THEY LIVED HERE – JOAN CRAWFORD

Drama was not a foreign concept to Joan Crawford. As an actress, it was her work. Her life behind the camera however, would prove to be eerily similar. Experiencing as much success as she did failure, Crawford's career was nothing short of a test of patience and determination. Constantly reinventing herself, Crawford was able to avoid being cast aside onto the sidelines of Hollywood. Once her time in the limelight had passed, Crawford would leave the glamour of Hollywood behind in favor of the comforts of Queens.
Actually named Lucille Fay Le Sueur, Crawford was born on March 23, 1908 in San Antonio, Texas. Adversity would present itself early and often in her life. Her parents separated shortly after the family moved to Kansas City, MO, in 1916. Her older brother, Hal, had also gone his separate way, leaving Crawford to fend for herself. She took up various odd jobs to support herself; first in a laundry, and then in two private schools where she cooked, washed dishes, waited on tables and made the beds.
Continuing to take jobs that were available, Crawford had no time for school. She falsified documents to gain acceptance into Stephens College. Crawford quickly found out however that she was not prepared for the challenge of college and dropped out after only three months. All was not lost however, as she had a talent for dancing. Having won a dance contest while living in Kansas City, Crawford decided to pursue a career in dance, she would save her money to take dance lessons. With her mind made up, she ventured to Chicago and Detroit, where she sang and danced in cafs. J.J. Schubert, producer of the 1924 Broadway show, &#8220Innocent Eyes,” noticed Crawford in a nightclub and placed her in the chorus line to dance.
The following year, MGM scout, Harry Rapf, offered Crawford a screen test and a six month, $75 a week contract. Crawford accepted and packed her bags for Hollywood. She began as a chorus girl in shows like &#8220Pretty Ladies” and &#8220Old Clothes.” Her first major performance however came in 1925, in &#8220Sally, Irene and Mary.” Crawford's performances were so good that she won a new contract and adopted the pseudonym Joan Crawford from a movie magazine contest. Over the next few years Crawford would star along side some of the biggest names in silent theatre, the likes of Harry Langdon, Lon Chaney, John Gilbert and Ramon Novarro.
Making the transition to roles with sound, Crawford continued to climb the ladder of success with her role in &#8220Our Dancing Daughters.” Crawford reached the peak of her career in the early 30's. She was one of Hollywood's top paid performers and was regularly paired with leading man Clark Gable. The success was short-lived however as many of Crawford's movies began to fall short of expectations. She left MGM studios and joined Warner Bros. for a fraction of what she was making with MGM.
Crawford was able to revive her career with the 1946 hit, &#8220Humoresque,” which earned her a new seven-year contract. In the early 50's however, Crawford's erratic performances hindered her career again and she was bought out of her contract. Determined to rise to stardom once again, Crawford produced and starred in &#8220Sudden Fear” in 1952. She offered the film to RKO Studios and it was a hit. She was resigned by MGM and was atop the acting world yet again.
Throughout the 50's and 60's Crawford's career continued along its seesaw path. She moved to Oakland Gardens, Queens in the 70's where she spent much of her time in seclusion. Even after her death in May 1977, her name reverberated. Her adopted daughter Christina released a tell-all book, &#8220Mommie Dearest” which depicted Crawford as manic, vicious and cruel. &#8220She was motivated only by her desire for wealth and fame,” her daughter Christina said. Faye Dunaway starred as Crawford in the 1981 movie adaptation of the book which quickly became a camp classic.