The length of Crawford's career is awesome...she remains the only major female player surviving from the Silent era. She must be, as she looks, as tough as old boots. Her life, as many others, might b fashioned after one of her scenarios: struggle, fight, get to the top, stay there... Michael Redgrave wrote (in 1955): ' How splendid that she can still outstare us all!' Perhaps that is the clue: the big eyes, the determination, the conviction she seemed to feel... The worse the film, the more mesmerizing she is, stalking through the jungle of clichés like a tigress burning brightly.
from 13th L & B Film Festival
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This filmgoer's choice
:( = really bad :| = ok :) = good :) :) :) = nearly perfect :) :) :) :) =classic
* means images not taken by Roy Tan
+ means photos own by Roy Tan
R means illustrations by Roy Tan
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Here are the films I have seen so far and would like to share with you.
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Possessed, 1931 MGM :)
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Grand Hotel, 1932 MGM :)
available at Tower Records (London)
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Sadie McKee, 1934 MGM :)
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Rain, 1932 MGM :)
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I Live My Live, 1935 MGM :)
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The Gorgeous Hussy, 1935 MGM :)
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Love on the Run, 1936 MGM :)
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The Last of Mrs Cheyney, 1937 :)
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The Bride Wore Red, 1937 MGM :(
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The Shinning Hour, 1938 MGM :)
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The Women, 1939 MGM :) :) :)
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A Woman's Face, 1941 MGM :) :) :)
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Susan and God, 1940 MGM :)
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When Ladies Meet, 1941 MGM :)
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They All Kissed the Bride 1942 MGM :)
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Reunion in France, 1942 MGM :)
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Above Suspicion, 1943 MGM :(
her last picture with MGM
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Mildred Pierce, 1945 Warner Bros :) :) :) :)
She won an Oscar for this film
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Humoresque, 1947 Warner Bros :) :) :)
R
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Possessed, 1947 Warner Bros :) :) :)
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Daisy Kenyon, 1947 20th Century-Fox :|
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Flamingo Road, 1949 Warner Bros :) :)
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Flamingo Road, directed by Jerry Wald.
Cast : Joan Crawford ( Lane Bellamy ) Zachary Scott, Sydney Greensteer.
Released in 1949 Warner Brother Picture.
R
Fact,Quote and Rumour
Crawford said declined the script of 'Beyond the Forest' ( which was Bette last flopped film with Warner)
and choose to played the carnival dancer in Flamingo Road.
In 1948 Davis starred in Winter Meeting, June Bride.
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The Damned Don't Cry, 1950 Warner Bros :) :)
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Harriet Craig, 1950 Columbia :) :) :) :)
Harriet Craig, directed by Vincent Sherman.
Cast :Joan Crawford (Harriet), Wendell Corey.
released 1950 Columbia Pictures. ISBN 0-8001-8552-8
R
Fact, Quote and Rumour
Bette Davis was nominated for her third Oscar for "All about Eve", but Joan Crawford was not nominated for "Harriet Craig" nor "The Damned don't cry" in that same year.
Bette Davis fell in love with Vincent Sherman while he was directing her in "Mr Skeffington". But Vincent Sherman subsequently was romantically linked with Joan Crawford. Did Crawford deliberately go after what Davis could not have?
"Men are so disloyal." said Harriet.
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Good-bye My Fancy 1951 Warner Brothers :(
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Sudden Fear, 1952 RKO :) :) :) :)
Sudden Fear, directed by Joseph Kaufman.
Cast : Joan Crawford ( Myra Hudson ), Jack Palance, Gloria Grahame.
Released in 1952 RKO Radio Pictures. DVD also available.
Fact, Quote and Rumour
Marlon Brando was consider to play the part of husband, but Brando was not interested in playing.In his own word 'any mother and sons pictures'.
Crawford was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Sudden Fear.
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Torch Song, 1953 MGM :) :)
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a rare collector's photo
Torch song, directed by Charles Walters.
Cast :Joan Crawford (Jenny Stewart-an aging Broadway Star ), Michael Wilding ( pianist ).
Released 1953 an MGM picture. ISBN 0-7928-0311-6
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Fact, Quote and Rumour
Joan Crawfords first collaboration with MGM since her departure from the studio ten years ago.
Crawford singing was later dubbed by India Adams.
"I am tough, that is why I will never be alone" sobbed Jenny.
"The face and boobs are new, only the ass is the same" said Crawford after cosmetic surgery for her comeback at MGM.
"Michael played a blind musician, he didn't have to look at Ms Crawford for the entire film." said Liz Talor, the real Mrs Michael Wilding.
"A drag queen let loose on film"-a film critic said of the movie.
''Here is Joan Crawford...in command, in love and in color, a real movie star...'' New York Herald Tribute.
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Johnny Guitar, 1954 Republic :) :)
Directed by Nicolas Ray (who directed Rebel without a cause), cast :Joan Crawford (Vienna), Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, released 1954, Republic Pictures, 4 Front video 0585843.
available at HMV (London)
R
Fact, Quote and Rumour
Johnny Guitar flopped mostly, but was a hit in France. Someone once said, "Crawford is a phenomenon, she is becoming more manly as she grows older."
"I've never seen a woman who was more like a man. Looks like one, acts like one, and sometimes makes me feel I'm not." - from one of the cowboys in "Johnny guitar" referring to Crawford's character.
Crawford physically attacked Mercedes to the extent that she required hospitalization.
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Queen Bee, 1955 Columbia :) :) :) :)
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Queen Bee, directed by Mr. MacDougall.
Cast : Joan Crawford ( Eva Philips ), Barry Sullivan, John Ireland.
Released in 1955, Columbia Picture.
available at HMV (London)
Fact,Quote and Rumour
In this movie Crwaford played the part of a ruthless, depraved Southern woman who dominates and destroys those who loved her.
'That wasn't any acting job, it was exactly the way I knew her at home' said her adopted child.
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Autumn Leaves, 1956 Columbia :) :)
Autumn Leaves, directed by Robert Aldrich.
Cast : Joan Crawford ( Millicent Wetherby ), Cliff Robertson.
Released in 1956, Columbia Pictures.
R
Fact,Quote and Rumour
A dialogue coach recalled his meeting with the star on a Sunday afternoon. 'She was laying on a white chaise lounge by the pool. Ms Crawford was having her manicure, dictating letters to her secretary. I read lines to her whenever she had a moment to spare. She was playing the 'executive-actress' to the hilt.''
unlike the glamorous star Davis was playing an aged librian in a film called Storm Center.
On the set of Autumn Leaves Crawford started to drink 'white water' in the afternoon and throughout the day, everyone knows it was a paper cup filled with vodka.But it never hindered the filming.
Davis was in The Virgin Queen with a fresh British import - Joan Collins.''She can speak correctly, but she can't act for shit'' said Davis.
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The Story of Esther Costello, 1957 Columbia :) :)
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The Story of Esther Costello, directed by David Miller.
Cast : Joan Crawford ( Margaret Landi ), Heather Sears ( Esther Costello ), Rossano Brazzi.
Released in 1957, Columbia Picture.
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Fact,Quote and Rumour
Crawford co - produced the film, the original budget for her wardrobe was seventy thousand dollars then cut down to a measly forty thousand dollars like leaving the mink off the bottom of one dress...
Davis was in 'Storm Center'.
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The Best of Everything, 1959 20th Century-Fox :)
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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962 Warner Bros :) :) :)
What ever happened to Baby Jane, directed by Robert Aldrich, cast : Bette Davis (Jane Hudson),
Joan Crawford (Blanche), Victor Buono, released 1962 by Warner Bros. PES11160
available at HMV (London)
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Fact, Quote and Rumour
When Crawford brought the "perfect" script to Davis, Crawford said, "Perfect for us, phony Joan and crazy Bette."
"I think Crawford's greatest performance is playing herself"- Davis.
"I am not from the legitimate theater as Ms Davis, but I am as much an actress as she is "- Crawford.
Crawford was rumoured to have campaigned amongst the academy members, not to vote for Bette Davis when she was nominated for an Oscar.
Baby Jane was the only film in which these two stars work together. In "Hollywood Canteen", the two stars did not have any scenes in which they appeared together.
"She always finds a way to steal a scene."-Crawford.
"Hush,hush, sweet Charlotte" was meant to have them working together again after the success of Baby Jane, but Joan Crawford had this mysterious illness (part-not-juicy-enough-itis) and was eventually replaced by
Olivia De Havilland'.
Bette Davis claimed that she wished "Baby Jane" had been a flopp. As ever since they made that ONE film together, she's had to eternally endure their names being linked together.
Crawford bad-mouthing Davis cost, the latter, her Oscar.
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The Caretakers, 1963 United Artists :)
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Strait Jacket, 1964 Columbia :) :)
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a rare collector's photo
Strait-Jacket, directed by William Castle.
Cast : Joan Crawford ( Lucy Harbin ), Diane Baker.
Released in 1964 by Columbia Pictures ISBN 0-8001-7699-5
R
Fact,Quote and Rumour
One of Crawford's last four films.
"Strait-Jacket" did better in the box office than did Davis's "Dead Ringer". This was owing to Crawford's promoting the film from city to city with her gimmick, her Axe.
"She accused me of using a Baby Jane doll to promote the film and now she is copying me with a goddamn axe!"
- Davis, when asked to comment.
"I must say I am full of admiration for Crawford, for even in crap like this she gives a performance."-one critic said.
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I Saw What You Did, 1965 Universal :)
I Saw What You Did, directed by William Castle.
Cast : Joan Crawford ( Amy Nelson ), John Irland ( who CO-star with Crwaford in Queen Bee ).
Released in 1965 Universal Pictures.
R
Fact,Quote and Rumour
George Cukor said Crawford always rationalized what she film she choosed and believed they were quality scripts.
Throughout the sixties Davis and Crawford's name were synonymous with horror movies.
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Berserk, 1968 Columbia :)
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Trog, 1970 Warner Bros :)
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All illustrations in this site is by Roy Tan copyright (1997)
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If there is corrections or anything you want to add please
e-mail me at roytan@tanphotos.co.uk
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