Screen Romances

Originally appeared August 1947.

Joan Crawford must think that C is her lucky letter. Born Lucille Le Sueur, she changed her name to Joan Crawford when she got her first big movie break back in 1928 in “Our Dancing Daughters.” And, even though she’s met her ups and downs since, her name has, with the exception of one bad spell, been generally on the up-and-up –remember when some exhibitors included Joan in a list of stars called box-office poison? Well, imagine their faces when she won the coveted Oscar in 1945 for her magnificent portrayal in the title role of “Mildred Pierce.”

But, to get back to that lucky ‘C’, Miss Crawford now has adopted four children: Christina, aged eight; Christopher, four, and two new babies, Cathy and Cynthia. And lucky little C’s are they to find a movie star mother not content to be companioned only by fame and fortune. For, since the Academy Award, Miss Crawford can be as independent as she pleases. Grossing about $200,000 a film, she has more material security than ever before in her life and, of course, she hasn’t been exactly hungry during any of the exciting years. Hungry for food, that is. But man, it is said, does not live by bread alone. And when a vital, warm-hearted woman has seen the magic go out of three marriages –Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Franchot Tone, Phillip Terry– she’s bound to be disillusioned.

Disillusioned, Joan Crawford undoubtedly is. But not bitter. If she were bitter, there wouldn’t be those four adopted children romping through her beautiful, rambling home in Brentwood. And she wouldn’t support those eight beds in the Hollywood Hospital. Or be loved by so many for her many generosities. Or be voted by the press as the most cooperative of the stars. Joan’s famous, too, for her wardrobe. The hat she’s wearing on our cover is the perfect example of the glamour that’s synonymous with her name. The noted designer, Walter Florell, dreamed it up just for her. And Mr. Florell would be happy to tell you that ‘C’ also stands for chic!