Smash Up: Story Of A Woman (1947) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the film that made Susan Hayward a star. It is one of her top performances. Miss Hayward had been in Hollywood since 1938 or so and had really only done a slew of supporting performances. Then she got the lead in this and it was one of the biggest hits of 1947. She received the first of her five Academy Award nominations. And rightfully so, this film could have easily dissolved into typical 40's melodrama and tears, but Miss Hayward really manages to keep it a cut about all of that. She plays an up-and-comer singer who falls for another up-and-comer singer. They get married and she gives up her career to be a full-time wife and later mother. As her husband's star rises dramatically, she is often left at home while he's on the road, and of course taken for granted. Her husband's young woman business manager who travels with him and pines for him does not help matters. This leads to a severe drinking problem on Miss Hayward's part. As a result, her husband leaves her and keeps their child. Despite trying to sober up to make a professional comeback and to regain custody of the child, Miss Hayward suffers a relapse and both her life and the child's life are in danger. Not to spoil the ending, but it ends as any other 1940's film of this ilk ends.
Yet, Miss Hawyard really keeps this from slipping into silly melodrama. She plays the ignored wife/drunk really well. She creates a tremendous amount of sympathy for the character, and the subtle slide into alcoholism is well-handled. There are some really nice musical numbers in this as well. The rest of the cast is good, and the movie is a little daring in parts. She socializes with her husband's male friends, her husband has a woman business manager, and (gasp) Miss Hawyward lives with her husband briefly before they are married. Racy stuff for 1947! Overall, this is a joy to watch. It is Susan Hayward at her best.
The DVD is nice. The film is visually dark and this was actually distracting in parts, I'm not sure that this was some noir attempt or a bad transfer, but the sound is fine, particularly the songs. There are chapter selections that aren't much, and no extras. It's nice, however, that one of Susan Hayward's best roles is now available on DVD.

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