Two Weeks in Another Town (1962)

After spending three years in an asylum, a washed-up actor views a minor assignment from his old director in Rome as a chance for personal and professional redemption.

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Charles Schnee (screenplay), Irwin Shaw (novel)

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Edward G. Robinson, Cyd Charisse

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirk Douglas	...	Jack Andrus
Edward G. Robinson	...	Maurice Kruger
Cyd Charisse	...	Carlotta
George Hamilton	...	Davie Drew
Daliah Lavi	...	Veronica (as Dahlia Lavi)
Claire Trevor	...	Clara Kruger
James Gregory	...	Brad Byrd
Rosanna Schiaffino	...	Barzelli
Joanna Roos	...	Janet Bark
George Macready	...	Lew Jordan
Mino Doro	...	Tucino
Stefan Schnabel	...	Zeno
Vito Scotti	...	Assistant Director
Tom Palmer	...	Dr. Cold Eyes
Erich von Stroheim Jr.	...	Ravinksi (as Erich Von Stroheim Jr.)

Storyline

Former film star Jack Andrus is released from a sanitarium where he has lived for the previous three years, suffering from alcoholism, a traumatic automobile accident, and a severe mental breakdown. He's been offered two weeks of work in Rome by Maurice Kruger, his old director, who himself is near the end of his fading career and under pressure from his parsimonious Italian producer to finish his picture on time and under budget. Jack is also pressed from a manipulative ex-wife, a rising but self-destructive young star, the director's shrewish wife, and a temperamental Italian diva who requires handling with kid gloves. When the Kruger suffers a heart attack, Andrus views the opportunity as a last chance at the redemption of his personal life and professional career.

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Plot Keywords:

italy | circular staircase | drunken driving | mentor protege relationship | running to catch an airplane | 

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Taglines:

Only in Rome could this story happen! Only in Rome could this story be filmed!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film cost over four million dollars and had an 81-day shooting schedule.

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Goofs

While shooting the film, after Jack kicks Barzelli to stop her temper tantrum, he directs her to "reach for the ring" and she immediately does so before the translator has given her the instruction in Italian.

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Quotes

Maurice Kruger: Well, tell me son, how does feel to be crazy?

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Crazy Credits

The following acknowledgment appears on screen in the opening credits: "We are grateful to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, copyright owners, for permission to use the Academy Award statuette."

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Connections

Referenced in An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997)

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Soundtracks

Don't Blame Me
(1932) (uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by Leslie Uggams

User Reviews

Bad and Beautiful in Rome

Starts with Kirk Douglas in a nut house, isn't that just perfect? He is allowed out to take over an American movie in trouble being shot on location in Rome - well that's beyond perfection - And a total guarantee of 100 or so minutes of decadent splendor. The director and his wife, played at the edge of the abyss, by Edward G Robinson and Claire Trevor deserve a film of their own. Douglas does his thing as if we had never seen it before and thank God for that because it works in the most satisfying way. Minnelli knew what he was doing and those modern Roman parties with the glittering Italian aristocrats is out of a Fellini film. Cyd Charisse, George Hamilton and Vito Scotti are also part of this tabloid tale told by a master. Highly recommended.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

September 1962 (UK)

Also Known As:

2 Weeks in Another Town

Filming Locations:

Excelsior Hotel, Via Vittorio Veneto, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$3,959,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1