“Forget it Charley, after you drunk yourself off of three newspapers, the word goes out over the wire: Lew Marsh is through, Lew Marsh is poison, Lew Marsh tickles, no I like it this way, fine. Just the way things are, fine.” – Lew Marsh
Number of Times Seen – 1 (4 Jan 2019)
Brief Synopsis – An alcoholic reporter hits rick bottom and decides to make a change in his life which leads him to also help others in similar circumstances.
My Take on it –This is yet another film that I had never heard of beforehand and only came across because one of its actors were nominated for an Oscar – in this case Gig Young.
They do a great job looking at the issue of alcoholism and are able to show what it can do to someone quite successful.
We also get to see how he can overcome the demons that he is constantly facing which in a round about way takes him on a path to help others with similar issues.
Jimmy Cagney is great in the lead and he is helped along quite well by James Gleason and Young who both deliver great supporting performances.
I can understand how Young could get his first Oscar nomination for this kind of role.
The way that this story shows the character arcs work really well to help keep the storyline and subject matter so interesting throughout because you never really know what to expect along the way.
The fact that this was an issue that wasn’t discussed so openly at the time also helps show a side of people that wasn’t as forthright when this was made as it is today.
Bottom Line – Great look at what alcoholism can do to a man and how overcoming one’s own demons can lead to a way to help others in similar situations. Cagney is superb in the lead and he is helped so much by both Gleason and Young in supporting roles. Young was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance here. The story shows some great character arcs and that helps make this subject matter so interesting to watch especially knowing that this was an issue that wasn’t so openly discussed at the time this came out as it is today. Recommended!
MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Gig Young was nominated for his first Oscar for his role in this film. (From IMDB)
Rating – Globe Worthy (7/10)
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MovieRob 
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Terrific movie with wonderful performances from Cagney, Young and James Gleason. Young’s first Oscar nomination for playing an alcoholic – which he was in real life. Never happy with his career as a supporting actor – he always wanted to be a lead – and came to regard the Oscar win as a curse. He was married 5X – and murdered his 5th wife before committing suicide. He had been cast in “Blazing Saddles” by Mel Brooks but after suffering symptoms of alcohol withdrawal – he was fired after 1 day on set.
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