This week on Alcohollywood, we’re staging an intervention by making a drinking game for a film about alcoholism! Returning guests Andrew and Julia join us to take on Billy Wilder’s 1945 classic The Lost Weekend, about an alcoholic writer (Ray Milland) who endures a rock bottom bender over the course of three days. The film takes an unflinching look at the morality and psychology of alcoholism, a first for a movie of this type. The film is helped along with some creative imagery and Miklos Rozsa’s unsettling theremin score. (It’s also a fantastic double feature with Double Indemnity, another Wilder film we’ve covered on the show before as well.) Take a listen as we share in Don’s dilemmas with our custom cocktail and drinking game!
LISTEN HERE OR DOWNLOAD:
THIS EPISODE’S DRINK: The Nat-hattan
This Manhattan variant takes advantage of Don’s predilection for 100-proof rye. We also throw in some black walnut bitters and lemon to bring out the darker, more complex flavors matching such a courageous, gritty film.
3 parts Rittenhouse 100-proof rye whiskey
1 part blackcurrent liqueur
dash, black walnut bitters
large, thick slice of lemon peel (garnish)
1) Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Stir until combined.
2) Pour into a martini glass straight; garnish with lemon peel.
DRINKING RULES FOR THE LOST WEEKEND:
- Drink along with Don as he drinks.
- Every time Don accidentally puts his cigarette in the wrong way and fixes it.
- Any time someone (including Don) makes excuses for or enables Don’s drinking.
FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN:
Nat says, “How are them lilacs in Ohio?” as Don shuts the door in his face.
Join us next week as we dive headfirst into Disney’s darker days with their first PG animated film, The Black Cauldron!
