"Joan Crawford — Her Life in Letters," ~ Author, Michelle Vogel ~
See our QuickTime Movie Clip about the book ~
Movie Clip Created by: Mark Toscani, a Philadelphia filmmaker and digital editor. He was first inspired by Joan Crawford when, at the age of 8, he saw WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? on TV. He wondered to himself, “Who is that neat, chiseled-boned lady in the wheelchair?” From then on, he has had a canvas on which to paint.
Mark Toscani email: mtoscani@comcast.net ~
Liz Smith:
A small book has been published: "Joan Crawford — Her Life in Letters," which is exactly what it is. Years of notes — thank yous to press people, acknowledgements to fans, bits of news about her four adopted children, and a lot about the ups, downs and vagaries of her long, long career. Crawford's style is rather saccharine, lots of "Bless yous" and other effusive exclamations. But it seems genuine, in that her letter-writing was so compulsive and enduring. She comes across much softer than her screen image and not like the embittered Christina Crawford version of "Mommie Dearest."
Author Michelle Vogel bursts a few myths, including
one where Glenda Jackson was supposed to have been witness to some
Crawford cruelty to the kids. Contacted, Jackson says, "It never happened."
The book also includes some startlingly romantic poetry from young Joan.
I know this flies in the face of what one might prefer to believe about
Joan. Joan Crawford had a miserable childhood and an unquenchable drive
to better herself. These letters are part of the great star legend she
created, and a bit of the woman who still existed under the image.
~ Liz Smith