Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman (1947)

Director:

Stuart Heisler

Writers:

Dorothy Parker (story) &
Frank Cavett (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

March 1947 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Romance

Tagline:

Love-Wrecked!

Plot:

Angie Evans, fast-rising nightclub singer, interrupts her career to marry struggling songwriter Ken Conway...

Plot Keywords:

Songwriter | Alcoholism | Nightclub | Singer | Alcoholic

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Susan Hayward	...	Angelica 'Angie' 'Angel' Evans Conway
Lee Bowman	...	Ken Conway
Marsha Hunt	...	Martha Gray, Elliott's Secretary
Eddie Albert	...	Steve Nelson
Carl Esmond	...	Dr. Lorenz
Carleton Young	...	Fred Elliott
Charles D. Brown	...	Michael 'Mike' Dawson
Janet Murdoch	...	Miss Kirk, Baby Angelica's Nanny
Sharyn Payne	...	Angelica 'Angel' Conway
Robert Shayne	...	Mr. Gordon
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ernie Adams	...	Charley, Waiter (uncredited)
Erville Alderson	...	Farmer at Fire (uncredited)
Fred Aldrich	...	Doorman at Nightclub (uncredited)
Carol Andrews	...	Female Photographer (uncredited)
Brooks Benedict	...	Celebrant with Mr. Gordon (uncredited)
Larry J. Blake	...	Radio Station Emcee (uncredited)
Paul Bradley	...	Mike's Companion (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks	...	Clerk (uncredited)
Fred Browne	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Virginia Carroll	...	Woman (uncredited)
Douglas Carter	...	Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Tom Chatterton	...	Edwards, Ken's Butler (uncredited)
Dorothy Christy	...	Woman (uncredited)
Eddie Coke	...	News Photographer (uncredited)
James Conaty	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
James Craven	...	Sam Winsley (uncredited)
Matt Dennis	...	Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Laurie Douglas	...	Singer at the Raven Club (uncredited)
Cecil Elliott	...	Matron (uncredited)
Alice Fleming	...	Miss Tierman (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Inquisitive Party Guest (uncredited)
Charles Flynn	...	News Photographer (uncredited)
Cay Forrester	...	Young Woman (uncredited)
Joan Fulton	...	Angelica as baby (voice) (uncredited)
Phil Garris	...	Bellhop (uncredited)
William Gould	...	Judge (uncredited)
Beatrice Gray	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Sherry Hall	...	Cab Driver (uncredited)
Al Hill	...	Man (uncredited)
Victoria Horne	...	Woman (uncredited)
Eddie Kane	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Richard Kipling	...	Man (uncredited)
Peg La Centra	...	Angie's Singing Voice (voice) (uncredited)
Connie Leon	...	Mary, Angie's Maid (uncredited)
Willene Luckett	...	Baby in crib (uncredited)
Wilbur Mack	...	Radio Commentator (voice) (uncredited)
Caren Marsh	...	Bobby-Soxer (uncredited)
David McKim	...	Boy (uncredited)
George Meader	...	Attorney (uncredited)
George Meeker	...	Wolf, an Attorney (uncredited)
Harold Miller	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
Ralph Montgomery	...	Doorman (uncredited)
Frances Morris	...	Mrs. Benton, Baby's Nurse (uncredited)
Noel Neill	...	Girl at Party (uncredited)
Vivien Oakland	...	Woman at Bar (uncredited)
Steve Olsen	...	Bartender (uncredited)
George Ramsey	...	Cab Driver (uncredited)
Ed Randolph	...	Cab Driver (uncredited)
Joe Recht	...	Jimmy, an Elevator Boy (uncredited)
Ruth Sanderson	...	Maggie (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre	...	Poker Player (uncredited)
Lee Shumway	...	Benson, Doorman (uncredited)
Milburn Stone	...	Raven Club Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Clarence Straight	...	Man (uncredited)
John Valentine	...	Dr. Forbes (uncredited)
Nanette Vallon	...	Woman (uncredited)
Robert Verdaine	...	Maitre d' (uncredited)
John Wald	...	Radio Announcer at Cowboy Singing Show (uncredited)
Ethel Wales	...	Farmer's Wife at Fire (uncredited)
Barbara Woodell	...	Girl (uncredited)

Directed by
Stuart Heisler

Writing credits
Dorothy Parker		(story) &
Frank Cavett		(story)
John Howard Lawson		(screenplay)
Lionel Wiggam		(additional dialogue)

Produced by
Martin Gabel	....	associate producer
Walter Wanger	....	producer

Original Music by
Frank Skinner
Daniele Amfitheatrof		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Stanley Cortez		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Milton Carruth

Art Direction by
Alexander Golitzen

Set Decoration by
Russell A. Gausman
Ruby R. Levitt		(as Ruby Levitt)

Costume Design by
Travis Banton		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Carmen Dirigo	....	hair stylist
Jack P. Pierce	....	director of makeup

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fred Frank	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Charles Felstead	....	sound director
Joe Lapis	....	technician

Special Effects by
David S. Horsley	....	special photography

Music Department
David Tamkin	....	orchestrator

Other crew
Walter Wanger	....	presenter

Production Companies

• Universal International Pictures (UI)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1947) (USA) (theatrical)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• Filmiseppo (1948) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Universal (1948) (France) (theatrical) (as Universal Films S.A.)
• Finnkino (2009) (Finland) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2000) (Finland) (TV)

Also Known As:

A Woman Destroyed (UK)
Smash-Up

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Spain:15 | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #11977)

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

The PCA tried to dissuade Walter Wanger from making the film, because the subject was recently explored in the movie The Lost Weekend (1945) and excessive drinking violated the production code. Wanger convinced them that it is permitted for furthering the plot and characterization, and he was given PCA approval.

Quotes:

Martha Gray, Elliott's Secretary: I just remembered, I have an appointment with a headache.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Polyester (1981)

Soundtrack:

When Love is Young

Only worth seeing for Hayward

A successful singer Angelica Evans (Susan Hayward) gives up her career and marries unsuccessful singer Ken Conway (Lee Bowman). She happily sacrifices for him and his partner (Eddie Albert). Eventually he DOES hit it big, she has a baby...but he never has time for her--his rising career comes first. She slowly drifts into alcoholism.

This was probably hard-hitting in 1947 (a female alcoholic) but it's not even remotely surprising today. It tiredly follows all the rules of a drama like this leading to a jaw-dropping happy ending that was TOTALLY unbelievable (but the Production Code demanded that). Also Bowman is pretty stiff as the husband and this looks pretty cheap (it WAS independently financed).

Still Hayward is so good all the shortcomings can be forgiven. She dives into the role full force and gives everything she has to it. This film (understandably) made her a star and earned her an Academy Award nomination. She's just incredible--it's worth sitting through just for her acting. Also Albert is very good in his supporting role.

So it is dated and really not that good--but worth seeing for Haywood's strong, impressive performance.