CLASSIC MOVIE REVIEW: Joan Crawford in FLAMINGO ROAD from STEVE HAYES: Tired Old Queen at the Movies

[@oralogarro9932]

Thank you am such a big Joan Crawford fan.

[@victorparedes8609]

Joan is so underrated in Pop Culture she should be in every common product like Monroe or Audrey, she was the first star to be a star over 30 years!

[@jaengen]

She probably would be if it wasn’t for a certain book and movie..

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

Joan worked and worked hard to maintain her place on the ladder to success 🙌❤

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Joan was tenacious, tough and talented. When she was interviwed at her "Legendary Ladies Of The Silver Screen" night at Town Hall, back in the 70's, someone in the audience asked if she was aware of the name given her ankle strap shoes? ( "Joan Crawford Fuck Me Later Pumps") She laughed and replied; " I think the word begins with " F". But I think you'll agree, those shoes held me up a god damned long time." Ya gotta' luv her! At least, I do. Thanks for watching! Steve

[@craigmills3583]

Joan is just the best ever of the Golden age in my opinion. The best at what, I'm not sure exactly but as Steve says a complete enigma. Never before or after has there been a star like her. Totally unique despite the fact she changed so much over her career to keep relevant. Few actresses have ever been able to carry a movie by themselves for more than a few years. She did it her entire 50 year career. Remarkable woman.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Absolutely!

[@richardmcleod1930]

Sydney Greenstreet was always great, even in his radio work playing in The Adventures of Nero Wolfe. Joan Crawford was great in these films after Mildred Pierce even though most are not well known to most people these days.

[@sharonstevens9680]

I remember my mom never missed a Joan Crawford flick on TV! She loved Mildred Pierce and Autumn Leaves! Every film she was in, she loved and got me hooked on her films too! Never miss one to this day! No one can compare with her except Bette Davis!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

And especialy the filsm she did from "Mildred Pierce " on. Love all those torrid noirs!

[@jimr4319]

A testament to her talent and charisma...Crawford could carry any film. Flamingo Road is lots of fun and vintage Crawford at her very best. She was all woman. I always found her to be a very beautiful in a non conventional way.

[@Seabasstien]

I love this Crawford film too, so many great lines.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

This is one of my favorites. " You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get rid of a dead elepahnt." Fabulous! Thanks for watching! Steve

[@Seabasstien]

@@STEVEHAYESTOQ mine too!!

[@lynndamico1448]

Must have seen this movie ten times,love Joan Crawford and Sidney Greenstreet.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Me too! This one is such fun!

[@somersetdc]

I love Joan Crawford. I just can't find the same feeling for Bette Davis, though she was quite an actor. Joan was such a force. Great review, Steve.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

And I especially love this one. High, high melodrama at it's peak and everyone is great especially Greenstreet and Galdys George.

[@telephilia]

Joan Crawford was gorgeous early in her career (which goes back to the silents) and always compelling to look at.

[@catlover34fl]

William Perry: She was indeed gorgeous especially in the early 1930s. What a beauty and I always admired her performances.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Can't take my eyes off her.

[@rickram1961]

Flamingo Road is one of my all time favorite Joan Crawford movies!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Mine too, Rick! "I'm not a Carnival Girl anymore!"

[@pullformore]

Steve - you forgot to mention that Flamingo Road was Warner's top grosser for 1949! So it was a huge hit.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Of course it was!

[@chriswilson4112]

Oh that's interesting! I never would have thought that. It's a fun movie. I just hated to see poor Joan still trying to get on the other side of the trax so far down the line.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@chriswilson4112 You make a good point. I'm reminded of the later incarnations of "The Honeymooners." The characters clearly got older, but not a stick of furniture changed. I wondered if I were the only one to find their situation depressing, not funny.

[@vistaestrada]

Joan Crawford can make any movie worth watching.

[@catlover34fl]

Totally agree. From 1928 right through the 1950s and early 60s, she could do it all.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I love her.

[@vampiramador]

Steve, I'm with you 100%. I can watch Joan 24/7, and this is a real favorite of mine. It's the ultimate in 1940s noir melodrama with a decent budget. Please do Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I Love this one too. It's almost my favorite. I did "Charlotte a few years later. Check the list of past episodes.

[@g_vezz]

I love Joan Crawford. And Joan in Grand Hotel is mesmerizing...

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I love her too. 'Grand Hotel" is on my "To Do" list. Thanks for watching! Steve

[@vibeology9432]

Oh man I love your channel!!!

[@stevenhayes4063]

I'm SO glad! Thanks for watching!!! Please subscribe, have a Happy New Year and please stay SAFE! Best Wishes; Steve

[@SoCalFKK]

Just rewatched this on a flight to NYC and really enjoyed it. I think I might love Joan as much as you do, Steve.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Don't let her hear you say that! YIKES!

[@djzilla]

Well with the slight reference Steve you HAVE to do a full video on Bette Davis in Beyond the Forest. Bette at her height of camp!!! I actually love that movie!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

LOL! " I don't like porkys, they irriatte me!" I love this one too. And that thumping Max Steiner score: " Chicago, Chicago!"

[@windstorm1000]

Love that name. Tituss semple. Lol. Drips southern corruption. Joan is compelling as always.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Yes, this is one I really love. So many fun characters in the Warner's tradition! Thanks for watchng!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@misspaddylee I think you're right. These projects were passed around between Davis, Crawford & Stanwyck. Unfortunately, Stanwyck walked out on her contract with Warners that year. Joan is a little too refined to be a carnival girl where as Barbara was comfortable playing "common" on screen. Years earlier, Ginger Rogers turned down Ball Of Fire, because she no longer wanted to play "common" characters. They offered it to Babs, who jumped at it. "I'll play common!" She got an Oscar nom for it.

[@jacquelinelarsen6159]

I could listen to you ALL DAY!❤️

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

LOL! You're too kind! Thank you for listening this long! Much appreciated! All My Best; Steve

[@maryh4650]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Joan!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Me too!

[@poetcomic1]

"Story of a woman who came from the wrong side of the tracks and made love on the right side of town.' That was from the trailer and just once in awhile the copywriters for these trailers were genius.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Absolutely. I lovew these two; " No one's as good as Bette when she's bad". or " A 12 o'clock woman in a 9 o'clock town'. Brilliant tag writers!

[@emerybayblues]

Joan Crawford and the double slap!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

YUP! The "Mildred Pierce" special.

[@michaelfoley6650]

Whether it’s art or trash, even if she’s drunk Joan is eternally WATCHABLE!!! Shaka!

[@stevenhayes4063]

As I've said, she's as comfortable in those plots as an old mink. Magnetic and self-assured. Can't take your eyes off her. Thanks! Steve

[@markchase7419]

The more I look at Joan Crawford the more attracted I am to her..there's just something about her features that spell delicious trouble.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I loved her from "Mildred Pierce " on. She became like John Wayne, she put those plots on and made 'em work. I also love her transition into tFilm Noir, my favorite genre. A fascinating woman and a damned good acress.

[@BillyAlabama]

Watching this for the third or fourth time and it’s still makes me laugh out loud! To have Bette Davis in a short cameo would have had Joanie Ponie in a tirade! 😂😂😂

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Makes ya wonder, don't it?!? LOL! Steve

[@takaboom5830]

Steve, I really enjoy each and everyone of these reviews!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Thanks so much. You made my day!

[@takaboom5830]

@@STEVEHAYESTOQ O my GOODNESS...WELL I NEARLY DIED RIGHT HERE ON THIS NO WAX FLOOR! How nice of you to reach out like this! Well, I can honestly say that I have watched each of your videos. My mother, Ms. Freddie, whom passed away three years ago watched with me; and she use to state, " what a wonderfully funny and knowledgable man...and he has Bette Davis down pat! Ha Ha AND U DO!

[@jimmyl324]

Classic movie

[@kepgf]

Just recently discovered your marvelous videos and I am delighted because I’m an old movie fan. Wood love to see your take on The Shanghai Gesture, with Gene Tierney and Victor Mature as a side of beef in a fez.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

A side of beef in a fez...you say that like it's a bad thing!

[@guilfordcigarman]

I love Johnny and his intro's. This is one of the best, but no trademark magic smile when he's done...

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

That's because he's doing a Film Noir hommage. I'll punish him just the same...no milk and cookies for him tonight!

[@guilfordcigarman]

... ONLY punish if that's Johnny's preference, but I'm sure not. Still, his homage was sexy as hell. Do you take film requests? Get asked that much? lol

[@ezziboo]

YAY! Steve Hayes always makes my day

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Thank you so much for watching. Please push the "LIKE" button. It really helps.

[@jazzyvocalfan]

Thanks, Steve! For some reason, this is my favorite of her films.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Mine too and I know the reason. It's so much FUN!

[@jupiterscloset8841]

Your videos are amazing 🤩

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Your comment made my day! Steve

[@Soakinginit]

still lovin these vids Steve .. just great omg what a FAB johnny intro!!!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Thanks so much!

[@robertdoherty2001]

Crawford apparently didn’t like the film; she ‘missed’, Curtiz ‘missed’. She pondered whether it was destroyed by bad editing. I think she was pissed because it’s really Greenstreet’s film. I’ve not read the book, but I suspect Laine Bellamy was a somewhat minor character and it took some doing to build her up as a star role for her. A fine film overall.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

You've been reading "Conversations wWith Crawford". I dunno, I think she was miscast. She was far too old to be playing a "Carnival Girl". Like Bette Davis felt about "Beyond The Forest" made the same year, it probably should have gone to Virginia Mayo. It's hard to steal a picture from Greenstreet. He and Gladys George are the most interesting characters. I also think the leading men were weak. Still, I LOVE 'Flamingo Road", because, despite whatever misgivings she may have had, she makes it work. It's a great old Warners meoldrama of the period and coulped with "The Damned Don't Cry", one of my Crawford favorites. Thanks SO much for watching! Don't forget to subscribe so that you'll be noticfied about fuure episodes and please take a moment to push the "LIKE" button. It really helps. Have a great day! Steve

[@goshmargo]

@@STEVEHAYESTOQ I’m in the minority about Beyond the Forest, but I think Davis’s performance is fantastically bitter and hateful and convincing. As if you have to be young to be so bitter and stuck. I’m all grown up now, but I can still personally relate to a character wanting to scrape there upbringing off their feet. Lol. Then you grow up and laugh at yourself. Now Joan, I also love. What a looker. My 2 favs. If I had HAD to choose one, Bette, but god!, I love Joan’s face.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

There was also a TV version in the early '80s...

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I remember. With Howard Duff and Morgan Fairchild...didn't last long. Happy Spring! Thanks for watching! Steve

[@misspaddylee]

Fond though I am of Joanie, and I am fond of Joanie, when I watch "Flamingo Road" I can't help but picture it with Barbara Stanwyck in the lead.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Interesting. She could have carried it just as well. She'd already played a similar character in "Lady Of Burlesque" inwhich her old friend Joan chastized her for playing such a 'common" character. And only six years later, here's our Joan doing virtually same thing. How Stanwyck must have laughed!

[@michaelgomez5019]

Love this film! Btw, do you know if they’ll ever release a US DVD or Beyond the Forest? Thanks!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I don't know. I've been waiting for that and "The Corn Is Green" for years. Both were once out as VHS tapes, but never on DVD. Thanks for watching!

[@thankthelord4536]

I brought the DVD on Ebay last year.

[@FedericoT69]

Weren’t Harriet Craig and The Damned Dont Cry hits in 1950?

[@poetcomic1]

There was a Hollywood costume party that year and Joan wore her 'carnival girl dress' from this movie. She looked very fetching.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

If ya got it, wear it! She rocked in this one. It has everything I love in a Crawford picture and she carries it all the way!

[@jeffeastwood15]

Joan was *not* 50 in 1949; closer to 45.

[@StellaWaldvogel]

Hyperbole, yes, but we know what's meant - she's not the juicy young thang anymore. It's OK though. This movie totally WORKS, lol.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

@@StellaWaldvogel Thank you.

[@trickyfeet]

Steve... There's been a mistake... I just noticed the TOQ's have "dislike" buttons!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

You are too cute. Please press the other one. OXOX

[@metrogoldwyn]

Speaking of Warner Bros., did you get a chance ,Steve, to check out their 100th anniversary celebration of the studio on TCM this past month? I visited the lot a few yrs. ago and it seems haunted by the memories of all the terrific movies shot there and the backlot is fabulous. Think of all the history. Regarding Gladys George, her wisecracking comebacks never fail to crack me up.I read she had been a WW1 pinup and a real beauty back in the day. It sounds credible because she was still quite attractive at around 50-ish.Check her out in "Roaring '20s" with Cagney

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Ot " The Hard Way" with Ida Lupino, where she breaks your heart in just a handful of scenes. Gladys was great, No I didn't see the TCM documentary, but Warners in the 40's was my favorite stuidio and Fox was in the '50's. Just my personal preferences. I loved Warners for the fast paced melodramas. Especially, " Kings Row" and Fox, the folowing decade, for the sweeping, Technicolor epics, many with Michael Rennie, Susan Hayward or Tyrone Power and directed by Henry Hathaway, Henry King or Jean Negulaesco. Heaven! Luv 'em!

[@misspaddylee]

@STEVEHAYESTOQ Sometimes the "what if's" are as fun as the movies. By the way, forgot to mention Johnny's intro on this one is priceless!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I'll tell him! many thanks!

[@ThePiratemachine]

Zachery Scott and Sydney Greenstreet got together again in 'Ruthless'

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

And "The Mask Of Dimitrios".

[@kristophermecholsky1004]

@misspaddylee You're so very right! And thanks for your response, Steve. I just stumbled on your videos. I love them!

[@thelookuplookdown]

Crawford was one of the finest actors of the 20th Century - sorry Betty...M -SA

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

She more than held her own in stuff competition and and often rose above it.

[@Seabasstien]

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis were forces of nature. Nobody can match the effect that these two actresses could create on screen. You just can't look away.

[@davidburgess3882]

@@Seabasstien in my opinion Crawford was always Crawford no matter who she was playing. Davis actually became the character in appearance and personality.

[@swengeer]

They copied Joan's slapping from Mildred Pierce, too.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

They copied as much from "Mildred" as they could. TNhey even tried to copy Butterfly McQueen! Still, the crawford/ Greenstreet combination is fabulous! !

[@chasmarkcooke]

Joan was 46 at the time of the making of this movie!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

She still ain't no Carnival Girl.

[@edwardcone6860]

I first saw this movie when I was a boy of about nine. I had no idea of what was happening! i just knew that Joan Crawford was considered a GREAT STAR and she scared me to death. She was a very fine actor often given mediocre roles, but she was always TERRIFIC

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Alway reliable. She put those tired plots on and wore them like an old coat. I love this one! Happy Holidays! Steve

[@Brian-yw2yb]

I’m not a carnival girl! 😂😂😂

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

You say that like it's a bad thing! LOL! Thanks for watching! Steve

[@Brian-yw2yb]

@@STEVEHAYESTOQ Yay! You replied! We love you!

[@deniseg812]

"I've been thinking maybe I make it on 2" Not to fond of Joan, the only movie of hers' that I liked was Mildred.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Well, ya can't like 'em all. Thanks for watching! Steve

[@ruthiehenshallfan99]

It is really weird to see Zachary Scott without facial hair.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

as Gertrude Stein "might' have said; " A weasel, is a weasel, is a weasel". Love Zach!

[@Nemesis7293]

@zamusicza Yeah, let's forget talent, charisma, and presence and concentrate solely on age. How.....modern....of you. O_o

[@MsBackstager]

The truth: when was JC really born?

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Rumor has it, the year Garfield was assassinated....like me.

[@donspringstead1649]

Was Joan ever really " broke". She worked non stop so I don't know why she would have been. If she had been, I'd have signed my Social Security check to her....lol

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Generous to a fault! LOL!

[@chriswilson4112]

You know even though I feel Bette Davis was the better actress, Joan WAS able to keep her career going longer in better movies than Bette if you really do the breakdown. Basically Davis was washed up after All About Eve in 1950. I know she was nominated for STAR but, that movie kinda sux. It wasn't until Baby Jane that Davis had a serious hit on her hands. I know Hush Hush was popular but, you know...poor Davis in both that and Baby Jane was reduced to these scary characters, while Joan got to stay every inch the star longer and frankly, a lot of those Crawford movies in the 50s are very enjoyable to watch. Crawford's an odd person. I don't really think she's terribly good as such, BUT I'll definitely watch her movies and damn it if I can't keep my eyes off of her. I guess she had the rare star quality. I wish she would have let her hair down (literally) more in her 1950s movies. Longer hair brushed slightly on her forehead always softened her increasingly hard looks. Aw well, guess she didn't need my advice. She certainly kept it together longer the most.

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

I agree totally. I love Joan's movies in the '50's. She was still able to play romantic leads. I also think that, although they both drank and smoked heavily, Joan was able to hold onto her looks longer.

[@kepgf]

It’s only a bad thing if you’re a vegetarian 😉

[@ginnyhogan6386]

Enough of the horrible Joan Crawford and her movies!

[@STEVEHAYESTOQ]

Never enough!

[@kristophermecholsky1004]

@misspaddylee You're so very right! And thanks for your response, Steve. I just stumbled on your videos. I love them!