Expert: Popcorn Guy - 6/18/2005

Question
I just watched "Harriet Craig" starring Joan Crawford.

I didn't really know too much about her when I grew up in the 1960's, but I read the Bob Thomas book on her career.  I gained some amount of respect for this woman by reading about her real life struggles and history.  We did see some of her films on the after school movie, but of course they were severely cut down.

When she died, I was living in Philadelphia and they had a week long tribute to her in a movie theater there.  You saw two of her films for a dollar -- complete and on the big screen.  I remember seeing "Harriet Craig" -- but it seems that the version I saw was somewhat different than the one available for home viewing.

Could that be ?

Or do I have "Harriet Craig" confused with another movie where Joan Crawford also has a mother in an old folks home (or institution).  She does bring her mother thread and soft wash cloths in "Harriet Craig" but somehow I remember a scene where she tells her mother to help the employees clean the hospice and brings her washing rags.  In the film I am remebering, her mother asks her about the man in her life and the Joan Crawford character tells the mother not to pry and that she "out of bounds" asking about this subject.

Is this part of "Harriet Craig" that has been cut from the home video version -- or is it part of an entirely different Joan Crawford movie ?

Thanks for any direction on this.

Incidentally, I like "Dance, Fools, Dance" for a Joan Crawford performance and of course "Grand Hotel" (they say her best camera work was cut mercilessly from that film).  But I really think "Harriet Craig" is her best movie.

I remember seeing "I Saw What You Did and I Know Who You Are" -- I have the DVD.  It's an odd story, but a good relic nonetheless.  I am a bigger fan of Joan Crawford's whole career -- I think a lot of her films are hard to watch because of being from a different generation with different styles and ways -- but I always like to view "Harriet Craig" -- I appreciate seeing her in that.

Anyway, thanks if you can answer about another film where she visits her mother and is brusque in coversation with the mother.

Jerry in Pennsylvania

Answer
Hi, Jerry...

No, you're thinking of the correct film... now, let me tell you this... it has been YEARS since I've seen "Harriet Craig," so I'm not sure about the video release...

That said, let me tell you this... there is another version of this film. The Crawford version is probably the best known, but Rosiland Russell made a version called "Craig's Wife." Both are based on the same Broadway play. Russell's version was made in 1936, I believe... is it possible that the exact scene you remember is in the Russell version?

Not accusing you of "mis-remembering" mind you... I've never seen the Russell version (didn't know it even existed until I researched this question...).

And, you're right, this is probably the quintessential Joan film.. but I lean more toward "Queen Bee."

Hope this helps... let me know if this helps any...


PCG