"I think the most important thing a woman can have - next to talent, of course, is... her hairdresser."
It's Joan Crawford's birthday, bitches!
All hail.
Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur, 23rd March 1904 - 10th May 1977)
CAMP: "A cornucopia of frivolity, incongruity, theatricality, and humour." "A deadly, winking, sniggering, snuggling, chromium-plated, scent-impregnated, luminous, quivering, giggling, fruit-flavored, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love." "The lie that tells the truth." "Ostentatious, exaggerated, affected, theatrical; effeminate or homosexual; pertaining to or characteristic of homosexuals."
Her hairdresser looks like a pretty David Niven!
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Maybe it was him! Jx
DeleteAll hail indeed !
ReplyDeleteThere are stars and there are STARS
Such a shame she adopted such ungrateful children.
Midwich Cuckoos, that's what they were! Jx
Deleteone crazy bitch was joan.
ReplyDeleteShe was wonderful with it! Jx
DeleteYou know she was I'm idol. And I too would beat the shit out of someone.And as you aware dear...
ReplyDelete"I don't step outside my door till I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. You want the girl next door, then go next door."
I've seen you with that wire coathanger, biatch! Jx
DeleteNothing but admiration for Joan. She was a smart enough young woman to recognize her own ignorance and knew that educating herself would be her path to survival. She learned to speak beautifully and appreciate art and literature. True, she lauded that acquired knowledge rather, shall we say, grandly, and stretched the high tone speech to a ridiculous point.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, she was haunted with the indelible ‘dirt’ of her childhood, and spent the rest of her life trying to scrub it away.
But she survived, became a fine actress (some might say technician) and managed to adapt her image with changing tastes, giving some indelible performances, and staying a star to the very end.
Great image, BTW Jon — happy to add it to my Joan collection! Cheers! xoN
Her background and lack of formal theatrical training were things she felt she was "slighted" for by "classier" actors, Bette Davis included, so she made up for it by working extra hard to be a star - and she achieved it, in spades. She often recalled Louis B. Meyer telling her at MGM he "built Stage 22, Stage 24 and the Irving Thalberg Building, brick by brick, from the income on my pictures."
DeleteEven if she did - like so many Golden Era actresses - end up as a bit of a parody of herself, appearing in schlock melodramas and cheap horror films , she was still as radiant on screen as she ever was in her heyday. Jx
Joan is my monster... I mean, mother. Adore her. The only thing larger than her shoulder pads were the chips she had on her shoulders! This photo you have shared... that requires some explaining! I know she did an 'ice skating' film, where she played 'an ice skater'. Was this her body double? Really? REEAALLLY? And I love all of Joan. Every single phase of her career - though I can't watch Trog. Trog sad. To make that picture interesting, Joan really should have had more to drink. Favorite movie? Johnny Guitar. MAN. The sparks. And Joan chomps down and chews each line like it was a piece of scenery. Loved this. Thank you for sharing. Love your blog, too. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteJohnny Guitar is a stunning camp extravaganza, and one of my all-time favourite films!
DeleteCheck out my tribute post after we went to see it on the big screen at the BFI...
Jx
PS We have (still) yet to see Ice Follies of 1939!
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