I agree. No one can touch her in terms of star iconography, pop culture mythology, beauty, glamour, style, mystique, scandals, feuds, and durability/staying power across film eras spanning silent films and talkies. You simply cannot remain indifferent in front of her as she demands your undivided attention. In short, her fame and iconography transcend Hollywood and shall remain eternally enshrined in the pop culture, à la Graucho, Elvis, Monroe, Chaplin, Temple (as in Shirley), Dean (as in James). 'Icon' is an understatement.
I just finished one of her biographies, and she would not agree with you. She had a few performances that she was very displeased with, but I would say overall she was a great star and a remarkable actress.
@@richardmayora1289She didn't like Johnny Guitar or Rain and those two movies have really good performances by her. The thing is that she was very auto critical
* 2 out of 4, Christopher II too. Had Joan "owned' you as a child publicity-asset and image-laundering adoptee, straitjacketed you as a young boy nitely into bed long term, and (per JC dinner party guest witness, actress Natalie Schaeffer) forcefed you a giant box of bonbons, to punish for eating 2 (a pediatrician and/or social worker would have been horrified, moved to revoke her custody), your idolatry of her would be tempered by her Hyde side. Great actress, horrid mother to her first two adoptees.
The two older children were abused, the two youngest were not abused. The two youngest were about three when the two older children were sent to boarding school. So the two youngest never saw the abuse of the two oldest children.
@@virginiaschaefer9693 Christina was born June 1939. Joan’s 3rd husband Phillip Terry lived in the home July 1942-Dec 1945. He denied ever seeing abuse. Joan’s twins were born Jan 1947. The twins denied ever seeing abuse. Christina was sent to boarding school Feb 1950. During all this, Joan’s secretary Betty Barker was constantly in the Crawford home. Barker denied ever seeing abuse.
I have almost 50 of Joan's movies. My personal Top 10 Best Joan Performances would be; 1. Possessed (47) 2. Sudden Fear 3. Humoresque 4. Mildred Pierce 5. A Woman's Face 6. Strange Cargo 7. Daisy Kenyon 8. Mannequin 9. Dancing Lady 10. Johnny Guitar I do think Joan should rank among the Top 10 Movie Stars. Joan first appeared as Norma Shearer's body double in 1925, and her last movie was in 1970. That's a hell of a career for someone that started in the silent era. I do personally rank Joan above Bette Davis. I feel Joan showed more range throughout her career than Bette. Plus I consider Joan to be the Queen of Film Noir.
Great list! I might swap out Flamingo Road for Daisy and The Women for Johnny Guitar (even though she only has a supporting role, but she's so damn good in it!)
Strange Cargo is a movie that gets better upon re-watching. It's both powerful and subtle. Compare it to her first pairing with Gable - Dance, Fools, Dance - which is good, but you really get to see how JC grew as an actress.
Whoever narrated and edited this video is absolutely phenomenal!!! You captured the essence of truly who the real actresses Joan Crawford is. Thank you for sharing so many brilliant Easter eggs 🪺 and gems 💎 throughout the video. You did an incredible job!!! Thank you!!! We love Joan Crawford she is our very favorite Actress of all time!
Joan was a true definotion of a mobie star and was a total professional. She was dedicated to her art throughout her career and championed lots of young actors, writers and producers. When you watch her movies, Joan is the one you watch, the one who stands out in every scene. She had a tough childhood and worked her way out of poverty to become one of Hollywood ls greatest stars but she never forgot her loyal fans saying " No studio or studio head made me a star. It was the fans who brought tickets to watch my movies. They made me a star." Joan was humble and kind. In every movie she made, she knew all the crew and technicians by their first name.
A thoughtful and fair overview of a determined human being. She was always fully invested no matter what material she performed, excellent or questionable. In Autumn Leaves, she plays a work-at-home transcriptionist just scraping by. The physical business of typing, gathering, and collating paperwork as she prepares to meet a deadline while engaging in neighborly small talk makes this scene believable and sets the story in motion. In an interview, she reflected that her most significant regret was not getting further than the sixth grade. Yet she performs these small but pivotal moments with poise and knowledg
She easily should have 2 or 3 Academy Awards as a lead actress, and perhaps 2 in a supportive role. She was an impeccable actress, easily in the Top 10.
Joan Crawford was the BEST actress of all time and she did extremely great acting in ALL of her roles she played but i think Rain , Mildred Pierce ,Humouresqe, The Women and Possessed ( 1947) are her top 5 best acting .
The lady was great! The “MD people” will never know how incredibly good, loving and what a brilliant artist she really was! Thank you for your attempt at waking others up!! ❤️💐🌹🙌
I've enjoyed many of her films, and will continue to do so. You can watch them over and over again and it never gets old. And it's all because of her, Joan🤗⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I caught that too. (“How’s that again??” sez I to myself 🤔) But as the other commenter mentions, the narration is overall real pleasant to listen to. Sexy voice!
My fav person ever, thank you for this gem, wish someone prepared me for the humoresque ending I wasn’t ready, devastated me, she should’ve won an Oscar 100 percent for it
I don't understand why anyone wants to know the ending of a movie they've never seen before isn't that the whole purpose not knowing what's going to happen?
Thank you for putting Sudden Fear at third. Joan was involved in every aspect of this film and few people remember now that this was a BIG hit film with lines around the block. If you think Crawford couldn't act, just watch the scene in Gloria Grahame's apartment. She's holding a gun and catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror and her face conveys a half dozen different emotions by expression alone; shock, self disgust, grief and more.
Yes!!!! Her face said it all!!! And the scenes: hiding in the closet with the little toy coming toward it. OMG. And the chase scene on the apartment balconies....Her driving down the hill before the car crash...My heart was beating so fast!!! OMG, masterful piece on cinema.
I think the performances that I like best are in The Damned Don't Cry and Flamingo Road. She ~looked~ her most beautiful in Humoresque and I am convinced that George Stevens got his inspiration for the Taylor/Clift kiss in A Place in the Sun after seeing Joan swoon in the balcony as she watches Garfield play his violin. That balcony close up of Joan overcome by watching Garfield (overcome is the right word, in more ways than one) is phenomenally beautiful. Right up there with Garbo's final scene in Queen Christina.
I so agree on these! She was wonderful in A Woman's Face, and you are right, she really deserved a lot of respect for that role as it WAS a very brave and very nuanced performance. I also loved her in 'Autumn Leaves.' That wonderful scene where she is in the theatre and reminisces about all her lost opportunities for love.... just that look on her face where she doesn't utter a word was so heartbreaking. I also love what she had said about the film: "Everything clicked on Autumn Leaves. The cast was perfect, the script was good, and I think Bob [Aldrich] handled everything well. I really think Cliff did a stupendous job; another actor might have been spitting out his lines and chewing the scenery, but he avoided that trap. I think the movie on a whole was a lot better than some of the romantic movies I did in the past...but somehow it just never became better known."
You are absolutely correct about the theater scene in "Autumn Leaves". Her amazing face could express heartfelt emotion far more powerfully than any words! Thank you for drawing attention to that scene.
So many great films! And so many I still need to watch! Not only is she an incredible actress, she’s a prolific one! Thanks for this. So well done and fun to watch!
This video gives Joan Crawford the recognition she truly deserves. I would rate Mildred Pierce as no 1 and Possessed, the runner up. Joan Crawford is still so underrated. She is a far better and more dedicated actress than Norma Shearer, studio politics denied Joan a lot of the roles she might have excelled in at MGM and although she loved working at the studio she did get better parts elsewhere.
My late mother who was born in 1920 having watched a season of Joan Crawford’s films said, “I didn’t realise that Joan Crawford was such a good actress”. This matters because many other people didn’t realise it either. I am glad that this video has been made because Joan Crawford deserves it. She was a terrific actress who was forced to play second fiddle to Norma Shearer at MGM throughout the 1930s. Joan was fantastic in Rain especially playing opposite the great Walter Huston. Joan did help a lot of young actresses, interestingly, the start of her dislike for Norma Shearer was due to the fact that Shearer who was a few years older and more experienced treated Joan coldly when she first started out, Joan had hoped she might be a friend and mentor. This video is really well researched and at its best when your enthusiasm for Joan’s work shines through, unfortunately l don’t much like the silliness, it’s not necessary and detracts from what is otherwise a very fine piece of work.
Thank you so very much for watching and supporting! I know, sometimes my silliness can take over haha, I like to have too much fun sometimes. But God how I can watch Joan over and over again. She is absolutely timeless.
My favorite Joan Crawford movies are Mildred Peirce, I live my life, The Women, Susan and God, Possessed, Harriet Craig, Queen Bee, Stright Jacket, etc...
As a grandchild of both a WW2 veteran and Joan Crawford fan, the film Reunion in France has a special place in my childhood. My grandparents loved the film and would retell us scenes from it. Forever a Crawford and Wayne devotee. 💕💕💕
"Humoresque" is #1 for me- great to hear you praise it so highly. Everything just seemed to come together for Crawford here, regarding her acting skills, movie-star magnetism and beauty. Today, I think she could legitimately try for Supporting Actress, ala Brad Pitt in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"- big role, but definitely in support of a bigger lead role.
Watched Grand Hotel again recently, amazing how the other performances are of their time, quite sentimental melodramatic, but Crawford is so ALIVE. Especially the balcony scene with Barrymore trying to upstage her. Time has made him a bit of a ham in aspic, whereas Joan remains totally vibrant.
Agreed 110%! Everyone else's performance in that movie looks dated, as might be expected for a 90 year old movie. However, Joan's Flammchen still looks modern and fresh.
In my opinion only three nominations doesn't make Joam justice by how amazing of a Filmography she has. Knowing that best suppoting actress didn't exist until 1936 o 1937, let's act like it existed since the first ceremony: 1932: Best supporting actress - Grand Hotel (Winner) 1932: Best Actress - Rain (nomination) 1941: Best Actress - A Woman's Face (Winner) 1945: Best Actress -Mildred Pierce (Winner) 1946: Best Actress - Humoresque (nomination) 1947: Best Actress - Possesed (nominations maybe winning) 1952: Best Actress - Sudden Fear (nomination) 1962: Best Actess - Whatever happened to Baby Jane (Nomination) Reasoning: As I stated by 1932/1933 didn't exist the best supporting actress category, but in this imaginary world it does. Her performance in Grand Hotel is not only the best in that film by a long shot but it's also the best in that year in my opinion (supporting wise). The realness and authenticity she brings into that role is fantastic and the way that she doesn't let any of the other actors upstage her is really amazing. Her entry scene along gives her the oscar, especially when she entered the room and that guy throw her out and she meets the other character, she was really charming and witty. Another great performance was anna May wong in Shanghai express, but in my opinion she was the second to third best, behind Joan. With Rain what happens is that the critics didn't appreciate how good that performance was (and that movie itself) meanwhile not being a film of best picture winning worth. Joan performance as the prostitue feels really authentic, like the director picked a prostitue from the street and gave the screenplay to her (I say this in the best way possible) even when I don't think the plot of the movie wasn't done the best way it could, Joan Crawford made the change believable. I dont think she should win, because I have two performances in mind that I think were better, in a year so stiff like this one, having her nominated would have made the things a little spicier. In 1941 the amount of good performances was incredible and still the academy picked the tasteless one. Joan Fontaine was good in suspicion but that's it, nowhere near Rebecca or her other nomination for the constant nymph, she would in regard of not winning the year before. They were to major snubbed performances that year in best actress: Vivien Leigh in that Hamilton Woman and of course Joan Crawford in a Woman's face, the latter being the better in my opinion. Joan Crawford is extremely honest and pure in a performance that can easily get cartonized about a woman who suffers from a face deformity, but still she make a authentic and heartwarming performance that made the audience and the critics feel empathy towards that woman, she is also fierce (That slap scene show it) and it was a performance with so many layers that I Personally believe it shoul have been a win to her. The performances I Woul take out would be Joan Fontaine suspicion and greer garson Blossoms in the dust. Mildred Pierce is a carrer changing movie and performance, from leaving the bigger company and not making any movie in a whole year besides a cameo to winning an oscar it's a radical change. The role of Mildred in Mildred Pierce was everything Joan needed, a strong woman who does everything to raise her children's and then has problems with the vanity of her daughter seems like the perfect role for an Oscar and it was. Nothing more to add, extremely deserved oscar winning. In 1946 the competency for best actress was big, having roles like Bergman's notorius, Hayworth in Gilda, Stanwyck the strange love of Martah Ivers or Bacall's the Big sleep, Joan was gonna have a rough time in the awards season of that year. When it was the time to announce the nominees, surprisingly none of the performances mentioned before neither Joan Crawford im Humoresque were nominated, they nominated other kind of performances that year and the winner ended being Olivia de Havilland. I personally would rearranged that whole nominee list, like where is Bergam's notorious or Hayworth's Gilda, and I Would also enter Crawford in humoresque. Now taking about the actual performance it is really unique and melodramatic, this love story is easily one of the best from the 40's and Joan performance meet the expectations after the Mildred Pierce performance, her raw passion and beauty combined with an good screenplay and great scenography, everything played together to have an amazing performance by Joan and that diying scene in the ocean is one of a kind and easily top 10 of all time, still I would have give the oscar to Ingrid Bergman for notorious or Celia Johnson for brief encounter that was nominated this year. Possessed by 1947 is also an amazing performance and this time the academy recognized it. Her performance is in my personal opinion the better out of the five nominees, she really studied the people with mental health problems and put it all out in this performance, she made the aura of the movie unique and strange the best way it could have been, the suspense in this movie it incredible and it easy to know that something it's not what it seems. Now, I would love to see Rosalind Russel winning for the amazing performance she gave in mourning becomes Electra, even when I feel that great one there was actually Joan's Possessed, by this time Joan already had an oscar and Rosalind didn't so you know, her performance was Oscar worthy nevertheless. Other amazing that wasn't even nominated and it's the majority of the people winner is Deborah Kerr in Black Narcissus, certainly an amazinh performance that deserve to get and nomination and even a win. 1952 was an interesting year in the Oscars, Joan was nominatef for her amazing performance in sudden fear and even when she didn't win and Shirley Booth wok rightfully for her performance in Come Back Little Sheba, I don't think Joan was that far from winning, cause in my opinion her performance was a top 2 best that year, she does really commit herself in this role, different to her other movies this one I just saw it becausw it just did appear and I click on it and boy was I mesmerized, her thrilling energy throughout the film and her relationship with Jack Palance character was really good to say the least. 1962 Whatever happened to baby jane is certainly known for Bette Davis as Jane Hudson, but Crawford's performance was also excellent as Blanche Hudson, her calm energy and more refined mannerisms compared to Jane more rough and crazy way of being was definitely a way to settle a balance between them two, the scene in the beach is and amazing moment for both actresses and it showed their amazing acting skills, still I would have gave that oscar to Bette but Joan deserved a nomination. Sorry if something is bad written, English is not my first language
Thank God Joan's work is at last being appreciated as a performer and not through the key hole of her adopted daughter's fabrifications. A great actress and a generous friend she deserves more ot these tributes. Have been a fan for more than 60 years and still treasure her long replies to my fan letters in the 1960's.
What a talent! And what a voice (I mean yours, the author! Lol). I also love Humoresque and The Damned Don't Cry (not mentioned in the main list) which are absolutely unforgettable. Also, i would make "Sudden Fear" as #1, "Mildred Pierce", No 2, "Humoresque" at #3 and the lovely "Possessed" at #4
I personally like 'Susan and God', 'Humoresque', 'Queen Bee' and 'The Story of Esther Costello'. Plus her performances in 'Grand Hotel' and 'Berserk' were touching.
Little info on her rivalry with Norma Shearer: it was a pretty one-sided feud. Joan felt very intimidated but Norma’s success, and was frustrated by her receiving what she thought of as better roles. Norma, meanwhile, never really said anything unkind about Joan, in fact going out of her to say nice things about her in interviews. It’s sad because they probably could have been friends of Joan hadn’t been so insecure. Great video by the way!
I like JC movies from the 30s with the art deco sets, that glam B&W mirage of "life on Park Avenue" that was such a big hit with Depression audiences. Joan's always this ingenue who hits it big by hooking up with the rich guy from Monopoly. She was way beautiful back then, like a sculpture. The movies themselves were dumb escapist melodramas and comedies. I watch them for the 1930s vibe and eye candy. Grand Hotel, Possessed, Dancing Lady, No More Ladies, I Live My Life, The Women
Though a fan, I’d avoided ‘Strait-Jacket’ because of only being familiar with a couple clips shown in retrospectives--which always included going bonkers with an axe. Then last week I caught the whole thing on a retro channel, and enjoyed it. A low-budget job, yeah, but found her performance quite good despite the naysayers. Good direction and supporting cast helped too. If you haven’t seen it, give it a watch. Oh--and our very listen-able narrator (great voice there, guy) asked for our personal fave JC role. That’s a tough one, but Sadie Thompson in “Rain” pushes thru to the #1 spot for me. It’s early Crawford, the talented newbie sinking her teeth into a tailor-made part and playing it to the hilt without going over the top. Kudos to the directing hand of Lewis Milestone too.
1) A woman’s face ( a savage, impressive performance). 2) Sudden fear( beyond words- a miracle) 3) Mildred Pierce (legendary). 4) Autumn Leaves( incredibly touching, romantic, and even a brew of bitch). 5) The Women( tiny part in an ensemble cast). 6) Paid ( Meaty early role Norma Shearer was forced to back out of due to pregnancy.everybody forgets this one) 7) Queen Bee ( bitch, bitch, bitch) 8) Grand Hotel ( small part) 9) Torch Song( not the best movie ever , but such a bitch) 10) Dancing lady( a deliberate comic performance. Natural, sassy, and very charming )……. …………………………………Note; Some of these movies are better than others, some are high camp( you can say Queen Bee is almost a character study) , some are earnest, funny, unintentionally funny. But all are excellent performances. I love that you mentioned Janie Barlow from Dancing Lady at the very end:)
Firstly, BARBARA PLEASE! 😂🤣 seriously, I rooted for “TINAAA” for a long time because that story spoke to my childhood, but it’s increasingly hard to take it seriously or believe it. I watched Sudden Fear for the first time tonight…and right away the second. Her physical intensity and gut wrenching storytelling through the recording scene is mind blowing 😭❤
Oh, of course! We side with Tina the whole time and feel for her so much, I certainly did when I was a kid watching how this story unfolded in "Mommie Dearest". And indeed, once we discover more about Joan, the family dynamic, it's enough to make you wonder, how far did Joan go with abuse? Regardless, damn what an actress. So Glad you watched, "Sudden Fear"!! So Damn Great!!
the ultimate star, the most iconic actress of all times, very underrated
Like a deliberate attempt to discredit her achievement as a woman in a male dominated industry.
Unfortunately, the designation of most iconic actress probably belongs to Marilyn Monroe, but Joan was an definitely an icon nonetheless.
I agree. No one can touch her in terms of star iconography, pop culture mythology, beauty, glamour, style, mystique, scandals, feuds, and durability/staying power across film eras spanning silent films and talkies. You simply cannot remain indifferent in front of her as she demands your undivided attention. In short, her fame and iconography transcend Hollywood and shall remain eternally enshrined in the pop culture, à la Graucho, Elvis, Monroe, Chaplin, Temple (as in Shirley), Dean (as in James). 'Icon' is an understatement.
Crawford always improved her material. She and Mercedes McCambridge in Johnny Guitar are beyond excellent.
Joan Crawfird never gave a poor performance! She was a 1A professional !
I just finished one of her biographies, and she would not agree with you. She had a few performances that she was very displeased with, but I would say overall she was a great star and a remarkable actress.
@@richardmayora1289 She was very displeased with "johnny Guitar", for example, altough the movie have today a Cult Status.
Joan was a very harsh critic of her own work. I think it may be what she used to motivate herself to improve her acting skills.
@@richardmayora1289She didn't like Johnny Guitar or Rain and those two movies have really good performances by her. The thing is that she was very auto critical
What no love for Autumn Leaves? That movie is phenomenal and I swear it’s one of Joan’s fiery performances that I love.
AND... VERA MILES as the JEZEBEL!!
I loved Autumn Leaves! She particularly liked it herself.
Whether you believe the allegations by 1 out of 4 kids or not, there’s no denying Joan’s tremendous durability, beauty & talent. The Ultimate Star 🌟
* 2 out of 4, Christopher II too. Had Joan "owned' you as a child publicity-asset and image-laundering adoptee, straitjacketed you as a young boy nitely into bed long term, and (per JC dinner party guest witness, actress Natalie Schaeffer) forcefed you a giant box of bonbons, to punish for eating 2 (a pediatrician and/or social worker would have been horrified, moved to revoke her custody), your idolatry of her would be tempered by her Hyde side. Great actress, horrid mother to her first two adoptees.
The two older children were abused, the two youngest were not abused. The two youngest were about three when the two older children were sent to boarding school. So the two youngest never saw the abuse of the two oldest children.
@@virginiaschaefer9693
Christina was born June 1939.
Joan’s 3rd husband Phillip Terry lived in the home July 1942-Dec 1945. He denied ever seeing abuse.
Joan’s twins were born Jan 1947. The twins denied ever seeing abuse.
Christina was sent to boarding school Feb 1950. During all this, Joan’s secretary Betty Barker was constantly in the Crawford home. Barker denied ever seeing abuse.
@@virginiaschaefer9693 - Fabricated lies 😑
Campy, by today's standards.
Let us not forget her performance (along with Cliff Robertson) in the 1956 movie "Autumn Leaves" which I view as spectacular in its own right!
Imagine in 1956 hearing Joan call another character "slut". Certainly took me by surprise
Possessed is a film no Crawford fan should miss!
Both of them! 😊
@@tomc8115100%!
I have almost 50 of Joan's movies. My personal Top 10 Best Joan Performances would be;
1. Possessed (47)
2. Sudden Fear
3. Humoresque
4. Mildred Pierce
5. A Woman's Face
6. Strange Cargo
7. Daisy Kenyon
8. Mannequin
9. Dancing Lady
10. Johnny Guitar
I do think Joan should rank among the Top 10 Movie Stars. Joan first appeared as Norma Shearer's body double in 1925, and her last movie was in 1970. That's a hell of a career for someone that started in the silent era. I do personally rank Joan above Bette Davis. I feel Joan showed more range throughout her career than Bette. Plus I consider Joan to be the Queen of Film Noir.
I agree with your #1 choice - POSSESSED
.
Great list, but I’d add Grand Hotel in there somewhere.
Great list! I might swap out Flamingo Road for Daisy and The Women for Johnny Guitar (even though she only has a supporting role, but she's so damn good in it!)
I honestly adore Joan,she is such a beautiful, talented and elegant woman.
Thanks so much for the video ❤❤❤
Thank YOU So Much for watching!!! I LOVE HER!!
Humoresque is melodrama elevated to high art....like Italian opera.
Outstanding performance 👏
Her best performance by far is Sudden Fear. Strange Cargo is her most underrated and her best with Gable. Her acting in that film is simply
brilliant!
Strange Cargo is a movie that gets better upon re-watching. It's both powerful and subtle. Compare it to her first pairing with Gable - Dance, Fools, Dance - which is good, but you really get to see how JC grew as an actress.
Whoever narrated and edited this video is absolutely phenomenal!!! You captured the essence of truly who the real actresses Joan Crawford is. Thank you for sharing so many brilliant Easter eggs 🪺 and gems 💎 throughout the video. You did an incredible job!!! Thank you!!! We love Joan Crawford she is our very favorite Actress of all time!
Joan was a true definotion of a mobie star and was a total professional. She was dedicated to her art throughout her career and championed lots of young actors, writers and producers. When you watch her movies, Joan is the one you watch, the one who stands out in every scene. She had a tough childhood and worked her way out of poverty to become one of Hollywood ls greatest stars but she never forgot her loyal fans saying " No studio or studio head made me a star. It was the fans who brought tickets to watch my movies. They made me a star." Joan was humble and kind. In every movie she made, she knew all the crew and technicians by their first name.
A thoughtful and fair overview of a determined human being. She was always fully invested no matter what material she performed, excellent or questionable. In Autumn Leaves, she plays a work-at-home transcriptionist just scraping by. The physical business of typing, gathering, and collating paperwork as she prepares to meet a deadline while engaging in neighborly small talk makes this scene believable and sets the story in motion. In an interview, she reflected that her most significant regret was not getting further than the sixth grade. Yet she performs these small but pivotal moments with poise and knowledg
She easily should have 2 or 3 Academy Awards as a lead actress, and perhaps 2 in a supportive role.
She was an impeccable actress, easily in the Top 10.
Love It!!!
I agree 💯
Joan Crawford was the BEST actress of all time and she did extremely great acting in ALL of her roles she played but i think Rain , Mildred Pierce ,Humouresqe, The Women and Possessed ( 1947) are her top 5 best acting .
I would rank Joan Crawford's "Possessed" as number one of her movies. So spell binding I have watched it over 100 times.
Rain was ahead of its time! I wish the copy I saw was better quality! The plot twist near the end still baffles me!
Joan striving to be her best in everything is what I admired most about her. I was a fan of hers even back in the Sixties.
"Johnny Guitar". The hauntingly beautiful theme song of the same name, sung by Peggy Lee, lyrics & music by Victor Young.
The lady was great! The “MD people” will never know how incredibly good, loving and what a brilliant artist she really was! Thank you for your attempt at waking others up!! ❤️💐🌹🙌
Thanks for including Rain. I love her in it.
I love Joan Crawford ❤
I've enjoyed many of her films, and will continue to do so. You can watch them over and over again and it never gets old. And it's all because of her, Joan🤗⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
_Letty Lynton_ (1932) is the one Joan Crawford film that to this day remains unavailable due to a copyright dispute.
Fabulous commentary, and so enlightening. Thank you!
I always heard Norma’s last name pronounced “Shear-er.”
He also mispronounces "Isolde," but it's still an enjoyable video. 🙃
I caught that too. (“How’s that again??” sez I to myself 🤔)
But as the other commenter mentions, the narration is overall real pleasant to listen to. Sexy voice!
You're correct
It is Shear-rer, he mispronounced it.
My fav person ever, thank you for this gem, wish someone prepared me for the humoresque ending I wasn’t ready, devastated me, she should’ve won an Oscar 100 percent for it
I don't understand why anyone wants to know the ending of a movie they've never seen before isn't that the whole purpose not knowing what's going to happen?
This was hilariously well done even for a jaded Crawford fan such as myself.😊THANK U!!!
She’s my girl!! The GOAT!!! ❤️🙌⭐️
Joan will always be Queen of the movies to me. Hollywood Royalty. ❤️🌺
She could make a bad movie good and a good movie great. You just couldn't take your eyes off her.
Thank you for this amazing overview of Joan’s performances! She truly was (is😇) the best👍❤️
Thank you for putting Sudden Fear at third. Joan was involved in every aspect of this film and few people remember now that this was a BIG hit film with lines around the block. If you think Crawford couldn't act, just watch the scene in Gloria Grahame's apartment. She's holding a gun and catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror and her face conveys a half dozen different emotions by expression alone; shock, self disgust, grief and more.
Oh 1000%! I LOVE that moment with Joan and the gun.
Yes!!!! Her face said it all!!! And the scenes: hiding in the closet with the little toy coming toward it. OMG. And the chase scene on the apartment balconies....Her driving down the hill before the car crash...My heart was beating so fast!!! OMG, masterful piece on cinema.
I think the performances that I like best are in The Damned Don't Cry and Flamingo Road. She ~looked~ her most beautiful in Humoresque and I am convinced that George Stevens got his inspiration for the Taylor/Clift kiss in A Place in the Sun after seeing Joan swoon in the balcony as she watches Garfield play his violin. That balcony close up of Joan overcome by watching Garfield (overcome is the right word, in more ways than one) is phenomenally beautiful. Right up there with Garbo's final scene in Queen Christina.
I LOVE The Damned Don't Cry also. I was shocked by his opinion of it (?)!
Joan is gorgeous in Damned. Joan may have invented the concept of an older woman as a cougar! 😃
AUTUMN LEAVES, SADIE MCKEE, FEMALE ON THE BEACH, THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, ETC... SO MANY!
Love me some Joan, especially on a rainy Sunday. Another great one is “Autumn Leaves”
Can’t wait to see your review on Barbara Stanwyck
Ohhhhh just you wait...I absolutely LOVE Barbara Stanwyck!
Autumn leaves is incredibly touching. Romantic. And even a brew of bitch. Very high on my list on here. I think number three .
Love this
Grateful thanks for your very accurate and eloquent review of Joan’s films and her outstanding performances.
I so agree on these! She was wonderful in A Woman's Face, and you are right, she really deserved a lot of respect for that role as it WAS a very brave and very nuanced performance. I also loved her in 'Autumn Leaves.' That wonderful scene where she is in the theatre and reminisces about all her lost opportunities for love.... just that look on her face where she doesn't utter a word was so heartbreaking. I also love what she had said about the film: "Everything clicked on Autumn Leaves. The cast was perfect, the script was good, and I think Bob [Aldrich] handled everything well. I really think Cliff did a stupendous job; another actor might have been spitting out his lines and chewing the scenery, but he avoided that trap. I think the movie on a whole was a lot better than some of the romantic movies I did in the past...but somehow it just never became better known."
You are absolutely correct about the theater scene in "Autumn Leaves". Her amazing face could express heartfelt emotion far more powerfully than any words! Thank you for drawing attention to that scene.
*Norma’s last name is pronounced “Shear-er,” not “Shear-rear.”
Other than my beef below, I respect your well prepared and presented work.
Crawford was a great actress, among several other great actresses in the thirties, forties and fifties.
I'm gonna seek out and watch Forsaking All Others now, I always kind of had it low on my list before. Thanks!
It’s Norma Shearer with the stress on the first syllable.
So many great films! And so many I still need to watch! Not only is she an incredible actress, she’s a prolific one! Thanks for this. So well done and fun to watch!
Superb love joan
ANY scene Joan is in, she STEALS that scene. THAT is a TRUE STAR!❤
I love classic movies, great video!
She was so talented! Love her❤
A true movie star
Outstanding!
Joan great proformnce in A women face ❤.
Betty Davis and Joan Crawford
Queen bee is sadly underrated. It was really the prototype for the Joan Collins character in Dynasty
Sudden Fear my favorite film ! ❤😊
WOW....THIS IS AMAZING!!!! TOTALLY AGREE WITH EVERYTHING!!!
You've given me some ideas on what to watch soon. I'd never heard of Rain, which sounds fascinating.
She has an incredible range and body of work . I like your choices . I would add Johnny Guitar and Autumn Leaves to the must see list.
Nice video. I was surprised by Harriet Craig! I really liked that film!
Oh, "Harriet Craig," is Fantastic! It's puzzling on why it's forgotten, sometimes.
This video gives Joan Crawford the recognition she truly deserves. I would rate Mildred Pierce as no 1 and Possessed, the runner up. Joan Crawford is still so underrated. She is a far better and more dedicated actress than Norma Shearer, studio politics denied Joan a lot of the roles she might have excelled in at MGM and although she loved working at the studio she did get better parts elsewhere.
Thank you very much for featuring Joan Crawford! ✨
It’s her accepting the Oscar from the bed for me❤❤❤
And pushing all of the other winners off the front page the next day 😂❤
Of those I've seen...Across to Singapore, Paid, Grand Hotel, The Shining Hour, Strange Cargo, A Woman's Face, The Damned Don't Cry
Joan Crawford was a really good actress. I have watched many of her films.
It was Joan's idea to do Baby Jane - she went to Bette & specifically wanted them to do the film together.
Great video ❤❤❤❤
She also gave a superb performance in Autumn Leaves and she had great chemistry with the young Cliff Robertson in his first film.
I Loveee
Awesome countdown and great commentary 😊 some absolute old Hollywood classics here. I love Joan, she has such an amazing presence on the screen ❤
Great video! Thanks for posting.
My late mother who was born in 1920 having watched a season of Joan Crawford’s films said, “I didn’t realise that Joan Crawford was such a good actress”. This matters because many other people didn’t realise it either. I am glad that this video has been made because Joan Crawford deserves it. She was a terrific actress who was forced to play second fiddle to Norma Shearer at MGM throughout the 1930s. Joan was fantastic in Rain especially playing opposite the great Walter Huston. Joan did help a lot of young actresses, interestingly, the start of her dislike for Norma Shearer was due to the fact that Shearer who was a few years older and more experienced treated Joan coldly when she first started out, Joan had hoped she might be a friend and mentor. This video is really well researched and at its best when your enthusiasm for Joan’s work shines through, unfortunately l don’t much like the silliness, it’s not necessary and detracts from what is otherwise a very fine piece of work.
Thank you so very much for watching and supporting! I know, sometimes my silliness can take over haha, I like to have too much fun sometimes. But God how I can watch Joan over and over again. She is absolutely timeless.
My favorite Joan Crawford movies are Mildred Peirce, I live my life, The Women, Susan and God, Possessed, Harriet Craig, Queen Bee, Stright Jacket, etc...
Thank You So Much for Watching!! Love it So Much!
Sudden Fear!!!!
Most beautiful!
As a grandchild of both a WW2 veteran and Joan Crawford fan, the film Reunion in France has a special place in my childhood. My grandparents loved the film and would retell us scenes from it.
Forever a Crawford and Wayne devotee.
💕💕💕
Watch the documentary about William Haines. It's amazing how she helped him.
I agree with your picks!!! Damn good actress!!! I like your channel!!!
"Humoresque" is #1 for me- great to hear you praise it so highly. Everything just seemed to come together for Crawford here, regarding her acting skills, movie-star magnetism and beauty. Today, I think she could legitimately try for Supporting Actress, ala Brad Pitt in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"- big role, but definitely in support of a bigger lead role.
My favorite was definitely Mildred Pierce
Watched Grand Hotel again recently, amazing how the other performances are of their time, quite sentimental melodramatic, but Crawford is so ALIVE. Especially the balcony scene with Barrymore trying to upstage her. Time has made him a bit of a ham in aspic, whereas Joan remains totally vibrant.
Agreed 110%! Everyone else's performance in that movie looks dated, as might be expected for a 90 year old movie. However, Joan's Flammchen still looks modern and fresh.
Great video!
As far as Rain film. It was a “.heavy” film. No wonder it didn’t do well. She was FANTASTIC! What an entrance!
Would like to see top 10 performances of Susan Hayward
Oh Yes, Coming Soon!!! :)
In my opinion only three nominations doesn't make Joam justice by how amazing of a Filmography she has.
Knowing that best suppoting actress didn't exist until 1936 o 1937, let's act like it existed since the first ceremony:
1932: Best supporting actress - Grand Hotel (Winner)
1932: Best Actress - Rain (nomination)
1941: Best Actress - A Woman's Face (Winner)
1945: Best Actress -Mildred Pierce (Winner)
1946: Best Actress - Humoresque (nomination)
1947: Best Actress - Possesed
(nominations maybe winning)
1952: Best Actress - Sudden Fear (nomination)
1962: Best Actess - Whatever happened to Baby Jane (Nomination)
Reasoning:
As I stated by 1932/1933 didn't exist the best supporting actress category, but in this imaginary world it does. Her performance in Grand Hotel is not only the best in that film by a long shot but it's also the best in that year in my opinion (supporting wise). The realness and authenticity she brings into that role is fantastic and the way that she doesn't let any of the other actors upstage her is really amazing. Her entry scene along gives her the oscar, especially when she entered the room and that guy throw her out and she meets the other character, she was really charming and witty. Another great performance was anna May wong in Shanghai express, but in my opinion she was the second to third best, behind Joan.
With Rain what happens is that the critics didn't appreciate how good that performance was (and that movie itself) meanwhile not being a film of best picture winning worth. Joan performance as the prostitue feels really authentic, like the director picked a prostitue from the street and gave the screenplay to her (I say this in the best way possible) even when I don't think the plot of the movie wasn't done the best way it could, Joan Crawford made the change believable. I dont think she should win, because I have two performances in mind that I think were better, in a year so stiff like this one, having her nominated would have made the things a little spicier.
In 1941 the amount of good performances was incredible and still the academy picked the tasteless one. Joan Fontaine was good in suspicion but that's it, nowhere near Rebecca or her other nomination for the constant nymph, she would in regard of not winning the year before. They were to major snubbed performances that year in best actress: Vivien Leigh in that Hamilton Woman and of course Joan Crawford in a Woman's face, the latter being the better in my opinion. Joan Crawford is extremely honest and pure in a performance that can easily get cartonized about a woman who suffers from a face deformity, but still she make a authentic and heartwarming performance that made the audience and the critics feel empathy towards that woman, she is also fierce (That slap scene show it) and it was a performance with so many layers that I Personally believe it shoul have been a win to her. The performances I Woul take out would be Joan Fontaine suspicion and greer garson Blossoms in the dust.
Mildred Pierce is a carrer changing movie and performance, from leaving the bigger company and not making any movie in a whole year besides a cameo to winning an oscar it's a radical change. The role of Mildred in Mildred Pierce was everything Joan needed, a strong woman who does everything to raise her children's and then has problems with the vanity of her daughter seems like the perfect role for an Oscar and it was. Nothing more to add, extremely deserved oscar winning.
In 1946 the competency for best actress was big, having roles like Bergman's notorius, Hayworth in Gilda, Stanwyck the strange love of Martah Ivers or Bacall's the Big sleep, Joan was gonna have a rough time in the awards season of that year. When it was the time to announce the nominees, surprisingly none of the performances mentioned before neither Joan Crawford im Humoresque were nominated, they nominated other kind of performances that year and the winner ended being Olivia de Havilland. I personally would rearranged that whole nominee list, like where is Bergam's notorious or Hayworth's Gilda, and I Would also enter Crawford in humoresque. Now taking about the actual performance it is really unique and melodramatic, this love story is easily one of the best from the 40's and Joan performance meet the expectations after the Mildred Pierce performance, her raw passion and beauty combined with an good screenplay and great scenography, everything played together to have an amazing performance by Joan and that diying scene in the ocean is one of a kind and easily top 10 of all time, still I would have give the oscar to Ingrid Bergman for notorious or Celia Johnson for brief encounter that was nominated this year.
Possessed by 1947 is also an amazing performance and this time the academy recognized it. Her performance is in my personal opinion the better out of the five nominees, she really studied the people with mental health problems and put it all out in this performance, she made the aura of the movie unique and strange the best way it could have been, the suspense in this movie it incredible and it easy to know that something it's not what it seems. Now, I would love to see Rosalind Russel winning for the amazing performance she gave in mourning becomes Electra, even when I feel that great one there was actually Joan's Possessed, by this time Joan already had an oscar and Rosalind didn't so you know, her performance was Oscar worthy nevertheless. Other amazing that wasn't even nominated and it's the majority of the people winner is Deborah Kerr in Black Narcissus, certainly an amazinh performance that deserve to get and nomination and even a win.
1952 was an interesting year in the Oscars, Joan was nominatef for her amazing performance in sudden fear and even when she didn't win and Shirley Booth wok rightfully for her performance in Come Back Little Sheba, I don't think Joan was that far from winning, cause in my opinion her performance was a top 2 best that year, she does really commit herself in this role, different to her other movies this one I just saw it becausw it just did appear and I click on it and boy was I mesmerized, her thrilling energy throughout the film and her relationship with Jack Palance character was really good to say the least.
1962 Whatever happened to baby jane is certainly known for Bette Davis as Jane Hudson, but Crawford's performance was also excellent as Blanche Hudson, her calm energy and more refined mannerisms compared to Jane more rough and crazy way of being was definitely a way to settle a balance between them two, the scene in the beach is and amazing moment for both actresses and it showed their amazing acting skills, still I would have gave that oscar to Bette but Joan deserved a nomination.
Sorry if something is bad written, English is not my first language
Fabulous piece
Great documentary! I used to like Bette Davis more, until I saw Joan in Mildred Pierce 33:54 and that was it!
Thank God Joan's work is at last being appreciated as a performer and not through the key hole of her adopted daughter's fabrifications. A great actress and a generous friend she deserves more ot these tributes. Have been a fan for more than 60 years and still treasure her long replies to my fan letters in the 1960's.
What a talent! And what a voice (I mean yours, the author! Lol). I also love Humoresque and The Damned Don't Cry (not mentioned in the main list) which are absolutely unforgettable. Also, i would make "Sudden Fear" as #1, "Mildred Pierce", No 2, "Humoresque" at #3 and the lovely "Possessed" at #4
I personally like 'Susan and God', 'Humoresque', 'Queen Bee' and 'The Story of Esther Costello'. Plus her performances in 'Grand Hotel' and 'Berserk' were touching.
Harriet Craig is my absolute favorite of hers, seen it at least 25 times!
Major error - Harriet Craig not only did not have or want children, this was ultimately the reason Walter left her.
Well you're amazing ❤
Joan Crawford was the movie stars 🌟 Movie Star 🌟
I love the slapping bit she did in "Its a Great Feeling" . Shows a whole other side to the lady.
Yes! Joan should have tried more comedic roles.
Little info on her rivalry with Norma Shearer: it was a pretty one-sided feud. Joan felt very intimidated but Norma’s success, and was frustrated by her receiving what she thought of as better roles. Norma, meanwhile, never really said anything unkind about Joan, in fact going out of her to say nice things about her in interviews. It’s sad because they probably could have been friends of Joan hadn’t been so insecure. Great video by the way!
I like JC movies from the 30s with the art deco sets, that glam B&W mirage of "life on Park Avenue" that was such a big hit with Depression audiences. Joan's always this ingenue who hits it big by hooking up with the rich guy from Monopoly. She was way beautiful back then, like a sculpture. The movies themselves were dumb escapist melodramas and comedies. I watch them for the 1930s vibe and eye candy. Grand Hotel, Possessed, Dancing Lady, No More Ladies, I Live My Life, The Women
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Though a fan, I’d avoided ‘Strait-Jacket’ because of only being familiar with a couple clips shown in retrospectives--which always included going bonkers with an axe.
Then last week I caught the whole thing on a retro channel, and enjoyed it. A low-budget job, yeah, but found her performance quite good despite the naysayers.
Good direction and supporting cast helped too. If you haven’t seen it, give it a watch.
Oh--and our very listen-able narrator (great voice there, guy) asked for our personal fave JC role. That’s a tough one, but Sadie Thompson in “Rain” pushes thru to the #1 spot for me. It’s early Crawford, the talented newbie sinking her teeth into a tailor-made part and playing it to the hilt without going over the top. Kudos to the directing hand of Lewis Milestone too.
Thank You So Much!! Yes! Every time I revisit "Rain" and "Strait-Jacket," I'm Blown Away!
1) A woman’s face ( a savage, impressive performance). 2) Sudden fear( beyond words- a miracle) 3) Mildred Pierce (legendary). 4) Autumn Leaves( incredibly touching, romantic, and even a brew of bitch). 5) The Women( tiny part in an ensemble cast). 6) Paid ( Meaty early role Norma Shearer was forced to back out of due to pregnancy.everybody forgets this one) 7) Queen Bee ( bitch, bitch, bitch) 8) Grand Hotel ( small part) 9) Torch Song( not the best movie ever , but such a bitch) 10) Dancing lady( a deliberate comic performance. Natural, sassy, and very charming )……. …………………………………Note; Some of these movies are better than others, some are high camp( you can say Queen Bee is almost a character study) , some are earnest, funny, unintentionally funny. But all are excellent performances. I love that you mentioned Janie Barlow from Dancing Lady at the very end:)
Firstly, BARBARA PLEASE! 😂🤣 seriously, I rooted for “TINAAA” for a long time because that story spoke to my childhood, but it’s increasingly hard to take it seriously or believe it.
I watched Sudden Fear for the first time tonight…and right away the second. Her physical intensity and gut wrenching storytelling through the recording scene is mind blowing 😭❤
Oh, of course! We side with Tina the whole time and feel for her so much, I certainly did when I was a kid watching how this story unfolded in "Mommie Dearest". And indeed, once we discover more about Joan, the family dynamic, it's enough to make you wonder, how far did Joan go with abuse?
Regardless, damn what an actress. So Glad you watched, "Sudden Fear"!! So Damn Great!!