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"I need sex for a clear complexion, but I'd rather do it for love." - Joan Crawford
The beginning of the 1940s proved to be one of Joan Crawford's most challenging years at her "home," MGM. Joan made
her most diverse films in the early forties such as, "Strange Cargo," "Susan and God" and "A Woman's
Face." All three of these films showed Joan taking risks and challenging herself to diverse roles that were removed form
the cookie cutter love triangle, society girl and shop girl roles that had become her trademark in the 1930s. Even though
Joan took on new roles and succeed, it still was not enough or MGM to believe in Joan and give her roles in films that showcased
her talents. It was a mutual decision for Joan and MGM to part ways after several less than stellar scripts. In 1942, Joan
was in talks with another studio, Warner Brothers, and signed a contract with them in the summer of 1943. The move was risky
but it proved to be worth it after her first picture for Warner's, "Mildred Pierce" became not only a huge hit but
earned Joan with an Oscar for Best Actress of 1945. Joan revitalized her career and continued to make strong pictures for
Warner's including, "Humoresque," Flamingo Road," "Humoresque" and "Possessed" (1947) which
earned her a second Academy Award nomination. Below is Joan Crawford's amazing body of work from the 1940s. Grab a cup of
tea, turn the lights down low and enjoy your journey through the Joan Crawford films of the 1940s!
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Strange Cargo (1940)
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Julie (Joan) is the love interest of Andre Verne (Clark Gable), a prisoner sentenced to life in a tough penal colony in Guyana.
When Andre (Clark Gable) is befriended by the secretive Cambreau (Ian Hunter), he offers to pay for Andre's (Clark Gable)
passage if he cares to make the break with the other prisoners planning an escape. Of course, it takes no convincing for him
to agree to join the group and they all successfully avoid the preoccupied prison guards, escaping to freedom in a small boat.
51 Photographs / 13 Movie Poster etc. / 1 Fan Review
*NEWLY ADDED 02/22/2008*
Strange Cargo
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Susan and God (1940)
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Susan Trexal (Joan) has just come back from a European vacation with more than a few souvenirs and holiday snap shots, she's
undergone a religious transformation. She's found God. Neglecting her husband Barrie (Fredric March) and daughter Blossom
(Rita Quigley) for her new found religion, she is unaware that all her family really want is a wife and mother. After alienating
her friends and neglecting her now alcoholic husband and insecure daughter in favor of her religion, it's not until Charlotte's
(Ruth Hussey) unselfish act of love that Susan (Joan) finally realizes what she really has in front of her - A family.
COMING SOON!
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A Woman's Face (1941)
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In Stockholm, Sweden, as Anna Holm (Joan) enters a courtroom waiting for her murder trial to begin, witnesses are sworn in.
The first witness, Herman Rundvik (Donald Meek), relates the following testimony: Late one night, at a rural tavern, aristocrat
Torsten Barring (Conrad Veidt) hosts a party that includes Vera (Osa Massen), the faithless wife of noted plastic surgeon
Dr. Gustav Segert (Melvyn Douglas). When the tavern will no longer extend Torsten credit, he charms Anna Holm, the badly scarred
proprietress, into signing his check. Bernard Dalvik (Reginald Owen) then testifies that he, Anna and Rundvik made most of
their money from blackmail.
39 Photographs / 28 Movie Poster etc. / 5 Fan Reviews
*NEW REVIEW ADDED 05/13/2008*
A Woman's Face
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When Ladies Meet (1941)
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At a New York literary reception given by flighty Bridget 'Bridgie' Drake (Spring Byington), journalist Jimmy Lee (Robert
Taylor), who has been working in California for some time, proposes to novelist Mary Howard (Joan), unaware that during his
absence, Mary has fallen in love with another man. Her friends have not seen much of Mary lately, and Jimmy notices that she
seems more serious and dedicated to her work. When her new publisher, the sophisticated, intellectual Rogers Woodruf (Herbert
Marshall) shows up, Jimmy knows that he has met his rival.
COMING SOON!
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They All Kissed the Bride (1942)
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Margaret J. Drew (Joan), known as "M. J." by her intimidated employees, has taken over command of the vast Drew
financial empire from her late father. When reporter Michael Holmes (Melvyn Douglas) begins to publish exposes about Drew's
tyrannical employment practices, the imperious M. J. demands that he be investigated. Mike, who has gleaned his information
from his friend, Drew driver Johnny Johnson (Allen Jenkins), is driving with Johnny one day when they see a woman whose car
has broken down along the road. When Johnny pulls over to help the woman, she identifies herself as a Drew spotter and cites
him for carrying a passenger and stopping his vehicle.
47 Photographs / 18 Movie Poster etc. / 1 Fan Review
*NEWLY ADDED 05/20/2008*
They All Kissed the Bride
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Reunion In France (1942)
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In the summer of 1939, Parisian socialite Michele de la Becque (Joan) tries to encourage her lover, automotive designer Robert
Cortot (Philip Dorn), to come with her to the South of France, but Robert refuses because of the war. The self-centered Michele
does not understand and frivolously goes to her favorite couturier, Mme. Montanot, for a new wardrobe. As Michele leaves for
her holiday, Robert tries to tell her how important France is to him and to make her understand what the war means, but she
dismisses his words. Soon German forces cross France's seemingly impenetrable Maginot Line and Paris is occupied by the Nazis.
COMING SOON!
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Above Suspicion (1943)
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Fred McMurray and Joan play honeymooners in pre WWII Europe who are asked to pose as British spies in order to track down
a missing agent. Excited by their new roles, the initial fun soon wears off when real danger presents itself in the heart
of Germany. In spring 1939, American-born Oxford professor Richard Myles (McMurray) and his American bride Frances (Crawford)
begin their honeymoon at an English roadside inn, registering under the names Mr. and Mrs. Edward Smith. Their first night
together is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Peter Galt, a former classmate of Richard's, now employed by the Foreign
Office.
COMING SOON!
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Hollywood Canteen (1944)
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An all star cast turn out to support the war effort, and just happen to star in a film, (as themselves), at the same time.
Two soldiers on sick leave spend three nights at the Hollywood Canteen before going back to active duty. Slim (Robert Hutton)
is the lucky one millionth soldier to enter the canteen, his prize? A date with his dream girl, Joan Leslie. Slim's (Robert
Hutton) buddy Sergant (Dane Clark) dances with Joan Crawford and Canteen President Bette Davis praises the canteen for it's
part in the war effort. A pleasant enough documentary type film all rolled into one. If for no other reason, it's fun to play
spot the star!
4 Photographs / 4 Movie Poster etc. / 1 Fan Review
*NEWLY ADDED 06/26/2008*
Hollywood Canteen
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Mildred Pierce (1945)
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Told in flashbacks, Mildred Pierce starts with gun shots at a beach house and the appearance of a victim in a body bag. It
is only through Mildred's (Joan) interrogation at Police Headquarters that we begin to understand what really happened. The
story centers around doting mother, Mildred Pierce (Joan) and her eldest daughter, Veda (Ann Blyth). A bratty teenager who
gets what she wants, when she wants it, it's clear that Mildred (Joan) will stop at nothing to appease her every whim. However,
Mildred's (Joan) seemingly perfect world is shattered when she finds out her husband, Bert (Bruce Bennett) is having an affair
with a neighborhood woman, Mrs. Biederhof (Lee Patrick).
78 Photographs / 32 Movie Poster etc. / 2 Fan Reviews
*NEWLY ADDED 07/30/2008*
Mildred Pierce
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Humoresque (1946)
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A tragic love story and one of Joan's best dramatic performances, perhaps inspired by her win of the Best Actress Oscar for
"Mildred Pierce" in the midst of the production. Helen Wright (Joan) plays a troubled society woman in a loveless
but open marriage. Upon meeting gifted violinist, Paul Boray (John Garfield), her initial fascination with him stems from
the fact that he shows no interest in her. With the excuse of nurturing his talent, she offers to sponsor him, introducing
him to the right people and pushing his talent as a violinist to its peak.
55 Photographs / 12 Movie Poster etc. / 5 Fan Reviews
*NEW REVIEW ADDED 06/11/2008*
Humoresque
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Possessed (1947)
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After deeply disturbed Louise Howell (Joan) is brought to the psychiatric ward of a hospital, Dr. Harvey Willard (Stanley
Ridges) persuades her to relate the events leading up to her breakdown: In Washington state, Louise, who works as a nurse
for the emotionally disturbed wife of Dean Graham (Raymond Massey), is in love with engineer David Sutton (Van Heflin) and
wants to marry him, but he does not return her love and, annoyed by her possessiveness, ends their relationship. David then
asks Graham, who does not know of his affair with Louise, to recommend him for a job in Canada. Louise overhears their conversation
and later begs David to take her with him to Canada.
68 Photographs / 18 Movie Poster etc. / 5 Fan Reviews
*NEWLY ADDED on 11/10/2008* Available on DVD!
Possessed
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Daisy Kenyon (1947)
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Successful attorney Dan O'Mara (Dana Andrews) visits the Greenwich Village apartment of his mistress, Daisy Kenyon (Joan),
a magazine illustrator, to cancel a date, explaining that he has been summoned to Washington on business. Daisy, upset, threatens
to break off their relationship but soon relents. As Dan leaves the building, he hails the taxi that discharges Peter Lapham
(Henry Fonda), a soldier Daisy met at a party the previous evening, who has come to take her to dinner.
69 Photographs / 33 Movie Poster etc. / 1 Fan Review
*NEW PHOTOS ADDED 06/27/08* NOW ON DVD!
Daisy Kenyon
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Flamingo Road (1949)
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Lane Bellamy, (Joan) is a carnival dancer, who has a relationship with local politician, Fielding Carlisle (Zachary Scott).
The corrupt Sheriff, (Sydney Greenstreet) who just happens to be looking out for Fielding's (Zachary Scott) political career
concocts a plan to keep Lane (Joan) away from Fielding (Zachary Scott) by framing her for a crime and throwing her in jail.
After her release, she sets out to get revenge on the men who put her there. As she begins to get her life back on track,
she meets and marries, Dan Reynolds (David Brian). They move to the nicer part of the neighborhood, to a house on the prestigious
Flamingo Road.
38 Photographs / 21 Movie Poster etc. / 4 Fan
Reviews
*NEWLY ADDED 04/07/2008* NOW ON DVD!
Flamingo Road
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It's A Great Feeling (1949)
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Judy Adams, played by a young Doris Day is thrown into this star studded film, that Warners made to simply showcase their
stable of stars. Most appear as themselves, with Joan Crawford demonstrating her perfected slapping skills on Jack Carson
and Dennis Morgan, going on to explain, "I do that in all my pictures." She steals the show.
7 Photographs / 4 Movie Poster etc. / 1 Fan Review
*NEWLY ADDED 06/26/2008*
It's a Great Feeling
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