Days of Wine and Roses (1962)

An alcoholic marries a young woman, whom he systematically addicts to booze so they can share his "passion" together.

Director:

Blake Edwards

Writer:

J.P. Miller (as JP Miller)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick, Charles Bickford

Won 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Lemmon	...	Joe Clay
Lee Remick	...	Kirsten Arnesen Clay
Charles Bickford	...	Ellis Arnesen
Jack Klugman	...	Jim Hungerford
Alan Hewitt	...	Rad Leland
Tom Palmer	...	Ballefoy
Debbie Megowan	...	Debbie Clay
Maxine Stuart	...	Dottie
Jack Albertson	...	Trayner

Storyline

Joe Clay is a top-notch public-relations man. Anything a client wants, Joe can arrange, from dancing girls to an article in a prominent magazine. But part of the job is drinking, and Joe's ability to consume alcohol seems boundless. When he meets the very pretty Kirsten Arnesen, she prefers chocolate to alcohol; Joe's solution is Brandy Alexander, which is made up of brandy and crème de cacao. Joe and Kirsten eventually marry, but their love can't prevent the downward spiral brought on by alcohol. They try desperately to break the habit but continually relapse until only one of them manages to break free.

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Plot Keywords:

drinking | alcoholic | plant in title | violence | in laws | 

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Taglines:

Nights of Shame and Terror!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1963 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Días de vino y rosas

Filming Locations:

1800 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jalem Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film features two actors who would be associated with The Odd Couple (1968). Jack Lemmon played Felix Ungar in the 1968 motion picture, while Jack Klugman would play Oscar Madison in the T.V. series.

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Goofs

When Lemmon enters the sleazy motel room where his wife is having a bender he presses the lower button on the old fashioned button type light switch to turn the light on. In fact, the electrical code called for the upper button to always be the ON button.

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Quotes

Joe Clay: Well, anything worth having is worth suffering for, isn't it?

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Connections

Referenced in Inside the Actors Studio: Episode #8.15 (2002)

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Soundtracks

I Only Have Eyes for You
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played while Joe's on the telephone at the restaurant

User Reviews

Degradation of Booze

In San Francisco, the public relations Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon) drinks everyday to "socialize" with his clients. After an incidental meeting with the secretary Kirsten Arnesen (Lee Remick), they date and sooner they get married. When they have a baby girl, Joe becomes alcoholic, Kirsten begins to drink to follow her husband, and both become alcoholics. Joe loses his job and they destroy their lives. After many trials, Joe is treated, desintoxicated and supported by the AA, while Kirsten remains a chronic drunkard.

"Days of Wine and Roses" is a realistic sad drama that exposes the life of a drunken couple from their top to the bottom of the well. Together with "The Lost Weekend", I believe these are the two best movies Hollywood properly and seriously produced about this important subject. The sad story has no final redemption or commercial conclusion, and is a must see. The gorgeous Lee Remick and the excellent Jack Lemmon have magnificent performances and deserved their nomination to the Oscar. The wonderful cinematography and the magnificent unforgettable song of Henri Mancini complete this high-class classic film. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Vício Maldito" ("Damned Vicious")