A hard-working mother inches towards disaster as she divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to support her spoiled daughter.
Acting
Crawford's shoulder pads deserve their own Oscar category.
Cinematography
Shadows so dramatic they practically have dialogue.
Writing
Dialogue sharper than Mildred's cheekbones.
Director
Michael Curtiz
Joan Crawford
Mildred Pierce
Jack Carson
Wally Fay
Zachary Scott
Monte Beragon
Eve Arden
Ida Corwin
Ann Blyth
Veda Pierce Forrester
Bruce Bennett
Albert 'Bert' Pierce
Lee Patrick
Maggie Biederhof
Moroni Olsen
Inspector Peterson
Veda Ann Borg
Miriam Ellis
Jo Ann Marlowe
Kay Pierce
Butterfly McQueen
Lottie (uncredited)
Betty Alexander
Party Guest (uncredited)
Ramsay Ames
Party Guest (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Crawford's real-life reputation as a difficult mother made this casting almost too on-the-nose; Hollywood loves meta-cruelty.
The famous 'No wire hangers!' energy? It starts HERE—Crawford won her only Oscar for this, then allegedly campaigned against her own co-stars.
US
