1
[Alarm buzzing]
[Knock on door]
Yes?
We're ready for you, Miss Crawford.
Let's go.
And on our left, just up the hill,
the palatial home of movie queen Joan Crawford,
whose new movie, Ice Follies 1939...
[Scrubbing]
Excuse me.
Helga's finished in the living room, Miss Crawford.
Oh, good.
Carol Ann, help me with this.
Ohh.
Helga...
When you Polish the floor, you have to move the tree.
If you can't do something right, don't do it at all.
I'm sorry, Miss Crawford.
Give me the soap.
You see, Carol Ann,
you have to stay on top of
things every single minute.
O.K.
[Doorbell chimes]
Carol Ann, will you get that?
Yes, Miss Crawford.
Helga, I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the dirt.
Come on. Yes, ma'am.
Hello, Carol Ann.
Oh, Mr. Savitt. Come in.
Greg, you're early.
Only an hour and a half.
Well, take your shoes off.
I've just washed that floor.
What about the socks?
I can handle the socks.
[Shower running]
Hello, Bridget.
[Camera clicks]
Miss Crawford, words cannot express our gratitude
for the happiness you bring our children.
No. I'm the one who's grateful, reverend mother.
Being here with you and the children at Christmas
is one of the things I most look forward to.
Bridget, look.
[Click click]
Be careful.
Merry Christmas, Bridget.
You know what's missing in my life?
A hit movie.
Come on.
You've got everything you want.
No, I don't. I want a baby.
A baby?
Yeah.
You know I've always wanted a kid.
You're too vain to be pregnant.
Vain.
I can't have one.
I was pregnant seven times with franchot.
I lost them all.
I'm going to adopt one.
Out of the question.
What do you mean?
I mean no agency would give you a baby.
How do you know?
I'm a lawyer.
Bend the law.
Bend the law?
Joan, you're an actress. You've been divorced twice.
Adoption agencies can be brutal.
Besides, a baby needs a father.
A father.
A father...
I never had a father.
Ma changed husbands faster
than she changed bed sheets.
Ma, with her sloppiness and her dirt.
You know, hard times is good for people.
I tell you it is.
Would I be where I am if I hadn't had them?
I could be a mother and a father.
I know how to teach a kid to take care of himself
and amount to something. I know I could.
Maybe you could.
One thing's certain.
You'd sure get a lot of publicity.
Don't you--
bastard.
You guys in Hollywood, all you
think about is publicity,
deals, box office.
Why don't you try to understand a woman?
I'm afraid I have some difficult
news for you, Miss Crawford.
The agency has denied your application for adoption.
But why?
Well... You live alone.
There's no other family member in the home.
You have two previous divorces.
You're a busy, active woman,
"and the candidate is found
to be an unsuitable parent."
Unsuitable?
Please, Miss Crawford.
Don't you dare judge me!
We have a moral and legal responsibility in this job.
Obviously you don't understand.
What you're really doing is
denying one of your children
the opportunity to live a
wonderful and advantaged life.
How sad that is.
Good afternoon.
Do I look all right?
Am I dressed right?
Oh, for god's sake, Joan.
Everything...
Perfect.
Perfect.
The kid's only a couple of months old.
It's not going to know.
I know.
Why aren't they here?
I don't know.
Greg, darling, please don't drink.
I don't want whiskey on your breath.
Damn it, Joan, I got you the baby.
It's yours! You have it.
I know.
[Doorbell chimes]
They're here.
[Carol Ann] Hello.
Please, this way.
We're so pleased, Miss Crawford.
Thank you, doctor.
Thank you.
Hello.
Oh, Greg.
She's perfect.
You're perfect.
[Baby cooing]
A daughter.
[Cooing]
My own...
Daughter.
[Joan] I'm going to make a perfect life for you.
I'm going to give you all the things I never had.
My beautiful little darling.
Oh...
You're a lucky little girl...
And very expensive.
You cost me a lot of favors.
I'm going to call you...
Christina.
Christina, darling...
My darling daughter.
My own...
Christina Crawford.
[calliope plays]
Are you having a happy birthday, Christina, darling?
This is the best party I ever had.
I love you, mommie dearest.
I love you, Tina, darling.
Up.
Here's your mommie.
Hello.
This is Christopher,
my second child.
I would like to adopt every
unwanted child in the world.
No one should be unwanted.
Oh, look at that, darling.
Life is tough enough when you are wanted,
isn't it?
It's time for his nap.
He's sleepy.
Have nanny tuck him in properly.
Christina.
Come...
Birthday girl.
Now, what do you think?
Shall we open the presents now?
Yes.
You think it's about time to?
Yes!
I'm not so sure.
Oh, please?
They're right there.
[Photographer] Miss Crawford.
The studio would like some shots of you
watching Christina open presents.
All right, Jimmy.
Come on, darling.
Oh, I have a grass stain.
Oh, darling, that will never show.
I'll just run upstairs and
have nanny take care of it.
No, dear. We'll take the photographs now.
Actually, Miss Crawford, it might read.
All right, dear, go along.
Have nanny fix it.
We'll wait for you here.
O.K., Christina.
Hold it a little more.
O.K.
Big smile, Christina.
O.K., Christina.
Wide smile now, wide eyes.
A little to your right, Christina.
Now hang on, Christina.
Beautiful!
She's a real natural, Miss Crawford.
I think that's enough now, hmm?
Tina, run down and get the other children.
Tell them to come up. We'll
open the presents for real.
O.K.
Miss Crawford, I promised the
studio some real good stuff
when she blows out the candles.
All right, Jimmy.
Oh, mommie,
thank you.
She's so beautiful.
What should I name her?
Is that the present you like best?
Oh, yes.
Then that's the present you can keep.
We'll take the rest
to the orphans who don't have anything.
And tomorrow we'll write our thank-you notes.
Oh.
Christina, why can't you...
Hello, hello.
Happy birthday, darling.
Oh, hello, darling.
Darling.
Oh, uncle Greg.
It's just what I wanted.
You like it?
I love it.
Look.
Oh, but, you see,
I'm only keeping one present,
and all the rest I'm going
to give to the poor orphans.
Yes, I--i read about that in the newspapers.
It's--it's wonderful.
So I'll just keep this for you
until you don't have to choose.
I put a lot of thought into this
when I picked it for you.
[Sighs]
All right.
This time we'll make an exception.
You may keep the doll...
And the bracelet.
Oh, mommie dearest.
Mmm.
What about Christopher's present?
This one.
Darling, remember what I told you
about adopted children?
Adopted children are luckiest
'cause they were chosen.
That's right.
Well, that's good,
but you've got to push off more with your weight.
Come on, let's see another one.
She's had enough, Joan.
But I'm tired, mommie.
Quitter.
All right, ready?
1, 2, 3...
Dive!
Better, but you've got to keep your legs together
when you go in the water.
She's only a kid.
So was I-- only a kid.
I learned early.
Life goes by too damn fast.
You've got to know how to compete and win.
I don't want her growing up a spoiled Hollywood brat,
just because she's Crawford's daughter.
Ah... It's lovely.
Isn't it?
Yes, it is.
It's a great Sunday at home...
With a star.
Oh... Ha ha.
You know, we hardly ever have
nice days like this anymore.
I've got an appointment.
They call, you run.
Who calls, I run?
Nobody.
Then why do you say that?
Because I'm damn mad at you!
Why?
Look, this script is the best script the studio has,
and it hasn't been offered to me.
You could help.
Joan, that's Mayer's business.
I never tell a man I respect how to run his business.
They think I'm slipping.
Are you?
No.
So?
Yes.
I just want that part.
Mm-hmm.
I want you, too.
You got me.
Have a good time, Tina.
Thanks, uncle Greg.
I love you.
Ah...
Who wants to go swimming?
I do!
I'll race you.
On your mark,
get set,
go!
[Panting]
Again?
[Breathing heavily]
I'll give you a bigger head start.
Come on, Tina.
On your mark,
get set...
And go!
[Coughing]
Ah, you lost again.
It's not fair.
You're bigger than I am.
It's not fair to win twice.
Ah, but nobody ever said that life was fair, Tina.
I'm bigger, and I'm faster.
I will always beat you.
Then I'm not going to play with you anymore.
Ever!
Don't you ever
use that tone of voice with me, missy!
Who do you think you're talking to?
I'll tell you what you're going to do.
You're going to march yourself upstairs to your room
and you will stay there until I tell you to come out!
No, I won't!
No, you won't?
Yes, you will!
Ow! Ow!
Now, go up--
I won't go!
All right, all right!
I won't go!
You will stay in here until you are ready to behave--
I won't!
And to apologize!
I won't!
In!
Aah!
Mommie!
[Breathing hard]
Fans should know the price you pay.
Mayer should know the price I pay.
The biggest female star he's got,
ever had,
and he's burying me alive.
He's not going to beat me.
I will survive. I will survive. I will survive.
I will survive. I will survive. I will survive.
Where's Tina?
She'll be down in a minute, Miss Crawford.
Hello, darling.
[Kiss]
Oh, god.
[Telephone rings]
[Ring]
[Ring]
Hello.
Oh...
Oh, yes, sir. Joan.
Who?
At this hour?
It's Mr. savitt
calling from Mr. Mayer's office.
Greg, darling...
Hello.
Is anything wrong?
We had to settle a little labor problem,
so we had to set a little early meeting.
By the way,
Mayer thinks you'd be wonderful
in the picture you wanted.
What? Wh-what, Greg?
I tried to talk him out of it, but I couldn't.
Oh, Greg! No, Greg, wait!
Good-bye.
No, Greg!
Wait, Greg!
Oh!
Greg!
Carol Ann!
Oh!
I've got it!
Oh!
I've got it!
I've got it!
I've got it!
Ahhh!
[Laughing]
Christina!
Christina, darling, guess what.
Oh, yes...
It was thrilling.
I'm so grateful to you all,
my wonderful fans...
Who've made me a star.
Oh, yes. It was thrilling.
I'm so grateful to you all.
My wonderful fans who have made me a star!
Mommie!
What do you think you're doing?
Nothing, mommie.
I was just-- just playing.
What do you mean, playing?
Pawing through my things...
Making fun of me?
I wasn't making fun of you.
I was just trying to--
I was acting.
Playacting.
Like you're always doing.
Look at yourself.
Give me that.
Ow!
What have you done to your--
Tina, what have you put on your hair?
What have you done to this damn hair?
I'm sorry. I'm sorry!
It was just setting lotion.
Oh, mommie, ow!
Ohhh!
What are you doing?
Oh, mommie, don't!
Don't you tell me what I'm doing.
Oh, no. Mommie, I look awful!
I know you look awful.
You be quiet!
You're always rummaging through my drawers.
Trying to find a way to make people look at you?
Why are you always looking at yourself in the mirror?
Why are you? Tell me!
You sit still now.
I'm going to teach you, you're vain, spoiled.
Mommie, I can't go to school like this.
I'd rather you go bald to school
than looking like a tramp.
[Crying]
No, mommie, please!
Why?
Mommie, I can't go to school like this.
Mommie, please!
You spoiled it.
You spoiled it just like I spoiled you!
Please!
Mom!
Aah, aah, aah.
[Sobbing]
[Sobbing]
Joan Crawford!
[Fans screaming]
Joan Crawford! Joan Crawford!
Take it easy.
Good evening, Miss Crawford.
Good evening.
Welcome.
Your booth is ready.
Excuse me.
Well, I'm glad to see they finally let go of you.
I was about to send out a rescue party.
Hello, L.B. What a pleasant surprise.
Joanie, I want you to meet a few
financial friends from New York.
They're bankers.
Mr. Lubin, Mr. dodd.
It's a pleasure.
Mr. lubin, Mr. dodd.
Please, sit down. Join us.
My daughter Helen
would love to have your signature, Miss Crawford.
Of course.
You see, she didn't ask for L.B. Mayer's signature.
That's because she's not as smart as her father.
Ha ha ha!
She doesn't know that you are the king.
Thank you.
Where are you going?
Come join us. We're having dinner.
You're one of the reasons bankers love Metro.
Thank you, L.B., but our table is ready.
I insist.
You're aces, Joanie.
I'm glad you think that, L.B.,
because aces beat kings.
Ha ha ha!
Not in Hollywood, dear.
I'm sure you'll find the interest arrangements
quite agreeable.
That'll be just fine, L.B.
We'll all meet in New York, hmm?
Hauling me over to Mayer's table
like some picked-up floozy!
Or one of those starlets,
out to give the big shots a nice night in town.
Is that what you think of me?
How many drinks is that?
Oh.
When you were a kid, that made you look sexy.
Now it just makes you look drunk.
I may as well have "property of MGM"
tattooed on my backside!
And damn it, perino's is my place.
Nobody wanted my signature, so I just walked in.
You expect me to ignore my fans?
They're life and death to me, baby.
They're the ones who really make me.
I expect you to walk in with me
and sit down at your table with me!
Then Mayer would have to bring his bankers over,
introduce them, and get your autograph and leave!
That's what you should've done!
Maybe that's what I would've done
if you'd been nice enough to stay out there with me,
help me through the crowd and into the restaurant
like a gentleman!
Why are you screaming?
Because I'm damn mad!
Damn it, Greg.
How can you put Mayer over me?
You know that son of a bitch is
trying to destroy my career.
If your career's in trouble,
it has nothing to do with him.
Then what is it?
You were always the shop girl
who fought her way to the top,
made a great success.
Well, you're not a little shop girl anymore.
Now that's the truth, to face and deal with...
If you want to survive.
The truth is, you're getting old.
Yeah.
You're nothing but a rotten, crooked lawyer,
supplying the grease that makes
this shitty movie business work.
You think your life's a mystery.
There isn't a dirty cover-up in this entire business
that I don't know about,
and your hand is in every one of them!
You reek of it!
Damn you!
Are you crazy?
No person talks to me like that.
No one anywhere! Are you crazy? Are you?
Tell me!
Tell me!
I'm crazy.
I didn't mean that, Greg.
I didn't mean it.
Get up.
There's no camera in here.
Greg.
Where you going?
Where I belong--
out of here.
You belong here.
I'm waiting for you.
Good night, Joan.
Please don't leave, because if you do,
you'll never come back in again,
no matter what you say or ask or do.
I'll always...
Wish you well, Joan.
And I'll only speak well of you.
Please don't go.
Don't leave me here alone.
Please?
If you're acting, you're wasting your time.
If you're not, you're wasting mine.
I'm not acting.
I'm not acting.
Good night.
Good luck.
Good-bye.
[Door closes]
Good morning.
Good morning, dearest heart.
Hello, darling.
Ahh!
Hello, Christopher, my angel.
Look. How are you?
Did you sleep well?
Did you?
Mmm.
Run along downstairs.
Get your breakfast,
and don't be late for school.
I won't.
Look after Christopher.
Whoa, O.K.
If she doesn't like you...
She can make you disappear.
Ginny, are we running short?
Shall I send for more photographs?
Oh, no, Miss Crawford.
The studio just sent over a new batch.
We've got plenty.
Good. You're all so gracious to help,
and you're doing a wonderful job.
And you.
Let's see.
I'll roll it to you this way.
Go get it, Christopher.
Come on! Get it, Christopher.
Here I come! Get it!
Christina! Christopher!
Damn it!
Carol Ann!
I have asked you to keep the children quiet today!
Now, for Christ's sake, get them out of the garden!
I'm sorry, Joan.
Have Tina bring me up my coffee.
All right, Joan.
I'm sorry, mommie.
I tried to be quiet.
We were playing.
And you forgot.
You promised last night.
You promised.
Look, I told you
how important today is to mommie.
I explained why,
didn't I, Tina?
I'm sorry, mommie.
Go to your room until I come for you.
You're very, very bad to wake mommie up like that.
Very naughty.
I told you,
mommie has to be beautiful today.
This afternoon, she has to see Mr. Mayer.
Today is so important.
You are selfish and thoughtless.
You must learn to think about other people.
You're bad, bad spoiled children.
My babies.
Someone stole both my babies.
That's good, darling.
They were thoughtless, selfish, spoiled children.
Now they won't wake you up when you need your rest.
Good morning, Miss Crawford.
Good morning, Ellen. What a lovely blouse.
Thank you very much.
Come.
Thank you, Connie.
Joan.
Look at you. Look at you.
18 years in the business,
and who could hold a candle to you?
You're always so kind.
Kind? Of all my picture family, who turned out best?
Who never let me down?
Joan Crawford.
To all the new kids coming up,
she's like a diamond.
Class.
L.B.--
have I ever lied to you in your whole career,
or given you one piece of bad advice?
Never.
Never.
Your treatment of me has been divine.
Joan, my Joan, you're in a position to do me a favor.
It will be as big a favor for you as it is for me.
You don't have to ask.
You only have to tell me.
Good. I want you to leave Metro.
Leave Metro?
Leave Metro?
Your pictures, one after another, are losing money.
Theater owners voted you box-office poison.
Even so, for years I've paid no attention.
You know me, Joan.
I don't give up so easily.
We'll pay you off on your contract.
But you can't afford to make three
or four more losers for us.
It's the scripts, L.B.
Bad pictures, bad directors--
bad with you, good with others.
No. Listen to me, l.B. I have been begging you!
Begging you for a good script.
Now, you've always given me my share of bad movies
because you knew I'd make them work.
Well, I can't keep doing it, L.B.
Listen with your ears and not with your pride.
With me, feeling is more important than money.
You're a great star.
You're Hollywood royalty.
But styles change.
You'll leave.
We have creative differences.
We don't want to fight or argue with each other
because we love each other.
Every studio will think they're smarter than L.B.
They'll try to finesse me.
You'll be offered one, two, three, four, five films.
[Sniffles]
You may even get a hit.
Will you be sorry then?
I'm sorry now.
But here there's no confidence, there's no hope.
It's time for a change.
New faces, new voices, a breath of fresh air.
Who knows?
Don't do this to yourself.
I'll, uh...
I'll have my maid and studio
people clear out my bungalow.
I have a lot of years to collect.
It's done, Joan.
They've packed your things.
They're loading your car.
You mean everybody... Already knows?
That we parted friends because we didn't agree.
Will you walk me to my car?
Hollywood royalty.
Aah!
I'm... Hollywood royalty!
[Muttering]
[Sobbing]
Everyone already knows-- box-office poison.
Box-office poison!
Class. You're... Class.
You're class!
Box-office poison!
[Clapping] Wake up. Wake up.
Come on, children. Wake up.
Wha-what's happening?
Your mother wants you downstairs in the rose garden.
Come on. Hurry up.
You, too, Christopher. Come on.
Come on. Come along.
Your mother wants you right away.
18 years in the business!
Parted friends!
[Sobs]
Creative differences!
Oh, good. I want some help here.
I want all of these branches cleared out of here now!
Carol Ann and Christopher, start
clearing away all these branches.
Start gathering them up.
Go and get the wheelbarrow and the rake.
[Sobbing]
Tina!
Bring me the ax!
[Grunting]
[Gasping]
Carol Ann, get some more emotion
into the scene, some expression.
I can't keep the emotion up
if you don't come in right away.
Let's, uh-- after the uniform--
downtown--restaurants.
My mother, a common waitress.
I took the best job I could find
so that you and your sister could eat
and have a place to sleep
and some clothes on your backs.
Aren't the pies enough? Do you have to degrade us?
Veda, don't say that.
I'm really not surprised.
You've never spoken of your
people, who you came from,
so perhaps it's natural.
Maybe that's why father left!
I'm sorry I did that.
I'd have rather cut off my hand.
Your mother's been practicing and practicing.
You know how perfect she always wants to be.
Well, this time she must be perfect.
Do you understand?
She wants everything to be perfect.
This time it's even more important.
They're making your mother take a screen test.
Do you know what that is?
When they're not sure they want you?
And you know how shameful that is for her.
She wants this film.
She knows she's right.
She is this character, Mildred Pierce.
We have to help her.
We will, won't we?
I will.
I will.
Christina?
You haven't touched your lunch.
It's raw.
It's rare,
not raw.
But it's got all this red juice when I push on it.
Then don't push on it.
Darling, rare meat is good for you.
The doctor said so.
Christina...
Meat loses its vitamins if it's overcooked.
I've had my vitamins this morning.
Pills.
She negotiates everything,
like a goddamn Hollywood agent.
Christina...
Eat your lunch.
You are not getting up from this table
until you have finished that meat.
You may get up from the table now.
Just a minute, young lady!
Pick up that plate, take it into the kitchen,
and put it into the refrigerator.
Now, do you know I'm going out this evening?
You will have dinner in your room alone.
You will eat everything on that plate.
Do you understand?
You may drink your glass of milk
and then you may be excused
from the table, Christina.
Tina...
Empty that plate...
Into the trash can.
Why must everything be a contest?
The envelope, please.
And the winner is... Ray Milland!
For the lost weekend.
[Applause]
God! I hate this night!
It turns every year into a crisis.
I wish I did have pneumonia.
I wish I was raging mad over the flu.
And a fever so I wouldn't have even listened!
Now for the best female
performance in a leading role,
the nominees are... Ingrid bergman
for the bells of St. Mary's,
Joan Crawford for Mildred Pierce,
greer Garson for the valley of decision,
gene Tierney for leave her to heaven,
and Jennifer Jones for love letters.
You're going to win, I know it.
[Applause]
May I have the envelope...
The picture is a hit.
Shh!
And the winner is...
Joan Crawford for Mildred Pierce!
Oh! Oh!
[Screaming]
Accepting for Joan Crawford
is the director of Mildred Pierce, Michael Curtiz.
[Applause]
Oh, mommie, you won!
Oh, it's wonderful!
[Car horns honking]
Oh... Joan!
Listen to them.
They're so happy for you!
Oh, I knew it!
I would rather be here with you
than anywhere else in the world!
Ohh! Ohh! Ohh!
You... All of you here
and everywhere...
Gave me this award tonight.
And I accept it from you and only you.
Ahh! That's beautiful!
[Congratulations and applause]
I love all of you!
Miss Crawford, we love you!
Now please forgive me.
Good night.
Radio: ...All this glamour, this has
surely got to be everyone's dream.
No... Wire... Hangers!
What's wire hangers doing in this closet
when I told you no wire hangers?
Ever!
I work and work until I'm half dead,
and I hear people saying, "she's getting old."
And what do I get?
A daughter!
Who cares as much
about the beautiful dresses I give her
as she cares about me!
What's wire hangers doing in this closet?
Answer me!
I buy you beautiful dresses,
and you treat them like they were some dishrag!
You'd put a $300 dress on a wire hanger?
We'll see how many you've got hidden over here!
We'll see!
We'll see-- get out of that bed!
All of this is going out! Out!
Mommie, please!
Out! Out!
No! Mommie!
Out!
[Muttering]
We're going to see how many wire hangers
you've got in your closet!
Wire...
Wire...
Wire hangers--
why?
Why? Christina, get out of that bed!
Get out of that bed!
Oh!
You live in the most beautiful house in brentwood...
Mommie!
And you don't care
if your clothes are stretched out from wire hangers!
Please! Mommie, don't!
Mommie... Don't! [Crying]
And your room looks like a 2-dollar refurnished room
in some 2-bit back-street town
in Oklahoma!
[Screaming]
[Crying]
Now, get up! Get up! Clean up this mess!
[Sobbing]
[Crying]
Did you scrub the bathroom floor today?
Did you!?
Yes, mommie.
Yes, mommie what?
Yes, mommie dearest.
When I told you to call me that...
I wanted you to mean it.
Come here.
Look at this floor.
Do you call that clean?
Do you?
Miss Jenkins said it was clean.
Miss Jenkins said it was clean?
Do you think it's clean?
Do you think it's clean?
Look at that. Do you?
Yes, I do.
Get on the floor.
We're going to clean this floor.
You and me together.
Go.
Go. Scrub hard.
Scrub.
Mommie--
scrub, Christina.
[Sobbing]
This floor's already clean.
It's not--this floor is not clean!
Look at it!
This floor is not clean!
Mommie, no!
This floor is not clean!
Nothing is clean!
This whole place is a mess!
Mommie!
It's... A... Mess...
[Sobbing]
Mommie! I... I don't understand!
[Crying]
[Crying]
Clean up this mess!
But...
How?
You figure it out.
I'll help you clean it up.
No. Go back.
Strap yourself in.
She'll kill me if she found out.
Jesus... Christ!
No report on Christmas would be complete
without a description
of how one Hollywood family spends this holiday.
So now, let us all hop on our imaginary sleigh
and whisk away to the home
of one of America's foremost actresses--
Miss Joan Crawford.
We're so very happy to have you with us, George.
This is my daughter Christina.
Hello, everybody.
And my son Christopher.
Hello.
All of America knows of your generosity
in adopting these two homeless children.
And might I say to all of our listeners
they're beautifully behaved.
Thank you, George.
I feel that discipline mixed with love
is such a good recipe.
Christina, do you and your
brother get lots of presents
at christmastime?
Yes, we do.
Mother's fans send us so many beautiful things,
but we like to share them with other boys and girls,
who aren't so fortunate.
Miss Crawford...
Could you tell us what will happen
after we leave you this evening?
Well, the children and I will probably
sit and watch the Christmas tree lights,
and then later we'll welcome
some of the children's friends
to help us sing Christmas Carols.
And surely you'll finish up by reading
'twas the night before Christmas.
No Christmas Eve would be complete without that.
Well, as a Christmas present to our listeners,
would all of you like to say the last two lines?
And I heard him exclaim
as he drove out of sight,
"merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night."
And good night to you, Miss Crawford, and thank you,
for allowing all of us to share your Christmas Eve.
And thank you, George,
and merry Christmas to you
and to all your listeners.
Mommie's not quite ready yet, Mr. Gilbert.
Will it be scotch with ice tonight?
Please. Take it easy with the scotch, honey.
O.K.
Easy. Easy on the scotch, Christina.
Mr. Gilbert...
I fix all my uncles' drinks this way.
I... Am not your uncle.
Mommie?
Mr. Gilbert is here.
Very good, darling.
Hello, Ted.
Joan.
You know by now you can call him uncle Ted.
Yes, mommie dearest.
Uncle Ted.
[Clears throat]
See you later, Tina darling.
It's not good.
You didn't like it?
No. It's not good.
We have to find something wonderful.
I think we have everything here there is to find.
We've got company.
Tina?
I made you a fresh one, mommie dearest.
Thank you, Tina darling.
That's quite an extraordinary young lady.
Whatever I did...
I won't do it again.
I promise.
I can be better.
You'll see. The time will fly by.
You can call me anytime collect.
Oh.
Mrs. Chadwick, how kind of you to greet us.
This is Christina.
I know you'll be happy here, Christina.
I won't.
Please don't make me stay.
I don't want to leave home.
You're not, darling. Now listen to me.
You're not leaving home.
You'll be home some weekends and holidays.
What will Mrs. Chadwick think?
I'm sure everything will be fine
once you settle in.
Now, I'll call you later, all right?
I understand just how you feel, Christina.
I understand.
Understand.
The first word I ever heard...
Out of any of you
was that word...
"Understand."
There will be time enough to understand when I'm old,
if I ever am old.
Oh, but not now.
That was great, Christina.
Thank you.
Well, what play was that from?
It's antigone.
It's a Greek myth written by a French playwright.
Well, can I have your autograph
when you're a big movie star?
Darling, if I'm not too booked.
Not too booked, Miss movie star?
What is this, not too booked?
Stop it, Tony.
Yes, stop it.
Christina, do sit up properly.
Isn't this fun...
Us having a date
on your weekend home from school?
Charming hat, Christina.
Oh, why thank you, Tommy.
I picked it out myself.
Don't flirt, Christina.
Tommy, we'll have the New York steak for two, rare...
And two limestone salads.
Thank you, Miss Crawford.
Thank you, Tommy.
Tina...
Flirting can be...
Taken the wrong way.
Do you understand?
Mmm.
I want to show you something.
I got all as...
One "b."
I'm very proud of you, Christina.
Thank you.
Very proud.
Now, what about your Christmas card list?
Christmas cards?
I've been studying for exams.
I'll get the cards out on time, O.K.?
You know, Tina, being away at school
has made you more rebellious.
I am not a baby anymore.
Maybe you'd be better off at home.
Sorry.
I have had a lot of schoolwork.
Times are tough.
Still, I treat you to a lovely evening...
What do I get?
Smart-aleck back talk.
I'm sorry, mommie dearest.
It's all right.
I've had to let Helga go.
I'll need your help at home this weekend.
Well, let's have a lovely evening.
Shall we?
[Gasps]
God, you scared me.
Sorry, Tina.
How are you doing?
O.K.
About finished?
Almost.
Sit down, Tina.
I want to talk to you about something.
What did I do?
It's not you.
Tina, darling, i...
I'm having some...
Financial difficulties.
I just spoke to Mrs. Chadwick.
She's agreed to let you go
on a work scholarship program.
That's all right.
We'll manage.
You know, I was on a work scholarship program.
Made my way through school scrubbing floors.
Mostly...
Work.
What is it?
There is something else.
I lost my contract at Warner's.
I...
I don't feel I have anybody.
No contract.
No studio.
No money.
Oh, Tina.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
It'll be o.K.
We'll manage.
I'm scared, Tina.
I'm scared.
After all those years,
I never thought it could happen to me.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
Don't worry.
Oh, mommie...
I love you.
Mommie.
Mommie?
I came up to say good night to you.
Mommie?
Mommie.
Mommie.
Mommie.
Carol Ann.
Carol Ann!
Something's happened.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
I came in,
and I found her like this.
I think she needs an ambulance.
She doesn't need an ambulance.
She's drunk.
Come on. Let's put her to bed.
Joan.
When did she buy all of these?
Two days ago. They were delivered this afternoon.
Get up. Get up.
She told me we were broke.
Come on. Help me.
Stop it. Help me. Come on.
Come on, Joan. Come on.
Give me the pillow.
Come on. Give me the pillow.
Give me the pillow. Good.
Good.
You're a lousy substitute...
For someone who really cares.
Huh?
Christina, darling.
Christina, darling.
Come on, Joan.
Joan.
Christina, darling.
Sorry it has to be like this.
For you... For her...
Christina, darling.
Come on, Joan.
Joan.
It all comes out in the wash.
You come on now.
Hold on to me... Hold on.
Hi, Tony.
Hi.
You handle that horse pretty well
for a lousy rider.
Yeah, he's a great horse.
Want to ride him?
When?
When you want to?
Well, I work all day.
How about tonight?
I'll go with you.
What about Vera?
She's just a friend.
8:30?
Right here?
O.K.
O.K.
That was my first kiss.
I'll bet.
Well, kinda.
Swell.
This is really swell.
Vera.
I'm going to tell.
Oh, I am. I am going to tell.
How? How could this happen?
How could you humiliate me this way?
I am ashamed to be your mother!
And you, how could you let this happen?
Both students have been put on probation
and will have no privileges for a month.
Probation?
This is appalling.
I have devoted myself
to making Christina a proper young lady.
That boy should be expelled.
Now, Miss Crawford,
when this sort of thing has happened before--
before?
Is this an institution of learning
or a teenage brothel?
Chadwick has an impeccable reputation,
and when students break the rules,
we curtail their freedom.
Well, we are leaving here right now.
Obviously she cannot be controlled
in this environment.
Nothing really happened between your daughter
and the young man. It was innocent.
No thanks to you.
I think you're overreacting, Miss Crawford.
And I think you're underreacting, Mrs. Chadwick.
My compliments to your school
on its impeccable reputation.
Christina, come on.
There's a liquor store to the right.
I should have known
you'd know where to find the boys and the booze.
All right.
Tina, look at me.
Barbara Bennett is here from New York
doing a cover story on me for redbook.
Tina, look at me...
When I'm talking to you.
This is very important to me.
I don't want any trouble from you.
[Typing]
I'm back.
You're going to love this.
"Movie star manages to have it all--
career, home, and family."
Let me see that.
My god, Christina.
It can't be.
The last time I saw you, you were 4.
How are you, Miss Bennett?
God, call me Barbara.
Teaching you some fancy manners at Chadwick.
That's not all they've been teaching her.
Well, how do you like school?
Very much, thank you.
She got expelled.
That's a lie.
Excuse me, Barbara.
Tina, I want to talk to you.
In the other room.
Why do you deliberately defy me?
Why did you tell her I got expelled?
Because you did get expelled!
That is a lie.
You love it, don't you?
You love to make me hit you!
Joan!
Barbara, please.
Please, Barbara.
Leave us alone, Barbara.
If you need anything, ask Carol Ann.
Oh...
This is wonderful.
This is wonderful!
You...
You deliberately embarrass me
in front of a reporter!
A reporter.
I told you how important this is to me.
I told you!
Why did you adopt me?
What?
Why did you adopt me?
Because I wanted a child.
Because I wanted someone to love.
Don't you act for me.
I want to know.
Why did you adopt me?!
Maybe I did it for a little extra publicity.
Tina...
That's not true.
You know that's not true.
Maybe just a little true.
I don't know what to do with you.
I don't know what to do with you.
Why not?
I don't ask much from you, girl.
Why can't you give me the respect
that I'm entitled to?
Why can't you treat me
like I would be treated
by any stranger on the street?
Because I am not
one of your fans!
Aah!
Mommie!
You never loved me!
Mommie!
Aah!
Taken! Taken! Taken!
You hated me!
You never loved me!
Never! Never!
You've always taken and taken!
[Choking]
You never wanted to be my daughter!
You've always taken everything!
Everything you ever need!
And you give nothing back!
Why?
Love me!
Aah!
Joan, stop! You're going to kill her!
Aah!
[Choking]
Get out!
[Sobbing] Get out...
Mommie.
Dear Christina...
God has brought you to our convent school
so that you could see
the error of your ways.
Your mother has told us
how difficult you've been,
both at home and at your former school.
She has requested the strictest discipline for you.
There will be no privileges.
You're not to leave the school.
There will be no telephone calls in or out.
No visitors.
No mail.
You have sinned in the past,
transgressed against the holy commandments,
but you shall find forgiveness here
and be cleansed.
Let us pray together for your repentance.
The good lord will grace you
with his comfort and kindness.
To Joan and Alfred,
a long and happy marriage.
Hear, hear!
Hear, hear!
Hold it. Hold it.
Look this way, please.
Thank you.
Alfred, darling, I'm so happy.
Speech!
Speech!
Oh...
Speech!
Uh, thank you all for being here
on such short notice.
If this marriage comes as a surprise
to some of you,
just think how I felt
when Joan said yes.
You know, a few minutes ago
a reporter asked me what I thought
and how I would describe
the marriage between the soft drink king
and the queen of Hollywood.
I told him I thought it was a hell of a match.
That's my pally.
Oh, pally. That's what he calls you
when he can't remember your name.
Oh, don't you let her kid you.
I remember her name.
It's Mrs. Alfred Steele.
Right, pally?
Right.
Thank you, sister...
For being so good to me.
These years have been...
Very hard.
Good-bye, dear child.
God be with you.
Thank you.
No, thanks. I can manage it.
I'm o.K.
Mommie?
Ho ho ho. Well...
Oh, I Miss you, too, darling.
Yes.
You get to New York so often.
You know?
We'll see each other there.
Yes, I've put the house up for sale.
Alfred travels so much, and, um,
well, corporate headquarters are in New York.
Darling, my daughter's here.
I'll talk to you before we leave.
All right. Love to you, too.
Hello, mother.
Christina.
I want you to meet my husband.
What do I call him?
What would you call anyone who's your father?
Go introduce yourself.
Go on.
Hello, daddy.
I'm Christina.
[Buzz saw]
Hello, Arthur.
Well...
I don't know what to do.
That bitch of a bearing wall is blocking my view.
I'll tell you what to do.
Tear down that bitch of a bearing wall
and put a window where it ought to be!
Tina, what do you think?
It'll be great.
Darling, coffee?
Yeah, sure.
Tina, darling, coffee?
O.K.
So you're acting?
Yeah.
Where?
Well, mostly in stock.
I think I may be pretty good.
Good luck, darling.
I have been working nights
so I can go on interviews during the day.
See, the thing is, I...
Well, I was wondering if, uh, you
could lend me a little money,
you know, to get by this month.
Not a cent.
Joan, come on. A little something.
Doing things on your own...
Is best.
Don't you agree, Tina?
Sure.
I'll get by.
Between us.
Now, the sofa will have to be delivered.
This is wonderful.
And this chair...
That is my favorite.
It's my favorite, too.
All on the terrace.
Would you excuse us for a minute, please?
Oh. Yes.
Al, look at this.
It's perfect except for the colors.
They're too strong.
And I want you to look at these.
I, uh, hate to bring this up, but, um...
We're going to have to cut back on our spending.
What are you talking about?
Al, I'm doing all this for you.
I'm turning this apartment into your showplace.
You're doing a marvelous job,
but we've got to economize.
Most of our expenses,
including this apartment,
are for your company.
We have to look great for Pepsi-cola!
I want us to look great,
and I want us to live well, but there's a limit.
We're going into debt.
Al, you're a great businessman.
You and your company
have found yourselves a movie
star to sell your soda pop.
Well, you got to pay the price.
Be reasonable, pally.
You've got everything you need for this place.
Just look at this joint.
You genius of the soft drink world!
Get the goddamned company to pay the bill!
You've got to understand! It's a public company!
This isn't Hollywood
where someone takes care of things with a phone call!
This is the real world!
The real world expects us to live in a certain way.
Yeah, well, that way is breaking my back.
We'll find a solution.
You love a challenge.
O.K., pally.
Miss Crawford, the condolences
of every person at Pepsi-cola are with you.
Al Steele helped make this company.
And you were right by his side,
sharing the burdens and the joy.
And we want to give you ample time to repay the debt.
Plenty of time.
Of course,
we'll have to take the 5th Avenue apartment.
You probably wouldn't want
to stay there alone, anyway.
What debt?
I've got 100,000 shares of stock.
Your husband had to borrow against the stock
to pay for the construction on your apartment.
And we loaned him a considerable sum, in addition,
to meet expenses his salary didn't cover.
You think you're very clever, don't you,
trying to sweep the poor little widow
under the carpet?
Well...
Think again.
I'm on the board of directors
of this lousy company.
Well, we assumed that with your husband gone,
you would no longer want to be on the board.
Al and I helped build Pepsi to what it is today.
I intend to stay with it.
We appreciate your devotion and contribution,
Miss Crawford,
but we have retired you
from the board of directors.
You drove al Steele to his grave,
and now you're trying to stab me in the back?
Forget it!
I've fought worse monsters than
you for years in Hollywood.
I know how to win the hard way!
Miss Crawford, we don't want any hard feelings.
You don't know what hard feelings are
until I come out publicly against your product,
and you'll see how much you sell.
Please, Miss Crawford,
it's hardly necessary to make threats
you surely don't mean.
Don't fuck with me, fellas!
This ain't my first time at the rodeo.
You forget the press I delivered
to Pepsi was my power.
I can use it any way I want.
The sword...
Cuts both ways.
Ahem.
The board has failed to realize
the extent of your interest in the company--
apart from al's position.
We, um...
Misjudged.
We shall be... Pleased to have you stay on.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Now let's get to work.
[Doorbell buzzes]
[Buzz]
Coming.
Mommie.
Oh, Tina, darling.
I wish I would've known you were coming.
Well...
I just happened to be in the neighborhood.
I would've straightened up a little bit.
Looks quite neat to me.
Oh, Jesus Christ.
I'd forgotten what it was like.
Sit down.
How are you, Tina?
Been making rounds.
A lot of rejections.
But I'm up for a part.
Good.
It's a soap opera.
Well, it's very good experience.
Have you got a glass, darling?
Oh, yeah.
Hey, you know where I got this from?
Uh-uh.
Batista himself. Ha ha.
Yeah?
When I opened a plant outside Havana.
It's all they gave you?
That's it.
Cheap bastards.
Ha ha ha ha.
Do you Miss all that?
I Miss al more.
So...
How are the guys?
Guys are guys.
It--it hasn't changed.
I brought you...
A gift.
Thank you, mommie.
Oh...
They were the first present that al ever gave me.
They're beautiful.
I want you to have them.
Thank you.
And, Tina...
If you don't get this part,
for Christ's sake, don't hock 'em.
Oh, I wouldn't.
Thank you, mommie.
Hey, don't be a stranger.
No.
Is it 4:00 yet?
It's five after.
Five after? Turn the set on now.
All right.
I want that set on every day...
At 4:00 sharp.
Well, I'm going to try to make him happy,
you know, in every way.
You two make a lovely couple.
Well, I want so much to be a good wife.
You will be.
But there's so much to learn.
Don't worry. Love conquers all, right?
You're so good to me, Susan.
You're so understanding.
And your mother, how's she doing?
Oh, you know mom.
I think she's been secretly planning this for years.
You're in good hands, then.
Sometimes I feel like it's her wedding.
But Bruce is being good.
Although, I know he feels very far removed
from all the planning.
[Music swells]
She's doing quite well,
don't you think?
She's improving.
A lot of fans have written
how impressed they are with Christina
and how proud you must be of her acting.
Well...
Something good had to rub off.
Come on, let's get to work.
[Music playing]
Ohh.
Ohh.
Ohh...
[Labored breathing]
Mommie...
Miss Crawford.
I'm belinda Rosenberg, Christina's producer.
How do you do?
Fine.
Thank you so much for calling us.
She'll be fine. How is she?
It was an ovarian tumor, but
completely benign, thank god.
Thank god.
It's a rotten break for her.
Tell me, this won't affect
her job in any way, will it?
Well, how long will she be here?
Well, the doctor's not sure yet.
Uh...
Tell you what.
Let me call you tomorrow.
We'll discuss it.
Please.
Good.
Your TV show is on.
Don't you want to watch?
To see how well they manage without me?
To see your mother.
They just announced your mother
is going to stand in for you
until you're well.
Oh.
She can't.
My character's only 28 years old.
Bill...
Could you, uh...
Could you call...
[Actor] You want me to call Cindy for you?
Yes.
You know, she, uh...
She wants to...
[Actor] Uh, I know she wants
to have an affair with Robert.
But are you sure his divorce is final?
His divorce is final?
Fade and out.
Miss Crawford, are you all right?
Oh, fine. Just nervous as hell.
Give me a drink, and I'll be all right.
We've only got another 90 seconds.
Now, you're doing swell.
You just, uh, keep finding those, uh...
Cue cards.
That's the problem. The cue
cards are too goddamn low.
Tell them to bring them up higher, huh?
I think that's where I went wrong.
Right. Uh...
You all right?
Mm-hmm.
O.K. Go.
You're perfect.
In 10, please.
9... 8...
[Music swells]
3... 2...
Now, what about us?
What about our situation?
Maybe we should elope.
No.
Absolutely not.
I was afraid of that.
Oh, be serious, now, bill.
Mother and I have to make plans today.
I was serious.
Think of all the work we'll save your mother.
Mom loves every minute of it.
Don't you have any more romantic ideas?
Small, simple ceremony?
It'll be grand.
And don't worry about me.
Turn it off.
Turn it off.
[Doorbell buzzes]
[Buzz]
Come on in.
Here's everything your mother
picked out for you, dear.
Let me take that from you.
My god, Carol Ann.
She's still picking out my clothes for me.
She went to such lengths to pick out
just the right colors for you.
Well, I hope it fits.
It is pretty.
Pretty colors.
Carol Ann, can I get you a cup of tea or something?
Carol Ann?
Carol Ann?
What is it?
Oh, Christina...
What's the matter?
Your mother...
is going to be so alone
when you leave.
Don't you worry.
She'll be all right.
She always is.
[Telephone rings]
[Ring]
[Ring]
Hello.
Yes, mommie.
No, she's here. Uh-huh.
Mommie, I told you,
I want to do it for you.
As the final event
of this prestigious evening,
we bestow our organization's
highest award of merit
upon a woman known throughout the world
not only as an academy award-winning actress,
but also as a business woman held in high regard
for her charitable, civic,
and professional contributions.
It is an honor for me
to present this award of recognition
to a truly great lady--
Miss Joan Crawford.
With us tonight to accept the award
on behalf of her mother
is Miss Crawford's daughter Christina.
[Applause]
Thank you.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
It's a privilege to be here with you tonight
to accept this honor, this award
on behalf of my mother Joan Crawford.
When I spoke with her,
she asked me to convey to you
her deepest gratitude.
She wanted so much
to be here in person tonight,
but...
She was simply not well enough.
I know she would want me to say thank you
to each...
And every one of you
who made this honor possible.
And on a more personal note...
I would like to say directly to her...
Congratulations.
And...
I love you...
Mommie dearest.
Thank you so much.
[Applause]
Oh, mommie.
I always loved you so.
It's over.
The pain.
There's no more pain.
You're free.
You're free.
Oh, mommie.
Mommie.
Oh, mommie.
Christopher.
Oh, I'm so glad you're here.
You o.K.?
Yeah.
You?
I'm o.K.
Did you meet David, my husband?
Yeah.
Let's go out, get some air.
O.K.
Miss Crawford,
I've always been such a fan of your mother's.
I do hope you feel we've done her justice.
Actually, I worked from my own
personally autographed photo
of your mother.
You did a beautiful job.
She looked lovely.
Thank you.
[David] Thank you.
[Sobbing] Christina.
Carol.
My dear Tina.
She always loved you...
So very much...
Christina.
I need to believe that.
I need so much...
To be able to believe that now.
She did.
Here it is.
This is the section pertaining
to you and Christopher.
Ahem.
"It is my intention
"to make no provision herein
"for my son Christopher...
"And my daughter Christina
"for reasons which are well-known to them."
What reasons? I mean...
[Laughs]
Jesus Christ.
[Sighs]
As usual, she has the last word.
Does she?
Does she?