Watching “Mildred Pierce”

I was watching an old movie on TCM yesterday. Joan Crawford starring  in “Mildred Pierce.” It put me in a better place, especially important on a bitter cold day.

Ms. Crawford won her only Academy Award for her performance as the title character in the 1945 film.

Ben Mankiewicz did a good job both introducing and wrapping up the presentation. He revealed Crawford had to audition to get the role. It was her first with Warner Brothers after years with MGM Studios.

The whole cast was great with special kudos to both Jack Carson and Ann Blyth.

Ann, who has talked about her special relationship with Ms. Crawford, plays a spoiled teenage daughter. She was quite convincing.

Later in her career, she would be the kind mom in Hostess cakes ads, allowing the “special treats” for her kids. It is an impressive and on some level scary, “range” exhibited by the classy, talented Ms. Blyth.