Cary Grant was offered the lead in this. Do you think he could have pulled it off? I say yes. Ray Milland was great, but I could have seen Cary Grant playing Don. My other choice would have been Frederic March. I'm surprised Billy Wilder didn't get someone like Jimmy Stewart to play the part. I think Jimmy could've pulled it off. I even think Jack Lemmon would've made a fine lead for this movie.
shareRay Milland was great. I really think that the other actors you mention though great, would not have played this as raw as Milland did.
shareYeah, Milland got it exactly right. He was great. But I just like Cary Grant and Frederic March better. Frederic March, although over dramatic at times, was great playing a tortured soul. I loved him in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I like Cary Grant as an actor and I think it would've been interesting to see him as a character that has hit rock bottom. I never really saw him in a movie where he sunk that low or was all disheveled looking. What do you think where Milland's best moments in The Lost Weekend? I think one of his best moments was when he was getting the DTs. Remember how he started screaming?
shareJimmy would have been excellent too but why would you want to remplace Ray Milland? He was PERFECT. It was such a brilliant performance and one of the most deserved oscar's winning!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCg_QEHtkY
There were many times when Milland's voice reminded me of Cary Grant's voice! Having seen this film for the first time, I was surprised that Milland won for this performance. I usually defend strong, overt performances over subtle approaches by actors, but about half the time, his acting was too much, too obvious and unconvincing...to me. He and Jane Wyman had no chemistry either.
shareCary Grant was a great actor but Ray Milland's performance was perfect and he was born to play Don and he completely deserved the awards he got for it.
shareYes, I'd have a hard time believing Cary in the role...
‘Six inches is perfectly adequate; more is vulgar!' (Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Re: An open window).