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Letters from Joan Crawford
1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
Joan is famous for her voluminous correspondence, especially in her later years. Below is a 50-year sampling of letters written to fans, friends, and the famous from 1926 to a few weeks before her death in 1977. Click on a link to view the letter.
See also the separate page on this site for Celebrity Letters to Joan.
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June 14, 1926, to Daniel Mahony. 2-page handwritten. Notes: Addressed to "Mr Daniel Mahony/2452 Sunset Ave/Dayton/Ohio" with post office correction indicating it was forwarded to "2715 Webb Ave./Bronx/New York City." Re text: The photo of the second page of the letter is too small to read, so I've reproduced the full text below. Complete Text: I just found out, a picture I made over a year ago called 'Ill Tell the World' Has been released under-'The Boob'. Im so sorry I made such a dreadful mistake. Will you forgive me? You dont need to tell me it was a terrible picture. How well I know. I wouldnt even go to see the preview. Im so glad you enjoyed 'Paris' I tried so hard to make it a good picture and when people are as lovely to me as you are to write such lovely letters and congratulate me on my work Im terribly happy. It is so sweet of you to compare me with a lovely flower and speak of my work as you do. I only hope you shall always think as you do now. Especially after meeting me, if ever we do. Thanking you very sincerely from the bottom of my heart, for the interest you have shown. Shall send you a photograph very soon. Joan Crawford
October 1927 to Dan Mahony. Addressed to "Mr. Dan Mahony/503 W. 150th St./New York City/New York." 2-page handwritten letter, plus envelope photo. February 11, 1928, to Dan Mahony. 1-page poem, plus envelope photo. March 1928 to Dan Mahony. 3-page handwritten letter. April 1928 to Dan Mahony. 4-page handwritten letter. April 1928 to Dan Mahony. 1-page handwritten letter. July 1928 to Dan Mahony. 2-page handwritten. On Pickfair stationery.
November 22, 1928,
to Dan Mahony. Complete Text: Dear Tired Dan, You see I did have cause for worry when you were ill and you begged me not to. And I count you as my bestest, truest most devout friend Dan, and I've been so neglectful lately (or so it seems). No wonder you give up hope of ever hearing from me...my family just arrived out here two one week and Mother two weeks later, that's been quite a burden also. Getting a place for them to live. Getting my brother and his wife jobs, and thousands of exhibitors out here having lunch, reporters from the four corners of the earth interviewing you, Mother's Birthday this week, Thanksgiving next, starting Christmas shopping, more law suits, Signing new contracts, still getting my house furnished. And worst of all the talking pictures. On my Sundays off I sew all day at Pickfair until Dodo,Uncle Doug - and Mary go mad when they see a meedle needle & a spool of thread...Poor Blessed Dodo hasn't had much attention lately but as long as he knows I love him, I hope he understands.... P.S. Dan, Joan's friends are dear to her, she speaks of you incessantly and if you don't mind will you be my friend and allow me the honour and pleasure of yours being yours? In anticipation. "Doug" Fairbanks Jr.
Circa spring 1929 to Dan Mahony. 2-page handwritten.
Clicking any of the links below will take you to the page for all of the 1930s letters, except for the first to Dan Mahony, which links to its own page.
1930 to Dan Mahony. 3-page handwritten. On "Cielito Lindo" stationery. Unknown date, 1932 or earlier, to writer Gertrude Walker. Handwritten. April 15, 1930, to "Marjorie." April 28, 1930, to "Betty." May 6, 1930, to "Rena." January 1, 1933, to Gertrude Walker. March 28, 1933, to "Ellanore." October 11, 1934, to Mr. Billy Griffiths, of Calcutta's Jean Harlow Fan Club. June 29, 1935, to "Mary." November 6, 1935, to "Mrs. Eddy." August 1, 1937, to Gerald Hamm. March 16, 1939, to "Jimmie," a reviewer of "Ice Follies." 2-page handwritten letter. April 1, 1939, to Elmer Lewis. (From the personal collection of James Hunter. For exclusive use on this site.) November 19, 1939, to "Margaret."
Clicking any of the links below will take you to the page for all of the 1940s letters.
January 29, 1940, to "Mr. O'Connor" July 5, 1940, to "C. Joseph." August 30, 1940, to "Margaret." September 14, 1940, to kid penpal Avalon Denson. June 5, 1941, to "Margaret." January 19, 1942, to Avalon Denson. February 18, 1942, to "Florence." March 15, 1942, to "Margaret." June 20, 1942, to Pearl Pezoldt. July 29, 1942, to Pearl Pezoldt. September 16, 1942, to "Sarah." February 8, 1943, to Pearl Pezoldt. September 1, 1943, to actress Lotte Palfi. December 14, 1943, to Pearl Pezoldt. May 27, 1944, to actress Lotte Palfi. December 12, 1944, to actor Clifton Webb. September 4, 1947, to literary agent H.N. Swanson. December 10, 1948, to NY Post columnist Leonard Lyons. 2 pages, disputing claims that she was born in 1903 and had been married prior to Doug. January 5, 1949, to Norman Stuart. January 13, 1949, to Louise Hazuka. August 29, 1949, to Katherine Le Blanc.
You can click on an individual link below, or read the 1950s letters chronologically on separate pages: 1950 to 1954 1955 to 1957 1958 1959
August 10, 1950, to agent H.N. Swanson. December 4, 1951, to Grace Cunningham. (From the personal collection of Kristy Asken. For exclusive use on this site.) March 13, 1952, to Mrs. Ruth Emerson. June 19, 1952, to columnist Allan Smith. June 25, 1952, to Emma Davidson. September 15, 1952, to Hy Gardner. September 27, 1952, to Bettie Smith. September 22, 1952, to Cliff Benson. October 28, 1952, to Nina Ganong. January 6, 1953, to Cliff Benson. March 3, 1953, to Cliff Benson. June 9, 1953, to Olive Harver. October 26, 1953, to Pearl Pezoldt. June 24, 1954, to Cynthia and Susan Niles. December 23, 1954, to Clifton Webb. 2-page handwritten.
January 15, 1955, to Lila Barnett. April 23, 1955, to James Wiseman. July 1, 1955, to "Sally and Bob." October 27, 1955, to "Dawn." January 31, 1956, to "Pearlina." April 23, 1956, to "Helen and Horace." April 30, 1956, to "Rosalie." May 31, 1956, to "Sally and Bob." September 15, 1956, to "Julia." October 16, 1956, to "Bob Jean." March 13, 1957, to "Arthur." May 6, 1957, to fan Bernard Baker. June 9, 1957, to "Mary and Stanley." June 21, 1957, to Helen McDonough. August 26, 1957, to May Goldsmith.
March 21, 1958, to "Ada." April 3, 1958, to Mrs. Roy Kuehl May 14, 1958, to Bertie and Pete Peters. May 20, 1958, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian." June 10, 1958, to "Marion." August 6, 1958, to "Larry." September 12, 1958, to Bertie Peters. (From the personal collection of Oliver Geiger. For exclusive use on this site.) September 24, 1958, to Bergdorf Goodman hair-stylist Robert Freeman. October 15, 1958, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian." December 1, 1958, to Robert Felch. December 15, 1958, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian."
January 8, 1959, to "Ruth and Ted." February 8, 1959, to "Fred." February 16, 1959, to May Goldsmith. February 27, 1959, to "Mary." March 10, 1959, to James Wiseman. March 12, 1959, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian." April 30, 1959, to "Don." May 9, 1959, to "Herb." Partially handwritten. May 11, 1959, to "Mr. Kiger and Mr. Miller." June 15, 1959, to Jack Wald (producer Jerry Wald's uncle) July 21, 1959, to "Joan," daughter of Pearl Pezoldt. August 1, 1959, to Lee McWilliams. August 29, 1959, to Forbes Randolph. September 28, 1959, to Forbes Randolph. October 8, 1959, to "John." October 12, 1959, to radio personality/columnist Shirley Eder. October 14, 1959, to "Electra and John." December 17, 1959, to Forbes Randolph.
You can click on an individual link below, or read the 1960s letters chronologically on separate pages: 1960 to 1961 1962 to 1963 1964 to 1965 1966 to 1967 1968 to 1969
January 12, 1960, to "Don." January 29, 1960, to columnist Hy Gardner. February 23, 1960, to Nina Ganong. March 20, 1960, to Allan Smith. March 22, 1960, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian." March 29, 1960, to James Wiseman. June 28, 1960, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian." August 1, 1960, to "Electra." September 7, 1960, to "Terri." September 15, 1960, to agent Ross Hunter. Telegram. September 22, 1960, to Rosalie Johnson. October 12, 1960, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian." October 30, 1960, to "Jean." November 15, 1960, to Perry Amazon. February 5, 1961, to columnist Hy Gardner. February 24, 1961, to "Robert." April 21, 1961, to Uruguayan fan "Lilian." October 13, 1961, to "Cecil." December 31, 1961, to "Larry," "Hollywood Tatler" writer.
January 8, 1962, to James Wiseman. February 26, 1962, to Frances Spingold. May 18, 1962, to Vincent Price and wife Mary. June 4, 1962, to Lee McWilliams. June 17, 1962, to Shirley Eder. June 26, 1962, to Frances Spingold. June 30, 1962, to L. Allan Smith, "Circle of Stars" columnist. July 10, 1962, to Frances Spingold. August 14, 1962, to Frances Spingold. August 25, 1962, to Ann Gundersen. September 26, 1962, to columnist Hy Gardner. December 4, 1962, to designer Norma Koch. Included is an article about Baby Jane that Joan encloses. December 10, 1962, to Nina Ganong. December 22, 1962, to Barbara Stanwyck. Handwritten note by Stanwyck at bottom of letter. February 25, 1963, to Glenn McCollough. March 11, 1963, to Virginia De Luce of "The Lambs." March 25, 1963, to Frances Spingold. Includes April itinerary. April 8, 1963, to producer Monty Morgan. May 10, 1963, to Willie Ziegler. May 17, 1963, to Cecil Stoughton, White House photographer. May 31, 1963, to "Larry." June 10, 1963, to Hy Gardner. September 25, 1963, to writer Paul Denis. October 5, 1963, to writer Paul Denis. October 26, 1963, to Frances Spingold.
January 21, 1964, to "Fred." January 31, 1964, to "Alta," "Boston Traveler" writer. March 24, 1964, to "Cecil." June 29, 1964, to "Lee." July 11, 1964, to "Ethel and Fred." August 12, 1964, to Frances Spingold. August 13, 1964, to Frances Spingold. November 4, 1964, to Shirley Eder. December 28, 1964, to Frances Spingold. January 15, 1965, to Shirley Eder. February 5, 1965, to Frances Spingold. March 2, 1965, to Frances Spingold. March 27, 1965, to "Cheri and Jimmy." March 31, 1965, to Frances Spingold. August 4, 1965, to Helen McDonough. August 21, 1965, to Barbara Stanwyck. Handwritten note by Stanwyck at bottom of letter. November 30, 1965, to Ed Sullivan. USO stationery.
February 3, 1966, to Peggy Wood. April 11, 1966, to "Rosalie." May 6, 1966, to "Fannie, Jim, Junior and Otto." May 24, 1966, to columnist Hy Gardner. August 17, 1966, to "Rosalie." September 6, 1966, to Lee McWilliams. October 6, 1966, to "Kay." Christmas 1966 to Frances Spingold. Christmas stationery. December 19, 1966, to Frances Spingold. January 16, 1967, to "Betty and Bill." January 20, 1967, to Charles Levithan. February 8, 1967, to "Paul." March 15, 1967, to Elvis Presley. April 6, 1967, to "Bill." Partially handwritten. April 19, 1967, to Michael Kutza of the Chicago Film Festival. May 3, 1967, to Helen McDonough. May 18, 1967, to Shirley Eder. June 16, 1967, to Agnes Moorehead. October 18, 1967, to radio interviewer George Thomas. October 28, 1967, to Frances Spingold. December 5, 1967, to Shirley Eder.
March 12, 1968, to Holly Geeteh. April 29, 1968, to Pearl Pezoldt. (Plus handwritten health note.) July 13, 1968, to shoe designer Joseph LaRose. One typewritten page, one handwritten, plus outlines she drew of her feet! September 19, 1968, to Shirley Eder. October 13, 1968, to Shirley Eder. November 25, 1968, to columnist Hy Gardner and wife. November 26, 1968, to Shirley Eder. February 22, 1969, to Jean Dalrymple. March 1, 1969, to Frances Spingold. (Plus handwritten health note.) March 2, 1969, to Shirley Eder. October 1, 1969, to "Mike."
You can click on an individual link below, or read the 1970s letters chronologically on separate pages: 1970 to 1971 1972 to 1973 1974 1975 1976 to 1977
February 27, 1970, to John Hughes. July 9, 1970, to Patrick McFadden. Christmas 1970, to Gloria Swanson December 30, 1970, to Sharon Crane. January 12, 1971, to Sharon Crane. January 15, 1971, to "Brad and the Encores." March 25, 1971, to Sharon Crane. May 20, 1971, to writer Lawrence J. Quirk. August 25, 1971, to Shirley Eder. October 18, 1971, to Shirley Eder. October 19, 1971, to "Georgiana." November 19, 1971, to Joyce Macey.
January 25, 1972, to "Hazel." February 1, 1972, to Sharon Farris (nee Crane) and John Farris. March 7, 1972, to James Cagney. March 23, 1972, to Sharon Farris (nee Crane) and John Farris. March 30, 1972, to Pearl Pezoldt. April 3, 1972, to Sharon Farris (nee Crane). April 12, 1972, to Don Parker. April 27, 1972, to "Doris." May 8, 1972, to "Ethel and Fred." May 9, 1972, to Dorothea McEvoy Sandham. June 29, 1972, to Shirley Eder. October 11, 1972, to Irvin Gelb. October 30, 1972, to columnist Hy Gardner. November 11, 1972, to columnist Hy Gardner. February 6, 1973, to "Virginia." (From the personal collection of Steve Kohler. For exclusive use on this site.) May 5, 1973, to Sharon Farris (nee Crane) and John Farris. June 21, 1973, to Al Goetz of Pepsi-Cola Canada. July 16, 1973, to Joseph Cohen. August 30, 1973, to Shirley Eder. September 12, 1973, to author Lawrence J. Quirk. (From the personal collection of Michael Lia. For exclusive use on this site.) September 17, 1973, to writer Jean Dalrymple.
February 4, 1974, to Shirley Eder. February 4, 1974, to "Nancy and Harry." February 20, 1974, to author Lawrence J. Quirk March 1, 1974, to Shirley Eder. March 7, 1974, to "Missy" (Barbara Stanwyck). March 14, 1974, to Terry Stoudenheimer. March 22, 1974, to her maid Mamacita's daughter. Partially handwritten. March 29, 1974, to "Donald." May 30, 1974, to "Janie." Handwritten "p.s." at bottom. June 6, 1974, to Sharon Farris (nee Crane). Christmas 1974 to "Mel." Christmas stationery. December 16, 1974, to "Bonnie, Peter, Tony, and Neal."
January 6, 1975, to "Jean." January 15, 1975, to Sharon Farris (nee Crane) and John Farris. January 20, 1975, to "Ambrose." February 13, 1975, to May Goldsmith. April 1, 1975, to May Goldsmith. June 20, 1975, to Harry J. Cooper of The Greeting Card Association. September 9, 1975, to "Edward." December 11, 1975, to Nora Browne Miller. December 16, 1975, to Sally and Jim Shircliff. December 29, 1975, to George Parker.
January 7, 1976, to Shirley Eder. May 7, 1976, to "Mary." May 25, 1976, to Lothar Karl. October 5, 1976, to "Mary." January 27, 1977, to "Julie." January 31, 1977, to "Lynn and Hal." February 8, 1977, to "Mary." April 5, 1977, to "Barbara." April 11, 1977, to "Vivienne." April 20, 1977, to "Mary."
Joan died on May 10, 1977. |