Mommie Dearest (1981)
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- R
- 2h 9min
- Biography, Drama
- 25 Sep 1981 (USA)
- Movie
The abusive and traumatic adoptive upbringing of Christina Crawford at the hands of her mother, screen queen Joan Crawford, is depicted.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 9 wins & 11 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Faye Dunaway | ... |
Joan Crawford
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| Diana Scarwid | ... |
Christina Crawford - Adult
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| Steve Forrest | ... |
Greg Savitt
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| Howard Da Silva | ... |
L.B. Mayer
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| Mara Hobel | ... |
Christina Crawford - Child
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| Rutanya Alda | ... |
Carol Ann
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Harry Goz | ... |
Al Steele
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| Michael Edwards | ... |
Ted Gelber
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| Jocelyn Brando | ... |
Barbara Bennett
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| Priscilla Pointer | ... |
Mrs. Chadwick
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Joe Abdullah | ... |
Captain
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Gary Allen | ... |
Jimmy - Photographer
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| Selma Archerd | ... |
Connie
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Adrian Aron | ... |
Wedding Guest
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| Xander Berkeley | ... |
Christopher Crawford - Adult
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Matthew Campion | ... |
Actor in Soap - Bill
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Carolyn Coates | ... |
Mother Superior
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| Jerry Douglas | ... |
Radio Interviewer
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Margaret Fairchild | ... |
Mother Superior - Orphanage
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| Phillip R. Allen | ... |
Pepsi Executive #1
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James Kirkwood Jr. | ... |
Master of Ceremonies
(as James Kirkwood)
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Michael Hawkins | ... |
Pepsi Executive #2
(as Michael D. Gainsborough)
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| Matthew Faison | ... |
Pepsi Executive #3
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| Peter Jason | ... |
Pepsi Executive #4
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Ellen Feldman | ... |
Ginny
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| Robert Harper | ... |
David
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| Cathy Lind Hayes | ... |
Nurse
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Victoria James | ... |
Photographer
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Dawn Jeffory | ... |
Vera
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| Virginia Kiser | ... |
Beth Simpson
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| S. John Launer | ... |
Pepsi Chairman
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| Russ Marin | ... |
Funeral Director
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| Nicholas Mele | ... |
Assistant Director #2
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| Belita Moreno | ... |
Belinda Rosenberg
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Warren Munson | ... |
Lawyer
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| Alice Nunn | ... |
Helga
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| Norman Palmer | ... |
Male Guest
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| David Price | ... |
Tony
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Jeremy Scott Reinbolt | ... |
Christopher Crawford - Age 5
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| Michael Talbott | ... |
Driver
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| Arthur Taxier | ... |
Decorator
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Joe Warren | ... |
Mr. Dodd
(as Joseph Warren)
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Erica Wexler | ... |
Susan
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Dick McGarvin | ... |
Tour Bus Driver
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Brent Dunsford | ... |
Fan
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Joseph Dypwick | ... |
Fan
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Wendy Pitzer | ... |
Fan
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David Sanderson | ... |
Fan
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Ian Bruce | ... |
Assistant Director
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Peter Eastman | ... |
Doctor
(as Peter Paul Eastman)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Herbert Benkman | ... |
Reporter (uncredited)
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Josh Gans | ... |
Boy on Carousel (uncredited)
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Lars Hensen | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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Keith Paul Hunter | ... |
Orphan (uncredited)
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| Danny Nero | ... |
Formal Audience Member (uncredited)
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Lori Randolph | ... |
Blonde Little Girl at Birthday Party (uncredited)
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| Ilene Woods | ... |
Elderly Audience Member (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Frank Perry | ||
Written by
| Christina Crawford | ... | (book) |
| Frank Yablans | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Frank Perry | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Tracy Hotchner | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Robert Getchell | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| David Koontz | ... | executive producer |
| Neil A. Machlis | ... | associate producer |
| Terry O'Neill | ... | executive producer (as Terence O'Neill) |
| Frank Yablans | ... | producer |
Music by
| Henry Mancini | ||
Cinematography by
| Paul Lohmann | ||
Editing by
| Peter E. Berger | ||
Editorial Department
| Greig McRitchie | ... | assistant film editor |
Casting By
| Nancy Klopper | ||
| Lynn Stalmaster | ||
Production Design by
| Bill Malley | ||
Art Direction by
| Harold Michelson | ||
Set Decoration by
| Richard C. Goddard | ||
Costume Design by
| Irene Sharaff | ||
Makeup Department
| Kathryn Blondell | ... | hair stylist: Ms. Dunaway |
| Claude Díaz | ... | wig maker: Faye Dunaway |
| Lee Harman | ... | makeup artist: Ms. Dunaway |
| Charles H. Schram | ... | makeup artist |
| Vivienne Walker | ... | hair stylist |
| Sylvia Nava | ... | hair technician (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Neil A. Machlis | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Alan B. Curtiss | ... | second assistant director |
| Michael Daves | ... | first assistant director |
| Robert J. Doherty | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Matty Azzarone | ... | assistant property master |
| Jeff Clark | ... | sign writer |
| Kent H. Johnson | ... | property master |
| Eugene S. Kelley | ... | construction coordinator |
| Nikita Knatz | ... | storyboard artist |
| Margie Stone McShirley | ... | set designer |
| Peter Van Zyl | ... | greensman |
Sound Department
| Clint Althouse | ... | boom operator |
| David E. Campbell | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Denis Dutton | ... | sound effects editor |
| Cecelia Hall | ... | sound effects editor |
| Sean Hanley | ... | dialogue loop editor |
| David J. Hudson | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Larry Jost | ... | sound mixer |
| John T. Reitz | ... | re-recording mixer |
| George Watters II | ... | sound effects editor |
Special Effects by
| Joseph P. Mercurio | ... | special effects |
| Ken Speed | ... | special effects assistant |
Stunts
| Sherry Peterson | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Doug J. Campbell | ... | dolly grip (as Douglas J. Campbell) |
| R.B. Garig | ... | dolly grip |
| J. Michael Marlett | ... | gaffer |
| John C. Moulds | ... | second assistant camera |
| Leo J. Napolitano | ... | first assistant camera |
| Ralph Nelson | ... | still photographer (as Ralph Nelson Jr.) |
| Guy Polzel | ... | key grip |
| Timothy E. Wade | ... | camera operator |
Casting Department
| Deborah Brown | ... | casting: New York |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| James P. Cullen | ... | costumer |
| Bernadene C. Mann | ... | costumer: Ms. Dunaway |
| Eric Seelig | ... | costume supervisor: men |
| Andrea E. Weaver | ... | costume supervisor |
| Robert Iannaccone | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
Music Department
| June Edgerton | ... | music editor |
| Murray Adler | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Harry Bluestone | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Denyse Buffum | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Larry Bunker | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
| Norman Carr | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Gene Cipriano | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Herman Clebanoff | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Chuck Domanico | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Earl Dumler | ... | musician: oboe (uncredited) |
| Christine Ermacoff | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Dominick Fera | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Norman Forrest | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Carl Fortina | ... | orchestra contractor (uncredited) |
| Harris Goldman | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Pamela Goldsmith | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Gary Gray | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Susan Greenberg | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Ralph Grierson | ... | musician: piano (uncredited) |
| John C. Hammell | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
| Jack Hayes | ... | music consutant (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Norman Herzburg | ... | musician: bassoon (uncredited) |
| Barbara Hunter | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Armand Kaproff | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Nathan Kaproff | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Dennis Karmazyn | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Gus Klein | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Marion Klein | ... | orchestra contractor (uncredited) |
| Raphael Kramer | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Michael Lang | ... | musician: piano (uncredited) |
| Ronald Langinger | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Henry Mancini | ... | conductor (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) / score producer (uncredited) |
| Shelly Manne | ... | musician: drums (uncredited) |
| Jack Marsh | ... | musician: bassoon (uncredited) |
| Don Menza | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Peter Mercurio | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Joel Moss | ... | music scoring mixer (uncredited) |
| Carole Mukagawa | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Richard Nash | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
| Ted Nash | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Erno Neufeld | ... | concertmaster (uncredited) |
| John Neufeld | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Brian O'Connor | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Richard Perissi | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Ray Pizzi | ... | musician: bassoon (uncredited) |
| Dorothy Remsen | ... | musician: harp (uncredited) |
| Ethmer Roten | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Meyer Rubin | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Ambrose Russo | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| David Schwartz | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Harry Shlutz | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| David Shostac | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Sheridon Stokes | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Linn Subotnick | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Robert Sushel | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| James Thatcher | ... | musician: French horn (uncredited) |
| Louise Di Tullio | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Lloyd Ulyate | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
| Graham Young | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Marshall Schlom | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Joel Marrow | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| Mauri Syd Gayton | ... | production coordinator |
| Mario Iscovich | ... | production staff |
| Ileen Maisel | ... | assistant: Mr. Yablans |
| Jonathan A. Zimbert | ... | technical advisor |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1982) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1982) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- CIC Video (1983) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- CBS (1983) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- CIC Video (1985) (West Germany) (video)
- Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (1985) (Japan) (tv)
- CIC Video (1986) (France) (video) (V2000) (dubbed version)
- Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (VHS)
- ARTE (2004) (France) (tv)
- Paramount Channel (2021) (France) (tv)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- La Cinq (La 5) (1987) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2021) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- The Criterion Channel (2021) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
- VideoVisa (Mexico) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Lynn Stalmaster & Associates (casting by)
- Modern Film Effects (titles and opticals)
- Bermans & Nathans (Ms. Dunaway's costumes)
- Frances Klein Estate Jewels (Ms. Dunaway's jewels)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Filmways/Heider Recording (score recorded at)
- La-La Land Records (soundtrack) (limited edition)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The relationship between Christina Crawford and her adoptive mother Joan Crawford is presented from Christina's view. Unable to bear children, Joan, in 1940, was denied children through regular adoption agencies due to her twice divorced status and being a single working person. Her lover at the time, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lawyer Greg Savitt, was able to go through a brokerage to adopt a baby girl, who would be Christina, the first of Joan's four adoptive children. Joan believes that her own difficult upbringing has made her a stronger person, and decides that, while providing the comforts that a successful Hollywood actress can afford, she will not coddle Christina or her other children, she treating Christina more as a competitor than a daughter. Joan's treatment of Christina is often passive-aggressive, fueled both by the highs and lows of her career, the narcissism that goes along with being an actress, and alcohol abuse especially during the low times. However, Joan sees much of her actions toward Christina as Christina purposefully provoking her. Despite the physical and emotional abuse Joan hurls at Christina over the course of their relationship, Christina, who often wonders why Joan adopted her seeing as to the abuse, seemingly still wants her mother's love right until the very bitter end. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | To my darling Christina, with love...Mommie Dearest See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $5,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $905,920, 20 Sep 1981 |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $25,032,261 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Faye Dunaway mentions in her autobiography that she screamed herself hoarse during the filming for the notorious wire hanger tantrum scene in this movie. She called Frank Sinatra for help, and he gave her some pointers on how to get her voice back into shape. See more » |
| Goofs | When Joan Crawford substitutes for her daughter on a soap opera, producer of show gives her a pep talk during a commercial, indicating it was a live broadcast. In reality 'The Secret Storm' was taped and director later said Crawford's performance was so poor he had to patch it together in editing room. Although it was recorded, The Secret Storm was "live tape", meaning that it was treated as if it were a live broadcast. At the end of each act, the actors stopped for the exact length of the commercials and then resumed taping. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Continental Divide, Mommie Dearest, Only When I Laugh, Body Heat, First Monday in October (1981). See more » |
| Soundtracks | I'm Sitting On Top Of The World See more » |
| Quotes |
[addressing the men in the Pepsi boardroom]
Joan Crawford: Don't fuck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo. See more » |