Only When I Laugh (film)

Only When I Laugh is a 1981 American comedy-drama film based on Neil Simon's 1970 play The Gingerbread Lady. The story is about alcoholic Broadway actress Georgia Hines who reenters society after a long stay in a rehab clinic. As she tries to stay sober there are the triple responsibilities of raising her estranged teenaged daughter Polly, getting a new acting role and maintaining her co-dependent relations with two close friends; Toby Landau, a wealthy, vain socialite who fears the loss of her youthful looks, and Jimmy Perrino, a gay, middle-aged actor who is frequently relegated to small roles in third-rate stage plays. Simon changed the main character's name to Georgia Hines for the film adaptation; the character was named Evy Meara in the stage version.