Crawford took a commercial flight and was already at the hotel lobby when everyone else arrived.
Bette Davis and company arrived in Baton Rouge on May 31st while Crawford arrived June 3rd. When Joan and her entourage arrived at the airport there was noone there to greet them.
She tried to sabotage a major film being financed by a major studio with a $1.2 million budget because she "couldn't stand that Davis!!!" (As she told her friend the writer Lawrence Quirk when she had herself holed up in the hospital.)
Actually she confided in director Vincent Sherman (who visited her in the hospital) saying, "I'm not sick. I just can't stand working another minute with that Bette Davis!"
Even Crawford's friend George Cukor confirmed her plot to have the production cancelled. It had happened before to Fox and with one of Cukor's films, the ill-fated Something's Got to Give. As Cukor noted, Fox closed down the production because of Marilyn Monroe's extended absences. Crawford hoped she could do the same with Charlotte.
George Cukor did not confirm anything, he merely put two and two together. And I doubt he and Crawford had a conversation about it either. The two probably did in fact talk to each other but that it mostly pertained to Joan's illness (and possibly Davis as well).
Crawford's actions alone did her in -- if she had just finished the film she wouldn't have been replaced and her reputation would have been intact. And it was her actions that consigned her to the dreck of William Castle and films like Trog.
Crawford in fact made attempts to escape the dreck after 'Baby Jane' as noted below:
Sex and Miss AcDoo - Signed on in 1957 but production stalled until 1963.
The Movie Fan - Negotiated in 1963.
The Strange Story - Negotiated in 1964 but production fell through.
The Bastard (1968) - Signed a contract but backed out.
Jenny By Nature (1970) - Signed on but production fell through.
Follies (1972) - Signed on but production fell through.
Airport 77' (1977) - Declined because not enough rehearsal time/asked to wear her own clothes (Most likely she was ill and wasn't up to filming).
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markedjuan
9 years ago
Bette Davis and company arrived in Baton Rouge on May 31st while Crawford arrived June 3rd. When Joan and her entourage arrived at the airport there was noone there to greet them.
The fact is Crawford chose to travel separately and that was her call as a star but this sent a signal that she wasn't a team player.
George Cukor did not confirm anything, he merely put two and two together. And I doubt he and Crawford had a conversation about it either. The two probably did in fact talk to each other but that it mostly pertained to Joan's illness (and possibly Davis as well).
And how would you know if Cukor merely put two and two together? He told the biographer what he knew about what happened and it was on record and he knew it was eventually going to be published. He never said he was just guessing about Crawford's actions. He told it to the author as a fact and how would you know what Crawford and Cukor discussed privately? Were you present during their conversations together? Did you have a direct connection to their telephones when Crawford called Cukor almost every evening?
Crawford in fact made attempts to escape the dreck after 'Baby Jane' as noted below:
<i>Sex and Miss AcDoo - Signed on in 1957 but production stalled until 1963.
The Movie Fan - Negotiated in 1963.
The Strange Story - Negotiated in 1964 but production fell through.
The Bastard (1968) - Signed a contract but backed out.
Jenny By Nature (1970) - Signed on but production fell through.
Follies (1972) - Signed on but production fell through.
Airport 77' (1977) - Declined because not enough rehearsal time/asked to wear her own clothes (Most likely she was ill and wasn't up to filming). </i>
We're talking about the films she did after 1964 -- AFTER SHE TRIED TO SABOTAGE CHARLOTTE -- and it was all dreck. If any of those films you claim she signed on -- AFTER CHARLOTTE -- didn't push through then they they were probably worse than the dreck she actually did. Or perhaps the financiers were already weary of her because of what she attempted to do with Charlotte. If a William Castle production can get greenlit, then why couldn't an allegedly decent film you claim she signed on with push through?
The film version of Follies was just an idea and no actor was cast or signed because it hardly had gone through the pre-production phase when the director Harold Prince pulled out. Those names mentioned never went beyond the casting ideas phase. It was all just PR courtesy of entertainment publicist John Springer.
Airport '77 was just slightly better than the dreck Crawford did after Charlotte. Producer Robert Fryer wanted Irene Dunne and when she passed, he went for Olivia de Havilland. By 1976, Crawford was too ill to work and too upset with the way she now looked. That thing about Crawford having to use her own clothes for this film is pure fiction. Fryer was willing to gift Irene Dunne with a brand new Rolls Royce as an added bonus to her salary and some people claim he couldn't afford to provide the wardrobe? Fryer hired none other than legendary Edith Head to design the wardrobe for this film. Edith Head received her final Oscar nomination for her work in Airport '77.. I'm certain Olivia de Havilland wore one of Edith Head's creations -- as the story happens in a span of 48 hours at the most, all the characters in the film just wore one costume throughout. At the 1978 Oscars, Eleanor Parker modeled the outfit De Havilland wore in the film during a fashion show of the Best Costume nominees.
By the 1970s, it was easy to mention Crawford's name for a role because the parts producers had in mind for her were merely supporting roles or glorified cameos. Her name and legend could provide the glamour of a Grand Hotel-like movie but at that point, hers was a name that wouldn't get a movie financed or opened. The producer Robert Fryer liked casting the glamorous legends of the Golden Age of Hollywood in his lamentable films -- his victims have included Myrna Loy, Gloria Swanson, Olivia de Havilland, Martha Scott, Rosalind Russell, and yes even Bette Davis -- at least up until their friendship broke up in 1964.
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shopguyperry
9 years ago
And how would you know if Cukor merely put two and two together? He told the biographer what he knew about what happened and it was on record and he knew it was eventually going to be published. He never said he was just guessing about Crawford's actions.
Cukor and Crawford were friends so she would have known about the troubled production of Something's Got to Give enough to form a plan of her own for Charlotte. From this its not entirely impossible to suggest Cukor made a connection between his past experience and the present situation with Crawford and Charlotte.
Or perhaps the financiers were already weary of her because of what she attempted to do with Charlotte.
Already weary of her? Why would they be weary of her? This whole business of holding up production multiple times because of illness happened only once in her entire career.
Airport '77
Crawford mentioned this to her friend Carl Johnes and it appears in his book, 'Crawford: The Last Years'.
We're talking about the films she did after 1964 -- and it was all dreck.
What about Bette Davis? After Charlotte she made five movies (The Nanny, The Anniversary, Bunny O'Hare, Burnt Offerings, Wicked Stepmother) that were as much dreck as the ones Crawford had chosen to do.
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markedjuan
9 years ago
Cukor and Crawford were friends so she would have known about the troubled production of Something's Got to Give enough to form a plan of her own for Charlotte. From this its not entirely impossible to suggest Cukor made a connection between his past experience and the present situation with Crawford and Charlotte.
Exactly my point. Crawford made late night evening calls to Cukor and he was a confidante but stop claiming she never discussed what she planned to do with the Charlotte production with him and stop dismissing what Cukor had told on record was pure conjecture, because as I said, who are we to say that the quote in the book was just a mere guess?? Cukor was the primary source of that particular angle.
Already weary of her? Why would they be weary of her? This whole business of holding up production multiple times because of illness happened only once in her entire career.
It was common knowledge she was just faking it and she didn't just hold up production, she nearly canceled it for good which was her real intention anyway. But even just holding up production alone is bad enough since the insurers would be weary of insuring another movie that headlined Crawford. It's not as if she was Elizabeth Taylor.
Crawford mentioned this to her friend Carl Johnes and it appears in his book, 'Crawford: The Last Years'.
Well,unlike you, Sir, I'm not about to dispute something she said to an author, who published it in the book. But what I said about Airport '77 can be verified in Robert Fryer's article about Irene Dunne, which was published in Vanity Fair. Information about the costumes regarding Edith head is easily accessible, even on this site.
What about Bette Davis? After Charlotte she made five movies (The Nanny, The Anniversary, Bunny O'Hare, Burnt Offerings, Wicked Stepmother) that were as much dreck as the ones Crawford had chosen to do.
Actually, Bette Davis received great reviews for The Nanny and yes, she had her own share of dreck, but they they weren't as big a dreck as Trog or I Saw What You Did, or Berserk. You failed to mention another piece of dreck Bette Davis did, Scream, Pretty Peggy. But you also failed to mention the other movies she did: Death on the Nile, Mother (for she win on an Emmy), The Whales of August and so many more. This merely shows you are very biased and a fanboy who is blind to the faults of Crawford. But I give credit to Crawford for being such a conniving bitch because it did help her career last up until the 1960s when it finally backfired on her.
And may I mention that Bette Davis was a candidate for lead roles in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Valley of the Dolls, and The Killing of Sister George, all A-list productions? I wouldn't say she was signed on, but she was a name they still dropped when producers were casting their films.
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shopguyperry
9 years ago
It was common knowledge she was just faking it and she didn't just hold up production, she nearly cancelled it for good which was her real intention anyway. But even just holding up production alone is bad enough since the insurers would be weary of insuring another movie that headlined Crawford.
Whether she was faking or not the fact of the matter is the doctors at the hospital thought differently otherwise why would they let her stay there knowing she was not sick? And I doubt Joan had any sort of clout/connections to pull the wool over their eyes either.
She had her own share of dreck, but they they weren't as big a dreck as Trog or I Saw What You Did, or Berserk.
Wicked Stepmother was dreck compared to ISWYD, Berserk and Trog. At least Crawford didn't allow herself to deteriorate before everyone's eyes. I understand Davis had had a stroke and wanted to remain active but it was painful and from what I've read about her with regards to the making of Wicked Stepmother pathetic too. Just didn't know when to quit (making films).
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markedjuan
9 years ago
Wicked Stepmother was dreck compared to ISWYD, Berserk and Trog.
What could have been worse than playing opposite a monster like Trog and screaming "Trog! Trog!" What could have been more demeaning than having to change costumes in a car (I do hope the car was at least a Jaguar) and using her own clothes? (Which makes Crawford's complaint about Airport '77 totally absurd and untrue). And what would have been worse than having a cameo role in a slasher film like I Saw What You Did? Her supposed cameo in Rosemary's Baby would have been more respectable.
Bette Davis worked up until the end because she was offered parts and studios were willing to finance a film on th strength of her name, even when she was sidelined by the stroke and cancer. The Whales of August and unfortunately, Wicked Stepmother, got grinlit because her name was attached to those projects.
I understand Davis had had a stroke and wanted to remain active but it was painful and from what I've read about her with regards to the making of Wicked Stepmother pathetic too. Just didn't know when to quit (making films).
And so you insinuate that Crawford knew when to quit because she had lost her looks. Well, that's the difference between Crawford and Davis. When Crawford's looks faded, she had nothing more to offer, as if she couldn't rely on any real acting talent to continue her career. Actually, Crawford didn't know when to quit because she insisted on holding on to being the kind of star she was in the 1930s and 1940s by taking on roles in Berserk and Trog. No doubt, getting the star treatment in these films boosted her ego.
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shopguyperry
9 years ago
What could have been more demeaning than having to change costumes in a car (I do hope the car was at least a Jaguar) and using her own clothes?.
According to director Herman Cohen:
Untrue. She had a huge caravan—and I have reason to remember that well! We were out on location and it was quite chilly out, and I was told by my assistant that Joan was deathly ill in her caravan. I had my car take me there immediately, I went in to see her and she was saying [huffing and puffing], 'Oh, Herm....oh!...get me a doctor...I can't work. I told her I'd do it, and I turned to run out. On these caravans, the door is low, and I ran and smashed my head against the top of the door [frame]—knocked myself for a loop! Joan jumped up and yelled, "Oh, Herman, Herman, darling! Come here, lie down!" She got a cold compress for my head—"You rest! I'll work!"—and within an hour, she was on the set! She forgot that she was sick, now that she was taking care of me!
She also had me come to New York and pick out from her own wardrobe what she should wear in these pictures—because she owned a big piece of both pictures, she didn't want us to spend any extra money on wardrobe.
http://www.hermancohen.com/interview-attack6.htmlBette Davis worked up until the end because she was offered parts and studios were willing to finance a film on the strength of her name, even when she was sidelined by the stroke and cancer. The Whales of August and unfortunately, Wicked Stepmother, got greenlit because her name was attached to those projects.
After her stroke, Bette only appeared in four productions: Murder with Mirrors (1985/TV), As Summers Die (1986/TV), The Whales of August (1987) and Wicked Stepmother (1989).
According to James Spada's book More Than A Woman An Intimate Biography of Bette Davis (1993):
Back in West Hollywood, as the winter of 1985 evolved into the spring of 1986, Bette faced anew the harsh reality that acting offers were not coming in for her. She telephoned Robert Lantz every couple of days - "Why aren't you sending me any scripts?!" - and Lantz tried to explain as gently as possible that there were few parts for a woman her age; what good roles there were seemed always to go to Jessica Tandy.
What Lantz didn't say - and what Bette must have realized in her rare moments of honest introspection - was that most producers in Hollywood considered her unemployable. If there were few roles for an actress nearly eighty; there were fewer still for a frail, painfully thin, obviously disabled woman. The electrifying nervous energy that Bette was famous for, the feistiness that had kept her seemingly forever young, had deserted her, replaced by a limping feebleness that inspired either pity or admiration at her ability to carry on - but in either case made onlookers uncomfortable.
She went a year without acting. Instead, she drew heavily on the investments Harold Schiff had made on her behalf and met every day with the writer Michael Herskowitz to prepare a second memoir that she hoped would bring in large royalties.
Lantz had made heroic efforts on Bette's behalf throughout 1987, but the cause was hopeless. No producer would hire her, either because of the way she looked or because they feared she would be uninsurable.
Offers simply didn't come in to Lantz's office, and when he repeatedly told Bette he had nothing for her she became convinced that he wasn't working hard enough. "She didn't understand that she was no longer employable," Lantz recalls sadly. "She weighed seventy-five pounds or something. It was too difficult. She was too difficult."
And so you insinuate that Crawford knew when to quit because she had lost her looks. Well, that's the difference between Crawford and Davis. When Crawford's looks faded, she had nothing more to offer, as if she couldn't rely on any real acting talent to continue her career.I didn't insinuate any such thing. She may not have ended her career on a high note but at least she left still looking great. Davis ultimately lingered too long on the screen as evidence by Wicked Stepmother. She was wasting away. I know it wasn't her fault but a star has to know when the jig is up.
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markedjuan
9 years ago
Four films within a span of four years is more than any star could ask for. It's just Bette Davis wanted to work and work and it's amazing that she still got offers, given her condition, and age. Jessica Tandy got all the roles Davis coveted? The book you quoted should have just as well included Hepburn, Stanwyck and their other contemporaries who wanted the parts Tandy got. Davis just lost one role to Tandy and it was Driving Miss Daisy. Davis was already dead when Tandy won the Oscar and when every role that required an actress of a certain age started coming Tandy's way.
And Davis didn't waste away, because she was still active and was very much in the public eye up until she was about to drop dead. It was Crawford who wasted away,hiding in her New York apartment until she got ill and died.
And of course, Crawford looked great in her last film; of the two monsters in Trog, she was the less scary one. But then again, that is subject to debate.
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MammothPicturesReturns
8 years ago
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte is a classic horror film with a wonderful cast, great script, and great direction. It's a far better film than Joan Crawford's last sad movies were.
Strait-Jacket. Dreck.
Berserk. More dreck.
Trog. Bottom of the barrel dreck.
At least Bette Davis got some respectable roles at the end of her career. Joan's films after Baby Jane were just pathetic.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
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mcdaniels-84888
8 years ago
Dreck aside at least Joan's post Baby Jane performances have none of the affected posturing and vocal tics that bedeviled Davis in her final films. Splitting all of her sentences into three distinct parts and assuming dreadful high-pitched voices and prima donna attitudes, Davis generally descended to the level of the script while Joan tended to tower over the material.
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AcademyAwardWinnerJordy
8 years ago
"Davis generally descended to the level of the script while Joan tended to tower over the material."
THIS!
Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation (Eat, Pray, Love)
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PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
THIS.......... is strictly for Crawford queens.
Like STRAIT-JACKET never happened.
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AcademyAwardWinnerJordy
8 years ago
Did you read what the hell was said, or is your head still shoved far up Davis' ass? I said Joan was able to rise above horrible material (Strait-Jacket included). Bette would usually succumb to it.
Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation (Eat, Pray, Love)
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rascal67
8 years ago
...Joan was able to rise above horrible material (Strait-Jacket included). Bette would usually succumb to it.
_______________________
I think Bette also had a more finely honed sense of humor, was self-deprecating and while a queen b!tch herself, knew how to have more fun with the roles and material. I would say she was also more honest too. I bet Davis was also more welcomed at parties and functions than what Crawford was. The proof is in the pudding, that Davis had a better post Baby Jane movie career than what Crawford did. Not to undermine Crawford's own talent as an actress, she just wasn't that nice a lady pronto.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:💩
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AcademyAwardWinnerJordy
8 years ago
Bette invited to more parties?? Have you heard anything about HER reputation and people skills??
Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation (Eat, Pray, Love)
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PrometheusTree64
9 years ago
Actually, Bette Davis received great reviews for The Nanny and yes, she had her own share of dreck,
Yes, THE NANNY was excellent and is largely regarded as one of Bette's last, great roles for the big screen. It was a small film, yes, but very good.
Only AJ Benza has called it "a horrific" film on his scandal-obsessed show, but that program never does its homework. He once insisted that Crawford's career supposedly plummeted after MILDRED PIERCE when in fact it was the beginning of her great Warners' era.
--
LBJ's mistress on JFK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcXeutDmuRA
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9 years ago
[deleted]
PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
More than rattling Davis' cage, once the industry learns that Crawford is trying to sabotage potential Oscar wins for films in which she appears, and is trying to get other films shut down in which she appears (until she's replaced) she becomes uninsurable. Pissing off Bette is one thing, damaging studio product and profits is unforgivable.
No wonder Joan never had a substantive job ever again.
Who could hire her after what she did regarding both BABY JANE and CHARLOTTE?
Yes, Bette could be as bitchy as anybody, but she didn't do stuff like that!
--
LBJ's mistress on JFK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcXeutDmuRA
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shopguyperry
8 years ago
Crawford is trying to sabotage potential Oscar wins for films in which she appears
Crawford sabotaged nothing. The only thing she did was offer to accept for the absent nominees. And what clout did she have with the Academy to sway them not to vote of Davis? Neither she or Bette had any.
And Bette wasn't even the front runner and that she was so pissed because she lost and Bancroft won proves how ungracious and unprofessional she actually was. I don't think Davis ever said what a great honor it was for Bancroft to win instead she kept blaming Crawford and saying how much she should have won it.
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PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
Crawford sabotaged nothing. The only thing she did was offer to accept for the absent nominees. And what clout did she have with the Academy to sway them not to vote of Davis? Neither she or Bette had any.
And Bette wasn't even the front runner and that she was so pissed because she lost and Bancroft won proves how ungracious and unprofessional she actually was. I don't think Davis ever said what a great honor it was for Bancroft to win instead she kept blaming Crawford and saying how much she should have won it.
But you're a hard line Crawford apologist, one quick to "explain" the evils of Chrsitina and Bette. You and your tone of faux-authority just can't be taken seriously.
--
LBJ's mistress on JFK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcXeutDmuRA
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shopguyperry
8 years ago
I do my research. Not only do I read the Joan Crawford books (including Mommie Dearest) but the Bette Davis ones also. The whole Christina/Joan and Bette/Joan is an endlessly fascinating one and of course you can't believe everything you read!
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PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
You "do your research" and then choose what you prefer.
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shopguyperry
8 years ago
and then choose what you prefer
But isn't that what you do?
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PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
No. You're a pathetic Crawford apologist and you crap on anybody who's ever been abused by a narcissist parent when you go to such ridiculous extremes 24/7 (what with your "research") to defend and justify her.
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InherentlyYours
8 years ago
PrometheusTree64
Look at you, ranting n' raving, like you did at me a few days ago because someone doesn't agree with special-you. THAT is a symptom of the narcissism (cannot take rejection) you speak of. You're condescending in that manner like a spoiled child who doesn't get his way.
Now, keep calm, and take deep breaths when these events occur. After all, we need to utilize your "intelligence" in a more constructive way. Everything we will ok. Now, play some gay showtunes to relax you.
(watch who you F with)
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PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
Look at you, ranting n' raving, like you did at me a few days ago because someone doesn't agree with special-you. THAT is a symptom of the narcissism (cannot take rejection) you speak of. You're condescending in that manner like a spoiled child who doesn't get his way.
Now, keep calm, and take deep breaths when these events occur. After all, we need to utilize your "intelligence" in a more constructive way. Everything we will ok. Now, play some gay showtunes to relax you.
(watch who you F with)
"gay showtunes"??
I don't follow you, InherentlySimpleMinded, but you seem to follow
me. Which is flattering, sort of. Unfortunately, you're ubiquitous on every IMDb page, and often taken opposing positions even in the same thread.
You have the
exact same fights with EVERYbody. So don't dump your considerable slop onto
me.
As far as "intelligent" is concerned, I actually
do think
you're intelligent. But you waste it on this kind of endless crap -- you don't go after people you know are knuckleheaded so much but instead after people who can take you on.
Are you unaware of how this behavior makes you look? Or are you only concerned that they look?
Projection is
all you do! And you accuse everybody of exactly the same things.
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InherentlyYours
8 years ago
Nobody is sitting around wondering if you think they are intelligent. That's the point. I couldn't care less about your approval or whether you think I am intelligent or not. You don't mean anything to me. Accept that not everyone cares about your input or critique
Are you aware of your behavior? Are are you aware of your neurosis, oh,oh. Use your stuff on others who are more easily impressed.
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PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
Nobody is sitting around wondering if you think they are intelligent. That's the point. I couldn't care less about your approval or whether you think I am intelligent or not. You don't mean anything to me. Accept that not everyone cares about your input or critique
Are you aware of your behavior? Are are you aware of your neurosis, oh,oh. Use your stuff on others who are more easily impressed.
Who's giving you "approval"?? You accuse
everybody of exactly the same things! Always. And eveybody knows it! And it's commented on constantly.
You're one of the most reviled posters on IMDb. And I'm sure it's because of your good looks.
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InherentlyYours
8 years ago
But, you have fights with people all the time, I see them. You disagree with posters continually...In other words, your fights are legit because it's you, but my fights are not legit because it's me. How funny.
You're a 60 yr old man carrying on like a schoolchild--and at the same time, have a shcoolteacher=attitude towards others. Get over yourself, and move on. Great, I am the most 'reviled on imdb. Ok, that's nice.
I know, there is where all the hanger-ons will flock to the board to support you and express their personal dislike of me like a gay ole party, secretly hoping I will read it. Talk about pathetic.
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PrometheusTree64
8 years ago
But, you have fights with people all the time, I see them. You disagree with posters continually...In other words, your fights are legit because it's you, but my fights are not legit because it's me. How funny.
You're a 60 yr old man carrying on like a schoolchild--and at the same time, have a shcoolteacher=attitude towards others. Get over yourself, and move on. Great, I am the most 'reviled on imdb. Ok, that's nice.
I know, there is where all the hanger-ons will flock to the board to support you and express their personal dislike of me like a gay ole party, secretly hoping I will read it. Talk about pathetic.
No, baby. There you go again. Don't try and blur your record with mine nor anybody else's -- your record is one everybody at IMDb knows about.
You make the most bizarrely specific, nonsensical slams (see above) and otherwise
project, project, project your own weird personality traits and quirks onto everybody you go after and do battle with.
You're infamous. (I am not). Stop shaming yourself.
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shopguyperry
8 years ago
Crawford was out of her league trying to deal with Davis. The most deadly mistake Crawford could've made was setting herself up to accept the Oscar for whoever won Best Actress that year. You can't convince me she didn't know what could result from that...she rattled Davis' cage, and in the end, Crawford paid the price.
Below gives some insight to Joan's motives for her ill advised decision:
[Bette&Joan Divine Feud]
In a 1972 telephone conservation, Joan related to future author Shaun Considine that after she and Davis attended separate screenings of Baby Jane (before its release) she called Bette and asked her what she thought of the film to which Davis replied, "You were so right, Joan. The picture is good. And I was terrific." Crawford, "That was it. She never said anything about my performance. Not a word."
[Joan Crawford Essential Biography]
"She acted like Baby Jane was a one-woman show after they nominated her. What was I supposed to do, let her hog all the glory, act like I hadn't even been in the movie? She got the nomination. I didn't begrudge her that, but it would have been nice if she'd been a little gracious in interviews and given me a little credit. I would have done it for her."
There's this interview Bette did in 1969 [
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQyjgZTnthsin] in which she makes a point to mention Joan's professionalism, punctuality and preparedness but nothing about her talent as an actress.
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shopguyperry
8 years ago
There's no doubt in my mind that Crawford would've made an interesting choice for Miriam, though I'm perfectly happy with de Havilland in the part. All the more interesting, actually, since Olivia rarely played the bitch and was always ladylike and charming in most of her roles.
There was a combustible energy these two ladies had together and they would have produced a worthy follow-up to Baby Jane. Their mutual real life rivalry, jealousy and enmity would have translated again so well on the screen with Joan this time getting her revenge and being the sadist and I dare say slightly outdoing Bette who, though good and fun, is slightly hammy and in a wrong way unlike Baby Jane where she is spot on. I believe Joan would have grounded Bette's performance better than Olivia whom Bette felt more comfortable with thereby not being on her toes as much.
She would've been great in Lady in a Cage, but I don't know why she dropped out of that one.
Crawford signed on to do this film in 1962 but left when the films finances became unstable and her salary could no longer be paid.
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