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IMDb > Only When I Laugh (1981)

Only When I Laugh (1981) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   433 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Glenn Jordan
Writers:
Neil Simon (screenplay)
Neil Simon (play)
Contact:
View company contact information for Only When I Laugh on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 September 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Tagline:
It'll make you laugh...'til you cry. more
Plot:
A boozy Broadway actress (Marsha Mason) comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends (James Coco... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
The Run-up To The Razzies
 (From CinemaRetro. 13 January 2009, 3:23 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Only When Your Bored... more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Marsha Mason ... Georgia
Kristy McNichol ... Polly
James Coco ... Jimmy
Joan Hackett ... Toby
David Dukes ... David

John Bennett Perry ... Lou: an Actor

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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
It Hurts Only When I Laugh
Neil Simon's Only When I Laugh
more
Runtime:
120 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Filming Locations:
New York City, New York, USA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Film composer David Shire had lyrics written to his lively main theme by Richard Maltby, Jr. and the song "Only When I Laugh" was recorded by Brenda Lee. For reasons unknown, the song was not included in the film. However, MCA Records released it as a 7-inch single with the label credit "From the Columbia Motion Picture". more
Quotes:
Georgia: Let me sleep on the sofa. I love sleeping on the sofa. Beds are too big when you're alone. more
Movie Connections:
Features Gilda (1946) more
Soundtrack:
MACHINE GUN more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
1 out of 8 people found the following comment useful:-
Only When Your Bored..., 23 July 1999
Author: Vertigo-27 from NC

Film dealing with the relationship between an aging alcoholic actress and her teen daughters.

Suppose to be a comedy but comes off more like a slow moving drama... Not really enjoyable at all... only a young Kristy McNichol brightening the screen, and stealing every scene she is in... However all actors are superb, working desprerately with the flimsy story.

Possibly the biggest problem with this movie is the fact that it is so obviously meant to only be done as a play, that it almost feels like you are watching one. Title and premise are promising but this only sadly falls short of a goal that could or rather should have been met... being a better movie...

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