MovieChat Forums > The Lost Weekend Discussion > Casting Jane Wyman

Casting Jane Wyman

posted 18 years ago by moondog-8
8 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone know why Wyman (who was under contract to another studio) was brought over to Paramount for this film? At Warners, she was still being cast as a dumb blonde most of the time. So did she beg to be loaned out for this film? Or did Wilder see some quality in her that made him decide to bring her over to Paramount for a one-picture deal? It made a turning point in her career, changing her roles from ditsy dames to compassionate, mature women. And she does a great job in the role. But with so many great leading ladies @ Paramount, why was she brought over from Warners?????

[–] jbsalmonnc 18 years ago

That's funny-Jane Wyman is wonderful to look at (even if Doris Dowling is sexier), but her performance is the biggest weakness in the movie.

That may be Wilder's fault, though. She may have been told to play Helen St. James (James 2:26-"Faith without works is dead"-I wonder if there's a connection?) as utterly devoted to Don (with a minor detour after he hocks her coat that was the cause of their meeting), and thus made both her character and performance rather dull.

[–] T-aerial 18 years ago

I like Doris Dowling very much, even better in THE BLUE DAHLIA (1946)!
Stunning Doris deserved many other Film-Noirs parts, a born femme-fatale.

Jane Wyman is a miscast in my opinion; although in the showndown, with her hair wet, she looks sexy and her performance improves too.
(Or, maybe she was happy, this film is almost over...)

[–] lotsofwordz 18 years ago

LMAO. Jane Wyman ALWAYS looks sexy.

[–] moondog-8 18 years ago

*PLEASE* read my posting more carefully. Everyone has opinions about everything. Opinions are a cheap -- a dime a dozen -- and are not informed with historical accuracy. I don't care what opinions people have; that's not what I'm asking.

What I'm asking is whether anyone has done RESEARCH or KNOWS ANY FACTS as to why an actress under contract to Warner Bros. was brought in to star in a Paramount movie...?

[–] mikeoak840 18 years ago

No, nobody's done research. Wyman's not talking. Everyone else connected to the decision to hire her and the reasoning behind it is dead. It coul be Warners wanted a Paramount star to appear in another move and trade whoever for Wyman, and they had to stick her in something, and Lost Weekend was it.

Next question...

[–] edcarl94 18 years ago

Actually the story is that Paramount and Billy Wilder were thinking of using Olivia DeHavilland for the role. They screened a movie called "Princess O'Rourke" where DeHavilland played the title part and Jane Wyman had a supporting role. Somebody (Wilder? The producer Charles Brackett?) saw a quality in Wyman which made them decide to cast her instead.

[–] moondog-8 18 years ago

THANKS !!! That's really interesting.

[–] jeremy3 18 years ago

She was very beautiful. Beauty in an actress was very valued at that time. She also could portray earthiness with inner strength. She never gave up on him. I think it was a good idea to cast a less known. Katherine Hepburn, or other more known actress, would have been unable probably to play the character with earthiness, subtlety, and sensitive courage.