The Big Hangover
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| The Big Hangover | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Norman Krasna |
| Written by | Norman Krasna |
| Produced by | Norman Krasna |
| Starring | Van Johnson Elizabeth Taylor Fay Holden |
| Cinematography | George J. Folsey |
| Edited by | Fredrick Y. Smith |
| Music by | Adolph Deutsch |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,026,000[1] |
| Box office | $1,626,000[1] |
The Big Hangover is a 1950 American comedy film released by MGM. The film starred Van Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor and was written and directed by Norman Krasna. Supporting players include Percy Waram, Fay Holden, Leon Ames, Edgar Buchanan, Selena Royle, Gene Lockhart, and Rosemary DeCamp.[2]
The Big Hangover was one of Elizabeth Taylor's first films to feature her in an "adult character" role, the first being the 1949 British thriller Conspirator.
Despite being released with high hopes, The Big Hangover was a critical and box office disappointment. Home video releases are scarce in any format, as the movie remains largely unknown.
Law school student David Maldon is hired by a prominent law firm. At a birthday party for the senior partner, his erratic behavior causes Belney's beautiful daughter Mary to accuse David of being drunk, but he is not. David suffers from a rare malady called "liquor recoil" that causes him to become intoxicated at the mere taste of alcohol. He hallucinates during these episodes, even imagining a talking dog, and Mary, a psychoanalyst, is fascinated with the phenomenon.
City attorney Carl Bellcap is threatening a lawsuit against the firm over the eviction of a Chinese family from their apartment. David intervenes, saving the day, but firm partner Charles Parkford had been responsible for the eviction and is now livid. Parkford slips wine into David's soup and then enjoys watching the David make a public spectacle of himself. David later rebukes Bellcap at the dinner and the others at the table are aghast, but Bellcap admits that he has been wrong and supports David.
At law-school graduation, David surprises his colleagues by submitting his resignation, deciding to work instead for Bellcap and the city for meager pay. Mary hates to see him leave the family firm but respects David's values, and she has fallen in love with him.
Cast
- Van Johnson as David Maldon
- Elizabeth Taylor as Mary Belney
- Percy Waram as John Belney
- Fay Holden as Martha Belney
- Leon Ames as Carl Bellcap
- Edgar Buchanan as Uncle Fred Mahoney
- Selena Royle as Kate Mahoney
- Gene Lockhart as Charles Parkford
- Rosemary DeCamp as Claire Bellcap
- Philip Ahn as Dr. Lee
- Gordon Richards as Williams
- Matt Moore as Mr. Rumlie
- Pierre Watkin as Samuel C. Lang
- Russell Hicks as Steve Hughes
Production
Norman Krasna, who wrote the screenplay, sold it to MGM in March 1949 for more than $100,000. Krasna also produced and directed the film.[3]
In July 1949, June Allyson was announced as the female lead and Montgomery Clift was courted to play her costar.[4][5] However, by the end of the month, Van Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor were set as the stars.[6]