Los Angeles Times

November 28, 1926

BOO-HOO! She Weeps to Order

     Tears on Tap, Sniff-Sniff, Her Forte

Self-pity is one of the worst traits of human nature.

Yet it is just that quality that puts money into Joan Crawford’s pocket.

Well, Joan, who was “discovered” by Harry Rapf, executive at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios a little more than a year ago, is one of the screen’s best criers.  Directors beg for services because she can produce real tears in two and a half minutes.

This is the way she does it. Music is played by one violinist only, who plays her favorites, “Old Pal,” “The Rosary,” and “I Never Knew.” Then she begins to feel sorry for herself. She calls on some sympathetic girl on the set to put her arm around her shoulders. How awful it would be if she were homeless, friendless! Self pity! Suppose her sweetheart were leaving forever! Self pity!

The musician crouches below the lights, just out of the camera line. The violin wails and Joan pities herself. The first expression is one of sadness, then Joan pities herself a little more and the tears well up in her eyes. Boo-hoo! And now they are streaming down her face.

Some actresses can only cry when they become angry, but Miss Crawford believes that although tears may come, the facial expression is not right.

In “The Taxi Dancer,” in which Joan plays the leading feminine role, she cries eighteen times and each time she brings tears by giving herself over to undeserving self pity!

[Thanks to Norman for this article.]