Life at home with legendary movie star Joan Crawford was anything but a screen dream. According to her adopted daughter Christina, it was a living nightmare.
Christina told of the violence she endured throughout her childhood in the infamous memoir Mommie Dearest, which was later turned into the movie starring Faye Dunaway. Christina, now 80, has since then recounted more vivid details of her mother’s brutality in the documentary Surviving Mommie Dearest, and Joan’s troubled home life was also explored in the well-received miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan, with Jessica Lange playing Joan.
But now, the ferocious story is about to be told yet again, with a stage musical in the works, which is expected to dig even further into the darkness of Crawford’s home life. A workshop production described the musical as depicting a “triumph of the human spirit when set against unrepentant cruelty”.
Many are also wondering if this new musical, which is planned to eventually open in New York, will include Christina’s most shocking suggestion – that Joan killed her fourth and final husband, Pepsi president Alfred Steele.
Joan, the star of such screen classics as Mildred Pierce, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? and Sudden Fear, was married to Alfred from 1955 until his death in 1959.
This story is from the June 01, 2020 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 01, 2020 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Journey to JAKARTA
EMBARK ON A VIBRANT FAMILY ADVENTURE WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
HELEN'S BOLDEST ROLE YET ITS TIME TO SHAKE THINGS UP
THE ACTRESS DRASTICALLY TRANSFORMS FOR HER NEW FILM
STARRY SISTERHOOD FIRM FRIENDS then & now!
RITA, DEMI AND MELANIE ARE STILL THICK AS THIEVES
Celebrating THE MAGIC OF MR SQUIGGLE!
A NEW EXHIBIT HONOURS THE TREASURED PENCIL-NOSED MARIONETTE
ELVIS 'LOVE CHILD' blindsides Priscilla!
HER SHOCK MEETING WITH AN UNWELCOME GUEST
CHRISTIE HAYES ISTILL FEEL LUCKY'
THE STAR OPENS UP ABOUT A DIFFICULT TIME
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON with Hugh?
THE AUSSIE STAR HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME
NURSING IS IN OUR BLOOD!'
SAVING LIVES IS A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THESE WOMEN
PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL!
WILL A FARMER BE HEARING THE PATTER OF BABY FEET?
Eugenie & Jack CRACKS ARE SHOWING!
THE HOMESICK PRINCESS WANTS TO BE CLOSER TO HER UK FAMILY