Mildred Pierce [VHS]

Starring: Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, Ann Blyth

MGM (Video & DVD), 1945, VHS Tape

Product Description

Amazon.com essential video

For a full dose of pure, unfiltered Joan Crawford, look no further than this slab of scorching film noir. Crawford is in her element as the heroine of James M. Cain's pulp-fiction classic, a ditched wife and mother who is forced to become a waitress. On the strength of Crawford's steely willpower (and maybe those intimidating wide-wing shoulder pads), she constructs an empire of eateries, only to be disappointed by her rotten daughter (Ann Blyth) and a ferret-faced new husband (Zachary Scott). Director Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) whips up a storm of atmosphere, and the script is a series of tartly written exchanges. The best lines go to perennial wisecracker Eve Arden, as Crawford's acid-tongued pal — she earned her only Oscar nomination for the role. Commenting on the ungrateful daughter, Arden says, "Alligators have the right idea. They eat their young." Crawford herself took home the best actress Oscar, and the film was a triumphant personal comeback: her longtime studio MGM had released her from her contract before Mildred Pierce came along. Is this great acting? (Pauline Kael called it "heavy breathing.") Whatever Joan Crawford is doing in this movie, it's movie presence at its most formidable. — Robert Horton

Product Details

Title: Mildred Pierce [VHS]
Sales Rank: 11350 in VHS
Actor: Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, Ann Blyth
Director: Michael Curtiz
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD), 1994-11-29, Theatrical Release: 1945-10-20
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, NTSC
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Running Time: 111 minutes
Package Dimensions: 7.32 x 4.19 x 1.12 inches, 0.38 pounds

Customer Reviews

A Reverse Momma Dearest?: While I watched this completely engaging film noir, I kept seeing Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in "Momma Dearest," although the tables are turned in this film. In this instance, unlike in the Crawford bio, the mother Mildred Pierce is pretty much at the mercy of her spoiled daughter Veda. I cannot remember a more despicable daughter-- or son for that matter-- in any… More reviews

Mildered Pierce: Excellent movie. love it everytime. I am so glad to have been able to place this in my classic movies collection as I have been wanting to get it for along time. Joan Crawford as always plays a fantastic part. And I her love for her daughter despite the fact she is horrible to her mother. As the saying goes "only a mother could love".
I highly recommend… More reviews

please put on blu-ray: If any of Joan's movies deserves to be on blu-ray it's her defining picture, "Mildred Pierce." As soon as it comes out I will be among the first to pre-order it. Joan's legacy will live on forever because of movies like this. More reviews

mildred pierce: this is one of joan crawfordds best keeps you wanting more. even back then people still spoil kids but most arent like mildred pierces daughter the total shame. betrayal beyond comprehension More reviews

brilliant hard boiled film , script , etc hollywood can no longer do: for all the reasons listed elsewhere amongst these reviews , this is a must own 45' masterpiece . the entire cast is outstanding . further proof that they not only "did it before" but that additionally it was much better . at this modest price you'll either be thrilled or deep in a minority of viewers . when they say "they don't make um like they used… More reviews