idiotic plot points
Why did Margaret (who was clearly a well-known actress who had won an Academy Award) think for a minute she could get a job in a department store under a fake name and no one would recognize her? (As it turns out, everyone did. . .and very quickly).
And even though she was no longer able to land leading roles in top pictures, why wouldn't she have still been able to do supporting roles or television work, as many other former big names did after they were no longer top stars?
PS post: Sure, Margaret may not have WANTED to accept lesser parts (even though she was totally broke and clearly needed money) but according to the plot, her agent was unable to even get her ANY offers for acting roles.
Even if Margaret was the most difficult has-been in show biz, there had to have some producer who would have been eager to cash in on her name, even in a cut-rate production.
In early Fifties following decline of long-term studio contracts, many formerly well-known movie actors who suddenly were at liberty (or those who had simply aged out of top roles) were forced to accept work in supporting parts, B movies, fledgling TV industry, summer stock or other lower-tier entertainment venues. . .and to think a relatively recent Oscar winner couldn't land ANY kind of acting assignment (even if it it was not up to previous stellar standards) is just hard to believe.