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Mommie Dearest (1981)

6.3
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Ratings: 6.3/10 from 7,075 users  
Reviews: 143 user | 58 critic

Mommie Dearest, best selling memoir, turned motion picture, depicts the abusive and traumatic adoptive upbringing of Christina Crawford at the hands of her mother...screen queen Joan Crawford.

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Title: Mommie Dearest (1981)

Mommie Dearest (1981) on IMDb 6.3/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Howard Da Silva ...
Mara Hobel ...
...
Carol Ann
Harry Goz ...
Alfred Steele
Michael Edwards ...
Ted Gelber
...
Barbara Bennett
...
Mrs. Chadwick
Joe Abdullah ...
Captain
Gary Allen ...
Jimmy
Selma Archerd ...
Connie
Adrian Aron ...
Wedding Guest
...
Christopher Crawford (adult)
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Storyline

Based on the book about Joan Crawford, one of the great Hollywood actresses of our time, written by her adopted daughter Christina Crawford. Joan decides to adopt children of her own to fill a void in her life. Yet, her problems with alcohol, men, and the pressures of show business get in the way of her personal life, turning her into a mentally abusive wreck seen through the eyes of Christina and her brother Christopher, who unwillingly bore the burden of life that was unseen behind the closed doors of "The Most Beautiful House in Brentwood." Written by Geoffrey A. Middleton <gamidd01@morehead-st.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Faye Dunaway is Joan Crawford. A star...a legend...and a mother. The illusion of perfection. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

18 September 1981 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Maman très chère  »

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer of the film's source book, Christina Crawford, once said of this movie after she had seen it: "My mother didn't deserve that. Miss Dunaway's performance was ludicrous. I didn't see any care for factual information. Now I've seen it I'm sorry I did. Faye says she is being haunted by mother's ghost. After her performance, I can understand why." See more »

Goofs

When Joan and her staff are scrubbing the floor with cleanser she is wearing white sock and white "Joan Crawford" shoes. She wouldn't have worn shoes with black soles while scrubbing, especially since just moments later, she asks Greg to take his off. See more »

Quotes

Alfred Steele: Joan, you've got to understand it's a public company, for Chrissakes. This isn't Hollywood where someone takes care of things with a phone call, this is the REAL world.
See more »

Connections

References Mildred Pierce (1945) See more »

Soundtracks

"June In January"
Written by Ralph Rainger (as Rainger) & Leo Robin (as Robin)
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Awarrrarragh!!
25 September 2004 | by (Vancouver) – See all my reviews

Indisputable classic of the highest order, 'Mommie Dearest' just SCREAMS cult hit every chance it gets, and just about ruined Faye Dunaway's reputation in the process. Mind you, there's nothing WRONG with Dunaway's performance, as a matter of fact, it's really good, but what's so good about it is how she plays every scene with fearless abandon, whether it's the wirehanger scene, the departure from MGM or chokeslamming Christina through a glass table, Dunaway gives 100% percent! And you should too! The first half is MUCH more frenetic then the 2nd half (aka young Christina vs Old) and the first part has all the best bits, but not to say the 2nd part is good too, it really starts to mellow out and (gasp) you start to feel SOME compassion to the old broad. Diana Scarwid is good too, although her playing what looks to be a 13 year old girl looks a bit too much.

This wasn't my first time at this rodeo (I'd seen this before) and I enjoyed it as much as I had the first time!


32 of 44 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
Forget Faye, the little girl deserved an Oscar Paktoonmama
What was the part Joan wanted to badly? MrRAdams4616
Why Did everyone dislike the movie so much? Kylkoog
One of My Mother's Favourite Films -Saw Nothing Wrong With the Behaviour cgrady-2
I think Christina's story checks out. And there is proof. j-s-inbrewer
What's wrong with wire hangers? Normal-Bates
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