Original subtitles

Yes?

We're ready for you, Miss Crawford.

Let's go.

And on our left, just up the hill...

...the palatial home of movie queen, Joan Crawford,

whose new movie, lce Follies of 1939...

Excuse me.

Helga's finished in the living room, Miss Crawford.

Good.

Carol Ann, help me with this.

Helga, when you polish the floor,

you have to move the tree.

If you can't do something right, don't do it at all.

- I'm sorry, Miss Crawford. - All right, give me the soap.

You see, Carol Ann, you have to stay on top of things every single minute.

Okay.

- Carol Ann, will you get that? - Yes, Miss Crawford.

All right. Helga, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the dirt.

- Yes, ma'am. - Come on.

- Hello, Carol Ann. - Mr. Savitt. Come in.

Greg, you're early.

Only an hour and a half.

Take your shoes off. I've just washed that floor.

What about the socks?

I can handle the socks.

Hello, Bridget.

Miss Crawford, words cannot express our gratitude

for the happiness you bring our children.

No, I'm the one who's grateful, Reverend Mother.

Being here with you and the children at Christmas

is one of the things I most look forward to.

Bridget, look.

Be careful. Merry Christmas, Bridget.

- I'm rich. - No, it's mine.

You know what's missing in my life?

A hit movie.

Come on, you've got everything you want.

No, I don't. I want a baby.

- A baby? - Yeah.

- You know I've always wanted a kid. - You're too vain to be pregnant.

Vain?

I can't have one.

I was pregnant seven times with Franchot.

I lost them all.

I'm gonna adopt one.

Out of the question.

What do you mean?

I mean no agency would give you a baby.

- How do you know? - I'm a lawyer.

- Bend the law. - Bend the law.

Joan, you're an actress. You've been divorced twice.

Adoption agencies can be brutal.

Besides, a baby needs a father.

Father.

A father.

I never had a father.

Ma changed husbands faster than she changed bed sheets.

Ma, with her sloppiness and her dirt.

You know, hard times is good for people. I tell you it is.

Would I be where I am if I hadn't had them?

I could be a mother and a father.

I know how to teach a kid to take care of himself

and amount to something. I know I could.

Maybe you could.

One thing's certain, you'd sure get a lot of publicity.

Shut your...

Bastard.

You guys in Hollywood, all you think about is publicity,

deals, box office.

Why don't you try to understand a woman?

I'm afraid I have some difficult news for you, Miss Crawford.

The agency has denied your application for adoption.

But why?

Well...

You live alone.

There's no other family member in the home.

You have two previous divorces.

You're a busy, active woman.

"And the candidate is found to be an unsuitable parent."

"Unsuitable"?

Please, Miss Crawford.

Don't you dare judge me!

We have a moral and legal responsibility in this job.

Obviously you don't understand.

What you're really doing is denying one of your children

the opportunity to live a wonderful and advantaged life.

How sad that is.

Good afternoon.

Do I look all right? Am I dressed right?

For God's sake, Joan.

I want everything perfect.

Perfect.

The kid's only a couple of months old. It's not gonna know.

I know. Why aren't they here?

I don't know.

Greg darling, please don't drink. I don't want whisky on your breath.

Damn it, Joan, I got you the baby. It's yours. You have it.

I know.

They're here.

Hello. Please, this way.

- We're so pleased, Miss Crawford. - Thank you, Doctor.

- Doctor. - Thank you.

Hello.

Greg.

She's perfect.

You're perfect.

A daughter.

My own daughter.

I'm gonna make a perfect life for you.

I'm gonna give you all the things I never had.

My beautiful little darling.

You're a lucky little girl.

And very expensive. You cost me a lot of favors.

I'm going to call you

Christina.

Christina darling.

My darling daughter.

My own

Christina Crawford.

Mommie!

Are you having a happy birthday, Christina darling?

This is the best party I ever had.

I love you, Mommie dearest.

I love you, Tina darling.

Up, darling.

- Darling. - Here's your mommie.

Hello.

This is Christopher, my second child.

I would like to adopt every unwanted child in the world.

No one should be unwanted.

Look at that, darling.

Life is tough enough when you are wanted, isn't it?

- It's time for his nap. - Yes.

- He's sleepy. - Yes.

Have Nanny tuck him in properly.

Christina.

Come.

Birthday girl.

Now, what do you think?

- Should we open your presents now? - Yes.

- Do you think it's about time to? - Yes.

I'm not so sure.

- Please. - They're right there.

Miss Crawford.

The studio would like some shots of you

watching Christina open a present.

All right, Jimmy. Come on, darling.

I have a grass stain.

Darling, that will never show.

I'll just run upstairs and have Nanny take care of it.

No, dear, we'll take the photographs now.

Actually, Miss Crawford, it might read.

All right, dear. Go along, have Nanny fix it.

We'll wait for you here.

Okay, Christina.

A little more, Christina. Okay.

Big smile, Christina.

Okay, Christina.

Wide smile now. Wide eyes, okay?

A little to your right, Christina.

Come along, Christina.

Beautiful!

She's a real natural, Miss Crawford.

I think that's enough now, Jimmy.

Tina, run down and get all the other children.

Tell them to come up. We'll open the presents for real.

Okay.

You know, Miss Crawford, I promised the studio

some real good stuff when she blows out the candles.

All right, Jimmy.

Mommie, thank you.

She's so beautiful.

What should I name her?

- Is that the present you like best? - Yes.

Then that's the present you can keep.

We'll take the rest to the orphans who don't have anything.

And tomorrow we'll write our thank-you notes.

Christina, why can't you...

Hello, hello.

Happy birthday, darling.

- Hello, darling. - Darling.

Uncle Greg.

- Just what I wanted. - You like it?

I love it.

Look.

But, you see, I'm only keeping one present

and all the rest I'm going to give to the poor orphans

- who don't have any. - Yes, I...

I read about that in the newspapers. It's wonderful.

So I'll just keep this for you

till you don't have to choose.

I put a lot of thought into this when I picked it for you.

All right.

This time we'll make an exception.

You may keep the doll and the bracelet.

Mommie dearest.

What about Christopher's present?

This one.

Darling,

remember what I told you about adopted children?

Adopted children are luckiest 'cause they were chosen.

That's right.

That's good, but you've got to push off more with your weight.

- Come on, let's see another one. - She's had enough, Joan.

But I'm tired, Mommie.

Quitter.

All right, ready?

One, two, three, dive!

Better, but you gotta keep your legs together when you go in the water.

She's only a kid.

So was I. Only a kid.

I learned early.

You know, life goes by too damned fast.

You've gotta know how to compete and win.

I don't want her growing up a spoiled Hollywood brat

just because she's Crawford's daughter.

- It's lovely, isn't it? - Yes, it is.

It's a great Sunday at home with a star.

You know, we hardly ever have nice days like this anymore.

I've got an appointment.

They call, you run.

Who calls, I run?

Nobody.

Then why do you say that?

Because I'm damn mad at you!

Why?

Look, this script is the best script the studio has

and it hasn't been offered to me. You could help.

Joan, that's Mayer's business.

I never tell a man I respect how to run his business.

They think I'm slipping.

- Are you? - No.

So?

Yes.

I just want that part.

I want you, too.

You got me.

Have a good time, Tina.

Thanks, Uncle Greg. I love you.

Who wants to go swimming?

I do!

I'll race you.

On your mark, get set, go!

Again?

I'll give you a bigger head start.

Come on, Tina.

On your mark,

get set

and go!

You lost again.

It's not fair.

You're bigger than I am. It's not fair to win twice.

But nobody ever said that life was fair, Tina.

I'm bigger and I'm faster.

I will always beat you.

Then I'm not gonna play with you anymore, ever!

Don't you ever

use that tone of voice with me, missy!

Who do you think you're talking to? I'll tell you what you're gonna do.

You're gonna march yourself upstairs to your room and you will stay there

until I tell you to come out!

No, I won't!

No, you won't?

Yes, you will!

- You will go up. - I won't go!

- All right, all right! - I won't go!

You will stay in here until you are ready to behave...

I won't! No, I won't! I won't!

...and to apologize!

I won't!

In!

Mommie!

Fans should know the price you pay.

Mayer should know the price I pay.

The biggest female star he's got.

Ever had.

And he's burying me alive.

He's not gonna beat me. He's not gonna make me sorry.

Survive, survive, survive.

Survive, survive, survive.

Where's Tina?

She'll be down in a minute, Miss Crawford.

Hello, darling.

Oh, God.

Hello.

Yes, sir.

- Joan. - Who?

At this hour?

It's Mr. Savitt calling from Mr. Mayer's office.

Greg?

Greg, darling.

Hello.

Anything wrong?

We had a sudden little labor problem,

so we had a sudden little early meeting.

By the way,

Mayer thinks you'd be wonderful in the picture you wanted.

What? What, Greg?

I tried to talk him out of it, but I couldn't.

Good! No, Greg, wait.

Goodbye.

No, Greg!

Wait, Greg!

Carol Ann!

I've got it!

I've got it!

I've got it! I've got it!

Christina!

Tina darling, guess what...

Oh, yes.

It was thrilling.

I'm so grateful to you all,

my wonderful fans

who've made me a star.

Oh, yes.

It was thrilling.

I'm so grateful to you all,

my wonderful fans

who've made me a star.

Mommie.

What do you think you're doing?

Nothing, Mommie.

I was just playing.

What do you mean, playing?

Pawing through my things.

Making fun of me.

I wasn't making fun of you.

I was just trying to...

I was acting.

Playacting, like you're always doing.

Look at yourself.

Give me that.

What have you done to your... Tina, what have you put on your hair?

- What have you done to this damn hair? - I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

It was just setting lotion.

Mom!

- What are you doing? - "What are you doing?"

- Don't you tell me what I'm doing. - Mommie, don't!

- Don't tell me "don't." - Oh, no!

- Mommie, I look awful. - Yeah, I know you look awful.

You be quiet!

You're always rummaging through my drawers

trying to find a way to make people look at you!

Why are you always looking at yourself in the mirror?

Why are you doing that? Tell me!

You sit still now! This ought to teach you!

You're vain, spoiled.

Mommie, I can't go to school like this.

I'd rather you go bald to school than looking like a tramp!

No, Mommie, please stop!

Why?

Mommie, I cannot go to school like this.

- Mommie, please, stop! - You spoiled it.

Mom! Mom!

You spoiled it just like I spoiled you.

Please! Mom!

Joan Crawford!

Take it easy.

- Good evening, Miss Crawford. - Good evening.

Welcome. Your booth is ready.

Excuse me.

I'm glad to see they finally let go of you.

We were about to send out a rescue party.

Hello, L. B., what a pleasant surprise.

Joanie. I want you to meet a few financial friends from New York.

They're bankers.

- Mr. Lubin. - It's a pleasure.

- Mr. Dodd. - Mr. Dodd.

- How do you do? - Please sit down. Join us.

My daughter, Helen, would love to have your signature, Miss Crawford.

Of course.

You see, she didn't ask for L. B. Mayer's signature.

That's because she's not as smart as her father.

She doesn't know that you are the king.

Thank you.

Where are you going? Come join us. We're having dinner.

You're one of the reasons bankers love Metro.

Thank you, L. B., but our table is ready.

I insist.

You're aces, Joanie.

I'm glad you think that, L. B., because aces beat kings.

Not in Hollywood, dear.

I'm sure you'll find the interest arrangements quite agreeable.

That'll be just fine, L. B.

We'll all meet in New York.

Hauling me over to Mayer's table like some picked-up floozy

or one of those starlets

out to give the big shots a nice night in town.

Is that what you think of me?

How many drinks is that?

When you were a kid, that made you look sexy.

Now it just makes you look drunk.

I may as well have "property of MGM" tattooed on my backside!

Damn it, Perino's is my place.

Nobody wanted my signature, so I just walked in.

You expect me to ignore my fans?

They are life and death to me, baby.

They're the ones who really made me.

I expect you to walk in with me and sit down at your table with me.

Then Mayer would have to bring his bankers over,

introduce them, get your autograph and leave.

That's what you should've done!

Maybe that's what I would've done,

if you'd been nice enough to stay out there with me,

help me through the crowd

and into the restaurant like a gentlemen!

Why are you screaming?

Because I'm damn mad!

Damn it, Greg. How can you put Mayer over me?

You know that son of a bitch is trying to destroy my career.

If your career's in trouble, it has nothing to do with him.

Then what is it?

You were always the shop girl who fought her way to the top,

made a great success.

You're not a little shop girl anymore.

Now, that's the truth to face and deal with, if you want to survive.

The truth is, you're getting old.

Yeah.

You're nothing but a rotten crooked lawyer

supplying the grease that makes this shitty movie business work.

You think your life's a mystery.

There isn't a dirty cover-up in this entire business

that I don't know about, and your hand is in every one of them!

You reek of it!

Damn you! Are you crazy?

No person talks to me like that. No one anywhere!

Are you crazy? Are you? Tell me!

- Tell me. - I'm crazy.

I didn't mean that, Greg.

I didn't mean it.

Get up.

There's no camera in here.

Greg.

Where you going?

Where I belong.

Out of here.

You belong here.

I'm waiting for you.

Good night, Joan.

Please don't leave, because if you do,

you'll never come back in again, no matter what you say or ask or do.

I'll always

wish you well, Joan.

And I'll only speak well of you.

Please don't go.

Don't leave me here alone.

Please.

If you're acting, you're wasting your time.

If you're not, you're wasting mine.

I'm not acting!

I'm not acting.

Good night.

Good luck.

Goodbye.

Good morning.

Good morning, dearest heart.

Hello, darling.

Hello, Christopher, my angel.

Look. How are you? Did you sleep well?

- Did you? - Yeah.

Run along downstairs, get your breakfast

- and don't be late for school. - I won't.

- Look after Christopher. - Okay.

If she doesn't like you,

she can make you disappear.

Ginny, are we running short? Shall I send for more photographs?

No, Miss Crawford. The studio just sent over a new batch.

- We've got plenty. - Good, good.

You're all so gracious to help, and you're doing a wonderful job.

And you.

- I can stamp. - Let's see.

I'll roll it to you this way.

Go get it, Christopher.

Come on, Christopher! Get it, Christopher!

- Here, I got it! Get it! - All right!

Christina, Christopher, damn it!

Carol Ann, I have asked you to keep the children quiet today!

Now, for Christ's sake, get them out of the garden!

I'm sorry, Joan.

Have Tina bring me up my coffee.

All right, Joan.

I'm sorry, Mommie.

I tried to be quiet.

- But we were playing. - And you forgot.

You promised last night. You promised.

Look, I told you how important today is to Mommie.

I explained why, didn't I, Tina?

I'm sorry, Mommie.

Go to your room until I come for you.

You're very, very bad to wake Mommie up like that.

Very naughty.

I told you Mommie has to be beautiful today.

This afternoon she has to see Mr. Mayer.

Today is so important.

You are selfish and thoughtless.

You must learn to think about other people.

You're bad, bad, spoiled children.

My babies.

Someone stole both my babies.

That's good, darling.

They were thoughtless, selfish, spoiled children.

Now they won't wake you up when you need your rest.

Good morning, Miss Crawford.

Good morning, Ellen. What a lovely blouse.

Thank you very much.

Come.

Thank you, Connie.

Joan.

Look at you. Look.

Eighteen years in the business, and who could hold a candle to you?

- You're always so kind. - Kind?

Of all my picture family, who turned out best?

Who never let me down? Joan Crawford.

To all the new kids coming up, she's like a diamond.

Class.

L. B...

Have I ever lied to you in your whole career

or given you one piece of bad advice?

Never.

Never.

Your treatment of me has been divine.

Joan, my Joan, you're in a position to do me a favor.

It will be as big a favor for you as it is for me.

You don't have to ask.

You only have to tell me.

Good. I want you to leave Metro.

Leave Metro?

Leave Metro?

Your pictures, one after another, are losing money.

Theater owners voted you box office poison.

Even so, for years, I've paid no attention.

You know me, Joan. I don't give up so easily.

We'll pay you off on your contract,

but you can't afford to make three or four more losers for us.

It's the scripts, L. B.

- Bad pictures, bad directors. - Bad with you, good with others.

No, listen to me, L. B. I have been begging you,

begging you for a good script.

Now, you've always given me my share of bad movies

because you knew I'd make them work.

I can't keep doing it, L. B.

Listen with your ears and not with your pride.

With me, feeling is more important than money.

You're a great star. You're Hollywood royalty.

But styles change.

You'll leave.

We have creative differences.

We don't want to fight or argue with each other

because we love each other.

Every studio will think they're smarter than L. B.

They'll try to finesse me.

You'll be offered one, two, three, four, five films.

You may even get a hit.

Will you be sorry then?

I'm sorry now.

But here there's no confidence, there's no hope.

It's time for a change.

New faces, new voices, a breath of fresh air, who knows?

Don't do this to yourself.

I'll...

I'll have my maid and studio people clear out my bungalow.

- I have a lot of years to collect. - It's done, Joan.

They've packed your things. They're loading your car.

You mean everybody already knows?

That we parted friends because we didn't agree.

Will you walk me to my car?

Hollywood royalty.

I'm Hollywood royalty!

No, we parted friends.

Everyone already knows.

Box office poison.

Box office poison.

Class, you're class.

You're class!

Box office poison!

Wake up, wake up. Come on, children. Come on, come on. Wake up, wake up.

- What's happening? - Come on.

Your mother wants you downstairs in the rose garden. Come on, hurry up.

You, too, Christopher. Come on.

Come on. Come along. Your mother wants you right away.

Eighteen years in the business.

Parted friends!

Creative differences!

Good. I want some help here.

I want all of these branches cleared out of here now!

Carol Ann and Christopher, start clearing away all these branches.

Start gathering them up.

Go on, get the wheelbarrow and the rake.

Tina!

Bring me the ax!

For Christ's sake, Carol Ann, get some more emotion into the scene,

some expression in the lines.

I can't keep the emotion up if you don't come in right away.

Let's... After the uniform.

Downtown restaurants.

My mother a common waitress.

I took the best job I could find so that you and your sister could eat

and have a place to sleep and some clothes on your backs.

Aren't the pies enough? Do you have to degrade us?

Veda, don't say that.

I'm really not surprised.

You've never spoken of your people, who you came from,

so perhaps it's natural.

Maybe that's why Father left!

I'm sorry I did that.

I'd have rather cut off my hand.

Your mother's been practicing and practicing.

You know how perfect she always wants to be.

This time she must be perfect.

Do you understand?

She wants everything to be perfect.

This time it's even more important.

They're making your mother take a screen test.

Do you know what that is?

When they're not sure they want you?

And you know how shameful that is for her?

She wants this film.

She knows she's right.

She is this character, Mildred Pierce.

We have to help her. We will, won't we?

I will.

I will.

Christina, you haven't touched your lunch.

It's raw.

It's rare, not raw.

But it's got all this red juice when I push on it.

Then don't push on it.

Darling, rare meat is good for you. The doctor said so.

Christina,

meat loses its vitamins if it's overcooked.

But I've had my vitamins this morning.

Pills.

She negotiates everything like a goddamn Hollywood agent.

Christina,

eat your lunch.

You are not getting up from this table until you have finished that meat.

You may get up from the table now.

Just a minute, young lady.

Pick up that plate,

take it into the kitchen and put it into the refrigerator.

Now, Tina, I'm going out this evening.

You will have dinner in your room alone.

You will eat everything on that plate.

Do you understand?

You may drink your glass of milk,

and then you may be excused from the table, Christina.

Tina,

empty that plate into the trashcan.

Why must everything be a contest?

The envelope, please.

And the winner is

Ray Milland for The Lost Weekend.

God, I hate this night!

It turns, every year, into a crisis.

I wish I did have pneumonia. I wish I was raging mad over the flu

and a fever, so I wouldn't have to even listen.

Thank you, Ray.

Now, for the best female performance in a leading role,

the nominees are Ingrid Bergman for The Bells of St. Mary's,

Joan Crawford for Mildred Pierce,

Greer Garson for The Valley of Decision,

Gene Tierney for Leave Her to Heaven

and Jennifer Jones for Love Letters.

You're gonna win. I know it.

- May I have the envelope? - The picture is a hit.

And the winner is

Joan Crawford for Mildred Pierce!

Accepting for Joan Crawford

is the director of Mildred Pierce, Michael Curtiz.

- Mommie, you won! - It's wonderful.

Joan, listen to them.

They're so happy for you.

I knew it.

I would rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world.

You, all of you here and everywhere,

gave me this award tonight.

And I accept it from you and only you.

You're beautiful!

I love all of you!

Now, please forgive me. Good night.

No wire hangers!

What's wire hangers doing in this closet, when I told you

no wire hangers ever?

I work and work till I'm half-dead

and I hear people saying, "She's getting old."

And what do I get?

A daughter

who cares as much about the beautiful dresses I give her

as she cares about me!

What's wire hangers doing in this closet?

Answer me!

I buy you beautiful dresses,

and you treat them like they were some dishrag!

You do!

Three hundred dollar dress on a wire hanger!

We'll see how many you've gone and hidden somewhere!

We'll see! We'll see!

Get out of that bed! Let's...

- All of this is coming out! Out! - Please! Please!

- Out! Out! - No! Mommie!

Out!

You got any more?

We're gonna see how many wire hangers you've got in your closet!

Wire...

Wire hangers! Why?

Why? Christina, get out of that bed.

Get out of that bed!

You live in the most beautiful house...

- Mommie! - ...in Brentwood and you don't care

if your clothes are stretched out from wire hangers.

Please! Mommie, don't!

Mommie, don't!

And your room looks like a $2 refurnished room

in some two-bit backstreet town in Oklahoma!

Get up! Get up, clean up this mess!

Did you scrub the bathroom floor today?

Did you?

Yes, Mommie.

"Yes, Mommie," what?

Yes, Mommie dearest.

When I taught you to call me that,

I wanted you to mean it.

Come here!

Look at this floor!

Do you call that clean? Do you?

Miss Jenkins said it was clean.

"Miss Jenkins said it was clean."

Do you think it's clean?

Do you think it's clean?

Look at that. Do you?

Yes, I do.

Get on the floor. We're going to clean this floor.

You and me together. Go.

Go, scrub hard.

- Scrub. - Mommie...

Scrub, Christina!

- This floor's already clean. - It's not.

- I... - This floor is not clean! Look at it!

- This floor is not clean! - Mommie, no!

This floor is not clean! Nothing is clean!

This whole place is a mess!

- Mommie! - It's...

Mommie, I don't understand!

Clean up this mess!

How?

You'll figure it out.

I'll help you clean it up.

No. Go back.

Strap yourself in.

She'll kill me if she found out.

Jesus Christ.

No report on Christmas would be complete

without a description of how one Hollywood family spends this holiday.

So now, let us all hop on our imaginary sleigh

and whisk away to the home of one of America's foremost actresses,

Miss Joan Crawford.

We're so very happy to have you with us, George.

- This is my daughter, Christina. - Hello, everybody.

- And my son, Christopher. - Hello.

All of America knows of your generosity

in adopting these two homeless children.

And might I say to all of our listeners

they're beautifully behaved.

Thank you, George. I feel that discipline, mixed with love,

is such a good recipe.

Christina, do you and your brother get lots of presents at Christmastime?

Yes, we do.

Mother's fans send us so many beautiful things,

but we like to share them with other boys and girls

who aren't so fortunate.

Miss Crawford,

could you tell us what will happen after we leave you this evening?

The children and I will probably sit and watch the Christmas tree lights

and then, later, we'll welcome some of the children's friends

to help us sing Christmas carols.

And surely you'll finish up by reading "'Twas the night before Christmas"?

No Christmas Eve would be complete without that.

As a Christmas present to our listeners,

would all of you like to say the last two lines?

"And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night"

And good night to you, Miss Crawford, and thank you

for allowing all of us to share your Christmas Eve.

And thank you, George, and Merry Christmas to you

and to all your listeners.

Mommie's not quite ready yet, Mr. Gelber.

Will it be Scotch with ice tonight?

Please, take it easy with the Scotch, honey.

Okay.

Easy. Easy on the Scotch, Christina.

Mr. Gelber, I fix all my uncles' drinks this way.

I am not your uncle.

Mommie, Mr. Gelber is here.

Very good, darling.

- Hello, Ted. - Joan.

You know, by now, you can call him Uncle Ted.

Yes, Mommie dearest. Uncle Ted.

See you later, Tina darling.

It's not good.

- You didn't like it? - No, it's not good.

We have to find something wonderful.

I think we have everything here that's just fine.

We've got company.

Tina.

I poured you a freshener, Mommie dearest.

Thank you, Tina darling.

That's quite an extraordinary young lady.

Whatever I did, I won't do it again.

I promise.

I can be better.

You'll see the time will fly by. You can call me anytime, collect.

Mrs. Chadwick, how kind of you to greet us.

This is Christina.

I know you'll be happy here, Christina.

I won't. Please don't make me stay.

- I don't wanna leave home. - No, no, darling. Now listen to me.

You're not leaving home.

You'll be home some weekends and holidays.

What will Mrs. Chadwick think?

I'm sure everything will be fine once you settle in.

Now, I'll call you later. All right?

I understand just how you feel, Christina.

I understand.

Understand.

The first word I ever heard

out of any of you was that word.

Understand.

There'll be time enough to understand when I'm old,

if I ever am old.

Oh, but not now.

- That was great, Christina. - Thank you.

- What play was that from? - It's Antigone.

It's a Greek myth written by a French playwright.

Can I have your autograph when you're a big movie star?

- Darling, if I'm not too booked. - Not too booked?

Miss Movie Star? What is this "not too booked"?

- Stop it, Tony. - Yes, stop it.

Christina, do sit up properly.

Isn't this fun?

Us having a date on your weekend home from school?

Charming hat, Christina.

Why, thank you, Tommy. I picked it out myself.

Don't flirt, Christina.

Tommy, we'll have the New York steak for two, rare.

And two Limestone salads.

- Thank you, Miss Crawford. - Thank you, Tommy.

Tina, flirting can be

taken the wrong way.

Do you understand?

Want to show you something.

I got all A's. One B.

- I'm very proud of you, Christina. - Thank you.

Very proud.

Now, what about your Christmas card list?

Christmas cards?

I've been studying for exams.

I'll get the cards out on time, okay?

You know, Tina, being away at school has made you more rebellious.

I am not a baby anymore.

Maybe you'd be better off at home.

I'm sorry.

- I have had a lot of schoolwork. - Times are tough.

Still, I treat you to a lovely evening.

What do I get? Smart aleck backtalk.

I'm sorry, Mommie dearest.

It's all right.

I've had to let Helga go.

I'll need your help at home this weekend.

Let's have a lovely evening.

Shall we?

- God, you scared me. - Sorry, Tina.

- How are you doing? - Okay.

- About finished? - Almost.

Sit down, Tina. I want to talk to you about something.

What did I do?

It's not you.

Tina darling, I...

I'm having some financial difficulties.

I just spoke to Mrs. Chadwick.

She's agreed to let you go on a work scholarship program.

That's all right.

We'll manage.

You know, I was on a work scholarship program.

Worked my way through school scrubbing floors, mostly.

Work.

What is it?

There is something else.

I lost my contract at Warner's.

I have... I don't feel I have anybody.

No contract.

No studio.

No money.

Tina, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

What am I gonna do?

It'll be okay.

We'll manage.

I'm scared, Tina.

I'm scared.

After all those years, I never thought it could happen to me.

I don't know what I'm gonna do.

I don't know what I'm gonna do.

Don't worry.

Mommie, I love you.

Mommie?

Mommie?

I came up to say good night to you.

Mommie?

Mommie?

Mommie?

Mommie?

Carol Ann! Carol Ann!

- What is it? - Something's happened.

- What's the matter? - I don't know.

I came in and I found her like this.

- I think she needs an ambulance. - She doesn't need an ambulance.

She's drunk.

Come on, let's put her to bed.

Joan.

When did she buy all of these?

Two days ago. They were delivered this afternoon.

Come on, Joan. Get up, get up.

She told me we were broke.

Come on, help me. Stop it, help me, come on.

Come on, Joan. Come on. Give me the pillow.

Give me the pillow. Give me that.

Give me the... Oh, God. God.

Lousy substitute for someone who really cares.

Christina darling.

- Christina darling. - Come on, Joan.

- Christina darling. - Sorry it has to be like this.

- For you, for her. - Christina darling.

Come on, Joan. Joan.

- It all comes out in the wash. - Come on.

Hold on to me, Joan. Hold on.

- Hi, Tony. - Hi.

You handle that horse pretty well for a lousy rider.

Yeah, he's a great horse. Wanna ride him?

- When? - When you want to.

I work all day.

How about tonight? I'll go with you.

- What about Vera? - She's just a friend.

- 8:30? - Right here?

- Okay. - Okay.

- That's my first kiss. - I'll bet.

Kind of.

Swell. This is really swell!

- Vera. - I'm going to tell.

I am. I am going to tell!

How? How could this happen? How could you humiliate me this way?

I am ashamed to be your mother!

And you, how could you have let this happen?

Both students have been put on probation

and will have no privileges for a month.

"Probation"? This is appalling!

I have devoted myself to making Christina a proper young lady.

That boy should be expelled!

Now, Miss Crawford, when this sort of thing has happened before, we...

Before?

Is this an institution of learning or a teenage brothel?

Chadwick has an impeccable reputation!

And when students break the rules, we curtail their freedom.

We are leaving here right now.

Obviously, she cannot be controlled in this environment.

Nothing really happened between your daughter and the young man.

- It was innocent. - No thanks to you!

I think you're overreacting, Miss Crawford!

And I think you're under-reacting, Mrs. Chadwick!

My compliments to your school on its impeccable reputation.

Christina, come on!

There's a liquor store to the right.

I should have known you'd know where to find the boys and the booze.

All right. Tina, look at me.

Barbara Bennett is here from New York, doing a cover story on me for Redbook.

Tina, look at me

when I'm talking to you.

This is very important to me.

I don't want any trouble from you!

- We're back. - You're gonna love this.

Movie star manages to have it all.

Career, home and family!

Let me see that.

My God, Christina.

It can't be.

The last time I saw you, you were four.

- How are you, Miss Bennett? - God, call me Barbara.

They're teaching you some fancy manners at Chadwick.

That's not all they've been teaching her.

- How do you like school? - Very much, thank you.

- She got expelled. - That's a lie.

Excuse me, Barbara.

Christina, I want to talk to you

in the other room.

- Why do you deliberately defy me? - Why did you tell her I got expelled?

Because you did get expelled!

That is a lie.

You love it, don't you?

You love to make me hit you!

- Joan. - Barbara, please!

Please, Barbara! Leave us alone, Barbara.

If you need anything, ask Carol Ann.

This is wonderful. This is wonderful!

You...

You deliberately embarrass me in front of a reporter!

A reporter.

I told you how important this is to me! I told you!

Why did you adopt me?

What?

Why did you adopt me?

Because I wanted a child.

Because I wanted someone to love.

Don't you act for me.

I wanna know.

Why did you adopt me?

Maybe I did it for a little extra publicity.

Tina, that's not true.

You know that's not true.

Maybe just a little true.

I don't know what to do with you.

I don't know what to do with you.

Why not?

I don't ask much from you, girl.

Why can't you give me the respect that I'm entitled to?

Why can't you treat me

like I would be treated by any stranger on the street?

Because I am not one of your fans!

- Mommie! - You never loved me!

Mommie!

- Taken! Taken! Taken! - Mommie!

You hated me! You never loved me!

Never! Never!

You've always taken and taken!

- Mommie! - You never wanted to be my daughter!

You've always taken everything!

Everything you ever need!

And you have never

loved me!

Joan, stop! You're going to kill her!

Get out!

Get out!

Mommie.

Dear Christina,

God has brought you to our convent school

so that you can see the error of your ways.

Your mother has told us how difficult you've been,

both at home and at your former school.

She has requested the strictest discipline for you.

There will be no privileges.

You're not to leave the school.

There will be no telephone calls, in or out.

No visitors. No mail.

You have sinned in the past,

transgressed against the holy commandments,

but you shall find forgiveness here,

and be cleansed.

Let us pray together for your repentance.

The good Lord will grace you with his comfort and guidance.

To Joan and Alfred, a long and happy marriage.

- Good luck. - Hear, hear.

- Good luck. - Hear, hear.

Hold it. Hold it. Look this way, please.

That's lovely. Thank you.

Alfred darling, I'm so happy.

- Speech! - Speech.

Time for a speech.

Thank you all for being here on such short notice.

If this marriage comes as a surprise to some of you,

just think how I felt when Joan said yes.

You know, a few minutes ago, a reporter asked me what I thought

and how I would describe the marriage between the soft drink king

and the queen of Hollywood.

I told him I thought it was a hell of a match!

Yeah.

That's my pally.

Pally. That's what he calls you when he can't remember your name.

Don't you let her kid you.

I remember her name. It's Mrs. Alfred Steele.

- Right, pally? - Right.

Thank you, Sister,

for being so good to me.

These years have been

very hard.

Goodbye, dear child.

God be with you.

Thank you.

No, thanks. I can manage it. I'm okay.

Mommie?

I miss you too, darling.

Yes, but you get to New York so often.

You know? We'll see each other there.

Yes, I've put the house up for sale. Alfred travels so much

and corporate headquarters are in New York.

Darling, my daughter's here. I'll talk to you before we leave.

Love to you, too.

Hello, Mother.

Christina. I want you to meet my husband.

What do I call him?

What would you call anyone who's your father?

Go introduce yourself. Go on.

Hello, Daddy. I'm Christina.

Hello, Arthur.

I don't know what to do.

That bitch of a bearing wall is blocking my view.

I'll tell you what to do.

Tear down that bitch of a bearing wall

and put a window where it ought to be!

Tina, what do you think?

It'll be great.

- Darling, coffee? - Yeah, sure.

- Tina darling, coffee? - Okay.

- So, you're acting? - Yeah.

- Where? - Mostly in stock.

I think I may be pretty good.

Good luck, darling.

I have been working nights

so I can go on interviews during the day.

See, but the thing is, I...

I was wondering if you could lend me a little money,

you know, to get by this month.

Not a cent.

Joan, come on. A little something.

Doing things on your own is best.

Don't you agree, Tina?

Sure.

I'll get by.

Between us.

Now, the sofa... This is wonderful.

And this chair...

That is my favorite. I knew you'd like it.

It's my favorite, too. All on the terrace.

Would you excuse us for a minute, please?

AI, look at this. It's perfect except for the colors.

They're too strong.

And I want you to look at these.

I hate to bring this up,

but we're gonna have to cut back on our spending.

What are you talking about?

AI, I'm doing all this for you.

I'm turning this apartment into your showplace.

You're doing a marvelous job, but we've got to economize.

Most of our expenses, including this apartment, are for your company.

We have to look great for Pepsi-Cola!

I want us to look great, and I want us to live well, but there's a limit.

We're going into debt.

AI, you're a great businessman.

Now, you and your company have found yourselves a movie star

to sell your soda pop.

Well, you gotta pay the price.

Come on, pally, be reasonable.

You've got everything you need for this place.

Just look at this joint!

You genius of the soft drink world,

get the goddamned company to pay the bill!

Joan, you've got to understand!

It's a public company, for Christ's sake.

This isn't Hollywood,

where someone takes care of things with a phone call!

This is the real world!

The real world expects us to live in a certain way.

Yeah, well, that way is breaking my back.

We'll find a solution.

You love a challenge.

Okay, pally.

Miss Crawford,

the condolences of every person at Pepsi-Cola are with you.

AI Steele helped make this company.

And you were right by his side, sharing the burdens and the joy.

And we want to give you ample time to repay the debt.

Plenty of time.

Of course, we'll have to take the Fifth Avenue apartment.

You probably wouldn't wanna stay there alone anyway.

What debt? I've got 100,000 shares of stock.

Your husband had to borrow against the stock

to pay for the construction on your apartment.

And we loaned him a considerable sum in addition

to meet expenses his salary didn't cover.

You think you're very clever, don't you?

Trying to sweep the poor little widow under the carpet?

Think again.

I'm on the board of directors of this lousy company.

We assumed that with your husband gone

you would no longer want to be on the board.

AI and I helped build Pepsi to what it is today!

I intend to stay with it!

We appreciate your devotion and contribution, Miss Crawford,

but we have retired you from the board of directors.

You drove AI Steele to his grave

and now you're trying to stab me in the back?

Forget it!

I've fought worse monsters than you for years in Hollywood!

I know how to win the hard way!

Miss Crawford, we don't want any hard feelings.

You don't know what hard feelings are,

until I come out publicly against your product,

and you'll see how much you sell.

Please, Miss Crawford,

it's hardly necessary to make threats you surely don't mean.

Don't fuck with me, fellas!

This ain't my first time at the rodeo.

You forget the press I delivered to Pepsi was my power!

I can use it any way I want,

it's a sword

that cuts both ways.

The board has failed to realize the extent of your interest in the company

apart from AI's position.

We

misjudged.

We shall be pleased to have you stay on.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Now let's get to work.

Coming.

Mommie.

Tina darling.

I wish I would have known you were coming.

I just happened to be in the neighborhood.

I would've straightened up a little bit.

Looks quite neat to me.

Jesus Christ.

I'd forgotten what it was like.

Sit down.

How are you, Tina?

I've been making rounds. Lot of rejections.

But I'm up for a part.

- Good. - It's a soap opera.

Yeah, well, it's very good experience.

Yeah.

- Have you got a glass, darling? - Yeah.

Hey, you know where I got this from?

- Batista himself. - Yeah?

When I opened a plant outside Havana.

- That's all they gave you? - That's it.

Cheap bastards.

Do you miss all that?

I miss AI more.

So,

how are the guys?

Guys are guys. It hasn't changed.

I brought you a gift.

Thank you, Mommie.

They were the first present that AI ever gave me.

They're beautiful.

I want you to have them.

Thank you.

And, Tina,

if you don't get this part, for Christ's sake, don't hock them.

No, I wouldn't.

Thank you, Mommie.

- Don't be a stranger. - No.

- Is it 4:00 yet? - It's five after.

Five after? Turn the set on now.

I want that set on every day at 4:00 sharp.

I'm going to try to make him happy.

- You know, in every way. - You two make a lovely couple.

I want so much to be a good wife.

- You will be. - But there's so much to learn.

Don't worry. Love conquers all, right?

You're so good to me, Susan. You're so understanding.

And your mother, how's she doing?

You know Mom, I think she's been secretly planning this for years.

You're in good hands, then.

Sometimes I feel like it's her wedding,

but Bruce is being good.

Although I know he feels very far removed from all the planning.

She's doing quite well, don't you think?

She's improving.

A lot of fans have written how impressed they are with Christina

and how proud you must be of her acting.

Something good had to rub off.

Come on, let's get to work.

Mommie.

Miss Crawford.

I'm Belinda Rosenberg, Christina's producer.

- How do you do, Miss Rosenberg? - Fine.

Thank you so much for calling us.

- How is she? - She'll be fine.

It was an ovarian tumor, but completely benign, thank God.

- Thank God. - It's a rotten break for her.

Tell me, this won't affect her job in any way, will it?

How long will she be here?

The doctor's not sure yet...

I'll tell you what.

Let me call you tomorrow. We'll discuss it.

- Please. - Good.

Your TV show is on. Don't you wanna watch?

To see how well they manage without me?

To see your mother.

They just announced

your mother is gonna stand in for you until you're well.

She can't.

My character's only 28 years old.

Bill, could you...

Could you call...

- Do you want me to call Cindy for you? - Yes.

You know, she... She wants to...

I know that she wants to have an affair with Robert.

But are you sure his divorce is final?

His divorce is final?

Fade and out!

- Miss Crawford, are you all right? - I'm fine. Just nervous as hell.

Give me a drink and I'll be all right.

We've only got another 90 seconds.

Now, you're doing swell.

You just... Just keep finding those cue cards.

Belinda, that's the problem. The cue cards are too goddamn low.

Tell them to bring them up higher, huh?

Right.

- I think that's where it went wrong. - Right.

You all right?

Okay. Go.

You look perfect.

In ten, please. Nine, eight...

...three, two, one.

Now, what about us?

About our situation?

- Maybe we should elope. - No.

- Absolutely not. - I was afraid of that.

Be serious now, Bill.

Mother and I have to make plans today.

I was serious.

Think of all the work we'll save your mother.

Mom loves every minute of it.

Don't you have any more romantic ideas?

Small, simple ceremony?

It'll be grand.

- And don't worry about a thing. - Turn it off.

Turn it off.

Come on in.

Here's everything your mother picked out for you, dear.

Let me take that from you.

My God, Carol Ann.

She's still picking out my clothes for me.

She went to such lengths to pick out just the right colors for you.

I hope it fits.

It is pretty. Pretty colors.

Carol Ann, let me get you a cup of tea or something.

Carol Ann?

Carol Ann?

- What is it? - Christina.

What's the matter?

Your mother

is gonna be so alone when you leave.

Don't you worry.

She'll be all right.

She always is.

Hello.

Yes, Mommie.

No, she's here.

Mommie, I told you. I wanna do it for you.

As the final event of this prestigious evening,

we bestow our organization's highest award of merit

upon a woman known throughout the world

not only as an Academy Award-winning actress

but also as a businesswoman held in high regard

for her charitable, civic and professional contributions.

It is an honor for me to present this award of recognition

to a truly great lady, Miss Joan Crawford.

With us tonight to accept the award on behalf of her mother

is Miss Crawford's daughter, Christina.

Thank you.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

It's a privilege to be here with you tonight to accept this honor,

this award, on behalf of my mother, Joan Crawford.

When I spoke with her, she asked me to convey to you

her deepest gratitude.

She wanted so much to be here in person tonight

but she was simply not well enough.

I know she would want me to say thank you

to each and every one of you

who made this honor possible.

And on a more personal note,

I would like to say directly to her,

congratulations.

And

I love you,

Mommie dearest.

Thank you so much.

Mommie,

I always loved you so.

It's over.

The pain.

There's no more pain.

You're free.

You're free.

Mommie.

Mommie.

Mommie.

Christopher.

I'm so glad you're here.

- You okay? - Yeah.

- You? - I'm okay.

- Did you meet David, my husband? - Yeah.

- Let's go out and get some air. - Okay.

Miss Crawford, I've always been such a fan of your mother's.

I do hope you feel we've done her justice.

Actually, I worked from my own

personally autographed photo of your mother.

You did a beautiful job.

She looked lovely.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

Christina.

- Carol Ann. - Christina.

My little Tina.

She always loved you

so very much, Christina.

I need to believe that.

I need so much

to be able to believe that now.

She did.

Here it is.

This is the section pertaining to you and Christopher.

"It is my intention to make no provision herein

"for my son, Christopher,

"or my daughter, Christina,

"for reasons which are well-known to them."

What reasons? I mean...

Jesus Christ.

As usual, she has the last word.

Does she?

Does she?