Craig's Wife is a play that is revived and often in stock companies because its themes are timeless. It could probably be revived today with yet a fourth film being made.
It was good enough to win a Pulitzer Prize for its author George Kelly when it first ran on Broadway in the Twenties. Rosalind Russell made the most of the part of Harriet Craig back in 1936 in her first starring role.
14 years later Joan Crawford does as good as Russell did in her film version. I'd hate to compare the two, I've never seen a silent screen version that was also done.
Appearances are deceiving, at first glance Joan looks like she's achieved the American dream, specifically that dream house in the suburbs. But she's a cold, manipulative woman, whose only real love is the house and things inside. It's not a home she's made for herself and husband Wendell Corey, it's some kind of suburban Taj Mahal.
But Lord knows she does not want to be alone. She berates her servants including her cousin K.T. Stevens who lives with her and whom she treats like a servant. She does her best to break up Stevens and William Bishop because she doesn't want to lose Stevens from the entourage. She also makes Corey's good time buddy Allyn Joslyn feel as welcome as crabgrass.
Crawford was hurt real bad and the only kind of husband that she wants is a completely submissive one. Takes a while for Wendell Corey to catch on.
Harriet Craig is a great female part and two great actresses did it for the talkies. I'd love to see Meryl Streep or Julia Roberts take a crack at this role in a remake.
It was good enough to win a Pulitzer Prize for its author George Kelly when it first ran on Broadway in the Twenties. Rosalind Russell made the most of the part of Harriet Craig back in 1936 in her first starring role.
14 years later Joan Crawford does as good as Russell did in her film version. I'd hate to compare the two, I've never seen a silent screen version that was also done.
Appearances are deceiving, at first glance Joan looks like she's achieved the American dream, specifically that dream house in the suburbs. But she's a cold, manipulative woman, whose only real love is the house and things inside. It's not a home she's made for herself and husband Wendell Corey, it's some kind of suburban Taj Mahal.
But Lord knows she does not want to be alone. She berates her servants including her cousin K.T. Stevens who lives with her and whom she treats like a servant. She does her best to break up Stevens and William Bishop because she doesn't want to lose Stevens from the entourage. She also makes Corey's good time buddy Allyn Joslyn feel as welcome as crabgrass.
Crawford was hurt real bad and the only kind of husband that she wants is a completely submissive one. Takes a while for Wendell Corey to catch on.
Harriet Craig is a great female part and two great actresses did it for the talkies. I'd love to see Meryl Streep or Julia Roberts take a crack at this role in a remake.