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Mildred Pierce (Keepcase)

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Warner Bros. has outdone themselves to bring one of the finest classics in their library to DVD. This transfer of MILDRED PIERCE is so perfect, so sharp, clear & glistening, it's almost like watching a different film. Gone are the spots and glitches.
The image is smooth and gorgeous, lusciously capturing Ernest Haller's masterful cinematography. The sound is amazing too, for a film of this vintage.

The film itself is Joan Crawford's finest hour, and one of the best film noir ever turned out by Hollywood. It's virtues are legendary by now, and I need not recount them here. This is simply a must have for even a casual film buff. A stylish and intelligent drama which is a testament to the dozens of talents that brought it to the screen.

If a phenomenal transfer if an essetial classic wasn't enough, Warners has given us a B side with a feature length documentary entitled JOAN CRAWFORD: THE ULTIMATE MOVIE STAR. This is an excellent program that was made for the Turner Classic Movies channel a few months ago, and makes its home video debut here. With an astounding array of interesting interviews, rare film clips, and sumptuous photographs, the show takes the gloves off and presents both sides of the Crawford persona. Her incredible drive for stardom and perfection, her unique place in the hollywood pantheon, as well as the damage her reptutation has suffered due to the revelations made by her daughter Christina who is one of the many interviewed to recount stories about the real Joan Crawford. Others who knew Crawford wisely counter the daughter's words, with their own perceptions, leaving the viewer the opportunity to judge for themselves what they think of Joan Crawford. A very well-researched and entertaining film indeed.

Now, they're not done... Warners has also included 9 trailers, including all of Joan's WB films made from MILDRED through THIS WOMAN IS DANGEROUS in 1952. This special feature alone is worth the price of the disc.

It's really a field day for the film buff to get an amazingly restored DVD of one of the greatest films of hollywood's heyday, a superb feature documentary, and a host of other extras, for a list price of $20. My hat's off to the great folks at Warner Bros. home video.

Film Noir never had it so good: "Mildred Pierce" combines the toughness of the Cain novel; a gutsy cast delivering knock-out performances; and at the center of it all one of cinema's great hard-shell dames, Joan Crawford.

Do not be misled into thinking this is a "women's picture" typical of the 1940s. Given that the story concerns a woman who must find her own way after a bitter divorce, it may have a special appeal for women as a group--but let's face it, Joan Crawford ain't your average wife and mother, and while Mildred Pierce may engage our sympathies she ain't exactly a "little woman" stereotype herself.

As noted, the plot revolves around Mildred/Joan's need to make her way in the world--but more to the point, her need to endow her daughters, particularly eldest daughter Veda, with all the best that money can buy. (Never mind, of course, that Veda is clearly a man-hungry, social-climbing little serpent dripping poison from both fangs.) And if that entails kicking out the husband, playing house with a society heel, or even... just possibly... murder... well, then so be it. The cinematography is light-and-shadow film noir classic; the production values are first rate throughout; and Joan and company deliver enough double-dealing spirit to make "Mildred Pierce" a vastly entertaining ride. And if you ever wondered what made Crawford one of the great stars of her era... Mildred Pierce will show ya and how!

I first saw this film on Turner Classic one night a few years ago, shortly into the film as I was skimming through the channels. I saw the murder take place, and I was hooked. I watched the rest of the film, glued to the screen. To say that Joan Crawford ruled this film is a major understatement. She thouroughly dominated the screen from beginning to end. In a way, she WAS Mildred, the story drew strong parallels to her own life. Ann Blyth was PERFECT as the wanna-be rich snob Veda. Eve Arden should have had more time in this film, she was needed relief from the seriousness of the story. All three principle female leads got academy award nominations for this film, Crawford won Best Actress, and there's no arguing she deserved it. As the plot has been dissected and gone over repeatedly before, I'll focus on the DVD release. The film transferred beautifully, with razor-sharp definition and wonderful light and dark areas. This film is true film noir, and the lighting played a major role in the movie. On the disc flip side, there is a wonderful documentary on Crawford's life called "Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star". The documentary is well-worth watching on its own, so to have it included is great. All in all, it's easy to see why Crawford was very proud of this film, it represented her commercial comeback after MGM put her out to pasture, saying she was too old, and box office poison. Amazing what the right role, script, and director can do for a strong actor. This film is a true classic, so get this DVD and enjoy!

One of the great film noirs of all time. Joan Crawford is in her element as the long suffering mother of a rotten child who drips with contempt for her mother's job as a waitress. I could go on about this movie, but everyone who has heard of it or seen it can attest to its story of hard working mother trying her best to please her spoiled daughter to the point of divorcing her husband to ensure her ownership of a restuarant. Then her second marriage to a penniless and money grubbing twerp who thinks nothing of seducing her daughter, and of course exhausting all means including body and soul just to win the affections and respect from her ungrateful, ruthless daughter. My only complaint is what's with the shoddy cardboard cases? Warner Brothers thinks this is a good way to honor their star? Or are they too cheap to fork over the 50 cents for a sturdy, plastic case? All my movies from warner's from excalibur to billy jack to a cheap copy of Gone with the Wind is given the same ho-hum treatment. Shame on them! Mildred Pierce deserved better! Even 1.00 movies get better.

There is something surreal about Ms Crawford's life and career and the way they intertwine to make a fascinating but entertaining study. MILDRED PIERCE the film seems to be a vehicle that Ms Crawford was born to play so uncannily does it seem to mirror her broader experiences ; with success from impoverishment to wealth; with men - the good man figure, the lazy aristocrat spoiled sponger male figure, the businessman hustler figure; with children - her relationship with her daughter which turned sour. Whatever the motivations, Ms Crawford and her character are driven, unhappy creatures, searching but seemingly unable to find love they so achingly desire. Melodrama? Perhaps, but a terrific melodrama. An excellent and revealing but ultimately sympathetic documentary narrated by Angelica Huston, is included and complements this fine film.

MILDRED PIERCE brought Joan Crawford her very first Academy Award in 1945, playing a valiant mother willing to sacrifice everything for her daughters' happiness.

Mildred Pierce (Crawford) is a frumpy middle-class housewife who invests every spare cent and waking moment into educating and bettering her two children; teenager Veda (Ann Blyth) and precocious Kay (Jo Anne Marlowe). When her husband Bert (Bruce Bennett) moves on to greener pastures, Mildred has no other option than to fling on the shoulderpads and enter the workforce. Despite her eventual success in opening a chain of restaurants, nothing she ever does or provides is "good enough" for Veda. Her ego spinning wildly out of control, Veda manipulates her mother and everyone around her, with dire consequences...

MILDRED PIERCE features some classic confrontation scenes between Crawford and Ann Blyth, who is so good as the evil Veda that you just want to throttle her! Based on the novel by James M. Cain (who also wrote "The Postman Always Rings Twice"), MILDRED PIERCE revived Joan Crawford's flagging film career and gave way to a series of similarly-themed noir drama roles at Warner Brothers. The amazing cast also includes Jack Carson, Lee Patrick, Zachary Scott and Eve Arden as Mildred's wisecracking best friend (in what surprisingly turned out to be her sole Oscar-nominated performance).

Followers of the infamous Joan Crawford/Bette Davis rivalry will be quick to notice that Max Steiner's musical score recycles portions of the main love theme from the 1942 Bette Davis vehicle "Now Voyager" (mostly during Crawford's love scenes). Whether or not Crawford noticed this, it's another great twist in the story of the reportedly bitter feud during their days as Warner Brothers' premier leading ladies.

The DVD includes a brilliantly-restored print of the movie (it's the best this title has ever looked on home video). Bonus features (on the flipside of the disc) are just as good, with the acclaimed feature-length TCM documentary "Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star", narrated by Anjelica Huston, and featuring interviews with surviving co-stars and directors, biographers, historians, plus Crawford's adopted daughter Christina (who talks about the incidents in her book "Mommie Dearest"). A trailer gallery for all of the Crawford/Warner Brothers films is also quite interesting.

(Double-sided, single-layer disc)

What more can be said about this great movie, definitely one of Crawford's best. Great melodrama, and superbly acted by the entire cast. Joan Crawford's turn as the selfless, ambitious single mom is quite convincing, and Ann Blyth's performance as her selfish, spoiled, and unfeeling daughter is truly gut wrenching to watch. As the story unfolds, you wonder why mom continues to jump through flaming hoops to please her witch of a daughter. Eve Arden is at her scene stealing best as Ida, her restaurant manager. She is truly a joy to watch, and I found myself wishing her role would have been larger.
This dvd also includes a documentary about the legendary Crawford, with interesting tidbits about the rift between Joan and Bette Davis, wonderfully narrated by Angelica Huston. The only sad part about the documentary was the inclusion of Christina Crawford's commentary about "Mommie Dearest." Brings the larger-than-life Crawford back down to earth. Truth, probably, but didn't seem to belong here. Definitely a worthwhile movie to own for all who love the classics. Highly recommend!!

Poor Joan Crawford! Her memory may be forever associated with wire hangers. And this is all too bad because before Mommie Dearest, Joan Crawford was remembered as a serious and talented actress.
In Mildred Pierce, Joan plays a mother who gives up everything -- including her happiness -- for the love of her bratty daughter. Joan is so good in this movie, that I once read somewhere that someone commented on how you could actually believe Joan WAS Mildred, that you could actually believe it when she was mixing that cake batter.
Considered one of the best "woman's picture" in cinema history, Mildred Pierce is actually a brilliant film noir that works on many levels. This DVD is packed with extras that Crawford fans and film buffs will enjoy. Included on side B of the disc is a documentary on Crawford and trailers for six of her films! What a delight this is! The only thing I do not like about this DVD is the cover -- it is misleading and does not really say what the movie is about. For a film of this caliber, I am surprised that the studio could not invest on a nicer piece of artwork. Overall, Excellent. A+

MILDRED PIERCE is a classic film noir with exceptionally fine performances. Joan plays the title role with such dedicated conviction that you feel both angry and empathetic for her character: her daughter Veda (Ann Blyth) has got to be the most ungrateful daughter of all time! Crawford plays the valiant, hardworking, ambitious Mildred who eventually owns a chain of successful restaurants (with the help of a ne'er-do-well playboy by the name of Monte Berrigan (the unique Zachary Scott)...Jack Carson gives his usual unaffected performance as Wally and Eve Arden is a hoot as the very tall Ida, Mildred's cynical, no-nonsense friend who initially hired Mildred as a waitress against her better judgement - and, as a consolation prize, later works for Ms. Pierce...Classic line from Ida: "Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young". As the selfish, affected, mercenary Veda, Ann Blyth plays the teenage wench with such venomous sincerity that 1945 audiences were quite impressed with her performance. P.S. I find it rather amusing that a tune heard on the radio during a key love scene comes from a Bette Davis picture: IT CAN'T BE WRONG from NOW, VOYAGER; it's a kind of subtle reminder of their legendary feud! About a year and a half priorly, Crawford had left M-G-M and signed a Warners contract. Davis, the undisputed Queen of Warners, refused to do this film when the role of Mildred Pierce was offered her. Crawford won her long-awaited AA while Davis's career was rapidly faltering...

Joan Crawford had just left MGM for Warner Brothers and was determined to make a big hit for her new studio. Michael Curtiz, who some three years earlier directed the studio's magnificent masterpiece, "Casablanca", was selected to join forces with the brunette star and the result was dynamite, as Crawford marched to a Best Actress Academy Award in "Mildred Pierce."

The film was an adaptation by screenwriter Ronald McDougal of the James M. Cain novel, which marked one of three successive adaptive triumphs from one of his best sellers, glittering successes for three major female acting greats. While "Mildred Pierce" was a soaring 1945 triumph for Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck had recently scaled the heights in "Double Indemnity" in 1944 and Lana Turner would receive her greatest plaudits for "The Postman Always Rings Twice" in 1946.

Crawford plays devoted mother Mildred Pierce, who is determined above all else to provide daughter Ann Blyth with all of the things she had been denied. She begins by making pies for neighbors for extra money and struggles as a waitress in a busy downtown Los Angeles restaurant, but soon she scores a breakthrough and starts her own eaterie, which soon develops into a successful chain.

The film begins with Crawford being interrogated after her disloyal husband, Zachary Scott, has been murdered at her beach house. A flashback brings the story into the present, revealing the interesting array of characters who inhabit Mildred's life. Bruce Bennett is sincere but luckless, having failed in the real estate business, after which the couple separates. The daugher Bennett reveals as his favorite dies tragically of pneumonia, leaving only the spoiled Veda, played by Ann Blyth, concerning whom he warns Crawford, who fails to pay proper heed. Crawford is forever and unsuccessfully pursued romantically by wise cracking and unethical Jack Carson, who makes a deal for her to obtain some property from Southern California socialite Zachary Scott on which she can start her first restaurant. Eventually she will become romantically involved with Scott and ultimately marries him to satisfy Blyth, a social climber impressed with Scott's pedigree.

Supplying wisecracking comments throughout is the inimitable Eve Arden, who serves as Crawford's Woman Friday in her restaurant operation. It is Arden who delivers the brilliant script's premiere line when she tartly asserts, "Veda (Blyth) is living proof that alligators have the right idea. They eat their young."

Eventually the L.A. police solve the murder after many twists and turns of the complex series of relationships are exposed. The film succeeds brilliantly into taking viewers inside the intricate world of a whole constellation of uniquely fascinating characters. Audience members cannot help but feel that they know them much better than one could imagine over such a brief period of time, the result of strong plotting by Cain in his novel and excellent character revealing dialogue by McDougal. The action moves throughout at a brisk pace, reflective of the brilliant Hungarian director Michael Curtiz.