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Bigger Than Life

Nicholas Ray

1956 • 1h 35m

A friendly, successful suburban teacher and father grows dangerously addicted to cortisone, resulting in his transformation into a household despot.

Bigger Than Life

Bigger Than Life (1956) | The Criterion Collection Trailer

Cast

James Mason

James MasonEd Avery

Barbara Rush

Barbara RushLou Avery

Walter Matthau

Walter MatthauWally Gibbs

Robert F. Simon

Robert F. SimonDr. Norton

Christopher Olsen

Christopher OlsenRichie Avery

Roland Winters

Roland WintersDr. Ruric

Rusty Lane

Rusty LaneBob LaPorte

Rachel Stephens

Rachel StephensNurse

Kipp Hamilton

Kipp HamiltonPat Wade

Betty CaulfieldMrs. LaPorte (uncredited)

Virginia Carroll

Virginia CarrollMrs. Jones (uncredited)

Renny McEvoy

Renny McEvoyMr. Jones (uncredited)

Billy JonesMr. Byron (uncredited)

Dee Aaker

Dee AakerJoe (uncredited)

Jerry Mathers

Jerry MathersFreddie (uncredited)

Crew

Richard Maibaum

Richard MaibaumScreenplay

Nicholas Ray

Nicholas RayDirector

James Mason

James MasonProducer

David Raksin

David RaksinOriginal Music Composer

Clifford Odets

Clifford OdetsAdditional Writing

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Bigger Than Life (1956) — Backlot Notes