Yes?
We're ready for you, Miss Crawford.
Let's go!
And on our left, up the hill, is the home of movie queen Joan Crawford.
Excuse me.
- Helga's finished in the living room. - 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. - Give me the soap!
You see, Carol Ann, you have to stay on top of things every single minute.
- Carol Ann, you get that. - Yes, Miss Crawford.
Helga, I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the dirt.
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 with the children at Christmas is one of the things I look forward to.
Bridget, look.
Merry Christmas, Bridget.
- You know what's missing in my life? - A hit movie.
- You've got everything you want. - 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 am going to adopt one.
- Out of the question. - What do you mean?
- No agency would give you a baby. - How do you know?
- I'm a lawyer. - Bend the law!
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 one. Ma changed husbands faster than she changed bedsheets.
Ma, with her sloppiness and dirt!
Hard times is good for people.
Would I be where I am if I hadn't had them?
I could teach a kid to look after himself and amount to something. I could!
Maybe you could. One thing's certain, you'd sure get a lot of publicity.
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.
Why?
Well, you live alone. There is no other family member in the home.
You have two previous divorces. You're a busy, active woman.
''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.
You don't understand.
What you're 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 sakes, Joan.
I want everything perfect.
Perfect!
The kid's a couple of months old. It's not going to know.
- I know. Why aren't they here? - I don't know.
Please! I don't want whisky on your breath.
Damn it, Joan. I got you the baby. It's yours!
I know.
They're here.
Hello. Please, this way.
- We're so pleased, Miss Crawford. - Thank you, Doctor.
Hello!
Oh, Greg!
She's perfect.
You're perfect.
My daughter.
My own daughter!
I'm going to make a perfect life for you.
I'm going to give you all the things I never had.
My beautiful little darling!
You're a lucky girl, and very expensive. You cost me a lot of favours.
I'm going to call you...
...Christina.
Christina, darling.
My darling daughter.
My own...
...Christina Crawford.
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.
- Hello, darling. - Here's your mommie.
This is Christopher, my second child.
I would like to adopt every unwanted child in the world.
Look at that, darling!
Life is tough enough when you are wanted. Isn't it?
It's time for his nap.
- He's sleepy. - Have Nanny tuck him in properly.
Christina!
Birthday girl! What do you think?
- Should we open the presents now? - Yes.
- Do you think it's about time, too? - Yes.
- I'm not so sure. - Please!
- Look right there. - Miss Crawford?
The studio would like some shots of you watching Christina open a present.
All right, Jimmy. Come on, darling.
Oh! I have a grass stain.
- Darling, that will never show. - I'll have Nanny take care of it.
- No, we'll take the photographs now. - Actually, it might read.
All right, dear. Go along and have Nanny fix it. We'll wait for you here.
OK, Christina... Over a little more, Christina...
OK, big smile, Christina.
OK, Christina, wide smile, now. Wide eyes. OK?
A little to your right, Christina. Come on, Christina. Beautiful!
- She's a real natural. - I think that's enough now, Jimmy.
Tina, tell the children to come up and we'll open the presents for real.
OK.
I promised the studio some stuff when she blows out the candles.
All right, Jimmy.
Oh, Mommie, thank you.
She's so beautiful!
What should I name her?
- Is that the present you like best? - Oh, 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.
Oh, Uncle Greg! It's just what I wanted.
- Do you like it? - I love it!
But you see, I'm only keeping one present.
All the rest I'm giving to the poor orphans.
Yes, I read about that in the newspapers. It's wonderful.
So, I'll just keep this for you until 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.
Oh, 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.
- Let's see another one! - She's had enough.
- I'm tired, Mommie. - Quitter!
All right, ready?
One, two, three, dive!
Better, but keep your legs together when you go in the water.
She's only a kid.
So was I, only a kid. I learned early!
Life goes by too fast. You've got to 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 any more.
I've got an appointment.
They call, you run.
Who calls, I run?
Nobody.
- Then why do you say that? - Because I'm mad at you!
Why?
This is the best script the studio has, and it hasn't been offered to me.
You could help.
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...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 going to play with you any more, ever!
Don't you ever use that tone of voice with me, missy!
Who do you think you're talking to?
You will march yourself upstairs to your room
and stay there until I tell you to come out!
- No, I won't! - No, you won't?
Yes, you will!
- I won't go! - All right! You will stay in here
until you are ready to behave and to apologise.
- I won't! - Get in!
- 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.
- Where's Tina? - She'll be down in a minute.
Hello, darling.
Oh, God.
Hello?
- Yes, sir. Joan. - Who? At this hour?
It's Mr Savitt, calling from Mr Mayer's office.
Greg, darling.
Hello. Anything wrong?
We had a sudden little labour problem, so we had a sudden little early meeting.
By the way, Mayer thinks you'd be wonderful in that picture.
What? What, Greg?
I tried to talk him out of it, but I couldn't.
- No, Greg, wait! - Goodbye.
No, Greg!
Wait a... Greg, oh!
Carol Ann!
I've got it!
I've got it! I've got it!
Christina! 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?
Going through my things?
Making fun of me?
I wasn't making fun of you. I was just trying to...
I was acting, play-acting, like you're always doing.
Look at yourself!
Gimme that!
Ow!
What have you done? What have you put on your hair?
- What have you done to this hair? - I'm sorry!
It was just setting lotion.
Mom, ow!
What are you doing?
- Oh, Mommie, don't! - Don't you tell me what I'm doing.
- I look awful! - I know you look awful.
Be quiet! You're always trying to find a way to make people look at you.
Why are you always looking at yourself in the mirror? Tell me!
Sit still! This ought to teach you!
- You're vain, spoiled. - I can't go to school like this!
I'd rather you go bald to school than looking like a tramp!
No, Mommie. Please, no!
I can't go to school like this. Mommie, please, don't!
You spoiled it just like I spoiled you.
Mom!
Good evening, Miss Crawford, welcome. Your booth is ready.
Excuse me.
I'm glad they let go of you. We were about to send out a rescue party.
Hello, LB. What a pleasant surprise.
I want you to meet a few financial friends.
- Mr Lubin. - It's a pleasure.
- Mr Dodd. - Please, sit down. Join us.
My daughter would love to have your signature.
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.
Where are you going? You're one of the reasons bankers love Metro.
- Thank you, but our table is ready. - I insist.
You're aces, Joanie.
Glad you think that, LB, because aces beat kings.
Not in Hollywood, dear.
I'm sure you'll find the interest arrangements agreeable.
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 you just look drunk.
You 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're life and death to me, baby.
They're the ones who really made me.
I expect you to walk in and sit down at your table with me!
Then Mayer would bring his bankers over, get your autograph and leave.
- That's what you should have done! - Maybe I would have,
if you'd been nice enough to help me through the crowd, like a gentleman.
- 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 any more.
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 cover-up in this business that I don't know about.
- And your hand is in every one of them! - 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 are you going?
Where I belong.
Out of here.
You belong here.
I'm waiting for you.
Goodnight, Joan.
Please don't leave. If you do, you'll never come back in,
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.
Goodnight.
Good luck.
Goodbye.
- Good morning. - Good morning, dearest heart.
Hello, darling.
Hello, Christopher, my angel. How are you?
Did you sleep well? Did you?
Run downstairs, get your breakfast, and don't be late for school.
- Look after Christopher. - OK.
If she doesn't like you...
...she can make you disappear.
- Should I send for more photographs? - No, Miss Crawford.
The studio sent over a new batch. We've got plenty.
You're all so gracious to help, and you're doing a wonderful job.
And you!
I'll roll it to you this way. Go get it, Christopher.
Come on, Christopher!
Christina! Christopher!
Damn it!
Carol Ann, I have asked you to keep the children quiet today!
- 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. We were playing. - And you forgot?
You promised last night. You promised!
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 were 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. Lovely blouse.
Thank you, Connie.
Joan...
Look at you. Look!
Eighteen years in the business, and who can hold a candle to you?
- You're always so kind. - Kind?
Of all my picture family, who turned out best? Joan Crawford.
To all the new kids coming up, she's like a diamond. Class.
- LB... - Have I ever lied to you?
- Or given you one piece of bad advice? - Never.
Never.
Your treatment of me has been divine.
You can do me a favour
that will be as big a favour 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?
Your pictures, one after another, are losing money.
Theatre owners voted you box-office poison.
For years I've paid no attention.
You know me, Joan. I don't give up so easily.
We'll pay you off. But you can't afford to make more losers for us.
It's the scripts, LB, bad pictures, bad directors.
- Bad with you, good with others. - Listen to me.
I have been begging you, begging you for a good script.
I've always had some bad movies, you knew I'd make them work.
- I can't keep doing it! - Listen with your ears, not 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, because we love each other.''
Every studio will think they're smarter than LB.
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.
Hollywood royalty!
We parted friends!
Everyone already knows! Box-office poison!
Class...you're class...you're class!
Box-office poison!
- Wake up. Come on, children. - What's happening?
Your mother wants you downstairs in the rose garden.
You, too, Christopher.
Your mother wants you right away.
Eighteen years in the business! And we parted friends!
Creative differences!
Good, I want some help here. I want these branches cleared out.
Carol Ann and Christopher, start clearing away all these branches.
Get the wheelbarrow and the rake.
Tina!
Bring me the axe!
Carol Ann, get some more emotion into the scene.
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 you could eat and have a place to sleep.
Do you have to degrade us?
- Don't say that! - I'm not surprised.
You've never spoken of your people, 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 practising and practising.
You know how perfect she always wants to be.
Well, 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.
- It's got 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.
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.
I'm going out this evening. You will have dinner in your room.
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.
Tina,
empty that plate into the trash can.
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 with the flu,
and a fever, so I wouldn't have to even listen.
For the best female performance in a leading role, the nominees are:
Ingrid Bergman, for The Bells of Saint 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 going to win, I know it.
- The picture is a hit! - Shh!
And the winner is Joan Crawford!
Oh, Mommie, you won!
Oh, Joan, listen to them! They're so happy for you.
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.
I love all of you!
Now, please forgive me. Goodnight.