Discuss FEUD
Discuss → TV Shows → FEUD → General
Anybody else feels kind of bad for Joan?
posted by tmdb17996075STAFFMOD on April 10, 2017 at 8:09 PM
Don't get me wrong, I like both Bette and Joan, even though they're no angels. I don't know the real deal, because I'm not exactly an expert on these women, so keep in mind that I'm only talking about what I see in "Feud", and by no means I'm saying that this is an accurate reflection of the actual events. Anyway, after seeing yesterday's episode, I feel sort of bad for Joan. I mean, her brother was obviously manipulative and hurtful, making fun of her because he was never her mother's favorite child, while he was the "golden boy" (and speaking from experience, this is something that never goes away). Then, we can see the treatment she gets from Bette and Robert, which is downright disrespectful and plain cruel. I mean, we do know that she was eventually left out of the picture in a very humiliating way. Wasn't Joan the one who brought Robert, Bette and her together in the first place? I understand that both Bette and Joan were rivals, but it seems to me like Bette enjoys hurting Joan, more than Joan enjoys playing with Bette.
It's just an impression I get. Maybe I should wait for the show to end to give a final verdict, but so far, this is the impression that I get.
Reply by TheShredder
on April 11, 2017 at 11:16 AM
I'm watching this On Demand, and I think I might be an episode behind. But I will say that I sympathize with Joan, only because Jessica Lange does such a great job playing that character as both Jekyl and Hyde. I have a feeling in real life, Joan came out as a massive cunt/bitch. But her portrayal of Joan is almost human like. I have to say, I didn't think I'd get into this "chick" flick type story, but I am amazed by the performance of both actresses.
Reply by clunybrown2017
on April 11, 2017 at 11:23 AM
From what I've seen on Feud, I do feel sympathy for her. Sounds like she had an absolutely horrendous childhood. I'd like to read more. Anyone know if there are any reliable biographies out there?
Reply by TheShredder
on April 11, 2017 at 1:40 PM
I read on Wikipedia and IMDb that one of her kids wrote a tell-all biography called Mommy Dearest and it also became a motion picture in 1981.
B.D., the daughter of Bette Davis, also wrote a scandalous book about her mother called, My Mothers Keeper. And Bette Davis wrote an autobiography called, This N' That, and another one called, Bette Davis: The Lonely Life which is supposed to have updates from where her first one left off.
Reply by tmdb17996075
on April 11, 2017 at 4:02 PM
From what I know, apparently, "Mommie Dearest" isn't 100% true. I mean, I have read about Joan and, while a lot of people seem to agree that she was harsh and could be somewhat abusive towards her children, it wasn't nearly as bad as the events that we get from "Mommie Dearest".
Reply by tmdb17996075
on April 11, 2017 at 4:05 PM
Hehe, well, they are two of the greatest actresses of her generation, for sure ;) I'm glad you got into it. When you watch episode 6, I'm sure you'll know what I'm talking about.
Reply by NorthernLad
on April 11, 2017 at 5:34 PM
The only reason I feel sorry for Joan (and I'm basing this on the show itself), is that she seemed to let her insecurities get the better of her. She was in a hit movie and she wouldn't even allow herself to enjoy it. She comes across as miserable solely because of her insecurities.
I don't see Bette being mean or cruel to her in anyway.
Reply by NorthernLad
on April 11, 2017 at 5:37 PM
And I will add that another thing I felt sorry for Joan and Bette was because of the ageism they both experienced. And the even sadder thing is...none of this has changed. Once actresses and female performers reach a certain age...they're not treated very nicely whatsoever.
Reply by clunybrown2017
on April 11, 2017 at 5:53 PM
Thanks, TheShredder, for the info on books, etc.
Reply by TheShredder
on April 11, 2017 at 5:58 PM
It's hard to feel sorry for people who made a VERY VERY lucrative living based soley on their looks, used their looks to get an advantage, sabotaged others who were a threat because they also had the looks, and then get pissy when you bread winning quality begins to fade due to age.
Bette I felt sorry for, because she actually took her craft seriously. However, she's no different. She used her looks too to get ahead.
Reply by audierules
on April 12, 2017 at 7:54 PM
I don't sorry for her at all. She was a grown woman when she did all this evil and heartless stuff.
Reply by ScorpionQ2
on April 17, 2017 at 11:27 AM
This is interesting, you may enjoy watching - Joan Crawford:Always The Star
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0hsqWUHz7c)
Reply by NorthernLad
on April 17, 2017 at 12:24 PM
Thank you for that link. Enjoyed watching that. That little documentary presents a very different picture of Joan Crawford than the one we're seeing in Feud.
Reply by SkyPowers
on April 17, 2017 at 3:29 PM
I will make a wine analogy. Some wines turn into vinegar in a few short years. Others have a vintage that lasts decades, depending on the grapes and vine. Joan is the former, the most pitiable example of sour grapes.
No sympathy, but understanding how and why she became what she became. I promoted nearly all of MGM and WB classics on video. It's hard to imagine how aging stars feel when their bloom fades after being glorified on a giant big screen for their youth and beauty. (Gloria Swanson, Sunset Blvd -- who was just 50 when she made that!) Remembered for that image only to become unrecognizable in old age, hiding from the public like Quasimodo. This was the theme of Beauty and the Beast. Bette had no such qualms because, as she so harshly learned in the last episode when she overheard Jack Warner say "Who would F that?" at the age of 22! Katherine Hepburn was a fine example of a well adjusted aging siren. Audrey Hepburn too. Barbara Stanwyck (who was very sexy in her early films).
Reply by clunybrown2017
on April 17, 2017 at 6:31 PM
Thanks, Scorpion, for posting that link! Very interesting.
Reply by ScorpionQ2
on April 18, 2017 at 10:56 AM
You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it, I did too. I've seen a lot of Joan Crawford movies when she was older ( harsh thick brows and stern face) so I forget that she really was beautiful when she was young- that documentary reminded me.