Mommie Dearest Movie Review 1981

Film based on Christina Crawford's memoirs of her incredibly abusive and violent childhood at the hands of her adoptive mother, actress Joan Crawford. The story is controversial and sometimes trashy, but fairly well done nevertheless. However, it is also so campy and the immortal Crawford/Dunaway screech "No wire hangers--ever!" became so associated with Dunaway's over-the-top performance that it was thought by some to have damaged the actress's career.

Distribution

Paramount Home Video, 5555 Melrose Ave., 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, Phone: (323)956-5000, URL: http://www.paramount.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 129 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Child Abuse, Adapted from Memoirs or Diaries, Price of Fame, Showbiz Dramas, Psychotics/Sociopaths, Monster Moms, Childhood Visions, Biopics: Showbiz, L.A.

Screenplay

Frank Perry, Robert Getchell, Frank Yablans

Cast

Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest, Mara Hobel, Rutanya Alda, Harry Goz, Howard da Silva

Cinematography

Paul Lohmann

Director

Frank Perry

Music

Henry Mancini

Producer

Paramount Pictures, Frank Yablans

Awards

Golden Raspberries 1981: Worst Picture, Worst Actress (Dunaway), Worst Support. Actor (Forrest), Worst Support. Actress (Scarwid), Worst Screenplay.