Only When I Laugh is a 1981 film based on Neil Simon's play The Gingerbread Lady.
The story is about an alcoholic Broadway actress who tries to stay sober while dealing with the problems of her teenaged daughter and her friends: an overly vain woman who fears the loss of her looks and a gay actor relegated to small roles in third-rate shows.
The film, written by Simon and directed by Glenn Jordan, stars Marsha Mason, Joan Hackett, James Coco and Kristy McNichol.
It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (James Coco), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Marsha Mason) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Joan Hackett).
Ironically, Coco was also nominated for Worst Supporting Actor in Golden Raspberry Awards in the same year.
A boozy Broadway actress (Marsha Mason) comes out of a 12-week cure to face the problems of her best friends (James Coco, Joan Hackett) as well as her needy daughter (Kristy McNichol). She tries to balance the terrors of returning to work with the demands of all around her with humor and insight, while staying off the booze. Written by Ed Lorusso
