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Joan Crawford: The Essential Biography
- Narrated by: Jim Bratton
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
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Joan Crawford: The Essential Biography
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Summary
Joan Crawford was a leading film personality for more than 50 years, from her beginnings as a dancer in silent films of the 1920s, to her portrayals of working-class shop girls in the Depression '30s, to her Oscar-winning performances in classic films such as Mildred Pierce. Crawford's legacy has become somewhat tarnished in the wake of her daughter Christina's memoir, Mommie Dearest, which turned her into a national joke.
Today, many picture Crawford only as a wire hanger-wielding shrew rather than the personification of Hollywood glamour. This new biography of Crawford sets the record straight, going beyond the gossip to find the truth about the legendary actress. The authors knew Crawford well and conducted scores of interviews with her and many of her friends and co-stars, including Frank Capra, George Cukor, Nicholas Ray, and Sidney Greenstreet. Far from a whitewash, Crawford was indeed a colorful and difficult character. Joan Crawford corrects many lies and tells the story of one of Hollywood's most influential stars, complete with on-set anecdotes and other movie lore.
The book is published by The University Press of Kentucky.
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Critic reviews
"A thoroughgoing, evenhanded review of Crawford's life and work… neither academic nor gossipy but rather confessional, as if they are eager to set the record straight." (Library Journal)
"An expert overview of the temperamental diva's career." (Film Review)
"Expert.... The woman who emerges from these pages was tough, demanding, self-obsessed, horny, generous, and loyal." (Bay Area Reporter)
What listeners say about Joan Crawford: The Essential Biography
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- LanaLeigh
- 13-03-20
Fascinating book, hokey performance!
Although this was a very engaging book it was definitely very one sided, written by a man who simply cannot stop gushing over Joan. the narration is truly awful. over acted and hokey!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Elarris
- 02-08-19
Interesting life
This is an interesting book about an interesting woman who seems to have really lived her life.
I don’t think it comes close to objectivity though. The tone often takes on an air of defensiveness, especially the heavy handed section on Mommie Dearest and the subject of alcoholism towards the end. Nonetheless it’s a decent listen even if just because of its star.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- flowertoes
- 15-11-19
The child abuser apologist.
Joan Crawford was a randy and peculiar woman,a woman who should never have children...although strict,when the children,at least the older two,were young,all seemed to go well,when Crawford got older,as the older two children also became their own personalities,She decided....well..did she decide they were too independent .?..whatever ,She Crawford..lost interest,and out of spite banished them...the two authors either were not interested in anyone but Crawford..or..have no idea of family......some of it,Crawford started her sex life from the age of 11 years old,which warped her...Whatever ..poor Crisopher and Christina. I have just read chapter 20,what apologists the authors are...it just makes me think Joan Crawford was even worse.fortunately many people knew what Crawford was like.and where the sypathese should lie.how she disinherit her children.
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1 person found this helpful