Only When I Laugh (film)
| Only When I Laugh | |
|---|---|
 Only When I Laugh theatrical poster |
|
| Directed by | Glenn Jordan |
| Produced by | Neil Simon Roger M. Rothstein |
| Written by | Neil Simon (based on his play "The Gingerbread Lady") |
| Starring | Marsha Mason Kristy McNichol James Coco Joan Hackett David Dukes |
| Music by | David Shire |
| Cinematography | David M. Walsh |
| Editing by | John Wright |
| Studio | Rastar |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | September 23, 1981 |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $25,524,778 |
Only When I Laugh is a 1981 film based on Neil Simon's play The Gingerbread Lady.
The story is about an alcoholic Broadway actress who tries to stay sober while dealing with the problems of her teenaged daughter and her friends: an overly vain woman who fears the loss of her looks and a gay actor relegated to small roles in third-rate shows. Simon changed the main character's name to Georgia Hines for the film adaptation; the character was named Evy Meara in the stage version. Also of note, the main character went from being a cabaret singer to a Broadway stage actress.
The film, written by Simon and directed by Glenn Jordan, stars Marsha Mason, Joan Hackett, James Coco and Kristy McNichol. It also features two short scenes with then unknowns Kevin Bacon and John Vargas. Simon's next release, I Ought to Be in Pictures, would be released just six months later, and its plot would be similar.
It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (James Coco), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Marsha Mason) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Joan Hackett). It was the last film Hackett completed before her death.
Ironically, Coco was also nominated for Worst Supporting Actor in Golden Raspberry Awards for the same role.
Although it is available for download through Apple's iTunes Store and Amazon Instant Video, it has only been physically released on VHS.[1]
Contents |
Plot [edit]
A doctor releases actress Georgia Hines from a rehab center, where she has been undergoing treatment for alcoholism. Georgia attempts to return to a somewhat normal life, but teenaged daughter Polly has moved in with her, close friends Jimmy and Toby come to her with a variety of problems, and ex-husband David Lowe wants her to star in a play he has written based on their married life.
Georgia's increasing stress leads to a relapse, beginning with drinking in secret and ultimately resulting in her sitting at a bar, where she is picked up by a stranger who then beats her up. Polly's patience is at an end by the time Georgia realizes what she is about to lose.
Cast [edit]
Starring
- Marsha Mason – Georgia Hines
- Kristy McNichol – Polly Hines
- James Coco – Jimmy Perrino
- Joan Hackett – Toby Landau
- David Dukes – David
and
- John Bennett Perry – Lou, character in play
- Guy Boyd – Boxing Fan in Bar
- Ed Moore – Dr. Komack
- Byron Webster – Tom
- Peter Coffield – Mr. Tarloff
- Mark Schubb – Adam Kasabian
- Ellen La Gamba – Receptionist
- Venida Evans – Nurse Garcia
- John Vargas – Manuel
- Nancy Nagler – Heidi
- Dan Monahan – Jason
- Michael Ross – Paul
- Tom Ormeny – Kyle
- Ken Weisbrath – Waiter
- Henry Olek – George the Director
- Jane Atkins – Doreen
- Kevin Bacon – Don
- Ron Levine – Gary
- Rebecca Stanley – Denise Summers
- Nick Lapadula – Bartender
- Philip Lindsay – Apartment House Superintendent
- Birdie M. Hale – Superintendent's Wife
- Wayne Franson – Father
Awards and nominations [edit]
1982 Academy Awards [edit]
- Nominated : Best Actress in a Leading Role Marsha Mason
- Nominated : Best Actor in a Supporting Role James Coco
- Nominated : Best Actress in a Supporting Role Joan Hackett
1982 Golden Globes [edit]
- Won : Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role Joan Hackett
- Nominated : Best Motion Picture Actor in a Supporting Role James Coco
- Nominated : Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role Kristy McNichol
1982 Golden Raspberry Awards [edit]
- Nominated : Worst Supporting Actor James Coco
- Nominated : Worst Original Song – "Only When I Laugh"
1982 Young Artist Awards [edit]
- Won : Best Young Motion Picture Actress Kristy McNichol
References [edit]
External links [edit]
- Only When I Laugh at the Internet Movie Database
- Only When I Laugh at AllRovi
- Only When I Laugh at Rotten Tomatoes
- Only When I Laugh at Box Office Mojo
|
||||||||||||||
