Joan Crawford: Not the Girl-Next-Door

[ClassyCo]

And the shadows are mostly to hide Joan's age!

She was around 42-43 (depending on which year of birth you side with, so might be as young as 40) during the time of DAISY KENYON.

I will hopefully have the movie in my collection one day. I'm collecting all of the films released under the "Fox Film Noir" label, and it'll eventually get bought one day.

 

[Crimson]

I haven't watched much of Joan's 1930s work but, having watched most of her films of the 40s and 50s, figured I might as well give the earlier decade a go. If nothing else, I'd like to see some/all of her films with Gable. First up, the last of their pairings: STRANGE CARGO (1940). The film is, well, strange although it's biggest failing is simply being too long. The mysticism of its spiritual redemption allegory is kind of nutty, but films with this kind of lunatic energy are often more entertaining than those that are stolidly competent.

Crawford and Gable were a dynamic pair; I can see why they worked together 8 times. The film kept them apart for too much of its running time, but when they were together their chemistry was potent. I'll likely next watch one of the pre-Code films, to see just how spicy they were before the censors ruined everything. Joan's 1930s shopgirl act doesn't hold much interest for me although her role and performance here are closer to her Sadie Thompson or perhaps a distant cousin to her Crystal Allen: hard-bitten and crackling.

 

[ClassyCo]

Crawford and Gable were good together, just like Gable and Harlow were.

I honestly haven't seen a lot of their films, but STRANGE CARGO is a good one. It was probably the first time Crawford played against type, as they say, but the movie was good I thought.

I've also seen POSSESSED (1931), but it probably wouldn't appeal to you. It's one of Crawford's rags-to-riches roles, but I kind of enjoyed it. Crawford's beautiful is in it, and Gable is as handsome as ever. It's one of their earliest pairings.

I'd like to eventually have all of the Crawford-Gable movies. They're all on physical media.

 

[ClassyCo]

STRANGE CARGO (1940)

Rumor has it, Joan was irked that Gable got top billing this time (if memory serves, she always got top billing previously), but it was only fair -- he had just come off GONE WITH THE WIND, and her career was steadily waning.

 

[Crimson]

There must have been a compromise, with Gable getting top billing in the ads -- but Joan still got top billing in the actual movie. But it effectively ended their nearly decade long screen partnership. He was on the rise, she was on decline.



The book THE HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS (very good) addresses this.

In DANCING LADY, she is so surely the principal that Gable was unhappy making the film, and looks tired when he doesn't look bored ... By 1940, however, with GONE WITH THE WIND behind him, Gable could not realistically support anyone, and STRANGE CARGO veers with difficulty in order to justify her story while telling his ... But at least Crawford got top billing.

 

[ClassyCo]

There must have been a compromise, with Gable getting top billing in the ads -- but Joan still got top billing in the actual movie. But it effectively ended their nearly decade long screen partnership. He was on the rise, she was on decline.

View attachment 49009

The book THE HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS (very good) addresses this.

In DANCING LADY, she is so surely the principal that Gable was unhappy making the film, and looks tired when he doesn't look bored ... By 1940, however, with GONE WITH THE WIND behind him, Gable could not realistically support anyone, and STRANGE CARGO veers with difficulty in order to justify her story while telling his ... But at least Crawford got top billing.

I hadn't remembered the opening titles of the movie, but there must've been some sort of compromise.

 

[Crimson]

As you're planning your holiday events, don't forget to invite all those corporation presidents and bearded painters you know!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1731892235510132941

 

[ClassyCo]

A little trivia for the "lost" Crawford movie LETTY LYNTON (1932). Anyone hopeful for a release?

 

[Toni]

I have no idea if it will eventually be released, but it´s available "you-know-where" (not YouTube) in poor quality. I "might" be able to check it out and will tell you about it...

...And Joan Crawford as Alexis...​

 

[ClassyCo]

I have no idea if it will eventually be released, but it´s available "you-know-where" (not YouTube) in poor quality. I "might" be able to check it out and will tell you about it...

View attachment 50716

...And Joan Crawford as Alexis...​

I've seen bootleg copies of the movie online. I wish someone would release it when it's alright to do so.

 

[Crimson]

I'll be seeing THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950) on the big screen in April. I keep a close eye on the classic films being shown at a few theaters near me, and I was surprised to see this one come up. It's my second favorite of Crawford's films -- after FLAMINGO ROAD -- and it will be great to see her on the big screen in one of her peak roles.



There seems to be a Liz Taylor retrospective occurring too, but not sure I'll make it to any of those showings.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I'll be seeing THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950) on the big screen in April. I keep a close eye on the classic films being shown at a few theaters near me, and I was surprised to see this one come up. It's my second favorite of Crawford's films -- after FLAMINGO ROAD -- and it will be great to see her on the big screen in one of her peak roles.

View attachment 51437

There seems to be a Liz Taylor retrospective occurring too, but not sure I'll make it to any of those showings.

Oh, yes. It's one of her best!

 

[ClassyCo]

I'll be seeing THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950) on the big screen in April. I keep a close eye on the classic films being shown at a few theaters near me, and I was surprised to see this one come up. It's my second favorite of Crawford's films -- after FLAMINGO ROAD -- and it will be great to see her on the big screen in one of her peak roles.

View attachment 51437

There seems to be a Liz Taylor retrospective occurring too, but not sure I'll make it to any of those showings.

This would be a treat to see on the big screen!

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Happy 121st Birthday, Joan!

 

[ClassyCo]

A Facebook fan page made this in honor of Crawford's birthday:

 

[ClassyCo]

Joan Crawford Movies: 17 of the Hollywood Golden Age Icon's Most Memorable Roles

Take a look back at her glamorous journey from silent flapper films to award-winning melodramas

www.yahoo.com

 

[ClassyCo]

A caricature of Crawford as the Queen of Pepsi-Cola:

 

[Toni]

I just found this:

​

 

[Caryscott]

Where I grew up we use to get the signals from TV stations in Detroit. One of the Indy stations had a weekday afternoon movie hosted by a former Warner’s contract player. He was in Mr. Skeffington among others. Played lots of Warners films. I really liked Flamingo Road but I thought she wasn’t believable in The Damned… Particularly as a model. Was more than 40 years ago now. I’m ancient but it was how I cut my teeth on classic movies. Davis left Warners in 49, Crawford left in 51-52, only Wyman stayed until she went into TV in 55. Her last real starring vehicle was Miracle in the Rain for Warners released in 56 after the first season of her TV show was airing but shot before it went into production. Isn’t it in Conversations with… that Crawford calls her peers who went into television traitors? I always thought she meant Loretta Young and Jane Wyman. Their TV shows were airing daily on NBC and ABC when Baby Jane was released in 62.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Not a Warners era film, this trashy flick from 1967 I always want to combine with (the much superior) CIRCUS OF HORRORS from 1960...

For as long as it lasts on YT, this is BERSERK (a film Joan named all by herself!)