movie about actor stuck in rolerole

November 6, 2010 4:16 PM

I am trying to remember the name of a Holllywood movie from forties or fifties about an actor who could not get out of the part that he was playing on the stage. I think the star was a well known actor and he may have won an oscar
posted by donfactor to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

Do you mean that he couldn't shake off the role when he was offstage, or he was trying to get out of the job but circumstances conspired to keep him in it?
posted by lhall at 5:11 PM on November 6, 2010

Is it A Double Life from 1947, starring Ronald Colman? That film won 2 Oscars, including a Best Actor for Colman.
posted by Put the kettle on at 5:29 PM on November 6, 2010

Response by poster: He couldn't shake off the role when he was offstage and that caused all sort of trouble
posted by donfactor at 5:30 PM on November 6, 2010

Response by poster: Yes thats it. A double life

thanks
posted by donfactor at 5:33 PM on November 6, 2010

I know you already have your answer, but it also sounds a bit like "Who am I this time?, with Christopher Walken and Susan Sarandon. I saw it on PBS in 1982 and I've been wanting to see it again since.
posted by bentley at 6:07 PM on November 6, 2010

Bentley, that's what I was thinking of, too! Only, in my case it was the Vonnegut short story it's based on.
posted by lhall at 6:14 PM on November 6, 2010

I know you already have your answer, but it also sounds a bit like "Who am I this time?, with Christopher Walken and Susan Sarandon. I saw it on PBS in 1982 and I've been wanting to see it again since. posted by bentley

It is available on Netflix via DVD or Instant Streaming (assuming you have a Netflix account.)
posted by govtdrone at 7:10 PM on November 6, 2010