I'LL CRY TOMORROW (1955)

[diane]

This is such a great film with a stupendous performance by Susan
Hayward. She plays singer Lillian Roth, a very pretty singer who
appeared in a handful of musicals in the early 1930s. She could
really belt out a song - in my opinion she was a much, much better
singer than Ethel Merman. She turned to alcohol to help her cope
with the death of her childhood sweetheart.
Susan Hayward pulls out all stops - why she didn't win an Oscar for
her performance is a mystery. SPOILER ALERT: Although I think most
people would be familiar with her story, she hits skid row and goes
to AA. A big part of the problem was her mother Katie (Jo Van Fleet
is just as wonderful as Susan - in their scenes together there is no
room for anyone else!!!). She is a stage mother and Lillian's childhood
was not pleasant as she was constantly at auditions and did not have
time for childhood joys.
In the book she tours Australia and was one of the first stars to say
"I am an alcoholic and I would like to help other people with their
drinking problems".

[circled27]

Diane,
I think I may have seen that. Speaking of Australia I started reading a book by Bill Bryson In a Sunburned Country that's quite enjoyable.

[kelly]

I saw this movie long long time ago I haven't seen since actually it was really sad movie I didn't get why Susan Hayward didn't get oscar for that either

[diane]

you know kelly, it is a sad movie. I have seen it so many times and when I put it on the other
night after about an hour Herb said he couldn't watch it any more - it was too depressing.
I am always so knocked out by Susan's performance - I sometimes forget that the story is
very moving and sad.

[Midge]

Oct 2, 2008 15:30:21 GMT -6 circled27 said:

Diane,
I think I may have seen that. Speaking of Australia I started reading a book by Bill Bryson In a Sunburned Country that's quite enjoyable.

Great book! I like just about everything that Bryson has ever written.

The Susan Hayward performance that stands out for me is I Want to Live! (1958) She plays a playgirl with loose moral standards who gets mixed up with a bad crowd and winds up on death row. Hayward won her only Oscar for this performance.

[diane]

Even though I have seen "I Want to Live!" - it is a film I find very depressing and I tended to
avoid it whenever it was shown. Not that Susan Hayward isn't superlative in it - she is!!!
I don't know much about Susan Hayward's life but she often seems to be overlooked for
incredible performances - even "Smashup" in the late 40s she was great in that one too!!!

[circled27]

Midge wrote:

I like just about everything that Bryson has ever written.

Yes, he's a gifted writer and quite funny.

[Larry's 66 Diner]

I'm going to have to check out this movie. In fact, it seems like I've seen the title on TCM before. :unsure:

Thanks for your review, Diane. :thumbsup: