"I think Hollywood is the most depressing thing in the world now" (Joan Crawford)Not being well acquainted with the cinematic phenomenon of Joan Crawford and her career that highlighted the golden years of MGM, Warner Bros, and other independent studios, this documentary appears to be a lovely surprise for both her fans and people who still discover her (better late than never). Attached as a bonus to the DVD with her Oscar achievement, MILDRED PIERCE, the documentary insightfully develops her own psychology hidden behind a variety of performances. Both Crawford's biographers, including Bob Thomas, and her adopted daughter Christina Crawford provide an almost 'claustrophobic' zoom of Ms Crawford's motives, dreams, nice surprises and disappointments.Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, we get an image of a woman who experienced a journey from rags to riches. Her talent was not enough when a timid young dancer with difficult family background came to the studio as 'nobody' (with reference to Anita Page's words). Soon, however, great CRAWFORD was created, the 'ultimate Cinderella star' and her magnetic, symbolic, almost iconic 'lips' become an object of recognition along with the premiere of LETTY LYNTON (1932). Soon, she was acquainted with the 'kings' of the time like John Gilbert, Irving Thalberg, Clark Gable and had one dream that, unfortunately, never came true - a dream to play at least one single scene with the queen of MGM, Garbo. As hardly any other documentary, this one supplies us with the true wings of what 'coaching somebody's career,' the studio system and a celebrity are all about. Secondly, the documentary does justice to Joan Crawford as a personality, a deeply human personality of a 1930s' liberated American woman. What I mean here is that we do not encounter a great movie star (which could falsely be indicated by the title itself), not even her relations with people that stepped into her privacy, her marriages that were deeply influenced by the 'first love of any girl - the father' but foremost, the gratitude she had in her heart. She was grateful to all the people in the studio and, probably even more, to all her fans for what she had achieved. She knew she would have nothing, mean nothing, strive for nothing if it had not been for them. This was not the case with all movie stars but that was something characteristic of Joan Crawford. She was loyal to her fans and fans were loyal to her...What would an artist mean if he/she did not have audiences? Nothing, actually, and she understood that 'dependence.'Thirdly, her career is depicted in an interesting manner by interviewing various people who really have something to say about the movies and her personal, extraordinary contribution to the medium. In some cases of celebrity documentaries, you may get an impression that the major goal of the people interviewed is idealizing, which thankfully does not happen here. Vincent Sherman makes a constructive comment upon their mutual hobby and Joan's constant search for approval, Charles Busch observes her determination, Liz Smith recalls a touching Christmas time with the Crawfords (which highlights the star's philanthropic aims expressed also in her visits to the troops' canteen). Meanwhile, some remarks are made about the way she got on with other celebrities, including her leading man Clark Gable and her rival Bette Davis (consider the unforgettable and violent incident while shooting WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?). Her phobias, problems (alcoholism) and exaggerations (cleanliness) are presented tastefully and, thank goodness, without the ever present sensation. There is also a considerable time dedicated to her first movie at Warner Bros, considered by many of the film scholars as her very best achievement, THE MILDRED PIERCE for which she got an Oscar.Finally, the very last moments of the documentary reveal some truth hidden behind the make-up of a star, any star. A touching bitterness she dares express with the words I have decided to mention at the beginning of my review and moving final words of a deceasing woman who seems to lost the battle with harsh fate, who once caught the attention of the public eye as Joan Crawford, a 'perfect picture of a movie star' (as director George Cukor memorably stated).A helpful documentary as another piece of mosaic to many tributes to those who made their unforgettable contributions to cinema history! Highly recommended before you decide to see some of Joan Crawford's best movies!

Lucille La Seuer came out of a poor home. Abandoned by her father and raised by a mother that had to struggle to make ends meet, Lucille saw a way out of her dreary life by becoming a dancer with dreams for going far in show business. Little did she know she would go on to become one of America's movie icons in a career that expanded more than fifty years after she became Joan Crawford, a screen goddess without rival."Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Film Star", conceived and directed by Peter Fitzgerald, follows Ms. Crawford's life in detail. We are given direct accounts by people that knew her and are still around to tell us. The documentary is narrated by Angelica Huston.Joan Crawford was a woman larger than life. As an ambitious woman, she knew from the beginning she had to create her own persona in order to carve a niche in the movie industry. Louis B. Mayer was the man who saw her possibilities and quickly hired her to be part of the MGM family.Ms. Crawford's ambition was boundless. She knew that by marrying Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was her entry into the inner sanctum of most of Hollywood's best people's homes and parties. She transformed herself into the creature one saw in her films. In order to appear more respectable, she adopted a boy and a girl. That girl being Christina, who went to tell it all in her famous book about her adopted mother, "Mommie Dearest", in which one learns about another facet of her character. In fact, Christina talks openly about her adoptive mother quite openly. Ms. Crawford went to adopt three other children, of whom one didn't hear much about.The interviews with some of the people that knew her well proved to be one of the most interesting side to the documentary. Vincen Sherman, the director who worked with her in several movies, is candid about the woman and her human side. Bob Thomas shows an insight about the star. Also we see testimonies by Betsy Palmer, Anna Lee, Diane Baker, Dickie Moore, Ben Cooper, Cliff Robertson, among others that give us the picture of the woman who invented herself and went to become a dominant figure in the American cinema.Thanks to Peter Fitzgerald for making it possible.

This is a highly entertaining, fascinating, outrageous, and sad documentary about Joan Crawford. Say what you want about her, Crawford was an amazing woman who came from nothing and with loads of ambition pushed her way to the top. Twice after her career sank to the bottom, she was able to rebuild it. Vincent Sherman, her daughter Christina, Cliff Robertson, Betsy Palmer, Liz Smith and others held nothing back when talking about the star: the multiple affairs she had with directors, her treatment of her children and husbands, and the antics that went on during the filming of Baby Jane, which were mind-boggling. Also touched on were her alcoholism, which caused her problems in later life, and her miserable childhood, which was the cornerstone of all of her problems.Crawford's only self-identification seems to have been that of a film star, and her self worth was tied to it as well. She was smart, hard-working, glamorous, and, with the exception of her daughter, those who knew her and appeared in this documentary admitted there was something likable and even vulnerable about her. Ultimately, though, her life played out like a bad B movie. You could see the end coming from a mile away.

Joan Crawford's life and film career are discussed here along with interviews with co-stars, directors, old flames and ofcourse, daughter Christina. Rare pictures and interviews make this an extra special treat which includes pictures of her father, Joan as a child and the last picture taken of her in April, 1977, one month before her death from cancer. Also included is a rare interview on a 1960's television talk show and guest appearances as well. A must-see for any Crawford fan! ***1/2