Silver Screen Magic with Joan Crawford

She came into this world as Lucille LeSeur and became the greatest actress of the Golden Age of Hollywood as Joan Crawford. She starred in many iconic films.

Director Otto Preminger directed the 20th Century Fox 1947 American romantic drama film “Daisy Kenyon." The film was based on the 1945 novel of the same name by Elizabeth Janeway. It starred Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda, and Dana Andrews.

The storyline revolves around a post-WW II romantic triangle. Daisy Kenyon (Joan Crawford) is a Manhattan commercial artist having an affair with an arrogant, overbearing, and successful lawyer, Dan O’Mara (Dana Andrews), who is married with two children. When he breaks a date on a night Daisy goes out with widowed war veteran Peter Lapham (Henry Fonda).

Director Edmund Goulding directed the 1932 American pre-Code drama “Grand Hotel” by MGM. It is based on the 1930 play by William A. Drake adapted from the 1929 novel Menshen im Hotel by Vicki Baum. The film starred John Barrymore, Greta Garbo, and Joan Crawford, among others.

The storyline follows a group of individuals staying at a luxurious Berlin hotel. Crawford portrays Flaemmchen, an ambitious stenographer working for a questionable industrialist.

Director Jean Negulesco directed the 1946 American melodrama film "Humoresque" by Warner Bros. It is based on the 1919 short story of the same name by Fannie Hurst. The film starred Joan Crawford and John Garfield.

The storyline revolves around the tragic romance between Paul Boray (John Garfield), a young and up-and-coming violinist, and Mrs. Helen Wright (Joan Crawford), the wealthy widow who becomes his patroness.

Director Nicholas Ray directed the 1954 American independent Western film “Johnny Guitar” by Republic Pictures. It is based on a novel of the same name by Roy Chanslor. The film starred Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, Ernest Borgnine, and Scott Brady. The main theme of the film’s score was composed by Victor Young, and the title song was co-written by Peggy Lee, loosely based on the Spanish Dance No. 5: Andaluza by Enrique Granados.

The storyline centers on Vienna (Joan Crawford), the owner of a saloon frequented by the bandits of the town. When someone commits a crime, Vienna’s rival, Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge), rallies the town against her saloon.

Director Michael Curtiz directed the 1945 American melodrama film noir “Mildred Pierce” by Warner Bros. This was the first starring role Crawford portrayed for Warner Bros. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film is based on the 1941 novel by James M. Cain. The film starred Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, and Zachary Scott and featured Eve Arden, Ann Blyth, and Bruce Bennett.

The storyline revolves around Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) struggling to support her two daughters, Veda Pierce Forrester (Ann Blyth) and Kay Pierce (Jo Ann Marlowe), after her wealthy husband leaves her. Becoming a successful businesswoman, Mildred must deal with her eldest daughter's resentful behavior amidst a police investigation following her second husband's death.

Director Curtis Bernhardt directed the 1947 American psychological drama "Possessed." It is based on a story by Rita Weiman. The film starred Joan Crawford, Van Heflin, and Raymond Massey.

The storyline revolves around Louis Howell (Joan Crawford), a woman violently obsessed with her lover David Sutton (Van Heflin). The story is told in flashbacks following Louise’s story as a nurse to a wealthy family and her increasingly dangerous obsession with the family’s neighbor.

Director David Miller directed the 1952 American film noir thriller “Sudden Fear." It is based on the novel of the same name by Edna Sherry. The film starred Joan Crawford and Jack Palance.

The storyline follows Myra Hudson (Joan Crawford), a successful writer who unexpectedly marries struggling actor Lester Blaine (Jack Palance). After their honeymoon, she learns he married her out of ambition and plans to kill her. Even though Myra is heartbroken, she plans revenge and hatches a dangerous plan.

Director Robert Aldrich directed the 1962 American psychological horror thriller “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” The film starred Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Henry Farrell.

The storyline follows an aging former child star Jane Hudson (Bette Davis), tormenting her paraplegic sister, Blanche Hudson (Joan Crawford), in a dilapidated Hollywood mansion.