Mildred Pierce

     Joan Crawford won her first and only Oscar in 1945 with "Mildred Pierce", a deliciously watchable film-noir/mystery/soap opera.  The movie opens with the murder of a slimy lounge lizard, Monte Beragon.  Upon dying, he croaks a single word, "Mildred".  This begins the mystery of "Mildred Pierce".  Joan Crawford delivers a sensational performance as Mildred, proving once and for all that she was an actress to be reckoned with.

     Joan plays a woman who leaves her philandering husband and makes a life for herself and her two daughers- the oldest being a cold-hearted, spoiled bitch played to icy perfection by Ann Blyth.  This is classic film-noir- add up the top notch acting, spectacular cinematography, lighting, and sets, and you've got a great way to spend a rainy afternoon.  Possibly Crawford's finest performance, "Mildred Pierce" is an Oscar-winning classic that also boasts a sparkling supporting performance by Eve Arden.