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IMDbPro

The Lost Weekend

  • 1945
  • Approved
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
40K
YOUR RATING
Ray Milland, Doris Dowling, Phillip Terry, and Jane Wyman in The Lost Weekend (1945)
Trailer for The Lost Weekend
Play trailer2:08
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaFilm-Noir

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

  • Director
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Charles R. Jackson
    • Charles Brackett
    • Billy Wilder
  • Stars
    • Ray Milland
    • Jane Wyman
    • Phillip Terry
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.9/10
    40K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Charles R. Jackson
      • Charles Brackett
      • Billy Wilder
    • Stars
      • Ray Milland
      • Jane Wyman
      • Phillip Terry
    • 191User reviews
    • 127Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 4 Oscars
      • 16 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Lost Weekend
    Trailer 2:08
    Watch The Lost Weekend

    Photos103

    Billy Wilder and Ray Milland in The Lost Weekend (1945)
    Ray Milland in The Lost Weekend (1945)
    " The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland 1945 Paramount / MPTV
    "The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland 1945 Paramount / MPTV
    "The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland 1945 Paramount / MPTV
    "The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland 1945 Paramount / MPTV
    "The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland, Jane Wyman 1945 Paramount / MPTV
    "The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland, Howard Da Sylva 1945 Paramount / MPTV
    Ray Milland and Jane Wyman in The Lost Weekend (1945)
    "The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland 1945 Paramount Pictures
    "The Lost Weekend" Ray Milland 1945 Paramount Pictures
    Ray Milland "Lost Weekend"

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ray Milland
    Ray Milland
    • Don Birnam
    Jane Wyman
    Jane Wyman
    • Helen St. James
    Phillip Terry
    Phillip Terry
    • Wick Birnam
    Howard Da Silva
    Howard Da Silva
    • Nat
    Doris Dowling
    Doris Dowling
    • Gloria
    Frank Faylen
    Frank Faylen
    • 'Bim' Nolan
    Mary Young
    Mary Young
    • Mrs. Deveridge
    Anita Sharp-Bolster
    Anita Sharp-Bolster
    • Mrs. Foley
    • (as Anita Bolster)
    Lilian Fontaine
    • Mrs. St. James
    Frank Orth
    Frank Orth
    • Opera Cloak Room Attendant
    Lewis L. Russell
    • Mr. St. James
    Andy Andrews
    • Alcoholic
    • (uncredited)
    Gene Ashley
    • Male Nurse
    • (uncredited)
    Walter Baldwin
    Walter Baldwin
    • Man from Albany
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Barris
    Harry Barris
    • Pianist at Harry & Joe's
    • (uncredited)
    Ian Begg
    • Undetermined Secondary Role
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Borden
    Eddie Borden
    • Drunk in Alcoholic Ward
    • (uncredited)
    Jess Lee Brooks
    • Hospital Patient
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Charles R. Jackson
      • Charles Brackett
      • Billy Wilder
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Best Picture Winners by Year

    Best Picture Winners by Year

    See the complete list of Best Picture winners. For fun, use the "sort order" function to rank by IMDb rating and other criteria.
    See the complete list
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Billy Wilder claimed the liquor industry offered Paramount Pictures $5 million not to release the film; he also suggested that he would have accepted had they offered it to him personally.
    • Goofs
      On Saturday Don goes in search of a pawnshop. At the second pawnshop called "A. Bloom" (see Continuity), a man informs Don that the shop is closed on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). This could not be true, as the modern Hebrew calendar in place since the 12th century CE is designed so that Yom Kippur cannot take place on the Sabbath.
    • Quotes

      [Nat moves to wipe away the circle of whisky from Don Birnam's glass]

      Don Birnam: Don't wipe it away, Nat. Let me have my little vicious circle. You know, the circle is the perfect geometric figure. No end, no beginning.

    • Connections
      Edited into Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      La Traviata
      (1853) (uncredited)
      Music by Giuseppe Verdi
      Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
      Libiamo ne' lieti calici (Drinking Song) Performed by John Garris and Theodora Lynch with The San Francisco Opera Company

    User reviews191

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    The first great film on alcoholism.
    As a recovering alcoholic (14 years sober) this remains as the first great film dealing with alcoholism. Ray Milland"s great performance shows realistically the insanity of drinking and the struggles. The promises and hidden bottles will ring true to anyone who has dealt with the problem. Billy Wilder's career was noted for his comedies but he showed in "Lost Weekend" that he knew how to deal with serious matter as well. The ending shot is a classic and will be memorable for anyone seeing the film. Check out "Days of Wine & Roses" as well.
    helpful•20
    1
    • Huron
    • Jan 9, 1999

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    FAQ20

    • How long is The Lost Weekend?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "The Lost Weekend" based on a book?
    • What is the significance of the three balls outside of the pawnbroker's shop?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1946 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Le poison
    • Filming locations
      • Bellevue Hospital - 462 First Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,250,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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