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Only When I Laugh

  • 1981
  • R
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
Kristy McNichol and Marsha Mason in Only When I Laugh (1981)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:53
2 Videos
10 Photos
ComedyDrama

A Broadway actress fresh out of rehab navigates sobriety, her career, demanding daughter, and supporting her troubled friends' personal crises.A Broadway actress fresh out of rehab navigates sobriety, her career, demanding daughter, and supporting her troubled friends' personal crises.A Broadway actress fresh out of rehab navigates sobriety, her career, demanding daughter, and supporting her troubled friends' personal crises.

  • Director
    • Glenn Jordan
  • Writer
    • Neil Simon
  • Stars
    • Marsha Mason
    • Kristy McNichol
    • Ed Moore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    1.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Glenn Jordan
    • Writer
      • Neil Simon
    • Stars
      • Marsha Mason
      • Kristy McNichol
      • Ed Moore
    • 19User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos2

    Only When I Laugh
    Trailer 2:53
    Watch Only When I Laugh
    Only When I Laugh: Leaving The Hospital
    Clip 1:28
    Watch Only When I Laugh: Leaving The Hospital

    Photos10

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    + 2
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    Top cast33

    Edit
    Marsha Mason
    Marsha Mason
    • Georgia
    Kristy McNichol
    Kristy McNichol
    • Polly
    Ed Moore
    • Dr. Komack
    Joan Hackett
    Joan Hackett
    • Toby
    James Coco
    James Coco
    • Jimmy
    Nancy Nagler
    • Heidi
    Dan Monahan
    Dan Monahan
    • Jason
    David Dukes
    David Dukes
    • David
    Ellen La Gamba
    • Receptionist
    Michael A. Ross
    • Paul
    • (as Michael Ross)
    Venida Evans
    Venida Evans
    • Nurse Garcia
    Tom Ormeny
    Tom Ormeny
    • Kyle
    Peter Coffield
    Peter Coffield
    • Mr. Tarloff
    John Bennett Perry
    John Bennett Perry
    • Actor (Lou)
    Byron Webster
    Byron Webster
    • Tom
    Ken Weisbrath
    • Waiter
    Jane Atkins
    • Doreen
    Henry Olek
    Henry Olek
    • George De Vane
    • Director
      • Glenn Jordan
    • Writer
      • Neil Simon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Coco became the first actor to be nominated for both an Academy Award and a Razzie for the same performance. Coco won neither award. The only people to repeat this have been Amy Irving for Yentl (1983) and Glenn Close for Hillbilly Elegy (2020).
    • Goofs
      In one of the opening scenes when Marsha Mason's character is leaving the "Betty Ford Clinic" of the time, there is an employee, Sandy, who passes her by the stairs says good-bye but addresses her as Mrs. Simon instead Mrs. Hines the character's real name.
    • Quotes

      Jimmy: You're a lousy liar!

      Jimmy: I am a wonderful liar! I'm only lousy when I lie to you!

    • Alternate versions
      NBC edited 24 minutes from this film for its 1984 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Continental Divide, Mommie Dearest, Only When I Laugh, Body Heat, First Monday in October (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Heart
      from Damn Yankees (1958)
      Music and Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
      Performed by Kristy McNichol (uncredited) and Nancy Nagler (uncredited)

    User reviews19

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10

    Simon, Mason, Coco, Hackett, and McNichol - How Can You Go Wrong!

    Marsha Mason's performance of a lifetime - snubbed by the academy. This was by far her best performance since The Goodbye Girl. This film was not your ordinary Niel Simon flick. A tour-de-force with all the elements: Tears, Laughter, and each character going through their own seperate turmoil. James Coco is great as the gay wannabe actor/best friend. Joan Hackett is brilliant as Toby Landau, the aging Park Avenue beauty, who dreads growing old. Ms. Hackett won a Golden Globe for her performance in this film. Oscar nominations for Mason, Hackett, and Coco. Too bad none of them won.
    • jamie-81
    • Jul 17, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Only When I Laugh?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 25, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Neil Simon's Only When I Laugh
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Rastar Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,524,778
    • Gross worldwide
      • $25,524,778
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Kristy McNichol and Marsha Mason in Only When I Laugh (1981)
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