Lillian Roth was a star of stage musicals & appeared in several successful films in the early sound era, but her career was ruined by alcoholism & disastrous marriages. Alcoholics Anonymous saved her life, & Roth told the whole story in her 1954 autobiography, I'LL CRY TOMORROW. Susan Hayward wrote to studio head Dore Schary that the story "combines the best elements of my two favorite films, SMASH-UP and WITH A SONG IN MY HEART", and landed the role of Roth in MGM's film version of I'LL CRY TOM

I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955) is a biopic that tells the story of Lillian Roth, a Broadway star who rebels against the pressure of her domineering mother and struggles with alcoholism after the death of her fiancé. It stars Susan Hayward, Richard Conte, Eddie Albert, Margo, and Jo Van Fleet. The screenplay was adapted by Helen Deutsch and Jay Richard Kennedy from the 1954 autobiography by Lillian Roth, Mike Connolly and Gerold Frank. It was directed by Daniel Mann. The film won the Academy Award for

Susan Hayward sang for the first time onscreen in the stirring biopic I'LL CRY TOMORROW ('55). The film tells the true story of singer Lillian Roth’s battle with alcoholism. Hayward was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress. | Turner Classic Movies: TCM