will watch each one

@sliceoflife4220

5 жыл бұрын

Ever seen Ace in the hole? With Kirk Douglas

@ImVee10

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheCinematicPackrat1 I’ve not seen TBM. Is it worse than Crash and (the worst film ever to win the Oscar) Green Book?

@TheCinematicPackrat1

3 жыл бұрын

@@ImVee10 While I've not seen Crash yet, I have seen Green Book, and for all its problems, yes, Green Book is better than The Broadway Melody. Though, there have been worse NOMINEES than The Broadway Melody: Alibi, In Old Arizona, The Front Page, and Trader Horn are ones I've seen so far that would receive that "honor."

Great content on this channel. So much history. We need to get you some more traffic so your sub count can go up. You should have 25,000 easy.

I wish Helen would leave Don for good in the end.

"Laughed throughout the whole film" - it is a funny movie, in places. I mean, Billy Wilder is a funny guy.

The last word of every sentence this guy says gets stretched ouuuuuuut.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it was a bad quirk with my voice overs that I think I've gotten much better with not doing these days.

Enjoy alcoholism if you work and earn money even when you are drunk . If you are drinking and not working then.............

One of your least favorites of the AA winners, you said. Well, that tells you something right away, My two cents.

Excellent movie, very well done all around! Compare the superb acting with the trash there putting out these days? I don't think a junkie re-make was ever attempted with this film>

@philiphalpenny9761

5 жыл бұрын

...mnnn. Man With The Golden Arm with Sinatra was pretty close, thematically, Jack.

"The Verdict" is another great film about alcoholism. Perhaps the reason you didn't care for this movie is because they left out the subplot of Birnham's homosexuality.

Devastating analysis about the consequences of the vice of alcohol, maybe the most devastating ever come from Hollywood, and a masterpiece of the earlier career of Wilder. But I have to say...I am not agree with the ending. Let's analyze it: The point of view of the movie is the main character's, and it's totally destructive, hopeless. But suddenly that point of view changes, from subjective to objective, returning the story to the beginning and doing Wilder the reverse of the initial shot: instead of coming to the intimacy of Don's little world, it goes out to the city, giving a collective vision, and that vision carries some compassion and pity that, of course, don't allow the story finish with the tragic original ending that, in my opinion, could have been better...

I think you're too hard on this film. Not my favorite, but I did like it. It's a movie for it's time.

I‘m terribly sorry, but you haven’t understood a thing.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

3 жыл бұрын

How so?

Great movie indeed but I didn’t really like the ending.

@TheCinematicPackrat1

5 жыл бұрын

Why is that?

@philiphalpenny9761

5 жыл бұрын

...in showing the nature of the disease throughout the movie, the ending is not a cop out as many have suggested. Don could relapse at any second. Killing him off would be more of a cop out. The point of the film is the struggle over the weekend. The images and dialogue have stayed with me for years. Essential.

Are you drunk?

@vickramgoswami3185

5 жыл бұрын

Lol

@saffronsworld1508

4 жыл бұрын

I'm not drink. Give me another drunk.

I might've enjoyed this video, were it not for the narrator's annoying, affected vocal cadence.

The movie overly dramatized alcoholism.

What is wrong with this guy's voice? What an affected annoying sound!