Video Beaverhausen: Susan Hayward in I'll Cry Tomorrow

This was Susan Hayward's first of two Best Actress Oscar wins (the next would be for I Want to Live; both biopics). Being a star vehicle, the red-headed Hayward refused to go brunette to portray Lillian Roth, obviously thinking nobody knows what she looked like anyway, plus the film was in black-and-white.

Roth was what may seem to some to be a paradox: Jewish and alcoholic. But, believe me, I've known quite a few in my life. One, a woman named Ruth who set her apartment on fire when she passed out with a cigarette and two children in their penthouse.

Much later, she tragically died by passing out and bleeding to death after her head hit the coffee table. After that, her son and daughter paid for her burial but refused to attend. The rabbi gave a damning speech that shocked us before she was put to rest.

But enough about Ruth and more about Roth as I digressed!

The screenplay of I'll Cry Tomorrow is by Helen Deutsch, who blames Roth's stage-door mother for her problem. Very Freudian. Mom is played by the brilliant and intimidating Jo Van Fleet. Richard Conte and Ray Danton play the men in Susan's life. Hayward sang her own songs in this one, babies, and don't you ever forget it even if Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope!

Nothing's better than Susan playing the martyr, however. We expect as much from her. And nothing's better than her reprising playing a drunk as she did in Smash-up! She does it so convincingly!

There are marital problems, tragic losses, divorces, and domestic abuse. Great suffering Susan! Of course, as in Smash-up, there's her male friend, again played by Eddie Albert, to lead the way, getting more romantic with her on this outing.

Oddly, when Lillian Roth is seen at the AA meeting, everyone gets up and gives their full names. The total antithesis of Anonymous. Just not how it really goes, fyi.

Beautiful  black-and-white cinematography by Arthur E. Arling.

Moments of this movie were spoofed in John Waters' Polyester with Divine.

Video Beaverhausen: Down a Back Street with Susan Hayward

From Turner Classic Movies' Vault Collection comes the '60s tearjerker, Back Street (1961 version) starring Susan Hayward, John Gavin and Vera Miles. Virginia Grey is Susan's supportive roommate and Natalie Schaeffer's also in this. Reginald Gardner plays Susan's gay boss in NYC, where she becomes a successful fashion designer.

This film was made three years before Where Love Has Gone and is nearly as campy until it becomes completely tragic. It's a glossy, schmaltzy Universal Pictures Ross Hunter-produced movie to indulge in.

I was in a back street relationship once, back in the '70s when I was young and naive. So, I can relate to this film very well. I think many of us can. These extramarital affairs never end happily you know.



The screenplay is based on a novel by Fanny Hurst (Imitation of Life, Humoresque). Much drama is therefore ensured.

Vera Miles enters half-way through the film and almost steals it from Hayward as Gavin's abusive, alcoholic wife. She's best when she's in total bitch mode as she was in Autumn Leaves opposite Joan Crawford.



The sensational finale when Miles finally confronts Hayward at her fashion show is incredible and, possibly, will be indelibly in your memories as it is in mine.

I actually cried again during moments in the latter part of the movie. Especially at the tragic climax. It's still affecting today. The original film version starred Irene Dunne.

Frocks by Jean Louis who received an Oscar nomination for his work in this film. The ending may be corny but it's very affecting. A must-see. Please download, rent or purchase this video.

Video Beaverhausen: Smash-up ~ The Story of a Woman

Buddy B loves this 1947 film and not as a camp classic. Written by Dorothy Parker (yes, the Dorothy Parker!), this is a nascient feminist movie. Smash-up ~ The Story of a Woman is a dark, unsentimental film with a harrowing, unforgettable climax. Nothing's better than Hayward when she's wayward, as she is in this film directed by Stuart Heisler who directed many of Hollywood's "women's films" of the 1940s and '50s. Smash-up was actually subversive in its day, luring ladies in as a tear-jerker but delivering a much stronger, progressive message about forfeiting your career and identity in a marriage.

Single Susan has a singing career. Before her performances at the clubs (film is largely set in NYC where a lot of the outdoor filming takes place), she bolsters her nerves with a drink. That's how it starts; one little stinky-poo and she's on her way to all-day cocktails and burning down the house.

She is wooed and wed by handsome and debonair Lee Bowman. They have a baby. Lee, a songwriter in this film, becomes a celebrity crooner on the radio and a recording star. Hayward, typical of the time, gives up her promising career and becomes a stay at home housewife. This is, of course, enough to drive anyone to drink. Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker our anti-hero discovers. (The story is reputedly based on Bing Crosby's marriage with his first wife.)

Ladies, please take note: If you find yourself in the powder room and Susan Hayward should enter, get out of there immediately. Because, faster than you can say "hold my earrings," all hell's about to break loose. It happened in Valley of the Dolls and it happens in Smash-up.

Marsha Hunt works with Bowman a bit too closely, perhaps, at the studio. When the tipsy Ms Hayward confronts her in the ladies room with the line, "Look at you. Not a hair out of place," you just know she's going for that hair. Oh, yes, catfight lovers, don't miss this!

Eddie Albert (Green Acres) is in this. He plays Susan's platonic male friend and pianist. He assayed a similar role in I'll Cry Tomorrow, Susan's other big alky blow-out portrayal.

There are some great songs in this film, especially the haunting "Life Can Be Beautiful." Susan Hayward was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in this film and the screenplay received a nomination as well..

Ah, the lush life!

Travels with Beaverhausen: Where Love Had Gone This Weekend

A weekend getaway was just the necessary tonic after a frightful winter and from the daily grind. Even the MetroNorth train ride was relaxing! Looked out my window at all the bodies of water we passed: marinas, lakes, rivers. A beautiful and cloudless day, in the upper 80s, nothing could be more perfect for my visit. Except for my friends themselves, the heart and soul of my mini-vacation.

The train was only half-full, oddly but nice. Chalk it up to time of day or the fact that last weekend was the busy three-day holiday one or that college season's over for many? It was nice to spread out across empty seats for a change. Also nice view of the college boys aboard.

Tracey and Merv were so fabulous to be with. We enjoyed hours on their screened-in patio together, just talking and, occasionally, each of us giving some time to our individual notepads. Ah, modern life! Belated birthday gifts were exchanged. 

Later, Tracey made a fresh salsa and a dinner of pulled pork (made in a crock pot) on a roll with awesome bbq sauce plus large salad! Mmmmm-mmmmm good! Thanks to my second-cousin, Jessie Watson (Tracey's daughter), for that recipe. Tracey promises to pass it on though. The meal and condiments could be served through the window from kitchen to patio. Talk about stylin'!

Later, after dawn, we settled down on the couches in front of the big-screen tv in their living room to watch two Bette Davis movies from the Sixties -- early to late. We first watched Where Love Has Gone (Bette, Susan Hayward, Joey Heatherton http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2014/10/video-beaverhausen-where-love-has-gone.html
and The Anniversary (Bette at Hammer Studios UK). My hosts loved them both. Tray remarked on how, today, Anniversary still seems very cutting-edge black comedy. Our favorite line was La Davis to the actress playing her youngest son's fiancee, who was invited to sit next to her: "Now, could you sit over there? Body odor offends me."

I return to NYC today fully recharged with added vigor, ready to begin again, and happy to have shared the love and joy with very special friends. It's a cooler day threatening heavy rain later, but I came prepared with my new hooded rain-repellant parka.

We can't wait for my weekend hosts to come back to visit us in Bay Ridge!

Video Beaverhausen: Where Love Has Gone

Where Love Has Gone (1964), based on the Harold Robbins novel (loosely based on the Lana Turner scandal), became a film camp classic almost instantly, though it was drubbed by critics of the time of its release. I recently purchased the dvd at Barnes & Noble and watched it this afternoon.

It's high-gloss in the style of Ross Hunter producing Douglas Sirk a'la the Lana-starring Imitation of Life, but WLHG was produced by Joseph E. Levine and directed (awkwardly) by Edward Dmytryk (who previously brought tacky back with Walk on the Wild Side and The Carpetbaggers).

On the set, Susan Hayward was so rude to Bette Davis, the two screen divas barely spoke. In the film, Bette plays Susan's overbearing mother with great panache.  It's obvious that body doubles are used as much as possible.

This is trashy high camp with lots of glam to glaze things over. Joey Heatherton's in it, so is Mike Connors and, in supporting parts, DeForrest Kelly (Star Trek) and eternal co-stars Whit Bissell, Anne Seymour and Jane Greer.

Please check this out, camp lovers especially. From the moment Jack Jones begins crooning the title song, you know this is wallower's heaven.