Vintage Ads featuring Joan Crawford

Possessed

     Tonight's feature on the Late Show is the 1947 classic "Possessed".  Joan Crawford continued her hot streak with this somewhat disturbing tale of a woman who is obsessed with  her ex-lover and on the brink of insanity because of it.  "Possessed" is a classic but slightly underrated noir that's just as good as "The Damned Don't Cry" or "Mildred Pierce", if you ask me.  Joan is riveting here- you cannot take your eyes off the sight of Crawford slowly descending into madness.  Her performance,  and a crackling and sharp script, all help make this an extremely entertaining noir classic.  Strong support from Van Heflin and Raymond Massey certainly doesn't hurt either.

      Joan plays Louise Howell, who's a nurse for the ailing and bitchy Mrs. Graham, a wealthy recluse who dies suddenly and mysteriously.  However, her widower, Grant, asks Louise to stay on after his wife's death and marry him.  Yet Carol, the daughter, hates Louise and blames her for the death of her invalid mother.  On top of all this, Louise once met the Graham's neighbor, David Sutton (Van Heflin), and had an affair.  David decides to end it, devastating Louise, who slowly and surely loses her mind over it.

 

       Once again directed by Curtis Bernhardt, "Possessed" is a soapy and stylish film noir that's got some nice twists and turns and bristles along snappily.  Crawford simply acts the hell out of this role, and I've never understood why it doesn't get more attention.  It's solid, it knows exactly where it's going, and it takes you along with it. Joan runs the gamut of emotions here- she was clearly campaigning for another Oscar after her triumphant win for "Mildred Pierce" before- and dare I say that she's slightly underrated as an actress?  She's stunning here, and it's impossible not to have a good time with "Possessed".  Crawford was a true pro and a true star, and this is a perfect example of her indomitable star quality.  Not to mention being a camp lover's delight.  This is one of my favorite Crawford films.

HOLLYWOOD ICONS- JOAN CRAWFORD

     There's something about Joan Crawford...one of the all-time camp icons, not to mention an Oscar-winning actress that never fails to fascinate.  Passing the legend status into mythology, Joan Crawford has embedded herself  forever into pop culture as an over-the-top monster most notably showcased in the gay classic that will never die, "Mommie Dearest".  Yet there is so much more to enjoy about Joan.   Irreplaceable, unforgettable,  larger-than-life- Crawford was a true Hollywood star.  On screen she's riveting, no matter what the role is.  Glamorous yet somewhat masculine, she's truly fascinating to watch.  Of course after "Mommie Dearest", it's hard not to watch her old movies and not look for signs of the supposed insanity.  That's part of what makes her so delicious today, besides her obvious talents.  Crawford was a true pro, and took even the lowest of roles and treated them as if they were Oscar-worthy.  Joan is one of the all-time great screen legends, and there's nothing better than curling up with a Crawford picture on a rainy day.  Enjoy!