The 50-Year Binge

‘Leaving Las Vegas,” Mike Figgis’ downbeat tale of a suicidal alcoholic writer (Nicolas Cage) and the prostitute (Elisabeth Shue) who loves him, is nominated for four Oscars. Fifty years before “Leaving Las Vegas,” another harrowing depiction of alcoholism, “The Lost Weekend,” won four Oscars: best picture, best actor (Ray Milland), best screenplay (Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett) and best director (Wilder). “Lost Weekend” chronicles three nightmarish days in the life of Don Birnam (Milland), a writer whose best friend is the whiskey bottle. Though “The Lost Weekend” ends on an upbeat note, it still packs a wallop half a century after its release.

Here’s a pictorial look at the Oscar festivities 50 years ago.