The desperate life of a chronic alcoholic is followed through a four-day drinking bout.
Studio advisers warned Ray Milland that this would be the death of his career. Milland himself was initially reluctant to take the part, as it had been turned down by many other leading actors of the day. However, Paramount was convinced that the only way it could sell such a film was with a matinée idol in the lead. Billy Wilder acquiesced to this only when it became clear that his first choice, José Ferrer, would not land the part.
Wick Birnem:
You better take this along, Don. It's gonna be cold on the farm.
Don Birnam:
Okay.
Wick Birnem:
How many shirts are you taking?
Don Birnam:
Three.
Wick Birnem:
I'm taking five.
Don Birnam:
Five?
Wick Birnem:
Yeah, I told them at the office I might not be back until Tuesday. We'll get there this afternoon. That'll give us ...
In Don's first visit to Nat's Bar the apples at the top of his paper bag change in height from shot to shot.
English
$9,460,000 (USA) (31 December 1946)