Joan Crawford was straight up priceless in this film,i just love her. I wish she did more REAL comedies. She was funny. But she really could act too. This was her film
Right after production of "The Women" ended in late June 1939, Norma headed to the Worlds Fair in NY and there met fellow film actor George Raft. Raft would be her most serious love affair between her marriages to Thalberg and Marti Arrouge. The couple wanted to marry (and work in a film together) but Raft's estranged wife kept escalating her settlement demands to a number that would have cleaned him out. The lovers said goodbye by the autumn of 1941.
@dvlaries She and Jimmy Stewart were also pretty hot and heavy... but beside the fact that he was at the beginning of his career when they met, he was very traditional and Norma was so passionate that she scared him.
"...Norma gives an effectively spare performance. Warned by Cukor the character could easily appear a worthy bore, she brings a minimum of weight to the pathos of betrayal and concentrates on the struggle not to betray her feelings. With impeccably restrained technique she gains sympathy by never playing for it." - "Norma Shearer," Gavin Lambert, Knoft Books, 1990.
Part 1) "It wasn't just a case of opposites not attracting, but also like types banging heads. Both were monumentally ambitious, but while Shearer's ambition was fueled by a confident nature, Crawford's was fueled by insecurity and rejection. Sensing in Shearer some of the same appetite to eat the world that she herself possessed, how could Crawford not see her rival's warmth as a big act, a privileged girl's veneer?" (see part 2
Part 2) "While Shearer grew up in comfortable surroundings and only knew hard times when she became a teenager, Crawford was weaned on abuse and rejection. Two daddies deserted the family before she was 10. While still a child she cleaned toilets in a boarding for girls and was disciplined with a broom handle." - "Complicated Women," Mick LaSalle, 2000
@TudorRose85 Crawford was jealous of Shearer because she was married to Irving Thalberg, MGM's "The Boy Wonder" producer. So she had first crack at all the best film roles. Norma got cast in big-budget, period piece films like "Marie Antoinette" while Joan got stuck with shop girl roles in smaller pictures.
When Thalberg died at age 37, Joan was the happiest mourner thinking that she will be able to get the roles she coveted. But Thalberg left his controlling MGM stock to Norma, so Shearer still had first choice to the big films. "Christ! She really rode through this studio on his balls!" said Joan.
I think Norma shearer was a wonderful actress and beautiful too , I like Joan 2 but she called her all kinds of mean things and i think it was just jealousy . Norma had such talent ... I just wished she never retired after 1942 ... She would of been bigger than Joan
my problem with the clip is not the clip itself but the fact Norma Shearer isnt metioned in the title of the clip, and the word confrontation is used, why arent both names listed
My favorite line from this film is delivered to Crystal (Joan) from Russell who accused her of keeping secrets from her: "I got you into some of our best houses; afterall, it wasn't easy putting you over." HOWL, HOWL,HOWL!
this film is now a historical document, and it was not because norma had married the chief of MGM it is because norma could convince a audience with the statement, Im glad you understand the strength of sentiment, its beauty is something you will never know, this statement is one of the turning points in the history of cinema, sentiment was not a crime then, but it is now, it is considered a weakness when in reality it is associated with strength ie: Venus DeMilo, Mona Lisa, Evita, etc..
@VTMCompany I think its a sign of 'crossing your heart'---basically holding true to something, visually stated---could be related to an oath of some kind related to Indian culture.
I visited the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam a few years ago, and still hanging on the wall is a picture of Norma Shearer. J.C. is great here."When anything I wear doesn't please Steven, I take it off." Men are assholes. Crystal and Mary should fall in love and put Steven out on the street--double alimony, too! LOL
Norma Shearer was a very good actress, especially here in "The Women" and in her pre-code films. With "Escape" (1940), her acting only improved. By that time, however, she lost interest in her career after Irving Thalberg's death. She really loved him and he mentored her. Also, Louis B. Mayer, her boss, tried to steal money from her. That really turned into an ugly mess that only further soured her on her career. Good thing her films are being shown and reevaluated, showing her gifts.
"Thanks for the tip, but when anything I wear doesn't please Steven I take it off." So fiesty, yet understated enough to remain with some class. Priceless.
Joan resented the hell out of Shearer having Thalberg as husband and career wizard, but to a large degree it was ultimately a misplaced enmity. By the time their respective contract days at MGM were over in the early 1940s, each could point to a voluminous body of work with many individual high points, and "The Women" was one they shared. Nobody knows how to build stars of their caliber anymore.
too right she did because shearer purposely blocked crawford out of films because she saw her as a threat. they both went up for the same roles and the only time crawford got one it was because either shearer didnt want it or was pregnant.
not that im complaining because crawford went on to great things and shearer was one of the best actresses of the golden age.
Norma was never the victim of her films before the code came in. If you've seen any of her pre code films you'd know what a fantastic trailblazer she was.
@BlancheHudson1 OOOOOOOooooohh, *SMACK*!!!!! lol. I agree, Blanche. I'm watching her (NS) as a 34 year old Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (1936) at the moment, and she's just nauseating. As usual.
OMG, this film plus all about eve, carmen jones, double indemnity, etc showcased real actresses, not the crap we are given today, long live the classic queens of cinema, you are so missed.
@fancycharmed Correct, her pre-Codes definitely allowed her to play the bad girl, which were roles she delighted in. Only after the code was she forced to play good girls, like Mary Haines, whom she thought a bore.
@julesreverie if you like the precode you must like also today 's cinema of today where are no limit to vulgarity and violence...a really proud conquest of '60 ...congratulations( sarcasm) the golden age of movie is tipically ''30 post code, 40 50
Funny, the roles Norma got,Joan would've done them 10x better, while Norma was a very good actress, Joan was more intense
955pokerface 2 weeks ago
Joan Crawford was straight up priceless in this film,i just love her. I wish she did more REAL comedies. She was funny. But she really could act too. This was her film
955pokerface 2 weeks ago
You've got everything that matters: name, money, position... [Anyone think that's changed?]
richmondie 1 month ago
Norma was so fantastic. What a woman.
Messylin 1 month ago
normas is cross-eyed :-)
rsolash1 2 months ago
Right after production of "The Women" ended in late June 1939, Norma headed to the Worlds Fair in NY and there met fellow film actor George Raft. Raft would be her most serious love affair between her marriages to Thalberg and Marti Arrouge. The couple wanted to marry (and work in a film together) but Raft's estranged wife kept escalating her settlement demands to a number that would have cleaned him out. The lovers said goodbye by the autumn of 1941.
dvlaries 3 months ago
@dvlaries She and Jimmy Stewart were also pretty hot and heavy... but beside the fact that he was at the beginning of his career when they met, he was very traditional and Norma was so passionate that she scared him.
vitebella 1 month ago
"...Norma gives an effectively spare performance. Warned by Cukor the character could easily appear a worthy bore, she brings a minimum of weight to the pathos of betrayal and concentrates on the struggle not to betray her feelings. With impeccably restrained technique she gains sympathy by never playing for it." - "Norma Shearer," Gavin Lambert, Knoft Books, 1990.
dvlaries 3 months ago
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Part 1) "It wasn't just a case of opposites not attracting, but also like types banging heads. Both were monumentally ambitious, but while Shearer's ambition was fueled by a confident nature, Crawford's was fueled by insecurity and rejection. Sensing in Shearer some of the same appetite to eat the world that she herself possessed, how could Crawford not see her rival's warmth as a big act, a privileged girl's veneer?" (see part 2
dvlaries 3 months ago
Part 2) "While Shearer grew up in comfortable surroundings and only knew hard times when she became a teenager, Crawford was weaned on abuse and rejection. Two daddies deserted the family before she was 10. While still a child she cleaned toilets in a boarding for girls and was disciplined with a broom handle." - "Complicated Women," Mick LaSalle, 2000
dvlaries 3 months ago
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dvlaries 3 months ago
"I can be soft on the right occassion." #classic LOL
IAmMrHollywood 3 months ago
Love that scene. Great acting on both their parts.
1976SaraM 4 months ago
I heard that Norma & Joan hated each other in real life.
TudorRose85 5 months ago
@TudorRose85 Crawford was jealous of Shearer because she was married to Irving Thalberg, MGM's "The Boy Wonder" producer. So she had first crack at all the best film roles. Norma got cast in big-budget, period piece films like "Marie Antoinette" while Joan got stuck with shop girl roles in smaller pictures.
RaymondHng 5 months ago
When Thalberg died at age 37, Joan was the happiest mourner thinking that she will be able to get the roles she coveted. But Thalberg left his controlling MGM stock to Norma, so Shearer still had first choice to the big films. "Christ! She really rode through this studio on his balls!" said Joan.
RaymondHng 5 months ago
Those turbans really made them look like drag queens.
ScinLaeca358 6 months ago
Excellent actressess, all of them. We don't have any like them today; only spoiled
over paid lack-lustre females full of botox and fake tops.
pearlqueen18 6 months ago
you got everything that matters: you got the name, the position, the money.
artemiscarrington 7 months ago
I think Norma shearer was a wonderful actress and beautiful too , I like Joan 2 but she called her all kinds of mean things and i think it was just jealousy . Norma had such talent ... I just wished she never retired after 1942 ... She would of been bigger than Joan
butterbeanbby95 7 months ago
It is a confrontation, I can add norma's name to the title but I basically did it for Joan fans...
BlancheHudson1 7 months ago
my problem with the clip is not the clip itself but the fact Norma Shearer isnt metioned in the title of the clip, and the word confrontation is used, why arent both names listed
MrFalconford 7 months ago
German women are bitchs.All men in the world should fuck german women.
LorinServan 7 months ago
@LorinServan , you are a pig
DRFPro1 6 months ago
I love Norma's dress
sanjac07 7 months ago 2
My favorite line from this film is delivered to Crystal (Joan) from Russell who accused her of keeping secrets from her: "I got you into some of our best houses; afterall, it wasn't easy putting you over." HOWL, HOWL,HOWL!
odovicor 7 months ago
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love this film!
bcnliz7 8 months ago
It doesn't get any better then this!!
PsychLion 8 months ago
who said Joan cant act..shes great in that scene
MyGward 9 months ago 16
@MyGward For real!! She is a great actress and beautiful too!!:)
vintageglam1931 8 months ago
@MyGward
people who say that are often bitter bette davis fans who havent seen her films from the 40s.
CocaineHabbit 8 months ago
Hahahahaha, go get em girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bombeni 9 months ago
this film is now a historical document, and it was not because norma had married the chief of MGM it is because norma could convince a audience with the statement, Im glad you understand the strength of sentiment, its beauty is something you will never know, this statement is one of the turning points in the history of cinema, sentiment was not a crime then, but it is now, it is considered a weakness when in reality it is associated with strength ie: Venus DeMilo, Mona Lisa, Evita, etc..
MrFalconford 10 months ago
watch the gaffe when joan's cigarette gets lit without the struck match even touching it.
VTMCompany 1 year ago
@VTMCompany Go back and re-watch it. The match came nowhere near the cigarette.
02chevyguy 10 months ago
what did she mean about the 'indian sign?'
VTMCompany 1 year ago
@VTMCompany I think its a sign of 'crossing your heart'---basically holding true to something, visually stated---could be related to an oath of some kind related to Indian culture.
windstorm1000 7 months ago
I visited the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam a few years ago, and still hanging on the wall is a picture of Norma Shearer. J.C. is great here."When anything I wear doesn't please Steven, I take it off." Men are assholes. Crystal and Mary should fall in love and put Steven out on the street--double alimony, too! LOL
odovicor 1 year ago
Interesting height change as they approach the door
geezer2 1 year ago
Crawford is really good when she does not play victim... This is her best performance ever.
aldodanilo 1 year ago
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Messylin 1 year ago
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Messylin 1 year ago
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Messylin 1 year ago
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Messylin 1 year ago
Norma Shearer was a very good actress, especially here in "The Women" and in her pre-code films. With "Escape" (1940), her acting only improved. By that time, however, she lost interest in her career after Irving Thalberg's death. She really loved him and he mentored her. Also, Louis B. Mayer, her boss, tried to steal money from her. That really turned into an ugly mess that only further soured her on her career. Good thing her films are being shown and reevaluated, showing her gifts.
caraqueno 1 year ago 2
I would say it's the best line in the film! it never gets tired! :)
BlancheHudson1 1 year ago
"Thanks for the tip, but when anything I wear doesn't please Steven I take it off." So fiesty, yet understated enough to remain with some class. Priceless.
MissSovietBones 1 year ago
She never lights that cigarette.
ScinLaeca358 1 year ago
golden hollywood- I love that movie... these two were natural rivals, acting each other off the screen.
Eurafrican 1 year ago
I visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. Remaining on the wall is a picture of Norma Shearer! At least I think it's Norma.
odovicor 1 year ago
@odovicor You're right, that would be Norma. Anne Frank was supposed to have been quite the fan. :)
darkseaofempathy 7 months ago
@darkseaofempathy Thanks, I'm "Notorious" for mixing faces and names!
odovicor 7 months ago
Crystal is such a bitch, I love it! LOL
itone 1 year ago
Joan resented the hell out of Shearer having Thalberg as husband and career wizard, but to a large degree it was ultimately a misplaced enmity. By the time their respective contract days at MGM were over in the early 1940s, each could point to a voluminous body of work with many individual high points, and "The Women" was one they shared. Nobody knows how to build stars of their caliber anymore.
dvlaries 1 year ago
@dvlaries
too right she did because shearer purposely blocked crawford out of films because she saw her as a threat. they both went up for the same roles and the only time crawford got one it was because either shearer didnt want it or was pregnant.
not that im complaining because crawford went on to great things and shearer was one of the best actresses of the golden age.
CocaineHabbit 1 year ago
I love this movie =D
sirdidymus018 1 year ago
Norma was never the victim of her films before the code came in. If you've seen any of her pre code films you'd know what a fantastic trailblazer she was.
fancycharmed 2 years ago 3
I don't like her enough as a actress to intentionally watch any more of her films... but thanks for the suggestion ;)
BlancheHudson1 2 years ago
Too bad you're missing out..
fancycharmed 2 years ago
how closed minded.
cda345 1 year ago
@BlancheHudson1
LMAO!
I completely agree! I don't like her either!
ilovemeryl 1 year ago
@BlancheHudson1 OOOOOOOooooohh, *SMACK*!!!!! lol. I agree, Blanche. I'm watching her (NS) as a 34 year old Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (1936) at the moment, and she's just nauseating. As usual.
nauort23 7 months ago
@fancycharmed
who got first billing on this picture? of course, the queen of MGM did...Norma Shearer.
VTMCompany 1 year ago
@VTMCompany but wasnt she married to the head of MGM at the time and thats why she got top billing, right!
southernbrooklyngal 1 year ago 3
OMG, this film plus all about eve, carmen jones, double indemnity, etc showcased real actresses, not the crap we are given today, long live the classic queens of cinema, you are so missed.
southernbrooklyngal 1 year ago 15
@fancycharmed Correct, her pre-Codes definitely allowed her to play the bad girl, which were roles she delighted in. Only after the code was she forced to play good girls, like Mary Haines, whom she thought a bore.
darkseaofempathy 7 months ago
@fancycharmed
Damn that Hays Code! Pre-Code was the real golden era of film
julesreverie 3 months ago
@julesreverie I completely agree! Norma was one of the best pre-code women there was!
fancycharmed 3 months ago
@julesreverie if you like the precode you must like also today 's cinema of today where are no limit to vulgarity and violence...a really proud conquest of '60 ...congratulations( sarcasm) the golden age of movie is tipically ''30 post code, 40 50
vitweb 1 month ago
I didn't like Norma I think she always looked like the victim in films?
BlancheHudson1 2 years ago
I wish Norma Shearer haden't dropped off the face of the earth. She was good. Not Joan, but good.
foofwolf22 2 years ago
I love this part of the movie! Thanks for the upload!=)
OldMovieGrl 2 years ago
Very good video. Joan always makes me laugh in this film. She was so good at comedy.
janetleigh100 2 years ago