Joan Crawford's long, successful run at MGM finally came to an end in 1943. Fortunately, she was signed by Warner Brothers, where she would get better scripts anyway. She turned down several projects, waiting for a part that would cement her comeback. She found it in "Mildred Pierce", a dynamic murder mystery, soap opera, and black comedy. Director Michael Curtiz did not care for Crawford's melodramatic acting style, but was won over by the hard work that Crawford put into the production. Curtiz and Warner Brothers were rewarded with a blockbuster hit, and Joan Crawford was rewarded with an Oscar for Best Actress.
Crawford spends the movie juggling three different men, but her true love is for her selfish, spoiled daughter. The film begins with Mildred Pierce (Crawford) unhappily wed to Bert (Bruce Bennett). Bert has had enough of Mildred's doting on oldest daughter Veda (lovely Ann Blyth) at the expense of him and youngest daughter Kay (Jo Ann Marlowe). He walks out on her, forcing Mildred to work as a waitress. But Mildred is a terrific waitress, and with the help of square-jawed businessman Wally (Jack Carson) and aristocratic playboy Monte (Zachary Scott), starts her own restaurant. It is a success, but Monte and Veda become leeches draining her hard-won fortune. Monte gets shot in the film's opening scene (most of the film is told in dramatic flashbacks). But who is the murderer?
Crawford's performance is straight melodrama. But as in the cult classic "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", her earnest character is surrounded by elements of comedy. Her best friend is wisecracking Ida (Eve Arden), whose small role is supplied with some of the film's best lines. My favorite concerns Veda: "Personally, I think alligators have the right idea. They eat their young." Wally is a shameless wolf, making endless passes at Mildred which she deflects with the skill of a matador. Veda despises her mother and her working class background. She is a malicious witch who is happiest when wealth has been spent on her. Blyth was only sixteen at the time; for once a teenaged character is played by somebody younger than the part. Arden and Blyth both received Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominations.
"Mildred Pierce" was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Screenplay (Ranald MacDougall, who adapted James M. Cain's pulp novel), and Best B&W Cinematography (Ernest Haller). (87/100)
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