Customer Reviews

Conversations with Joan Crawford

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Conversations w/ Joan Crawford is a superb book w/ Joan speaking for herself in a question/answer "interview" type arena. Roy Newquist is a great interviewer who asks the right questions & got very frank & honest answers from Joan about her life, her films, her co-stars, Mr. Mayer & her philosophies on how she's lived. She was near the end of her life at the time the book was written & little high on the sauce at moments (acording to Roy Newquist) but Joan just lets it fly. this book is Excellent & a must for any Crawford fan.

Unlike her autobiography, which Crawford openly admits was self-censored to protect the studio image, Newquist's book reveals the real Joan Crawford.

It opens with explaining how the author and Crawford met and how their relationship formed to a level that she was able to be open with him. After a brief biography, in come the interviews, easily the most important part of the book.

First, the pair talks about Crawford's movies which she denounces or praises heartily. Then they talk about more personal things. Crawford candidly talks about her longtime affair with Clark Gable which was hushed up for years by the studio. However, there are some things she does not like to talk about, especially sex. She quickly responds and tries not to reveal too much of her personal life.

Of course there are times when Crawford contradicts herself, especially when talking about Bette Davis with whom she had a love/hate relationship. The studio wanted publicity so during Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? the two were posed as arch enemies. In some cases this was true, but Joan highly respected Davis' talent as a fan.

The few moments in which Crawford talks about her children, she admits that she may not have been the perfect mother, that perhaps she was too strict. She goes on to talk about how none of the major movie stars were fit parents or fit spouses because they were a star first and everything else second. This helps to explain if not down-play the harshness of the Mommie Dearest accusations which came from an incredibly biased viewpoint.

Overall, this book is required reading for anyone who calls themselves a Joan Crawford fan. It will help one to differentiate Crawford the star and Crawford the woman (who incidentally thought Crawford sounded like Crawfish).

In spite of not being much of a fan of Joan Crawford, especially in her uptight Warner's years, this book is a fascinating insight into her persona, possibly the best available. The book is a compendium of interviews with Crawford over a 15 year period, all carefully re-arranged to provide continuity to the reader. The result is logical and easy to follow.

Crawford was not highly educated so she states that she often struggled with the interview process because she was unsure what to say. Certainly, in the few existing interviews available, she is not highly articulate in the same way as Katharine Hepburn or Bette Davis. This book has a big advantage because the conversations were private, when Crawford was clearly more relaxed and not "maintaining" her public image. Accordingly, her observations are direct with an honesty for which she was not often credited and we get a much greater feel for who she was. The pretension is stripped away and her comments on her own films are excellent. She agreed with many film critics that many of her films were formula laden junk.

There is not a lot about her children or her active sex life (dismissed with the comment that she was "highly sexed"), although she speaks openly of her relationship with Clark Gable. Many of her comments display a wit which might be unexpected. Certainly, her comments about the studio system in which she flourished are worthy of a text book on the subject.

The overwhelming impression is of a tough woman who by hard work and dedication achieved great professional success but was unable to do the same in her personal life due to an overwhelming inferiority complex. When you read between the lines on her upbringing, it is no wonder she was poorly equipped for stable and rewarding relationships. One of her most attractive traits though is that she does not really feel sorry for herself. Her self discipline ultimately overrules everything else.

This book has long been out of print but is worth tracking down.

I feel like I've waited my entire life for this book... I don't know where to start! I am so excited to have found this book. For years, I have been searching for a "real" book about my idol, cinematic legend, Miss Joan Crawford. With the exception of a very few, every book about Joan was always the same: boring-boring-boring.

"Conversations With Joan," by Mr. Roy Newquist is really the very best book ever written about this fascinating and complex star! I absolutely could not put it down! The book is only 175 pages long, yet I felt like (for the first time, ever!) I got a clear and concise picture of Joan. Why is this the best book about Miss Crawford?

"Conversations With Joan" treads new waters as it lays down an original painting on a clean and unused canvas. This book is a collection of extremely intimate, in-depth and never-before-published interviews with Joan. It even includes her very last interviews just a couple of months before she passed on! Roy Newquist was also the only member of the media that Joan ever spoke to after 1974. She only spoke to him because she trusted him and she knew that he was an accomplished and honest writer. "Conversations With Joan" should really have Joan's name listed as one of the authors, because 90% of the text comes straight out of her mouth. The book is very interestingly written and put together, it is more like a long fan-article than a typical hum-drum celebrity (auto)biography. Mr. Newquist wasn't just a journalist who chose to write a book about Joan. Nope. He was a friend of Joan's. "Conversations With Joan Crawford" was actually written over a 15 year time-period; from the time Mr. Newquist first met her, up until right before Miss Crawford's death in 1977!

Joan is asked about and discusses everything! She talks about her childhood, her mother, her brother, her lovers, her father, her various step-fathers and she even answers many questions about her friends, as well. She is candid, funny and always forthcoming! The questions also get tough. Joan is questioned about her alleged alcohol abuse. She discusses her affair with Clark Gable. She discusses all of her divorces, and she even candidly details how it felt to become a widow at such a young age! Joan talks about her failures, too, in total description. We all know that Miss Crawford is a perfectionist. But the Joan in this book is also very vulnerable. She wishes she could change many aspects in both her private and professional lives. If this reviewer didn't know a modicum about Miss Crawford, I would learn that she had a heart an a soul.

The first portion (note: there really aren't clear-cut chapters in this book) of the book includes an informative section that includes commentary from Joan on all of her movies from the 20's up until What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (Two-Disc Special Edition). As you may know, Joan was the epitome of a star during the Golden Era of cinema, and made more than 80 classic pictures. She is rather proud of all her movies, especially her defining role in Mildred Pierce (Keepcase). Miss Crawford is especially delicate as she goes over the movie that garnered her an Academy Award for Best Actress. It almost goes without saying that she has nothing but gratitude for her crew and costars that helped make this movie such a success. Of course she talks about all of her other most well-known movies, such as Flamingo Road (1949), The Damned Don't Cry, Possessed, Humoresque, Harriet Craig, Sudden Fear, "Female on the Beach," Autumn Leaves and Queen Bee. But Joan especially relishes her reign as MGM's box-office queen as she elaborates on such representative films as, Our Dancing Daughters, "Letty Lynton," Grand Hotel (Snap case), Sadie Mckee, Forsaking All Others (1934), I Live My Life, Shining Hour, The Women (Keepcase), Strange Cargo (1940), Susan & God and Woman's Face. And it's also rather comical reading these passages, because the same movies that you or I hate ("The Ice Follies of 1939," Johnny Guitar, and the dreaded, Trog) are the same ones that Joan despised as well. Joan was the type of star who tended to base her opinions on her pictures based on what her fans thought. That may not be right, but that was just the way she was.

Joan discusses the movie business in brass accuracy. She remembers all of her costars and all of the crews that helped make her pictures the classics that they are today. Miss Crawford also gives her blunt opinion on the "New Hollywood." Although, in 2007 this hardly seems "new." I can only imagine what she would have said about today's "stars?" I'm sure she would have said a lot; none of it complimentary. Joan is even asked about Bette Davis, more than once. As I always thought, Miss Crawford didn't have any hatred towards Bette Davis. Of course the 2 were never friends (where is written that 2 actresses have to be friends?,) but she did appreciate Bette Davis' talent and showmanship.

For lack of a better word, this is really such a perfect book. I really do not understand why more fans do not know about it. I suppose, like me, they didn't look hard enough. Maybe good things come to those who wait? The book was first published 27 years ago in 1980, when I was just a baby. Wouldn't it be great if the publisher or author could put it back in print? But alas, that is probably never going to happen. I thought it was absolutely hilarious how Miss Crawford would say something like, "oh I just can't talk about that." Then she would lapse into a 3 page speech on the very topic she was being asked about! No matter what she says, I think Joan loved being a star and she loved putting on a show. Up until the very, very end, she was still always performing for her fans.

Known for her fashion-sense, classical beauty and the ability to constantly re-invent herself (decades before Madonna was a household name,) this book includes some of the most alluring pictures of Miss Crawford throughout her long and impressive film career. The pictures ran throughout the entire book and were often included next to text that was along the same topic. And the back cover even included a lovely shot of Joan, from the mid-thirties. I saw many pictures for the very first time, such as a stunning picture of Joan taken during the late 40's; probably around the time she was making "Daisy Kenyon." I also loved the shot of her taken in the 20's, used as an early MGM publicity photo.

Joan also opens up about her later years in life. Again, please remember that during the 70's she gave very few interviews and completely cut the press off starting in '74. So, this book acts as the first and only accurate picture of Miss Crawford's life during this time. She still sounds optimistic and always incredibly determined during these sections of the book and her life; which run concurrent! Because, maybe Miss Crawford knew that this would be her only chance to "set the record straight?" Through "Conversations With Joan," she did just that by letting her fans have an inside glimpse into her world!

It's very unfortunate that the vast majority of the public think of Joan as a violent monster. If only they read "Conversations With Joan Crawford," they would see for themselves that she was nothing like that (please keep in mind that this book was written over a 15 year time-period, it was not just thrown together at the last minute.) But, if that's what they have to believe to get through the night, more power to 'em. In this crazy world, I don't know what I believe in anymore. Although, I will never lose faith in Miss Crawford. I am certain that she was a first-rate star who worked her a-s-s off to get to where she was, and once she got there she never stopped working!

I'm so glad I found out about this book. Fortunately, there are plenty of second hand copies around the world so it wasn't too hard to come by. This book was prepared over a period when Roy Newquist got to know Crawford on a deeper level. She opened up herself almost completely, although would not let him use a tape recorder. So the book is based on his notes during the sessions. What I think readers will enjoy the most are her opinions on all her films. It's interesting to see that she dislikes the films that most of us do, and loves the films we all love. Also worth reading are her thoughts on her early childhood which was clearly a tough and difficult time for the young Lucille Le Seuer. I also enjoyed reading the section on her two oldest children. Although this book pre-dates "Mommie Dearest", it becomes apparent that Crawford had been criticised for her mothering of Christina and Christopher in the late 70's. Her thoughts on her behavious and the two children's behaviour is worth reading. Always advisable to recognise that there are two sides to every story.

This is a fascinating read, perhaps too short, but one thing is clear: all Crawford fans need a copy in their collection.

My only disappointment with this book is that it's too short! Very interesting and in Joan's own words. I think a life lesson is here as well from her. You do the best you can with the choices you've made.

Finally a complete book that you can read about Miss Crawford.
Not only can you read the excellent interview by Roy Newquist,who is very respectful in his tone,but still manages to get the questions answered,you also get the complete rundown of her extensive filmography until....Whatever happened to Baby Jane ?.(If you have seen the films after this one,you will not be too,too surprised!).
So in conclusion,this is a must-read book,and you wish to purchase it,get the Hardcover copy,because you will want to reread this book over and over again.Mark my word !

This is a must-read for those who are aching for the golden age of cinema and need to hear the voice of one of it's greatest stars remind us of why stars were once called stars and not mere actors (although a great actress, she indeed was). Joan glows in the pages of this book as she speaks of her affection for Gable, her appreciation of character actors, and her skewering of feminism. What I wouldn't do to own a pair of Miss Crawford's shoes!

There have been virtually dozens of books written on Joan Crawford. In the last three years alone at least four books have been released on the greatest actress that ever lived, but all pale into comparison to this beautiful book written by Roy Newquist and published way back in 1980. "Conversations With Joan Crawford" is long out-of-print, but many used copies pop up on Ebay, and there are many still available on Amazon at relatively cheap prices. The book was released in both hardcover and paperback. Newquist was Joan's confidant and friend and she agreed to do interviews with him over a span of fifteen years beginning around the time Joan filmed "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?". Newquist promised Joan that he would release the book after her death. What follows in the pages of "Conversations..." is a splendid lifestory told from the woman who lived it. Joan discusses all of her movies up until "Baby Jane"; she wouldn't discuss her last five films considering "they were all terrible. Even the few I thought might be good. I hope they are withdrawn... I think if I were to see "Trog" advertised on a marquee I would contemplate suicide"; it is that kind of wit and honesty that makes this book such an excellent read. We don't get writers taking apart excerpts in a book and giving their own opinion on the subject; this book is told from the words of Joan's own mouth, and Newquist should be applauded for the work he did on it. Many quotations from the book are still used by internet sites and by other authors; this shows how "Conversations With Joan Crawford" still holds a place today in the Joan Crawford myth and it shows that people are very influenced by Newquist's masterpiece. Joan also goes into detail about her marriages, her family, her children, and her Christian Science beliefs. Without a doubt an excellent book that you will never put down. The hardcover edition is a coffee table book that is filled with pictures on Crawford. Everything you ever wanted to know on Joan is found in these pages. Enjoy!

To me this book gives well then enough evidence that Joan was not too good of a mother. The interviewer ask her about the allegations of child abuse, even though she denies it first hand she admits that she as well as other star should not have become parents. To me that's a admission that she some things wrong with the raising of her children. This book is further proof that Joan should have never became a mom.