Customer Reviews

Crawford: The last years : an intimate memoir

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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.

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.

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.

Recently, I acquired a set of several extremely rare and otherwise never before heard audio recordings that Joan (may she rest in peace) did during the last few years of her life. (I also received the never before seen "Joan Crawford Week" that Joan filmed in 1975 for WNEW-TV which included rare intros to some of her most popular films.) Being a real fan I was very excited to listen to these as many fans know that there is little-to-zippo of anything Joan did after 1974. Included on one of the CDs was a series of answering machine messages to Mr. Carl Johnes. First of all, who in the world even knew that they had answering machines in the 1970's? Anyway, the messages Joan left all sounded lovely and even though these were private and personal recordings that were never meant to be heard by anyone else I could hear a sense of beauty and familiarity that always resonated in her voice. So from there I got to wondering who Carl Johnes was since Joan apparently was so friendly with him (there was even a message left by Ms. Barker, Joan's West Coast secretary, on the eve of Joan's memorial, inviting him to the service). And that's when I found this peice of writing.

When the book arrived I was slightly let down as it's a no-frills book that's very short (you'll finish it in a couple of sittings at the most) and includes not a single exclusive picture of Joan. But what I did enjoy about the book is the fact that it detailed Joan's last years (from 1972 to 1977) because this is the first and only book (besides "Conversations with Joan") that includes such intimate details about Joan, written by someone that actually knew her on a personal level.

There are some misnomers about the author that have gotten muddled throughout the book's own description (that spilled over onto Amazon) which I would like to clear up. First of all, Carl Johnes never knew Joan when she worked for Columbia. In fact, he was neither a producer, a director or anyone connected to the profession of film-making. Mr. Johnes was very sketchy about what he did for Columbia, but if you read between the lines you can tell (he was a low-level assistant.) When he knew Joan he was a young-ish gentleman in his '30s (and Joan was in her late '60s to early '70s.) And Mr. Johnes also never "worked with Joan" on some big project. Nope. He first went to meet Joan after being referred to her by his boss at Columbia to help her rearrange her book collection. So once we clear up these sneaky deceptions the book gets a little less titillating.

There are several aspects of the book that I did enjoy because Mr. Johnes presented a unique and otherwise rather unseen view of Joan (who I love, love, love). I learned that although Joan never had a problem drinking she gave up drinking completely during the last several years of her life. I learned that Joan was always rather shy (this I almost figured.) I also learned about her love for animals and her appreciation for idle board games. And lots of things that I already knew were confirmed. For example her kindness and her willingness to help others and her love of letter-writing. I also learned that Joan had a great sense of humor and was not above laughing at herself, if only to entertain and bring a smile to other people's faces.

The author also took us into Joan's own world while giving readers a special view behind the velvet ropes. The view isn't always clear and it's not always comprehensive (for example, why was Carl Johnes writing Joan's public announcements? I know for a fact that she had a press agent and at least 2 full-time secretaries until the day she passed away.)

The author's writing was somewhat amateurish and written with an air of theatrics and pretension which made the book read like a rather dated and boring Harlequin. For example he kept trying to ingratiate himself into Joan's personal space and life and experiences and even her movie plots. None of this had to do with him and frankly his own story (minus Joan, of course) was about as interesting as a paper bag from Bamberger's.

I also got the impression that the author felt like Joan owed him something because she was an entertainer, perhaps. For example, Mr. Johnes writes about Joan meeting his brother and sister-in-law and about how nervous she was. Yet Joan got all gussied up and went out of her way for her guests. But all the author could do was put her down in this instance. He only saw the wrongs that she did. As far as I'm concerned if Mr. Johnes was truly Joan's friend he would have recognized her nervousness and he would have told her that she was just great no matter what she did or didn't do. Because all Joan wanted was reassurance, just to be told that she was special. Maybe that is egotistical of her. But she's in good company, at least. Because what lady doesn't want to be told that she is special once in a while?

The one thing that really needs to be stressed is that Joan was not a lonely victim living alone in seclusion or isolation during her last years. Perhaps the author wanted us to believe that though because it made his own story that much more universal and even profitable. But even by his own admission Joan was surrounded by many friends, who loved her very much. There were also many phone messages that Joan even left Carl Johnes during her last months on this planet in which she sounded youthful, vibrant and very much alive and well (I know for a fact because I have them in my collection). And we must remember that Joan was not a young woman, she was a senior citizen who spent the prior 6 decades working (harder than anyone else in show-business, and don't you ever forget that). So what was wrong with Joan wanting to retire in her golden years? I say nothing.

And there is nothing wrong with writing a book about a friend. I don't think Joan would have condemned Mr. Carl Johnes for that. However Mr. Johnes did not write the book "as a friend" yet he used the moniker or guise of sincere friendship to get his book published which I don't think is very loyal. Because in some respect the author seems to contradict himself about Joan. He could be complimentary towards her and then all of a sudden turn on Joan because he would write about how "bossy" or how "ambitious" she was. Did he really know that? Did he really know Joan? I mean, do any of us really know anyone? How did he know what was going on in her head during her last years in this world? Just because she was Joan Crawford does not give the author or anyone else for that matter the chance to sit in judgement of her.

Whether you're a longtime or novice Joan Crawford fan I say shell out the five or six shekels this book goes for and read it for yourself and make up your own mind. It's not a bad book and in fact pretty interesting in many sections. But remember that this is just a tiny needle in a seemingly infinate haystack. Joan's life and career cannot be summarized in 50 or 60 thousand words. If you really want to learn about Joan take it from someone who has spent the last 10 years studying her, watch all of her movies. If you watch her movies and study them (and watch all of them, not just a couple) you will learn that Joan was not just the hardest working woman in all of cinematic history, but also the loyalest and kindest and most loving. Remember, you are what you watch.