All of the following reviews were written by me except where
noted.
Our Modern Maidens (1929)
The only film with Joan Crawford and then husband Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
They had met earlier on and were married around the time this film came
out. Crawford had come a long way - she was the biggest new female star in
the land and married to the son of Hollywood's then king of the screen, Douglas
Fairbanks.
Untamed (1929)
The first half of this film is really fun as Joan plays an off the street sluttish
tramp - her performance is humorous, vivacious and for anyone who hasn't seen
any early Crawford performances it's definitely educational, you see a totally
different actress from Joan's post-Mildred Pierce work. Robert Montgomery
is my least favorite of Joan's leading men so that's the only thing I don't like
about the movie.
Montana Moon (1930)
Not the best Crawford film. It's a poorly made early talkie. I've
seen it and can't remember a single thing about it which tells you something.
Our Blushing Brides (1930)
The early part of this movie has some really fun scenes of Joan and her
roommates as single women sharing an apartment and getting along in the big
city. It's interesting how contemporary these scenes feel. The
second half of the film is a romance between Joan and ,again, Robert Montgomery.
Paid (1930)
One of Crawford's best - and a women in prison flick to boot! Joan gets
sent to jail and when she gets out she methodically takes her revenge on the men
who set her up. It's a world populated by crooked businessmen and their
playboy sons, blackmailers and other tough characters. As far as I'm
concerned this film begins the golden era of Crawford Cinema. Crawford was
just the kind of actress that Depression era audiences could relate to - strong,
determined, gritty, real and realistic.
Dance, Fools, Dance (1931)
Crawford's first onscreen pairing with Clark Gable - a whole different breed
from the Gilbert and Valentino. In this film Gable is the villain, a
threatening gangster. Joan and Gable are electric together.
The Laughing Sinners (1931)
Crawford and Gable together again and get this, Clark is a Salvation Army
worker! Joan is the laughing sinner.
This Modern Age (1931)
Joan as a rich girl (and a blond rich girl at that!) for once in this glittery
soap opera.
Possessed (1931)
Today We Live (1933)
Two glamorous stars (the mellow Gary Cooper) can't make this film fly. I
haven't actually sat down and watched it because it moves along so slowly I
can't get through the first fifteen minutes. I'll try soon and hopefully
amend my review. Crawford is lovely in it though.
Dancing Lady (1933)
Crawford costars with Gable and husband #2 Franchot Tone. Fred Astaire, in
a small role, dances with Crawford. This is an engrossing, fun, glamorous
escapist flick.
Sadie McKee (1934)
Crawford in a flick custom made for her appeal, and she again stars with Tone.
Good story and great acting by Joan.
Chained (1934)
The last romantic drama that Gable and Crawford would make for some time.
I don't really care for their attempted screwball comedies together - their
passion onscreen always seems best when it's dark, destructive and
dramatic. This is a gorgeous film with some great (and funny)
scenes.
They both just sparkle with star power.
Forsaking All Others (1934)
Gable/Crawford screwball comedy with (again) Robert Montgomery. Not one of
my favorites.
No More Ladies (1935)
Another Lombard-esque flick with (yes, you guessed it) Robert Montgomery and
Franchot Tone.
I Live My Life (1935)
One of my favorites (or is it just because we're finally rid of Robert
Montgomery?) with spoiled, rich Joan chasing after a handsome archeologist.
Joan's humorous/scary pre-wedding temper tantrum is quite entertaining.
The Gorgeous Hussy (1936)
Joan in period costume is just kind of strange. She costars with Robert
Taylor, Melvyn Douglas, Franchot Tone and Lionel Barrymore.
Love on the Run (1936)
Joan and Gable and Tone star together in another screwball comedy.
The Last of Mrs. Cheney (1937)
The presence of William Powell makes this feel even more like a Lombard picture
without Carole.
The Bride Wore Red (1937)
Strange Cargo (1940)
When Ladies Meet (1941)
Greer Garson manages to steal this movie away from Joan - quite an
accomplishment.
They All Kissed the Bride (1941)
I have not seen this film yet. Carole Lombard was cast in it but when she
died in a plane crash Joan stepped in. The funny and handsome Melvyn
Douglas is once again Joan's costar.
Reunion in France (1942)
John Wayne costars with Joan in this patriotic wartime film. John and Joan
have good chemistry together.
Above Suspicion (1943)
Again supporting the Allied war effort this film involves Joan and Fred
MacMurray as Americans in Nazi Germany spying for British intelligence. My
Connie (Conrad Veidt) has a supporting role as an Austrian who helps them
out. MacMurray is a pleasant match with Crawford and Veidt is absolutely
charming and devilishly witty.
Mildred Pierce (1945)
The second golden age of Crawford films begins here. It's the role that
Crawford is most famous for and the performances of everyone in this movie are
perfect. I am especially fond of the Zachary Scott - he manages to be cute
and sleazy at the same time. Ann Blyth is exquisite as Veda and Eve Arden
and and Jack Carson are both at their sharp-tongued best. One of the
finest film noirs too. Don't miss out on this one. It's
ultra-Crawford.
Humoresque (1946)
John Garfield is one of the finest actors that Crawford ever worked with - he's
rough, tough, sexy and smart, a male equivalent of Miss Crawford. This is
a tragic romance about two very f'd up people. Joan has never been more
world weary. The ending is one of the most beautiful (and dark) moments in
classic cinema. Another MUST SEE! Check out Garfield in "The
Postman Always Rings Twice", his other film noir classic costarring Miss
Lana Turner.
Possessed (1947)
Daisy Kenyon (1947)
Joan gets to share the screen with the handsome, talented Henry Fonda and
Dana Andrews in this delightful romantic triangle. Fonda works well with
Crawford because of his strong screen presence.
Flamingo Road (1949)
One of my favorites, any Joan fan has got to love this movie. Joan is
reteamed with the adorably slimy Zachary Scott and David Brian is excellent
as the sleazy politician Joan gests involved with. Brian will show up
again in another good role opposite Crawford in her next film. Joan plays
the girl from the wrong side of the tracks who comes into town, gets thrown
into jail by the big, fat Southern sheriff and causes more trouble from there
on out. Can I say MUST SEE one more time?
The Damned Don't Cry (1950)
Joan is excellent in this film, it's got a great setting and a good story.
Joan looks fantastic too, in sunglasses, chase-me f-me pumps and of course her
furs (even in the desert Joan has her furs!).
David Brian once again plays the sleazebag she gets mixed up with.
Harriet Craig (1950)
Excellent character study with Joan (who mirrors her Mommie Dearest image) as
a neurotic, controlling housewife who cares more about her home and possessions,
than her husband or friends. Remake of Craig's Wife (1936). Review by nickandrew@msn.com
Goodbye, My Fancy (1951)
Joan is a senator who returns to her old college and renews a romance with Robert
Young. An OK movie.
This Woman is Dangerous (1952)
Crawford's final film for Warners is this strange melodrama with her miscast
as a female gangster going blind, who falls in love with the doctor (Dennis
Morgan) who restores her eye sight. Watchable, but not a great film. Crawford
really hated this one. Review by nickandrew@msn.com
Sudden Fear (1952)
Another noir MUST SEE. The edgy Jack Palance plays a handsome, dangerous
man who Joan is dumb enough to go for...and she realizes her mistake when Palance
starts plotting with Gloria Grahame to do Joan in. Dramatic, suspenseful,
glamorous - see it.
Torch Song (1953)
Crawford's first Technicolor movie was this B-musical from MGM (returning after
a 10-year absence). She plays a cold, lonely Broadway star who finds true love
with her blind pianist. Review by nickandrew@msn.com
Johnny Guitar (1954)
Joan's only western, a cult film because of Joan's feminist, gender-bending
role.
Female on the Beach (1955)
The rugged Jeff Chandler is Joan's untrustworthy husband. Is Jeff out
to kill Joan or is it all in her mind? Great for scenes of Joan on the
beach in furs and heels! What a way to take a walk on a beach Joan!
Queen Bee (1955)
Joan as a vicious, frightening dominatrix who tears apart room decor with her
riding crop and verbally destroys anyone within her path.
Autumn Leaves (1956)
Interesting and touching melodrama has Joan as a much older woman who finds
love with a much younger man (Cliff Robertson), who she finds out is already
married and has mental problems. Again, not a great film, but watchable. Review
by nickandrew@msn.com
The Story of Esther Costello (1957)
Crawford always believed she should have received an Oscar nomination for her
performance as a wealthy American who takes particular interest in a deaf mute
Irish girl. Review by nickandrew@msn.com
The Best of Everything (1959)
Multi-layered story of three young women who want to find success and romance
while residing in New York City. Not a bad melodrama for this era. Joan has
a small part as the boss of the publishing house where the women work--she's
a real bitch in this one and so good at it! Review by nickandrew@msn.com
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1963)
Yes, finally got around to watching this movie during the Halloween season 2001.
I've recently gotten into watching Bette Davis movies so it made it more fun
for me to see this one as a fan of both Bette and Joan. I love how Joan maintains
her glamour even as a wheelchair bound victim! Love the long hair on Joan during
the end of the film.
The Caretakers (1963)
So-so drama with Robert Stack as a mental hospital doctor who tries to help
patient Polly Bergan. Crawford has a supporting role as Lucretia, the head nurse
who has old-fashioned ideas on how to handle mental patients. Flimsy script
destructs potential idea. Review by nickandrew@msn.com
Strait-Jacket (1964)
Horrible B-movie has Joan as an ax-murderess released from prison after twenty
years. When she returns home to her daughter (Diane Baker), bodies begin to
surface and everyone blames Joan. Total waste of everyone's time and money.
Review by nickandrew@msn.com
I Saw What You Did! (1965)
Slightly better than Strait-Jacket, but still a B-picture. Two teenagers prank
call people and say the film's title, but they accidentally call John Ireland
who just murdered his wife. Joan appears in a small role as John's next door
neighbor and mistress. Not a bad performance here by Crawford. Review by
nickandrew@msn.com
The Karate Killers (1967)
Made for TV movie for European audiences is actually an episode of The Man from
U.N.C.L.E. Joan only has a brief, but excellent cameo early on as a widow of
a scientist, who discovered a formula that turns seawater into gold. Review
by nickandrew@msn.com
Berserk (1967)
A disappointing performance from Joan. As the most experienced member
of the cast I expected more from her, but she gives the flattest performance
of the entire cast. Judy Geeson is delightful as always as the good blonde,
Diana Dors is a hoot as the sluttish bad blond and a young Robert Hardy seems
to be having a ball playing a Scotland Yard investigator. The sets all
look like they're made out of cardboard (including Joan's lovely circus trailer
which sports an incredibly tacky painting of a clown inside of it!) and the
stock circus footage gets old pretty fast. However, Joan still has a great figure
at age 63!!
Trog (1970)
Joan's last film is one of her worst. It's more of a low-budget sci-fi film
than a horror movie. She plays an anthropologist who discovers the missing link
in mankind: a troglodyte (half man-half ape). Horrible story with weak attempts
from the whole cast, except Joan who gives it a go, but doesn't save this trash.
Review by nickandrew@msn.com
