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The original 'A Star Is Born' that nobody talks about.
TMDB
64
IMDb
63
Rotten Tomatoes
58
Audience Score
59
Google
77
Watch(US)

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

pre-Code melodrama energygin-soaked tragedySusan Hayward screaming at walls

Overview

Drama

A nightclub singer uses alcohol in excess to sooth her painful life.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
alcoholismalcoholicnightclub singeralcoholic singeralcoholic woman

Standout Aspects

Acting

Hayward's Oscar-nominated spiral—raw, ugly, unforgettable.

Direction

Heisler stages addiction like a horror film.

Best for:Solo: Rainy night when you want to feel something terrible.·Rewatch: Spot the moments Hayward's eyes go dead.
Heads up:Emotional: Child endangerment scene that'll gut you.·Triggers: Unflinching 1940s alcoholism—no soft edges.
Stuart Heisler

Director

Stuart Heisler

ReleasedMar 1, 1947
Runtime1h 43m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensityhigh
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Universal International Pictures

Top Cast

Susan Hayward

Susan Hayward

Angie Evans

Lee Bowman

Lee Bowman

Ken Conway

Marsha Hunt

Marsha Hunt

Martha Gray

Eddie Albert

Eddie Albert

Steve Nelson

Carl Esmond

Carl Esmond

Dr. Lorenz

Carleton Young

Carleton Young

Fred Elliott

Charles D. Brown

Charles D. Brown

Mike Dawson

Robert Shayne

Robert Shayne

Mr. Gordon

Larry J. Blake

Larry J. Blake

Emcee (uncredited)

George Meeker

George Meeker

Wolf (uncredited)

Erville Alderson

Erville Alderson

Farmer (uncredited)

George Meader

George Meader

Attorney (uncredited)

Ask about Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

RKO rushed this to beat 'A Star Is Born' to theaters—both released 1947, both about alcoholic women in entertainment.

Cultural

This was Hayward's breakthrough—she'd spend her career playing women who suffered beautifully. Studio marketed it as 'Love-Wrecked!' which sounds like a rom-com. Liars.

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