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Joan Crawford was a Star!
Her list of demands for promo tours/movies

"Her trips became codified with a list of instructions issued both for her Pepsi-Cola promotional tours and her movies. The list of requirements for a movie tour fell into the hands of Life Magazine, which published excerpts.

The accommodations were specific: three bedrooms in the top suite of the city's best hotel. The bedrooms were to be occupied by Crawford, her personal maid, Anna ("Mamacia") Brinke, and Crawford's wardrobe. Single rooms were to be provided for publicity man Bob Kelly and two Pepsi-Cola pilots. A uniformed security officer would be stationed at the door of the hotel suite around the clock - not a city policeman or house detective.

The following items are to be in the suite prior to Miss Crawford's arrival:

Cracked ice in buckets - several buckets

Lunch and dinner menus.

Pen and pencils and pads of paper.

Professional-size hair dryer.

Steam iron and board.

One carton of Alpine cigarettes.

One bowl of peppermint Life-Savers.

Red and yellow roses.

Case of Pepsi-Cola, ginger ale, soda.

There is to be a maid on hand in the suite when Miss Crawford arrives at the hotel. She is to stand by until Miss Crawford dismisses her.

The following liquor is to be in the suite when Miss Crawford arrives:

Two fifths of 100-proof Smirnoff vodka. (Note: This is not 80-proof and it is only Smirnoff.)

One fifth Old Forester bourbon.

One fifth Chivas Regal Scotch.

One fifth Beefeater gin.

Two bottles Moët & Chandon champagne (Type : Dom Perignon).

Miss Crawford will be met in an air-conditioned, chauffeur-driven, newly cleaned Cadillac limousine. Instruct your chauffeurs that they are not to smoke and that they may not at any time drive in excess of 40 miles an hour with Miss Crawford in the car.

Miss Crawford will be carrying a minimum of 15 pieces of luggage. Along with the limousine you will meet Miss Crawford's plane with a closed van for the luggage. Have with you a luggage handler who can accompany the van back to the hotel. It will be his task to take an inventory of the luggage as it comes off the plane and into the van, and as it is being brought into Miss Crawford's suite... Every precaution should be taken to assure that none of the luggage is misplaced. Fifteen pieces is the estimated minimum. There may be considerably more...

Miss Crawford is a star in every sense of the word, and everyone knows she is a star. As a partner in this film, Miss Crawford will not appreciate your throwing away money on empty gestures. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE EMPTY GESTURES TO PROVE TO MISS CRAWFORD OR ANYONE ELSE THAT SHE IS A STAR OF THE FIRST MAGNITUDE."

Taken from: 'Joan Crawford, A Biography' by Bob Thomas.

A name gasped in the night!

The opening of "Mildred Pierce"........

Oceanfront waves crash to the shore in the moonlight, rippling over and washing away each screen of the cast and credits, accompanied by Max Steiner's dramatic score. [The time period of the film extends over four years in the early 40s, including most of the war years. One of the film's posters, titled "Oh boy! Home and Mildred Pierce," promoted the idea that the film was a good date film for couples following the war's end: "Warner's Mildred Pierce is the big date of the day."

In the memorable opening scene typical of film noirs, at the dark, shadowy Beragon beach house at night, a car with its headlights on is parked in front. A gun fires six times in rhythmic tempo, killing thin-mustached owner Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott). The murderer is unseen - a missing action shot in the film is not revealed until the end.

The bullets shatter a mirror behind the victim. As the victim lurches forward, slumps over and falls to the floor in front of a flickering fire in the dimly lit room, the gun is tossed in front of the body. The murdered man's only word as he expires is the first dialogue in the film:

"Mildred!"

http://www.filmsite.org/mild.html

My confession...

"I didn't kill Monte Beragon - that is, I didn't pull the trigger. But I killed him just as surely as if I had!
I never really liked Monte. He was a means to an end....getting my daughter back, and making her
happy. She liked the high life she had with Monte squiring her around, while I worked at the restaurant.
Okay, if that's what it took to make Veda happy. I was fine with it. I did without, to make her happy,
but where did it get us in the end?"

Mildred Pierce

Now, let's take a break from the drama to enjoy some post-WWII fashions!

You know, the 1940's fashions were so flattering on me...I simply adore padded
shoulders (not that I needed the padding). I have a very athletic figure, and I love dressing
well. A girl has to accentuate the positive, after all!

Don't forget to check out my new forum
http://www.mrsmildredpierce.com/forum

Dear Mildred,
I want to be sexy and mysterious, but when I look in the mirror, I see a dowdy frump!
How can I cultivate an air of mystery?
Signed, Morose Matron

Dear Morose,
Dahling, just use your imagination! Think Film Noir! What were the things you remembered, about the glamorous,
mysterious heroines? Their tailored, but sexy clothes...1940's style hair, impeccable make-up and, above all, that
"certain something"...it's called "glamour!" Watch this page for more tips.....!
Regards, Mildred Pierce

My website is based on the fictional character of Mildred Pierce, played by Joan Crawford in the 1945 movie.
I like the story, and of course, I enjoy Joan Crawford's melodramatic portrayal of the long-suffering mother, as
well as her bizarre relationship with her daughter, Veda.
I enjoy the character, bringing her to life as a way of expressing my rather dramatic personality! And it's a
great way to meet other Joan Crawford fans. I have a lot of fun with the character, and hope people enjoy it and realize that, at heart, this is a tribute to a wonderful actress, and a very watchable film.

Many people have asked about Ida Corwin - they want to know more about her and ask why she's
never with a man. Speculation is running rampant! You know, as an employer, I don't feel it's my
place to delve into the private lives of my employees.

Not to mention, Ida has something on me...something very damaging. I'm not going to rock that
particular boat!

Did you notice that "Lottie," played by Butterfly McQueen in "Mildred Pierce," was also in
"The Women," (1939) with Joan, as well? Interesting bit of movie trivia.

You know, I wondered what else "Lottie" might be doing while she was in that waitress
uniform.....she seemed awfully chummy with Bert. And, Wally Faye!

My tacky waitress uniform - blech!!!

I'll never wear that thing again!

Seven Ways to Charm a Man (1950's)

1. Your voice must be gentle and warm, then he’ll want to listen to your expressive tones. And you’ll know the value of a soft whisper, but most important you’ll know when not to talk.
2. Your laugh….that special little chuckle which is all your own….the toss of your head as you laugh at his jokes….across a crowded room, your secret smile which takes him into your heart.
3. Your hair….blowing freely in the wind, tempting him to run his fingers through….even the little bit that stands straight up and defies attempts to tidy it it’s endearing and he’ll love it.
4. Your nose….because it’s shiny, although you bemoan the fact and try hard to make the powder stay on….the amusing, lovable way you wrinkle it up when something pleases you.
5. Your attention….because you are a good listener and take an interest in what he has to say, which makes him feel important, also the encouragement you give him when he feels unsure.
6. Your dress….it’s just right for all occasions and you never embarrass him by wearing outrageous styles, colors and trimmings that are fussy and conspicuous….and besides, you walk firmly, with upright, graceful carriage, in ridiculously feminine, high-heeled shoes.
7. Your eyes….because they are so expressive, sparkling with fun or flashing with anger….because they send him charming messages which only he can read, and because they are the windows into which he can look, and always be sure of finding the real You.

http://www.tackorama.net/Media/7ways.htm

Mildred Pierce Presents...