
Written by Jean Rouverol, Hugo Butler, Lewis Meltzer, and Robert Blees. Image Credit: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstockĭirected by Robert Aldrich. Though it’s far from an undiscovered masterpiece, it’s nevertheless a fascinating cult curiosity that’s especially interesting within the context of Crawford’s career. Brockton, an anthropologist trying to communicate with a troglodyte found living in the caves of England (played by a guy in a cheap ape costume). Starring Michael Gough, Bernard Kay, Kim Braden, David Griffin.Ĭrawford’s career didn’t exactly end on a high note with “Trog,” a campy sci-fi oddity that would be her last venture in front of the camera. Written by Peter Bryan, John Gilling, Aben Kandel. Image Credit: Warner Bros/Kobal/REX/Shutterstockĭirected by Freddie Francis. Tour our photo gallery of Crawford’s 15 greatest films, and see if your favorites made the cut. Critically derided in its time (with five Razzie wins including Worst Picture and Worst Actress), it has since gained a second life as a cult classic. The book was turned into a film of the same name in 1981, with Faye Dunaway eerily transforming into the star. Her reputation took a hit with the publication of her adopted daughter Christina Crawford‘s memoir “Mommie Dearest” in 1978, which alleged physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother.
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(Crawford did compete at BAFTA alongside Davis.) Their off-stage rivalry during filming was chronicled in Ryan Murphy‘s limited series “Feud: Bette and Joan” (2017), with Jessica Lange playing Crawford and Susan Sarandon portraying Davis. Her co-star earned a slot within the category, yet Crawford got the last laugh when she convinced Anne Bancroft to stay home and let her accept her prize for “The Miracle Worker” in her stead. She was famously snubbed for “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962) for her performance as an invalid terrorized by her delusional sister ( Bette Davis), a former child actress. She earned two additional Best Actress bids for “Possessed” (1947) and “Sudden Fear” (1952). The role of an ambitious housewife working her way up from waitressing to owning a restaurant was indicative of the kinds of characters she would play throughout her career: strong, calculating, and ball-busting. in 1943, and just two years later, she was re-igniting the box office and scooping up a Best Actress Oscar for “Mildred Pierce” (1945). Yet a dip in audience enthusiasm led to her being labeled “box office poison,” which would haunt her for several years.Ĭrawford moved to Warner Bros. She worked her way up into starring roles in several MGM titles, most notably the ensemble drama “Grand Hotel” (1932). Let’s take a look back at 15 of her greatest films, ranked worst to best.īorn in 1906, Crawford made her debut as a body double for Norma Shearer in “Ladies of the Night” (1925). For more information on membership and to join online, visit our membership page.Joan Crawford is the Oscar-winning performer who starred in a number of classics before her death in 1977 at the age of 71. Ticket purchase includes same-day admission to the Museum (see gallery hours). (Members may contact with questions regarding online reservations.)
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Tickets: $15 ($11 seniors and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / free for children under 3 and Museum members at the Film Lover and Kids Premium levels and above ). “ Autumn Leaves is a bold exploration of emotional archetypes and incestuous longings based on the chemistry between Crawford and Robertson, two actors of different generations who bring out the best in each other.” The screening will be followed by a book signing in the Museum Store. “In this rich and very unsettling melodrama directed by Robert Aldrich, Joan Crawford is cast rewardingly against type as Millicent Wetherby, a prim, middle-aged typist from New England who slowly lets her guard down and falls in love with the much younger Burt Hanson (Cliff Robertson),” writes Callahan.

Callahan will introduce this screening of his favorite film, Autumn Leaves.

His latest book, The Art of American Screen Acting, 1912-1960, explores the work of Hollywood’s greatest actors. Dan Callahan, who has written books about Barbara Stanwyck and Vanessa Redgrave, is one of the most insightful writers on the craft of screen acting. With Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson, Vera Miles, Lorne Greene.

Introduced by Dan Callahan, author of The Art of American Screen Acting, 1912-1960ĭir.
