Ray Milland was a Welsh-American actor and director who worked in Hollywood for over five decades, appearing in more than 100 films. He is best known for his role in the classic film “The Lost Weekend,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
However, Milland had many other notable performances throughout his career, showcasing his range as an actor.
Best Ray Milland Movies – Introduction
In this article, we will explore some of the best Ray Milland movies that are worth watching. These films showcase his talents and provide a glimpse into the Golden Age of Hollywood.
1.The Lost Weekend (1945)
“The Lost Weekend” is a 1945 American drama film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Ray Milland. The film follows the story of an alcoholic writer, Don Birnam, played by Milland, who struggles with his addiction over the course of a four-day weekend.
The film is considered a masterpiece of film noir and is often cited as one of the greatest films of all time.
Milland’s portrayal of Don Birnam is powerful and intense, capturing the desperation and hopelessness of addiction. His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, cementing his place as one of the great actors of his generation.
“The Lost Weekend” remains a classic of American cinema and is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of film.
- Factory sealed DVD
- Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry (Actors)
- Billy Wilder (Director) - Charles Brackett (Producer)
- Spanish, French (Subtitles)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
2.Dial M for Murder (1954)
“Dial M for Murder” is a 1954 American crime thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Ray Milland.
The film is based on a stage play of the same name by Frederick Knott and follows the story of a former tennis player, Tony Wendice, played by Milland, who plots to murder his wealthy wife for her money.
Milland’s performance as the charming and calculating Tony Wendice is chilling and memorable, and he expertly portrays the character’s manipulative nature.
The film is a classic example of Hitchcock’s mastery of suspense and tension, and Milland’s performance is a standout among the talented cast.
Overall, “Dial M for Murder” is a classic thriller that has stood the test of time, and Milland’s performance is a key reason for its enduring popularity.
It is definitely one of the best Ray Milland movies and a must-watch for fans of suspense and classic cinema.
- When American writer Mark Halliday visits the very married Margot Wendice in London, he unknowingly...
- Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings (Actors)
- Alfred Hitchcock (Director) - Frederick Knott (Writer) - Alfred Hitchcock (Producer) - Frederick...
- English, Spanish, French (Subtitles)
- Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
3.The Big Clock (1948)
“The Big Clock” is a 1948 American film noir directed by John Farrow and starring Ray Milland.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Kenneth Fearing and follows the story of George Stroud, played by Milland, an editor of a crime magazine who becomes embroiled in a murder case while trying to solve a personal problem.
Milland’s performance as George Stroud is nuanced and compelling, showcasing his ability to portray complex and conflicted characters. The film’s intricate plot and tense atmosphere make it a standout in the film noir genre, and Milland’s performance is a key reason for its success.
If you like Ray Milland’s performances, on our sister site AuteurGraph we have a profile page, a visual film timeline, and a ratings page that gives a tonne of info and data about their career in a visualized form.
Overall, “The Big Clock” is a must-watch for fans of film noir and classic Hollywood cinema, and Milland’s performance is one of the highlights of the film.
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4.The Major and the Minor (1942)
“The Major and the Minor” is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers.
The film follows the story of a woman named Susan Applegate, played by Rogers, who poses as a 12-year-old girl to get a cheaper train ticket, and ends up getting involved with a military major, played by Milland.
Milland’s performance as the Major is charming and witty, and he has great chemistry with Rogers, making for a delightful romantic comedy.
The film’s humor and lighthearted tone make it a refreshing change from some of Milland’s more dramatic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Overall, “The Major and the Minor” is a classic romantic comedy and a must-watch for fans of the genre. Milland’s performance is a standout among the talented cast and adds to the film’s enduring popularity.
![The Major and the Minor (1942) ( The Major & the Minor ) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Italy ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+WKT6ntXL.jpg)
5.Ministry of Fear (1944)
“Ministry of Fear” is a 1944 American film noir directed by Fritz Lang and starring Ray Milland.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Graham Greene and follows the story of Stephen Neale, played by Milland, a man recently released from a mental institution who becomes embroiled in a Nazi spy ring.
Milland’s performance as Stephen Neale is complex and intense, capturing the character’s paranoia and desperation as he tries to unravel the web of conspiracy around him.
The film’s suspenseful atmosphere and intricate plot make it a standout in the film noir genre, and Milland’s performance is a key reason for its success.
Overall, “Ministry of Fear” is a must-watch for fans of film noir and classic Hollywood cinema.
Milland’s performance is one of the highlights of the film, and his portrayal of Stephen Neale remains a standout among his many memorable roles.
![Ministry of Fear (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41e-0IfF3zL.jpg)
- Factory sealed DVD
- Ray Milland (Actor)
- Fritz Lang (Director)
- English (Subtitle)
- English (Publication Language)
6.The Doctor Takes a Wife (1940)
“The Doctor Takes a Wife” is a 1940 American romantic comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring Ray Milland and Loretta Young.
The film follows the story of a renowned author, Timothy Sterling, played by Milland, who decides to invent a fictional wife to improve his public image, but things get complicated when a real woman, played by Young, claims to be his wife.
Milland’s performance as Timothy Sterling is charming and witty, and he has great chemistry with Young, making for a delightful romantic comedy. The film’s humor and lighthearted tone make it a fun and entertaining watch, showcasing Milland’s range as an actor.
Overall, “The Doctor Takes a Wife” is a classic romantic comedy and a must-watch for fans of the genre. Milland’s performance is a standout among the talented cast, adding to the film’s enduring popularity.
- Loretta Young, Ray Milland, Reginald Gardiner (Actors)
- Alexander Hall (Director) - Aleen Leslie (Writer) - William Perlberg (Producer)
7.Beau Geste (1939)
“Beau Geste” is a 1939 American adventure film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Ray Milland, Gary Cooper, and Robert Preston.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by P.C. Wren follows the story of three brothers who join the French Foreign Legion and become embroiled in a desperate struggle for survival in the Sahara Desert.
Milland’s performance as John Geste, one of the three brothers, is understated and effective, providing a contrast to the more charismatic performances of Cooper and Preston.
The film’s epic scale and sweeping vistas make it a classic adventure film, and Milland’s performance is a key part of its success.
Overall, “Beau Geste” is a must-watch for fans of adventure and classic Hollywood cinema. Milland’s performance is a standout among the talented cast, and his portrayal of John Geste adds depth and nuance to the film’s themes of loyalty and sacrifice.
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8.Arise, My Love (1940)
“Arise, My Love” is a 1940 American romantic comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Ray Milland and Claudette Colbert.
The film follows the story of a journalist, Tom Martin, played by Milland, who is tasked with escorting a European countess, played by Colbert, back to her home country but falls in love with her along the way.
Milland’s performance as Tom Martin is charming and suave, and he has great chemistry with Colbert, making for a delightful romantic comedy.
The film’s humor and lighthearted tone make it a fun and entertaining watch, showcasing Milland’s range as an actor.
Overall, “Arise, My Love” is a classic romantic comedy and a must-watch for fans of the genre. Milland’s performance is a standout among the talented cast, adding to the film’s enduring popularity.
- Claudette Colbert, Ray Milland, Dennis O'Keefe (Actors)
- Mitchell Leisen (Director)
- English (Subtitle)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
9.Golden Earrings (1947)
“Golden Earrings” is a 1947 American romantic spy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Ray Milland and Marlene Dietrich.
The film follows the story of a British soldier, played by Milland, who becomes a gypsy to escape Nazi-occupied France and meets a beautiful gypsy woman, played by Dietrich, who helps him evade capture.
Milland’s performance as the British soldier is understated and effective, providing a contrast to Dietrich’s more flamboyant portrayal of the gypsy woman.
The film’s romantic and adventurous themes make it a classic example of the genre, and Milland’s performance is a key part of its success
Overall, “Golden Earrings” is a must-watch for fans of romantic spy films and classic Hollywood cinema. Milland’s performance is a standout among the talented cast, and his portrayal of the British soldier adds depth and nuance to the film’s themes of love and loyalty.
- Marlene Dietrich, Ray Milland (Actors)
- Mitchell Leisen (Director)
- English (Publication Language)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
10.A Man Alone (1955)
“A Man Alone” is a 1955 American Western film directed by Ray Milland, who also stars in the film. The movie follows the story of Wes Steele, played by Milland, a gunfighter who arrives in a small town and is mistaken for a notorious outlaw.
He finds himself in danger from the townspeople and must fight to clear his name and survive.
Milland’s performance as Wes Steele is intense and brooding, and he expertly portrays the character’s loneliness and sense of isolation.
The film’s tense atmosphere and stark visuals make it a standout in the Western genre, and Milland’s direction and performance are key parts of its success.
Overall, “A Man Alone” is a must-watch for fans of Westerns and classic Hollywood cinema. Milland’s performance is a standout among the talented cast, and his direction adds depth and nuance to the film’s themes of justice and redemption.
- Ray Milland, Raymond Burr, Lee Van Cleef (Actors)
- English (Subtitle)
- Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
3 Reasons To Watch Ray Milland Movies
Range as an actor: Ray Milland had a remarkable range as an actor, showcasing his talent in a variety of genres, including drama, comedy, romance, film noir, and Westerns.
He was able to convincingly portray a wide range of characters, from charming leading men to complex and conflicted individuals.
Classic Hollywood cinema: Ray Milland was a major star during the Golden Age of Hollywood, appearing in more than 100 films throughout his career.
Watching his movies provides a glimpse into the history of cinema and the evolution of filmmaking techniques over the decades.
Memorable performances: Ray Milland’s performances in films like “The Lost Weekend,” “Dial M for Murder,” and “Ministry of Fear” are considered classics and are still admired and studied by film enthusiasts and aspiring actors today.
Watching his movies allows viewers to witness his incredible talent and experience some of the most iconic performances in film history.
Best Ray Milland Movies – Wrap Up
In conclusion, Ray Milland was a versatile and talented actor who left an indelible mark on Hollywood cinema.
From his Oscar-winning performance in “The Lost Weekend” to his standout roles in films like “Dial M for Murder,” “The Big Clock,” and “Beau Geste,” Milland showcased his range and ability to bring complex and nuanced characters to life on screen.
His contributions to the film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood continue to be admired and celebrated today. Watching Ray Milland movies provides not only a glimpse into the history of cinema but also an appreciation for the artistry and craft of acting.
