Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford was an American film actress whose career spanned silent films through the golden age of Hollywood.
Her name evokes old-fashioned glamour and intense screen presence—sharp cheekbones, dramatic eyebrows, padded shoulders.
After the memoir *Mommie Dearest* portrayed her as abusive, her name became shorthand for cruel or tyrannical motherhood: She went full Joan Crawford on her kids.
Hollywood entertainment conglomerate
- Warner BrosMajor film studio
- studio systemVertically integrated film production
- golden agePeriod of peak prosperity
- silver screenFilm industry metonym
talkies · motion pictures · soundstage · publicity · premiere · red carpet · box office · mogul
Fascinating, elegant attractiveness
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- shoulder padsUpper body protective gear
- eyebrowsHair above eyes
- lipstickCosmetic for coloring lips
perfectionist · discipline · rags-to-riches · self-made · survivor · driven · ambitious · fierce
Upper body protective gear
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- fashion iconCelebrated arbiter of dress
- furAnimal body hair
- jewelsOrnamental precious stones
tailored suits · dramatic makeup · red lips · couture · costume design · trendsetter · elegance · sophistication
- Grand HotelPrestigious upscale accommodation
- Oscar winnerFilm award recipient
- Best ActressPrize for top female performance
- comebackRecovery after decline
Thin metal garment holders
- reassessmentRenewed evaluation of something
- TCMClassic film network
- retrospectiveReviewing what came before
- biopicFilm about real life
Faye Dunaway · impersonation · cautionary tale · abuse allegations
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- tabloid fodderSensationalized celebrity news
MGM
Hollywood entertainment conglomerate
- Warner BrosMajor film studio
- studio systemVertically integrated film production
- golden agePeriod of peak prosperity
silver screen · talkies · motion pictures · soundstage · publicity · premiere · red carpet · box office · mogul · lot
glamour
Fascinating, elegant attractiveness
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- shoulder padsUpper body protective gear
- eyebrowsHair above eyes
lipstick · perfectionist · discipline · rags-to-riches · self-made · survivor · driven · ambitious · fierce · formidable
shoulder pads
Upper body protective gear
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- fashion iconCelebrated arbiter of dress
- furAnimal body hair
jewels · tailored suits · dramatic makeup · red lips · couture · costume design · trendsetter · elegance · sophistication · photogenic
Mildred Pierce
- Grand HotelPrestigious upscale accommodation
- Oscar winnerFilm award recipient
- Best ActressPrize for top female performance
comeback · silent films · melodrama · noir
wire hangers
Thin metal garment holders
- reassessmentRenewed evaluation of something
- TCMClassic film network
- retrospectiveReviewing what came before
biopic · Faye Dunaway · impersonation · cautionary tale · abuse allegations
Bette Davis
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- tabloid fodderSensationalized celebrity news
- Pre-Code HollywoodNight Nurse, 42nd Street, Scarface, Little Caesar, The Public Enemy
- Hollywood StarsBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie
- Screen LegendsHumphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn
- Stage NamesLady Gaga, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Cher
- 1940s CinemaCasablanca, Citizen Kane, The Maltese Falcon, Rebecca, Mildred Pierce
- HagsploitationStrait-Jacket, The Nanny, Bette Davis
Joan CrawfordBette Davis
Mary Pickford · Doris Day · Debbie Reynolds · girl next door · ingenue
Joan CrawfordDonna Reed
Mia Farrow · Angelina Jolie · Julie Andrews · loving mother · devoted mother