Our Dancing Daughters

Legendary Joan Crawford

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""Our Dancing Daughters" was a field day for me - I think it was the first time
the script department was told to write strictly for me." -Joan Crawford

"Our Dancing Daughters" 1928

Cast: Joan Crawford (as Diana Medford, aka Dangerous Diana), Johnny Mack Brown, Dorothy Sebastian, Anita Page, Nils Asther, Dorothy Cummings, Huntley Gordon, Evelyn Hall, Sam De Grasse, Edward Nugent, Eddie Quinlan.

Release date - September 1, 1928 (premiere), October 14, 1928 (Nationwide, U.S.A.)

Running time - 86 minutes (9 reels)

Director - Harry Beaumont

Writing Credits - Josephine Lovett (story and scenario),
Marian Ainslee and Ruth Cummings (titles)

Producer - Hunt Stromberg

Cinematographer - George Barnes

Costumes - David Cox

Studio - MGM - Black and White - Silent

Movie Synopsis

Diana Medford (Joan) is a good time girl, never afraid to kick up her heels, dance on a table, flirt with any man that would look her way, she is the quintessential rebel of the 20's Jazz era. A good girl underneath her overly exuberant exterior, she falls in love with millionaire, Ben Blaine (John Mack Brown) but he's tricked into marrying the hard drinking, Ann (Anita Page). Shortly after their union, Ann (Anita Page) falls down a flight of stairs during one of her drunken binges and is killed. Fate brings Diana (Joan) and Ben (Johnny Mack Brown) back together for that happily ever after ending that the audience expects.

Interesting Trivia

1928 was a big year for Joan, having made a staggering nine films in that year alone, "Our Dancing Daughters," was the one that officially made her a star. This is the film that inundated MGM with mail addressed to 'Joan Crawford.' This is the film that prompted the studio to double her salary. Joan Crawford had served her time as an uncredited bit player, her name would appear above the title from now on and it would stay there for another four decades.

Academy Awards - 1930 - Nominated - Best Cinematography - George Barnes

Academy Awards - 1930 - Nominated - Best Writing, Achievement - Josephine Lovett

Overwhelmed with her new found stardom, Joan drove around the neighborhood at night, taking pictures of her name on theater marquees with her modest box camera. She'd finally made it and she was determined to capture her "so-called" fifteen minutes of fame. Ironically, Joan's fifteen minutes of fame stretched close to 50 years!

Cost: $178K - Domestic Studio Gross: $757K - Foreign Studio Gross: $342K Profit: $304K

Box Office Receipts: $1.1 million
Inflation worth in 2007: $13,295,590.64

Photos

Click on images below to see a larger view.

Movie Posters/Lobby Cards etc...

Reviews

Joan Crawford's Grandson, Casey Lalonde, says...

"Joan came into stardom during the Roaring 20's with "Our Dancing Daughters," a great film that embedded her image with the public as the Flapper Girl. I find the film a fascinating study of late 1920's pop culture with the carefree flapper finding happiness by film's end. What a wonderful way for Joan to make her big break."

Reviewer, robert.bertrand, says...

This is the film that cemented Joan's position in Hollywood and established her as a major star. The picture is considered by many to be the quintessential example of flappers, vamps, prohibition and that what-the-Hell attitude of the Roaring Twenties. Its the story of three girl friends who take different paths on the road to love. Based on a novel of the same name, the movie is a wonderful blend of comedy, romance and drama. Joan fought fervently to acquire the lead role of Diana Medford, the perfect illustration of the headstrong flapper. (At the time, Joans private life resembled that of her character Diana Medford.)

MGM had been trying to avoid showcasing Joans true personality to the public, thinking her private life was too wild and carefree to accept. But, when MGM executives saw what a success the picture was, two more films with a similar plot were made afterward to make something of a trilogy. Our Dancing Daughters was followed by another silent film, Our Modern Maidens; finalizing the trilogy is Our Blushing Brides, which is in sound.

In the pictures most famous scene, Joan does tabletop a Charleston for which she was so famous for in the nightclubs of Hollywood. Later, she removes part of her undergarments and prances around to the jazz music while a crowd gathers to watch. She is an absolute gem to watch; shes full of life --- dancing, drinking and laughing all the way through!

Other Reviews...

New York World had this to say, "Of Miss Crawford it may be predicted that in case her managers continue to find just such breezy little comedies for her she will realize what apparently has been her ambition for at least two years, and get going as a star in her own right. She had good looks, sprightliness, intelligence and a good sense of humor. She dances with great grace and versatility and she knows when - and how - to call a halt."

Bland Johaneson in the New York Mirror (1928) said, "Joan Crawford, as the girl who was free and wild but maintained her ideals, does the greatest work of her career. She has a typical Clara Bow role and she gives a lively run around for first honors as a modern flap. Joan has beauty, charm and more refinement than the trim-legged Bow. She makes you believe she's straight even through the torrid,questionable scenes she is required to play."

Photoplay (1928) said, "Gals with gold-digging aspirations can see this and learn. The story depicts life in the younger set and deals with the struggle of two gals for one lad. One thrill you won't forget, nor the girl - Anita Page. Hers would be the outstanding performance if Joan Crawford and Dorothy Sebastian were not also in the picture."

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