Review by gkrupa73

Allow me to begin by saying that I will not list the other four. This film is as perfect a presentation of the disease of alcoholism as one can expect from any film. Upon its unspooling in 1945 those ignorant of alcoholism sought reasons why the character drank. Viewers do to this day. They fail to realize a simple fact of life. Alcoholism is a condition that exists on its own. The alcoholic does not drink because he or she is "frustrated" by something or has been shocked by some misfortune. Most likely, the misfortune is the result of the alcoholism. For those aware of the horrors of this disease one will see that this drama is more a fictional, but clinically accurate and thorough, case study than anything else. This film frightens me every time I see it. People often wonder why the character played by Jane Wyman stuck with this very sick man. In real life this is common. Both she and the main character's brother are enablers who commonly surround the active alcoholic. The brother, Wick, rescues Don from his misfortunes. Helen (Jane Wyman)is not his fiancée but is identified in the film as his "best girl". Don flirts arrogantly with the poor soul of a bar fly girl named Gloria (Why nach Gloria, Nach!)who he sarcastically insults right and left. However, he takes much abuse from the bartender. All very typical in the world of the active alcoholic. One should note that the ending is as it is because Billy Wilder had to bow to the nincompoops in Hollywood in order to get this film out at all. The novel, written by Charley Jackson, has Don getting another bottle of booze at the end. Jackson was also technical adviser on this film. Jackson died of TB at New Yrok City's Bellevue Hospital while in restraints from suffering from the DT's. Again, if you want to understand alcoholism, just watch this film. Do not try to analyze it, you do not need to. This film will never be outdated.