Desespero

A radio singer's wife turns to self destruction through alcoholism when her husband's success interferes with their life. Although it looks dated now and obviously was not a big budget Hollywood film, but this was Hayward's breakthrough performance and deservedly earned her a first Oscar nomination.

Allegedly, Susan Hayward got this breakthrough role because every other Hollywood actress turned it down, due to the fact that it is the story of Bing Crosby's wife, Dixie Lee. Whatever, it got Susan an Oscar nomination and put her on the road to meatier parts.

As other comments have pointed out, this was probably considered very hard-hitting back in the day. But while it's true that "The Lost Weekend" tackled alcoholism, this is the story of a woman alcoholic, and that carries a lot of baggage with it - baggage Hollywood probably wasn't ready to face in 1947. One of the stereotypes of female alcoholism is promiscuity, a subject not broached here. Also, rather than a slovenly, bedraggled appearance, Hayward looks gorgeous throughout. Had this subject been handled more brutally, it would have been groundbreaking. In 1947, alcoholics like Gail Russell hid out at home, leading miserable, lonely lives. Here, Hayward gives up her own successful singing career to be the stay at home wife of Lee Bowman, whose career takes off. (In Bowman's dubbing, they even give him those mellow, rounded Crosby-like tones.) Boredom, feeling left out, and jealousy lead her to consume more and more alcohol, although it's clear from the beginning of the film that she drinks for courage before performing.

Her downward cycle and the ending of the movie are all a little too pat, but Hayward does a good job with the material she's given. Lee Bowman is miscast as her successful husband - he lacks the charisma, breezy manner, and flirtatiousness one would associate with a successful pop singer of the era and displays none of the ambition one would suspect Crosby and Sinatra, for instance, possessed. He also lacks the self-involvement one would associate with a star of that magnitude, which would in turn drive his wife out of his life. This is more the fault of the script and the direction, however.

Eddie Albert is charming and gives an honest performance as partner and concerned friend.

Recommended if you want to see a young Susan Hayward in a meaty role.

There is a lot to like about this film and it's sure a shame that it's not better-known. Unfortunately, Miss Hayward was later given an Oscar for her WAAAAAY over the top performance in I WANT TO LIVE, whereas she only was nominated for this film. Oddly, Loretta Young won for THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER, a kooky and not particularly deep film--in my opinion Hayward definitely deserved the award. Perhaps she lost since she was a relative newcomer.

The reason I liked the film so much was that it was an excellent study of alcoholism as well as the contribution an enabling spouse can have on the drinking. This aspect of alcoholism was not explored in the award-winning LOST WEEKEND, plus LOST WEEKEND ended on a very unrealistic and overly optimistic note that just didn't ring true. In most ways, SMASH-UP was a better film (though the scenes of Ray Milland having DTs were incredible).

By the way, if you liked this film and want to see an even better film on drinking and a destructive relationship, try DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES--perhaps the best study of alcoholism ever put on screen.

Smash Up (1947)

A moving, dramatic story of a singer and then wife and mother and her battle with alcohol. At first you don't know this is going to figure, and it seems to be about a female singer stepping aside to let her new husband's singing career rise. Which it does. And singing dominates the first half to the point of being a musical (and to the point that some viewers might give up on it).

But don't. It's a really good film, the voices are strong even if very old fashioned, and the leading woman's performance is all out, really terrific. She got an Oscar nomination for this role and it's no wonder.

The leading man was probably chosen for his silky rich voice, but Lee Bowman is a very natural actor, and he keeps up his end of the relationship. And this relationship suffers, thanks to career and to the sharp looking and devious Marsha Hunt playing a secretary who likes this singer too much. There are lots of great scenes of parties and night clubs, and even (by contrast) raising a baby. There are lots of movies with these kinds of themes, including a baby who has a brush with death (I give nothing more away), and everything is played out with elegance and smarts.

The elegance comes from great cinematographer Stanley Cortez ("Night of the Hunter") and the smarts come from director Stuart Heisler ("The Glass Key") who never quite rose to his potential in the industry, turning eventually to television. The supporting cast is terrific, including a very natural and likable Eddie Albert, but it's Hayward to eventually steals the show. See her!

Susan Hayward's fine performance, for which she is deservedly well-remembered, is easily the best reason to watch this feature. Overall it is not bad, but mostly unremarkable, and it is Hayward's ability to make her character interesting, believable, and sympathetic that makes the rest of it work.

The story has many familiar elements, with Angie (Hayward's character) sacrificing her singing career for the sake of her husband's own singing career. Her ups-and-downs, her battle with alcoholism, and her fears about her relationships all provide good material for Hayward to work with.

As the husband, Lee Bowman is quite bland and one-dimensional, so much so that it almost looks deliberate. Eddie Albert helps out as the husband's partner, and Marsha Hunt gives a good performance as Angie's cold-blooded rival. Carl Esmond gets a couple of good moments as the caring doctor who tries to set things right.

While much of the story follows familiar formulas, it does bring out a few useful thoughts, and more than that it allows for a well-developed look at its main character. Its strengths as a character study and as an acting performance make it worthwhile, despite a few weaknesses elsewhere.