OLDIE GOLDIES: Mildred Pierce (1945)

Joan Crawford receives her Best Actress Oscar(in bed!)

I wasn't able to find a classic film that I loved last week, but "Oldie Goldies" is back as I check out "Mildred Pierce". In retrospect, I kinda prefer the recent mini-series as it is truer to the book and features a deliciously devious and sensuous performance by Evan Rachel Wood as Veda (Ann Blyth is way too tame in the original version). I did however appreciate the film noir elements of the 1945 version, which gave the story some added tension. The film was nominated for 6 Oscars (Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay and 2 nods for Best Supporting Actress) with Joan Crawford getting the win for Best Actress.

Classic Quote

"Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young."

Classic Scene
Veda's Secret

Classic Characters

Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford)

Veda Pierce (Ann Blyth)

Ida Corwin (Eve Arden)

Did you know?
The novel spans a period of nine years (from 1931 to 1940), whereas the action of the film is set in the 1940s and spans only four years.

Tweet