Errol

Merci for the kind words. Admittedly, the Internet now negates where one resides to an extent, but before that, the tyranny of distance certainly applied and when it came to opportunities such as your getting to see Susan live etc - we were almost at the end of world here. No wonder so many Australians travelled extensively in the Northern Hemisphere between the 50's and the 80's.

Glad to hear you sounding stronger - I hope your health improves rapidly.

Kerry

So pleased to hear you are feeling better Errol - my sympathies regarding your computer loss.

Regarding the fact that Jane Russell was offered the role of Lillian Roth - I had read at the time of the filming that she was one of the girls up for it - but if I remember, not that she was definitely offered it. I have been searching through my Scrapbooks to verify this but haven't come up with anything. I could never imagine Jane as Lillian but then we were all treated to the fantastic Susan in the role. NO-ONE COULD EVER HAVE COME CLOSE to how she played Lillian. Well, no-one could ever come close to Susan Hayward period!! Also, we would never have had the pleasure of hearing Susan sing - and all these years later - still playing her songs from this wonderful movie.

Trish

Ginger,

I have just come across a letter on Susan's IMDb Board for I'll Cry Tomorrow dated August 3, 2006.

The writer mentions June Allyson, Jane Russell, Jane Wyman, Janet Leigh, Jean Simmons, Piper Laurie and Grace Kelly to play Lillian.

Thank heavens it was Susan! (not that I have anything against the afore-mentioned ladies).

Trish

I have just realised that there was mention of Jane Russell for I'll Cry Tomorrow on page 131 of The Divine ***** by Doug McClelland.

Trish

Okay, thanks Trish, and I just hated the title of that book...it was changed later wasn't it?

Yes Ginger, when the book "The Divine ******** was reprinted in 1975 it included a few extra pages saying that Susan had passed away and was then re-titled "The Complete Life Story of Susan Hayward ... Immortal Screen Star. I have copies of both books.

Apparently Susan was curious regarding the title of The Divine ***** but McClelland told her it was just applying to her "screen" roles so she gave him the "go ahead" with the title. I loved the mention in his book that Hayward had given him the most pleasure over the years as she was always more "alive" than any other actress. We can all attest to that can't we?

Trish