Diga Adeus a Maggie Cole

Susan Hayward stars in her last appearance on film or TV in this story of a lady who is widowed and goes back to practicing medicine, after being away from it for 15 years, because she was in research with her husband. Forcing a change on herself to move forward, she goes to Chicago to fill a temporary vacancy at a 24-hour urgent care. But will she make the grade in new surroundings and after being away from it for so long? I really have no criticisms of this rather basic made-for-television movie. Any clichés of the story are practically glossed over by credible acting by its stars. Susan Hayward gives a gutsy performance, (but she was gutsy and great in all she was in) as the doctor determined to make good. And, actors Darren McGavin and Michael Constantine give solid support to Ms. Hayward as fellow doctors. Darren and Susan had good rapport together. And, veteran actor Jeanette Nolan is very moving as a somewhat bitter old lady, who says her meanness may be all she has to hold on to. The characters put in front of us become so real to the viewer, we feel we are there in Chicago. TV actress Beverly Garland is on hand as a devoted wife to a patient, who has an undiagnosed condition. I wish this were a TV series, where I could go back and see these characters and Ms. Susan Hayward, as they try to help the people who come in their doors, and in turn, are helping themselves. "Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole" was a worthy effort and a grand exit for one of Hollywood's better actresses.

Originally scheduled to be the pilot of a television series, Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole introduces a woman doctor, played by Susan Hayward, in a busy Chicago borough. She's been in research for fifteen years, but after her husband dies, she seeks a change and dives headfirst into practicing medicine. With a tough-love boss, Darren McGavin, a sympathetic nurse, and a variety of patients and ailments, it had all the earmarks of being as successful as Marcus Welby, M.D.

Tragically, and more than ironically tied in with the title, Susan Hayward was discovered to have a brain tumor due to filming on a radioactive location fifteen years earlier for The Conqueror. This was her last screen performance before her death, and the studio decided, rather than replace her and continue with the television series, to just release it as a standalone film. It's very sad to watch this healthy-looking powerhouse actress playing a doctor, when she herself was seriously ill. If you love Susan Hayward as I do, you'll probably be torn between wanting to see her last film and finding the backstory too sad. I decided to watch it, because I've seen Jean Harlow's-my other favorite actress-last film Saratoga. She died during the filming and was replaced by a double to finish the film; there are some scenes where her character is coughing and in bed with a cold, but she was actually ill. If I could sit through that tragedy, I could sit through Susan Hayward's last film.

If you decide to watch it and can put the sadness out of your mind, there's a lot of great elements to the film. The acting is good, and the characters are all likable. As in hospital dramas, some people die and some people are cured, and you'll be on the edge of your seat whenever someone gets diagnosed. Susan plays in another tough, energetic, feminist role, which is a perfect end to her career, and a somewhat comforting way for her audiences to say goodbye.

Unlike other star's of her era, (Bette Davis, Joan Crawford) Susan Hayward's last role is quite memorable and touching even for a TV Movie of the Week. Movie starts off with Susan's character having to watch her husband die in a small plane accident. He is at the controls while having a heart attack and crashes killing him. Movie then follows Susan around as she decides what to do with her life, she is a doctor. She then decides to give something back to the community and works in an inner city clinic. Movie is quite good, Susan is great as usual. Also listen for the haunting and beautiful opening theme by non other than Dusty Springfield. A very fitting and dignified exit for a talented actress like Hayward.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this film and am happy that Susan Hayward's last film was a good one. However, I must warn you...it's a sad film and you should have some Kleenex nearby as you watch!

When the film begins, Maggie's husband (Richard Anderson) dies and this middle-aged lady is looking to make some changes in her life. It just happens that Maggie (Hayward) is a doctor...she just hasn't practiced in 15 years. Soon she goes into practice with Dr. Grazzo (Darren McGavin). But putting up a shingle is not a smooth and easy process and Maggie experiences some ups and downs along the way. The toughest lesson is dealing with a young lady Maggie has grown to love...and the girl is dying.

Apart from the theme music which plays WAY too often, this is a very effective film with excellent acting. I I love the scrip--as it lacks the usual clichés. Actually, it's among the best of the ABC Movie of the Week installments I have seen...and I have seen quite a few.

Saw this movie as a teenager some 30 plus years ago, and it still impacts me today. Movie was a real tear jerker, and they just don't make them like this anymore. Hayward was fantastic in the role! Made me a huge Susan Hayward fan, and tried to see everything of hers that I could after this. But this one sticks out in my mind as one of her best, besides I Want to Live! If you are a Susan Hayward fan, then make a point to see this movie. I know it was an after school movie, one of those at 4:30 PM deals, but it was one worth seeing. Even though this was a "made for TV" deal, it could have had big success in the theaters if they had opted for that. To this day, I still don't know why they never did release it on the big screen. A real shame.