One of my favorite actresses , Susan Hayward shines in this melodrama ,which sometimes looks like a blueprint for "I'll cry tomorrw" , for which she was awarded an AA nomination .
Reportedly based on a famous singer's wife 's story, "smash-up " tells the tale of a woman who sacrifices her career -and looks like some kind of "a star is born" in reverse ,victim of her husband's selfishness and ungratefulness: the turning point is the phone call when the hubby -star is having a party ,then when he accuses her of neglecting her sick daughter whereas she spent hours and hours of distress at her bedside .
Her chronic alcoholism makes sense in this context ;besides,the presence of coy Martha (good support by Marsha Hunt ) does not help .
Not only alcoholism but also custody of children are contemporary problems .
Reportedly based on a famous singer's wife 's story, "smash-up " tells the tale of a woman who sacrifices her career -and looks like some kind of "a star is born" in reverse ,victim of her husband's selfishness and ungratefulness: the turning point is the phone call when the hubby -star is having a party ,then when he accuses her of neglecting her sick daughter whereas she spent hours and hours of distress at her bedside .
Her chronic alcoholism makes sense in this context ;besides,the presence of coy Martha (good support by Marsha Hunt ) does not help .
Not only alcoholism but also custody of children are contemporary problems .