| The Best of Everything: A Joan Crawford Encyclopedia |
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Welcome
to
The
Best of Everything
which
debuted online
March
23, 2004
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To find information:
• Browse one of the main categories to the right of the picture above. • Click on a letter or the index link below to find a particular entry in the Encyclopedia. • Use the handy Google box below to search the entire site by key word. • See the Latest Site Updates and Joan Crawford Events sections below. |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
All original Encyclopedia text, from A to Z, is copyright © 2004 - 2009 by Stephanie Jones
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[last 3 months]
7/03/09
FILMS: Added vintage New York Times reviews for: 1929 - Hollywood Review of 1929 (by Mordaunt Hall) 1929 - Our Modern Maidens (by Mordaunt Hall) 1929 - Untamed (by Mordaunt Hall) 1930 - Paid (by Mordaunt Hall) 1950 - The Damned Don't Cry (by the Bos) 1981 - Mommie Dearest (by Janet Maslin)
Just a reminder: Each film page has a section, not just for NYTimes critics' opinions, but also for YOUR reviews. If you've seen a Joan film and have an opinion about it that you'd like to share here, please send it in!
7/02/09
FILMS: Added vintage New York Times reviews for: 1932 - Grand Hotel (by Mordaunt Hall) 1937 - The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (by Frank Nugent) 1952 - This Woman Is Dangerous (by the Bos) 1954 - Johnny Guitar (by the Bos) 1968 - Berserk! (by Howard Thompson) 1970 - Trog (Anonymous)
Just a reminder: Each film page has a section, not just for NYTimes critics' opinions, but also for YOUR reviews. If you've seen a Joan film and have an opinion about it that you'd like to share here, please send it in!
7/01/09
FILMS: Added vintage New York Times reviews for: 1939 - The Women (by Frank Nugent) 1942 - They All Kissed the Bride (by "T.S.") 1945 - Mildred Pierce (by Thomas Pryor) 1946 - Humoresque (by... the Bos! Crowther, that is.)
Just a reminder: Each film page has a section, not just for NYTimes critics' opinions, but also for YOUR reviews. If you've seen a Joan film and have an opinion about it that you'd like to share here, please send it in!
6/30/09
EVENTS: San Francisco's Castro Theater will be showing a double feature of The Women and "Ninotchka" on July 4. (Thanks to Bay for the info.)
FILMS: Added a vintage 1941 review of When Ladies Meet by Bosley Crowther from the NYTimes. And a 1931 review of Dance, Fools, Dance from the NYTimes by Mordaunt Hall, plus a Times review by John Thompson after the "Dance" showing at a French film festival in early '32.
6/16/09
MAGAZINES: I'd already had the transcript of the April 1951 Cosmopolitan interview with Joan up on this site. Somehow, though, it turns out that I was missing about a third of the text! Thanks to Steve for sending me (and typing!) the missing text, as well as sending along 6 photos that originally accompanied the article.
1962 -- With Pepsi. 1964 -- Strait-Jacket ONE and TWO. And Joan in Nashville ONE and TWO. 1966 -- Joan arriving in Mexico. 1968 -- Berserk dead body in the ring and Joan at Seattle's Seafair.
NEWS: Joan's famous lighting-the-match-off-the-record dress from Strait-Jacket just sold at auction for $5,185. Details and photos.
EVENTS: Joan fans in my hometown of Austin can see her in Strait-Jacket at the Alamo Drafthouse on Tuesday, June 23, at 7:15 pm.
DVD NEWS: The Warner Archive has added 1933's Today We Live to its collection. Order here.
6/8/09
ENCYCLOPEDIA -- C: Under the Contracts entry, added a 1955 Universal contract allowing Joan a copy of Female on the Beach for her own personal use. (She'd just better not try to exhibit it for profit!) (Thanks to Susanne.)
TV: Added 4 screen shots from Joan's 1957 appearance on What's My Line? (Thanks to Jack.)
6/7/09 Thanks to Bryan Johnson for the below.
January 1961 (3 shots: solo, with host John Daly, and with the twins and Daly) October 1962 (with host Daly) December 1964 (2 shots)
PHOTOS: 1962 -- Baby Jane: with Aldrich and Davis on set; on deathbed; with Bette and stairs 1964 -- Strait-Jacket: hugging post at end of movie
6/4/09
LETTERS: Added 7 new letters, courtesy of Susanne. 1961 -- To friend Rudy, with thanks for his show. 1965 -- To friend George with thanks for flowers plus travel plans, to fan Irene with thanks for card, and to Irene re "Hollywood Palace." 1966 -- To fan Linda with travel plans. 1973 -- To Irvin Gelb with Town Hall news. 1976 -- To friend Dotty (wife of Pepsi exec Al Goetz) with congrats on her new home.
PHOTOS: 1938 -- Added: A "Sherman's Pool" vintage postcard, with bio on back (thanks to Steve); a colorized August cover of the Philadelphia Inquirer's Sunday Supplement; and a publicity shot from Mannequin. 1959 -- Added a large color wardrobe test shot from The Best of Everything (thanks to Steve).
6/3/09 Thanks to Bryan Johnson for most of the below. Thanks to Rob for the color Berserk photo.
1966 -- In London. In London with the Twins. At the London Savoy ONE and TWO. On a Pepsi tour. Unknown location. 1967 -- With the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." cast. 1968 -- Two Jerry Lewis Telethon screen shots. A neat color shot from Berserk. 1969 -- A screen shot from a TV interview. 1970 -- From the "Tim Conway Comedy Hour." Screen shot from the "David Frost Show." A small photo for the "Journey to the Unknown" entry on the TV:70s page. Post-1971 -- Color photo from 1972's "The Sixth Sense." Screen shot from 1973 Cancer Society TV ad.
5/30/09 Thanks to Bryan Johnson for the below.
ENCYCLOPEDIA - G: Added an entry and photo for Joan fan/friend Charles Grant.
PHOTOS: Added 10 screen shots for 1964's Della. Group 1. Group 2. Group 3.
5/24/09
1963 -- At a memorial ceremony for Al Steele. 1964 -- A screen shot from "Della." 1967 -- A screen shot from "Karate Killers." 1968 -- With daughter Christina. 1970 -- A nice big color screen shot from the "David Frost Show." 1971 -- Adding her handprints at St. Marks in NYC.
FILMS: Added 5 new lobby cards to the Sadie McKee page.
ENCYCLOPEDIA - S: Added a photo and entry for St. Marks.
EVENTS: For fans in Williamsburg, Virginia: The Williamsburg Library Theatre will have a FREE showing of Mildred Pierce at 2pm on Thursday, May 28. (Call 259-4050 for more info.)
5/23/09
1962 -- Baby Jane: A color publicity photo of Joan and Bette and a shot of Joan with Bette and Jack Warner. (Thanks to Bryan Johnson.) Misc.: Joan posing with her autobiography and two unknown companions. (Thanks to Steve Pickens.) 1965 -- I Saw What You Did: A huge color publicity photo. (Thanks to Steve.)
GEOGRAPHY: Added 5 new interior photos of Joan's Imperial House apartments. 4 for Apt. 22-G and 1 for 22-H. (Thanks to Bryan.)
LINKS: Thanks to Ricoh for sending along a link to this list of roles that Joan missed out on, from the notstarring.com website.
5/16/09
1964 - Thanks to Mateja for a great color photo of Joan at home. (RE the year: I've got a whole series of Joan from the same photo session currently up on the "1964" photo page, but am not sure if they all come from '64 or '63. If anyone has exact info about the correct year, please e-mail me so I can get these placed correctly.)
1956 - Thanks to Susanne for a series of 13 screen shots from Autumn Leaves. Millie and Burt in bed (pre-breakdown). Millie and Burt in bed (post-breakdown).
FILMS: Added a vintage 1956 NYTimes review for Autumn Leaves by Bosley Crowther. (The man is a notoriously constant Joan nay-sayer, but... lines like "our lady of multiple miseries" still, nonetheless, make me simultaneously laugh while I'm cringing...)
5/14/09
ART: Added a Joan-portrait by Pamela and a Joan-beaded-brooch by Sherri.
EVENTS: Upcoming Joan Films in NYC: Monday, May 25: The Unknown. Part of the Film Forum's Tod Browning Festival. Sunday/Monday, July 26 - 27 : Johnny Guitar. Part of the Film Forum's Nick Ray Festival.
MAY 10 FLOWER PHOTO: Many thanks to Linda Torpey of Cascade Florists for taking a shot of the 4-dozen roses that we fans had delivered to Joan's Ferncliff crypt on the anniversary of her death, May 10. Sixteen fans from around the world donated close to $400 for the flowers. (More photos to come, as soon as I get the glitch between my camera and my computer figured out!)
5/13/09
GRATITUDE: I wrote my May 11 update below when I was crying and very upset and frustrated by the fact that I had been unable to download the photos I took at Ferncliff this past Sunday. In the couple of days since that update, I've received extremely kind, thoughtful messages, as well as an offer of a laptop (!), and the below mail from Cascade Florists. I'm stunned by how incredibly kind people can be. For those who contributed to the flower fund to honor Joan on May 10, you WILL see photos here soon -- somehow, some way -- thanks to the utter generosity of people like Susanne and Michael and Mike and the Torpey Family.
Dear Stephanie:
I just went to your website and read about your new camera and the problem you had with downloading the pics to your 2000 PC.
My son Michael has great experience with that area. If you are not able to locate a friend who can help you with the problem, perhaps you can mail me the disc and Michael can do the download on his PC.
At that point, he will be able to email you the pics, or upload them to one of the sites where you can retreive them, and then, upload them to your site as you deem fit.
Also, Linda did take a pic of the arrangement if left our shop, and I'll email that one to you.
Sorry about the glitch, but let's hope we can come up with a fix for you. I know how frustrating this must be and how important it is for the fans to see what they have sent.
Sincerely, John Torpey 914-761-7766
5/11/09
FLOWERS FOR JOAN, MAY 10: Many thanks to everyone who contributed to have flowers delivered to Joan's Ferncliff crypt on the date of her death, May 10. With the money donated, I ordered 4-dozen "Grand Beauty" roses from the Cascade Florists in Hartsdale, which were delivered to Joan's crypt on May 10.
A fellow Joan-fan, Mike O, and I travelled out to Ferncliff to pay our respects on Sunday.
While there, I shot dozens of photos of our flowers, and close-ups of the card, with our names and messages.
The camera was new; I'd just ordered it 3 weeks ago. When I got home from Ferncliff and tried to download what I'd shot onto my 9-year-old computer, I found out that the disc that came with the camera wouldn't download to my 2000 computer.
I'm so sorry and embarrassed. I know that everyone who donated to the flower fund was looking forward to seeing the flowers, and to seeing photos of the card with their names and messages... I don't know how to make it up to everyone, except to say that, yes, our flowers were there, along with our card and our names... The arrangement did look beautiful and elegant.
FANS: Thanks to Omar for sharing the photos he took this past Sunday, May 10 (the anniversary of Joan's death) at her Grauman's star in Hollywood.
RADIO: Thanks to Jon from the "Old Time Radio" website (and fan Diana) for letting me know about the site's "Joan Crawford Collection," which is available on MP3 for only $5. I've just added the info to the RADIO and LINKS pages. Below are the Joan radio shows available for purchase:
The Old Time Radio Joan Crawford Collection 21 shows - 14 hours - 20 minutes, on one MP3 disc. $5.00. Arthur Godfrey Commercials Good News Louella Parsons Lux Radio Screen Directors Playhouse Screen Guild Theater Silver Theater Stars over Hollywood Suspense
5/6/09
ARTICLES: Added a 1930 interview with Joan from the LA Evening Herald, publicizing Our Blushing Brides... kind of! "If I have to do any more three-girl dancing daughter stories, I'll kick somebody" isn't exactly great publicity! See also: "Well, I like the drab. I like to play human beings in the gutter." (!)
A note on the Articles main page: I'm in the process of adding links for each individual magazine/paper that's listed there. (Previously, you could click only on the main alpha page for each.) So far, I've added the individual links for articles on the A/B, C, J/K/L, M (part 1), and N/O pages, with the rest to follow shortly.
FILMS: Great Day (1930) - Added an announcement from the Hollywood Daily Citizen giving details of Joan's new film (which began production but was ultimately never released). Our Blushing Brides (1930) - Added a vintage review from the LA Evening Herald.
5/03/09
FILMS: Added 8 vintage reviews. Two for Our Blushing Brides (1930, from the NYTimes and the Hollywood Daily Citizen), five for Montana Moon (1930, from the Hollywood Daily Citizen, the LA Record, the LA Evening Herald, and the LA Examiner), and one for Forsaking All Others (1935, by Louella Parsons).
TIMELINE - 1930s: Added tidbits of Joan's social goings-on in 1930 (3/3, 5/15, 6/4, 6/11, 7/5, 7/23, 8/12) garnered from papers such as the Hollywood Daily Citizen and the LA Evening Herald.
MAY 10 FERNCLIFF FLOWERS UPDATE: Just one last reminder -- On Monday, May 4, I'll be placing our order with the florist to have flowers delivered to Joan's Ferncliff crypt in remembrance of her May 10 death. If you'd like to donate to the flower fund and have your name and message included on the card accompanying the flowers, please click on the "Donate" button in the box above. [As of tonight, the total is up to $260, with donations ranging from $3 to $132.]
4/27/09
2009 FERNCLIFF FLOWERS:
Birthday Flower Photos: Thanks to Bunny for sending in 2 shots of the flower arrangements that Joan fans had delivered on her birthday, March 23, to her Ferncliff crypt. (Bunny's flowers are second from left.)
Flowers for Anniversary of Joan's Death (May 10): This website is currently taking donations toward a bouquet to be delivered to Ferncliff on the anniversary of Joan's death, May 10. If you'd like to contribute, and have your name/city/message for Joan accompany the flowers, please click on the DONATE button in the box above. I'll be placing the order with Cascade Florists of Hartsdale on Monday, May 4. [As of tonight, the flower-fund total is up to $118!]
4/12/09
ADS (thanks to Gustavo for both): 1940 - Added a Max Factor "Tru-Color" ad from Chile. 1952 - Added a Lustre-Creme shampoo ad.
MAGAZINES: Added the complete fictionalization of Possessed ('47) that appeared in the August 1947 issue of Screen Romances magazine. (Thanks to Gustavo.)
PHOTOS: Added a 1970 shot of Joan with Dino De Laurentiis at a/the "Miss Venus" ceremony. And a color 1967 shot from Karate Killers. (Thanks to James Bruce for both.)
4/10/09
QUESTIONS: Nicely segueing with the above photos, thanks to Jon South for asking why Joan ended up backing out of Hush...
4/05/09
1961 -- Joan on the balcony of her suite in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Thanks to James for the scan.)
1964
--
3
shots of
Joan
at a Pepsi Open House at the Beaman Bottling Company in Nashville,
April 1964.
FILMS: Love on the Run (1936) -- Added a lobby card.
The Shining Hour (1938) -- Added a vintage review from the New York Times, and a US movie poster.
4/04/09
ART: Walter Pacheco: See his "Rippled Joan." Michael Richter: See the individual artworks that make up his Joan Crawford: Drawing Icons video.
2009 FERNCLIFF FLOWERS: A fan had 36 beautiful White Vendella roses delivered to Joan's Ferncliff crypt on March 23, and the proprietors of Cascade Florist of Hartsdale CC'd me 3 photos of the flowers. Enjoy!
RE the new Warner burn-on-demand DVDs, from "Jon D" on the message board: New DVDs -- Superb quality! I got my DVDs today. The ones I ordered -- This Woman is Dangerous, Goodbye My Fancy, and Payment on Demand -- all look as good as the movies in both box sets. I would say This Woman looks even better than The Damned Don't Cry. Clear and crisp and fabulous! See the 3/25 announcement below for a listing of the 13 Joan titles newly available on DVD from the Warner Archive Collection, as well as ordering info.
4/02/09
Today We Live. Added: A vintage 1933 New York Times review by Mordaunt Hall. A movie poster (country unknown). A US herald cover and centerfold. A US ad, with art by William Cotton.
Female on the Beach. Added: A BOE reader review by Kelly Pearce. ("Female on the Beach is tawdry, sleazy, and hilarious...") |
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If
your city, group, or self is presenting a Joan Crawford-related
event in the
San Francisco: Saturday, July 4: The Women. At the Castro. NYC: Sunday/Monday, July 26 - 27 : Johnny Guitar. Part of the Film Forum's Nick Ray Festival.
LATEST AND UPCOMING RELEASES
February 10, 2009. Peter Cowie's "Joan Crawford." April 7, 2009. DVD: It's a Great Feeling! (as part of Doris Day collection)
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Visitors to this page since March 23, 2004:
A Note on the Hit Count for This Site As of July 19, 2008, I noted that this website had reached a milestone of 300,000 hits since its inception on March 2004. (On the July 2008 date, I also checked a competitor's hit count to compare: "Legendary Joan Crawford" was at 98,985.) After my announcement, however, I noticed that the "Legendary" webmaster had suddenly, and falsely, manipulated his count to read 326,151. That's a fake jump of more than 225,000 in only 10 days. Since it had taken that site nearly 4 years to have 100,000 hits, I HIGHLY doubt that it had 225,000 hits in only 12 days.
Since late 2005, I've kept a record of the "Best of Everything" hit count versus other Joan sites.
On July 19, 2006: BOE = 100,101. Legendary = 20,782. On July 19, 2007: BOE = 164,769. Legendary = 48,094. On July 19, 2008: BOE = 300,631. Legendary = 98,985.
Since I've kept track of the counts for the past 3 years, I know that there's no way that "Legendary's" hit count could have suddenly jumped from "98,985" on July 19, 2008, to "326,151" on August 1, 2008---a mere 12-day period. The webmaster faked his hit count, pure and simple.
(An example of "Legendary"'s actual hit count: See his Press/Media page, March 2008: A press article there says that the website "just passed 80,000 hits"----completely in keeping with my records for that same month.)
Regardless of what ridiculous count you read on the "other" site: The stats for "The Best of Everything" are legit. And the other webmaster remains forced to pad his counts in the appearance of "keeping up." Too bad he can't keep up legitimately. |
