Mildred Pierce (1945)

After her cheating husband leaves her, Mildred Pierce proves she can become independent and successful, but can't win the approval of her spoiled daughter.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Ranald MacDougall (screenplay), James M. Cain (novel),

Stars:

Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joan Crawford	...	Mildred Pierce
Jack Carson	...	Wally Fay
Zachary Scott	...	Monte Beragon
Eve Arden	...	Ida Corwin
Ann Blyth	...	Veda Pierce
Bruce Bennett	...	Bert Pierce
Lee Patrick	...	Mrs. Maggie Biederhof
Moroni Olsen	...	Inspector Peterson
Veda Ann Borg	...	Miriam Ellis
Jo Ann Marlowe	...	Kay Pierce

Storyline

Mildred Pierce dotes on her daughters while husband Bert looks to Maggie Binderhof for affection. They separate leaving Mildred to raise the girls on her own. Elder daughter Veda goads her mother about their lack of money and in response Mildred proposes opening a small restaurant. Realtor Wally Fay advises her while making numerous rebuffed passes and introduces her to Monte Baragon whose property becomes the first of a chain of restaurants. Mildred has an affair with Monte. Meanwhile, money-hungry Veda pretends to be pregnant by wealthy Ted Forrester in order to bilk his family of $10,000. Mildred tears up the check, is slapped by Veda, and orders her daughter to leave. After time away, Mildred returns to find Veda singing in a cheap club. Veda will return only if Mildred promises luxury, so Mildred agrees to marry Monte in exchange for a third of her businesses. It soon becomes clear that something is going on between Veda and Monte. Mildred learns of this only after Monte has sold...

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Plot Keywords:

restaurant | promise | girl | money | beach house | 

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Taglines:

In her heart of hearts she knew it would happen this way !

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Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alma em Suplício

Filming Locations:

1100 N. Jackson Street, Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,453,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joan Crawford was nominated and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Mildred Pierce. She was not at the award ceremony because she was home in bed with pneumonia. However, there was a story circulated that she faked her illness. Joan did not think she would win the Academy Award and she did not want to attend the ceremony to be humiliated. It was said that after she heard that she won the award for Best Actress, she jumped out of bed, did her make up and put on her best negligee to meet the press.

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Goofs

When Monty is pouring Mildred a drink, he asks her to say "when" for when she wants him to stop pouring, but then gives her the drink he poured for himself.

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Quotes

Veda: It's the dress. It's awfully cheap material. I can tell by the smell.
Kay Pierce: What did you expect? Want it inlaid with gold?
Veda: Well, it seems to me, if you're buying anything, it should be the best. This is definitely not the best.
Kay Pierce: Oh, quit. You're breakin' my heart.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are presented with a background ocean scene that "washes" the credits on the screen.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Joan Crawford (1962)

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Soundtracks

"Please Think of Me"
(uncredited)
Written by Murray Mencher, Russ Morgan and Benny Davis
Played on the jukebox at Mildred's restaurant
Sung briefly by Jack Carson

User Reviews

A Truly Great Film Noir Masterpiece

Joan Crawford, one of the world's great movie stars, truly shines in "Mildred Pierce", a tense, prickly film noir full of suspense and drama!

Joan is Mildred, a hard working pie and chicken maven who becomes a successful restuaranteur. Ann Blyth is superb as her nasty daughter Veda, who stoops to every level to get what she wants. Eve Arden and Jack Carson are unstoppable as Mildred's friends. "Mildred Pierce" was directed by the famed Michael Curtiz, best known for his work in "Casablanca". But it is my opinion that his best work is "Mildred Pierce". The lighting, the costumes, the sets, and most importantly, the writing all help this gem of a film become a true classic.

Joan won an Oscar for her breathtaking performance, but the tour de force powerhouse in "Mildred Pierce" was Ann Blyth. Black hearted Veda was the lynch pin of this movie, and Blyth's portrayal made Veda seem all too real and frightening. Nominated for an Oscar, she should have won.

Don't miss this timeless nail-biter