Dana and Tom with 5x Club member, Kieran B. (Host and Creator of the Best Picture Cast), discuss the Best Picture winner of 1945 - The Lost Weekend: written and directed by Billy Wilder with Charles Brackett, cinematography by John F. Seitz, music by Miklos Rozsa, editing by Doane Harrison, starring Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, and Phillip Terry.

Plot Summary: The Lost Weekend follows Don Birnam (Ray Milland), a struggling writer whose life is slipping away because of alcoholism. The film takes place over one long, destructive weekend in New York City, as Don tries—and repeatedly fails—to break free from his addiction.

His brother Wick (Phillip Terry) wants to help Don get sober, but Don keeps finding ways to drink again. The one steady supporter in his life is his girlfriend Helen St. James, played by Jane Wyman, who refuses to give up on him even as his behavior becomes more desperate.

As Don wanders the city searching for alcohol, the film shows his downward spiral with unflinching honesty—highlighted by Milland’s powerful, Oscar-winning performance. The story builds toward a moment of truth where Don has to decide whether he’ll keep drinking or finally confront what’s destroying him.

Guest:

Kieran B (15x Member Club)

• Host and Creator of the Best Picture Cast; @bestpicturecast on X, IG, Letterboxd - BPC, Personal Letterboxd 
• Previous Episodes (16x): Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1957), Lost in Translation (2003), Gran Torino (2008), Stalag 17 (1953), Shane (1953), A Fistful of Dollars (1964), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) Revisit, 12 Angry Men (1957) Revisit, The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Revisit, Saw (2004), Up in the Air (2009), Bad Day at Black Rock (1955), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Gladiator (2000)

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to The Lost Weekend

02:42 Welcome Back, Kieran B.

08:45 Initial Thoughts on The Lost Weekend

13:21 What Does The Lost Weekend Get So Right About Addiction?

18:12 Relationships with The Lost Weekend

26:04 What is The Lost Weekend About?

27:51 Plot Summary for The Lost Weekend

29:03 Why isn't The Lost Weekend More Revered or Known?

34:55 Did You Know?

37:46 First Break

38:36 What's Up with Kieran B.

51:08 The Cinema Legacy Poll Rankings - #20-16

01:07:11 Best Performance(s)

01:18:06 Best Scene(s)

01:28:36 Second Break

01:29:14 In Memoriam

01:33:48 Best/Funniest Lines

01:38:27 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy

01:43:07 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance

01:48:31 The Stanley Rubric - Novelty

01:54:17 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness

01:56:50 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability

02:03:37 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total

02:05:22 Remaining Questions for The Lost Weekend

02:11:54 Thank You to Kieran and Final Thoughts

02:18:07 Credits

You can also find this episode in full video on YouTube.

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For more on the episode, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/the-lost-weekend-1945-ft-kieran-b

For the entire rankings list so far, go to: https://www.ronnyduncanstudios.com/post/greatest-movie-of-all-time-list

Keywords:

The Lost Weekend, Billy Wilder, addiction, alcoholism, film analysis, classic cinema, movie discussion, best picture winner, Ray Milland, cultural impact, film analysis, acting performances, cinematic techniques, character relationships, best scenes, legacy, industry impact, rewatchability, classic films, addiction themes, Charles Brackett, John F. Seitz, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry, Miklos Rozsa

Ronny Duncan Studios