Only When I Laugh (1981)
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- R
- 2h 0min
- Comedy, Drama
- 25 Sep 1981 (USA)
- Movie
A Broadway actress fresh out of rehab navigates sobriety, her career, demanding daughter, and supporting her troubled friends' personal crises.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Marsha Mason | ... |
Georgia
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Ed Moore | ... |
Dr. Komack
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| Joan Hackett | ... |
Toby
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| James Coco | ... |
Jimmy
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| Kristy McNichol | ... |
Polly
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Nancy Nagler | ... |
Heidi
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| Dan Monahan | ... |
Jason
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| David Dukes | ... |
David
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Ellen La Gamba | ... |
Receptionist
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Michael A. Ross | ... |
Paul
(as Michael Ross)
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| Venida Evans | ... |
Nurse Garcia
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| Tom Ormeny | ... |
Kyle
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| Peter Coffield | ... |
Mr. Tarloff
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| John Bennett Perry | ... |
Actor (Lou)
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| Byron Webster | ... |
Tom
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Ken Weisbrath | ... |
Waiter
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Jane Atkins | ... |
Doreen
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| Henry Olek | ... |
George De Vane
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| Kevin Bacon | ... |
Don
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Ron Levine | ... |
Gary
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Rebecca Stanley | ... |
Denise Summers
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Mark Schubb | ... |
Adam Kasabian
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Nick Lapadula | ... |
Bartender
(as Nick La Padula)
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| Guy Boyd | ... |
Man in Bar
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Phillip Lindsay | ... |
Super
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Birdie M. Hale | ... |
Super's Wife
(as Birdie Hale)
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Wayne Franson | ... |
Father
(as Wayne Framson)
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| John Vargas | ... |
Manuel
(as Jon Vargas)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Kathryn Janssen | ... |
Woman in Crowd (uncredited)
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Steve Kelley | ... |
Jeffrey Kramer (uncredited)
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Llewellyn Lafford | ... |
Car Driver (uncredited)
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Antic Melkior | ... |
Mann in Car (uncredited)
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Frank Slaten | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Glenn Jordan | ||
Written by
| Neil Simon | ... | (screenplay) |
| Neil Simon | ... | (based on the play "The Gingerbread Lady") |
Produced by
| Roger M. Rothstein | ... | producer |
| Neil Simon | ... | producer |
Music by
| David Shire | ||
Cinematography by
| David M. Walsh | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| John Wright | ||
Editorial Department
| Kathy Virkler | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Jennifer Shull | ||
Production Design by
| Albert Brenner | ||
Art Direction by
| David M. Haber | ... | (as David Haber) |
Set Decoration by
| Marvin March | ||
Costume Design by
| Ann Roth | ||
Makeup Department
| Kathryn Blondell | ... | hair stylist |
| E. Thomas Case | ... | makeup artist (as Tom Case) |
Production Management
| Thomas John Kane | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| William S. Beasley | ... | first assistant director (as Bill Beasley) |
| Jim Van Wyck | ... | second assistant director |
| Stephen Wertimer | ... | dga trainee: New York crew (as Steve Wertimer) |
Art Department
| Richard Adee | ... | property master: New York crew |
| Nick F. Caprarelli | ... | lead man (as Nick Caprarelli) |
| Robert Krume | ... | construction coordinator |
| Bill MacSems | ... | property master |
| Wendell Powell | ... | assistant property master |
Sound Department
| Michael Hilkene | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Dennis Jones | ... | boom operator |
| Gregg Landaker | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Les Lazarowitz | ... | sound mixer: New York crew |
| Tod A. Maitland | ... | boom operator |
| Steve Maslow | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Tom Overton | ... | production sound mixer (as Tommy Overton) |
| Bill Varney | ... | re-recording mixer |
Special Effects by
| Alan E. Lorimer | ... | special effects coordinator (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Martin G. Beazell | ... | second assistant camera (as Martin Beazell) |
| Norman Buck | ... | key grip: New York crew |
| Robert Edesa | ... | camera operator (as Bob Edesa) |
| Norman Harris | ... | gaffer |
| Ron Kenyon | ... | electrical best boy |
| Richard C. Kratina | ... | camera operator: New York crew (as Richard Kratina) |
| Frank Lambers | ... | grip best boy |
| Richard Moran | ... | key grip |
| Michael Nash | ... | first assistant camera |
| Ray Quinlan | ... | gaffer: New York crew |
| Warren Rothenberger | ... | director of photography: New York crew / director of photography: New York |
| Orlando Suero | ... | still photographer (as Orlando) |
| Barry Wexler | ... | dolly grip |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Seth Banks | ... | costumer: men |
| Shirlee Strahm | ... | costumer: women |
Location Management
| Vince Martinez | ... | location auditor |
| Roger Paradiso | ... | location manager: New York crew |
Music Department
| Erma E. Levin | ... | music editor (as Erma Levin) |
| George Doering | ... | musician (uncredited) |
| James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| June Samson | ... | continuity |
Transportation Department
| Harry J. Leavey | ... | transportation captain: New York crew (as Harry Leavey) |
| Jack Lietzke | ... | transportation |
Additional Crew
| Joan Eisenberg | ... | unit publicist |
| Sheryl Gold | ... | production assistant |
| Pat Logue | ... | secretary: Mr. Jordan |
| Dennis Maguire | ... | production assistant |
| Mary Malin | ... | assistant: Ann Roth |
| Shirley Marcus | ... | production office coordinator: New York crew |
| Michele Panelli-Venetis | ... | assistant: Mr. Rothstein (as Michele Panelli) |
| Howard Poyourow | ... | dialogue coach |
Production Companies
- Columbia Pictures (presents)
- Rastar Films
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1982) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Film (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Films (1982) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures (1982) (Japan) (theatrical) (subtitled)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1984) (United States) (tv)
- Columbia Pictures (1985) (Japan) (VHS) (subtitled)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1994) (United States) (VHS)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2016) (United States) (DVD) (Sony Choice Collection)
- WOWOW Cinema (2019) (Japan) (tv) (subtitled)
- Fox Columbia Film Distributors (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Gaumont-Columbia-RCA (GCR) (1989) (France) (VHS)
- LK-TEL Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- LK-TEL (Argentina) (VHS)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1985) (Australia) (video)
- Rai 1 (1989) (Italy) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Pacific Title (titles)
- Echo Film Services (sound editing)
- Sylvia Fay Casting (extras casting: New York crew)
- Panavision (lenses and Panaflex® Camera by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
A boozy Broadway actress comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends as well as her needy daughter. She tries to balance the terrors of returning to work with the demands of all around her with humor and insight, while staying off the booze. Written by Ed Lorusso |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | It'll make you laugh...'til you cry. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Opening Weekend United States | $3,880,870, 27 Sep 1981 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | James Coco became the first actor to be nominated for both an Academy Award and a Razzie for the same performance. Coco won neither award. The only people to repeat this have been Amy Irving for Yentl (1983) and Glenn Close for Hillbilly Elegy (2020). See more » |
| Goofs | In one of the opening scenes when Marsha Mason's character is leaving the "Betty Ford Clinic" of the time, there is an employee, Sandy, who passes her by the stairs says good-bye but addresses her as Mrs. Simon instead Mrs. Hines the character's real name. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Continental Divide, Mommie Dearest, Only When I Laugh, Body Heat, First Monday in October (1981). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Heart See more » |
| Quotes |
Jimmy:
You're a lousy liar! Jimmy: I am a wonderful liar! I'm only lousy when I lie to you! See more » |