Only When I Laugh (1981): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Only When I Laugh is a 1981 comedy drama directed by Glenn Jordan, starring Marsha Mason as Georgia, Joan Hackett and James Coco. It runs 2 hours and earned $25.5 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h (120 min)
- Director
- Glenn Jordan
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Only When I Laugh About?
The premise of Only When I Laugh without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film blends comedy and drama as a formerly boozy Broadway actress emerges from a twelve‑week rehab program and must confront the crises of her close friends while caring for her demanding daughter. She tackles the fear of returning to the stage and the pressures around her, using wit and insight to stay sober.
Only When I Laugh Themes & Keywords
· 45 tags- literature on screen
- american literature on screen
- humoristic literature on screen
- american humoristic literature on screen
- 20th century literature on screen
- alcoholic woman
- drug and alcohol rehab center
- stage actress
- mother daughter relationship
- playwright
- gay best friend
- best friend
+33 more Show fewer
- apartment
- sobriety
- play within a movie
- rehearsal
- cigarette smoking
- divorce
- falling off the wagon
- drinking from a bottle
- black eye
- ex husband ex wife reunion
- screenplay adapted by author
- 17 year old
- 17 year old girl
- gay character
- friend
- rehabilitation
- high school senior
- alcohol abuse
- 38 year old
- ex husband ex wife relationship
- crying woman
- manhattan new york city
- embarrassment
- ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship
- tomboy
- divorcee
- broadway manhattan new york city
- adolescence
- friendship
- based on a stage play
- insecurity
- 38 year old woman
- new york city
Only When I Laugh Cast & Characters
Marsha Mason leads the cast as Georgia, with Joan Hackett as Toby and James Coco as Jimmy. Directed by Glenn Jordan; 33 actors are credited in all.
- Director Glenn Jordan
-
Marsha Mason as Georgia -
Joan Hackett as Toby - James Coco as Jimmy
-
Kristy McNichol as Polly
Also Starring in Only When I Laugh
· 29 more- David Dukes David
- Rebecca Stanley Denise Summers
- Dan Monahan Jason
- Kevin Bacon Don
- Guy Boyd Man in Bar
- Byron Webster Tom
- Kathryn Janssen Woman in Crowd (uncredited)
- John Vargas Manuel
- John Bennett Perry
- Henry Olek George De Vane
- Tom Ormeny Kyle
- Peter Coffield Mr. Tarloff
- Antic Melkior Man in Car (uncredited)
- Venida Evans Nurse Garcia
- Frank Slaten Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Ron Levine Gary
Show all 33 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Nick Lapadula Bartender
- Llewellyn Lafford Car Driver (uncredited)
- Mark Schubb Adam Kasabian
- Michael A. Ross Paul
- Birdie M. Hale Super's Wife
- Ed Moore Dr. Komack
- Nancy Nagler Heidi
- Ellen La Gamba Receptionist
- Ken Weisbrath Waiter
- Jane Atkins Doreen
- Phillip Lindsay Super
- Wayne Franson Father
- Steve Kelley Jeffrey Kramer (uncredited)
More from Glenn Jordan
More films directed by Glenn Jordan: Lucy, Midwives, Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter’s End and Night Ride Home.
Only When I Laugh Plot Summary
What happens in Only When I Laugh from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
After completing rehab, Georgia Hines returns to her Manhattan apartment with a careful plan to stay sober and slowly ease back into theatre work. She is greeted by two close friends who have become a chosen family: Jimmy Perrino, a gay unemployed actor, and Toby Landau, a sophisticated socialite who carries herself with polished ease. Georgia openly declares her commitment to sobriety, and the trio tries to support her as she navigates the fragile line between recovery and the temptations that linger in their circle. Georgia’s teenaged daughter, Polly, lives with her father and Polly’s new stepmother Felicia, but Polly asks if she can move in with Georgia. Georgia agrees, hoping it marks a fresh start for both of them.
Full summary
The whole story of Only When I Laugh, scene by scene
Only When I Laugh Box Office
Only When I Laugh grossed $25.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$25.5M
- US & Canada
- $25.5M
How Well Do You Know Only When I Laugh?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of Georgia's teenage daughter?
Cars in Only When I Laugh
42 cars on screen, including the 1981 Cadillac Seville and the 1974 Checker Taxicab.
-
1981 Cadillac Seville Important role -
1974 Checker Taxicab Minor role -
1974 Dodge Coronet Minor role -
1977 Dodge Monaco Minor role
Only When I Laugh Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Только когда я смеюсь” and “Tylko gdy się śmieję”.
- Also known as
-
- Только когда я смеюсь
- Tylko gdy się śmieję
- Mrs. Hines & Tochter
- Solo quando rido
- O Doce Sabor de um Sorriso
- 허울 좋은 여자
- Sólo cuando me río
- Només quan ric
- 酸甜苦辣母女会
Seen Only When I Laugh?
Movies Like Only When I Laugh
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Postcards from the Edge, If Only and Applause.
Only When I Laugh FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Only When I Laugh, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Only When I Laugh?
Only When I Laugh runs 2 hours (120 minutes).
When was Only When I Laugh released?
Only When I Laugh was released on September 25, 1981.
Who directed Only When I Laugh?
Only When I Laugh was directed by Glenn Jordan.
More films by Glenn Jordan Who is in the cast of Only When I Laugh?
Only When I Laugh stars Marsha Mason as Georgia, Joan Hackett as Toby and James Coco as Jimmy, among 33 credited actors.
How much did Only When I Laugh make at the box office?
Only When I Laugh grossed $25.5 million worldwide.
Does Only When I Laugh have a post-credit scene?
No. Only When I Laugh has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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