Crawford: The last years : an intimate memoir [Paperback]

Carl Johnes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1979

Crawford's Memoir by a personal friend who worked for Columbia Pictures

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Dell (1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440115361
• ISBN-13: 978-0440115366
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,104,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Interesting Book", January 20, 2011

By 

Terry Richard "Terry Richard" (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Crawford: The last years : an intimate memoir (Paperback)

After Joan Crawford died in May, 1977 multiple books were written on her fascinating and often controversial life; "Crawford: The Last Years" by Carl Johnes is one of the better ones. Extremely well-written, the book is a thorough account of Joan's last few years on earth by someone with whom she was extremely close to. This was no small feat as Joan discontinued public functions after seeing her picture in a newspaper in the fall of 1973. She believed she didn't look her best so she stayed in her apartment at all times, interacting with a few select people. Carl Johnes was one of them.

Carl was originally hired by Crawford to help her with her book library after she moved into a smaller apartment in New York City. What transpired from that initial meeting was a rare and warm friendship that Johnes shares with readers. We get to see an extremely private Crawford between 1975-1977, what she did, what she thought of the world in general, and most interestingly her opinion on her children. Despite Christina Crawford's assertion that she and her mother were close before Joan's death it is obvious from these pages that nothing could be further from the truth.

Even better than "Crawford: The Last Years" is a book that was released in 1980 entitled "Conversations With Joan Crawford" by Roy Newquist. Several biographies on Joan have been released in the last 34 years, but they all pale in comparison to the Newquist book. Like the Johne's book "Conversations..." is an intimate detailed account of Crawford in her own words as she was interviewed by Newquist multiple times beginning in 1962 until her death.

5.0 out of 5 stars Intimate Indeed, January 31, 2012

By 

Leah - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crawford: The last years : an intimate memoir (Paperback)

After reading many lengthy biographies, most either very dry or very glamorized, I was thrilled to receive this modest paperback. I started reading it and was so taken with the story that I finished it in one afternoon sitting. This is a beautiful tribute to the end of Joan's life. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a place in their heart for Joan.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Crawford and Cocktails?, April 9, 2009

By 

Eric Rogers "chairman6807" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crawford: The last years : an intimate memoir (Paperback)

Speaking as a fan: This is an interesting little quick read. It covers a narrow section of time during Joan Crawfords last years. The writers perspective revolves around him being sent by Columbia Studios to help Crawford on a variety of projects at her Manhattan home and then being asked back for endless evenings of backgammon and cocktails. The writer gives us his opinion on Crawford during the early to mid 1970's and not always entirly flattering. Its a mixed bag and be warned that the only photos are on the cover. If you come across a cheap copy, get it; if its a fortune, skip.