 Douglas had planned to remain a stage actor, until his friend, Lauren Bacall, helped him get his first film role by recommending him to producer Hal B. Wallis, who was looking for a new male talent.Wallis's film, "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" (1946), with Barbara Stanwyck, became Douglas's debut screen appearance.He played a young, insecure man, stung with jealousy, whose life was dominated by his ruthless wife, and he hid his feelings with alcohol.