Harriet Craig (1950)

Domineering Harriet Craig holds more regard for her home and its possessions than she does for any person in her life. Among those she treats like household objects are her kind husband ... See full summary »

Director:

Vincent Sherman

Writers:

James Gunn (screenplay), Anne Froelich (screenplay) (as Anne Froelick)

Stars:

Joan Crawford, Wendell Corey, Lucile Watson

Cast

Cast overview:
Joan Crawford	...	Harriet Craig
Wendell Corey	...	Walter Craig
Lucile Watson	...	Celia Fenwick
Allyn Joslyn	...	Billy Birkmire
William Bishop	...	Wes Miller
K.T. Stevens	...	Clare Raymond
Viola Roache	...	Mrs. Harold
Raymond Greenleaf	...	Henry Fenwick
Ellen Corby	...	Lottie

Storyline

Domineering Harriet Craig holds more regard for her home and its possessions than she does for any person in her life. Among those she treats like household objects are her kind husband Walter, whom she has lied to about her inability to have children; her cousin Claire, whom she treats like a secretary; and her servants whom she treats like slaves.

---

Plot Keywords:

pulitzer prize source | family relationships | cousin cousin relationship | submission | shrew | 

---

Taglines:

What Was Harriet Craig's Lie?

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1951 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Lady of the House

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original Broadway play Craig's Wife by George Kelly opened on October 12, 1925 at the Morosco Theater, and ran for 360 performances before winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1926. It is the screenplay source for this film.

---

Goofs

When Walter sits up in bed, he puts his slipper on his right foot. In a subsequent shot when Harriet moves closer to the bathroom, he puts the same slipper on the same foot.

---

Quotes

Mrs. Harold: The only difference is that Lottie wants to stay, and I don't!

---

Connections

Featured in Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star (2002)

User Reviews

Ms. Crawford Gives It Her Best

She's imposing and convincing as the woman who wants an impeccable house. I remember the earlier version of this play, with Rosalind Russell, and think it is probably better. It isn't opened-out as much. For example, and of course I may be wrong, maybe the character of the cousin isn't in it. The actress playing Crawford's cousin seems to have been directed to be as bland as possible. And bland she is.

Also, Wendell Corey is pretty anodyne as her husband. Yes, he is supposed to be somewhat weak and under her sway. I can't buy his portrayal, though.

And as his wild friend from the past, I expected someone really rowdy. What sort of threat could Allyn Josyln pose? The other smaller roles are well cast. Lucile Watson is droll as Corey's boss's rakish wife.

This is by no means a movie to turn up one's nose at. A great movie? No. A good one that holds the attention? Yes, that it is.