Happy Heavenly (?) Birthday to Joan Crawford, the ULTIMATE movie star. Say what you will about her private life (and only those actually involved know the truth, so please keep your opinions to yourself), but as an actress/movie star, she stands alone.
She had the ability to make magic out of ca-ca and the studios took advantage of that, putting her in cheap pot boilers that were carried only by Joan’s magnetism.
Crawford also took her job of movie star very seriously, always perfectly coiffed and dressed when greeting her fans in public.
See more Joan Crawford photos at my main website.
Dave, I agree 100%. Joan was the epitome of "Old-Hollywood" glamour.
ReplyDeleteShe was excellent in Mildred Pierce, and Sudden Fear...and pitting her against Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane was pure genius.
Sue
That painting is brilliant. It really captures the way her lips were always at odds for smiling or sneering at the same time, but ultimately restraining themselves and showing only a hint of either. Nailed it.
ReplyDeleteRespect to anyone who can completely invent themselves the way Joan did.
ReplyDeleteLou & Sue - I so wish Joan had been able to finish Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte - would have been great to see her be the villain over Bette!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bryan!
Melissa - I know, right? She really did create a legend from very humble beginnings!