Joan Crawford tribute by Ann Blyth

A Joan Crawford tribute narrated by Ann Blyth from the Turner Classic Movies channel. Features clips from Mildred Pierce.
Never mind the blinking clock in the corner in the second half of the video. I couldn't help that.

[@darlinkula1]

Ann Blyth has the most beautiful skin that I've ever seen on a human being. Thanks to this video I learned that Ann was with Joan on Oscar night when she won. Joan was a survivor in an industry that worships youth and that is an amazing feat. I'm glad that Ann is still alive today as I post this message. THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS WONDERFUL VIDEO !

[@jamiecook434]

so nice to hear kind comments about Joan...

[@Bryans900]

it's no wonder Joan got her Oscar for this-she KNEW her craft; the lighting, the moves the diction etc was perfect!

[@VeggieChick77]

i'm 15 years old and i LOVE her. i guess there's hope for her legacy if even a teenager like me can remember what a great actress she was and not the monster Faye Dunaway protrayed in Mommie Dearest

[@robtru84]

Faye Dunaway does not look like Joan Crawford

[@faithmitchell8310]

omg your 26 now

[@evermoredany]

no she was worse lol

[@emerybayblues]

Ann Blyth 90 years old. One of the last of the Golden Age Stars.

[@jasbegs1258]

How refreshing to hear something lovely about Joan - I think she is a very under-rated actress.

[@11rokerito]

Well, the American Film Institute qualified her as the tenth biggest female star of all time. And Joan is one of the actresses that most influenced the new generations. Not only in the United States, also around the world. In Spain, where I am from, she is a very visible actress in the new genres of our screens. And his eyebrows, his shoulder pads, his hairstyles, his character, his look have been influenced by popular culture worldwide. From actors to clothing designers. That is, she is an actress very well qualified and respected by the world. They do not even remember that "Mommie Dearest" shit anymore.

[@kalevala29]

It is refreshing to hear someone say something nice about her. Who knows if Joan was a terrible mother. We only get one side of the story. Anyway, I wouldn't say she was underrated. She was a huge star at one time. But like almost all women of the time, the roles dried up when she reached a certain age. It's a shame her last film was called Trog and was basically just camp sci-fi.

[@2getha5eva]

@@11rokerito Some people want to hang onto it , for some reason...you'll probably find some even on this page. Just saying.

[@brettsomers]

Joan had a painful childhood. her father left the family without saying goodbye when she was still a small child. her mother favored her brother Hal. i suspect Joan felt unloved as a child. sometimes no matter how one tries, the pain of the past can be too hard to overcome.

[@pamelacushman4956]

Joan Crawford one of the great actresses of all time. my grandmother Margaret' s favorite. She named my mother Joan after her favorite actress. Rip! Joan Crawford. Rip! Grandma Margaret "Mur."

[@DavidLeonMedina22]

This tribute made me cry!!!

[@anastasia2657]

What nice things to say about a woman who has been so maligned. I trust Ann Blyth's judgment.

[@mothermovementa]

Just she abused her 1st two children doesn't mean she was not a nice person. Grow up.

[@devlinadams4166]

@@mothermovementa : Thank you👍👍👍👍 i agree 900%

[@suzannahschulthies1260]

@@mothermovementa Joan Crawford's other two daughters, Cathy and Cynthia, said Christina is a liar. YOU grow up!

[@suzannahschulthies1260]

@@devlinadams4166 What do you know? You didn't live with them! Her other two daughters said Christina is a liar.

[@devlinadams4166]

@@suzannahschulthies1260 : And that makes you an " expert" on christina's living conditions in that house based on what her sister's daughter's said????

[@smokingsections]

Yes, and she will continue to have the last laugh. It's rightfully hers and she deserves to have every bit of it. I hope Christina realizes that she will never triumph over her mother. Joan will always be the winner.

[@carlobellegambe3403]

Joan Crawford is and will be a great big star and a nice human being forever... whilst Christina is and will be... a perfect nobody.

[@rakesfunnyfarm]

So you condone for someone to abuse a child?

[@AllAmericanJock]

@@carlobellegambe3403 Joan Crawford will always be Mommie Dearest. Enjoy!

[@Xenia9]

Perhaps she can not laugh anymore and what she wanted to laugh to, was not happiness. I knew famous actress who was kind to people around her work and absolutely cruel to her family.

[@heathernikki5734]

@@AllAmericanJock only to simpletons like you, whose opinions have all the value of a wet fart.

[@smokingsections]

So true, it's sad. And Joan always did her best. The least we could do is appreciate everything she's given us. She was a wonderful actress and person. That's why we love her.

[@allenblaine6551]

Ann Blyth-- an incredible beautiful woman... gracious, classy and thankful to a mentor. Beautiful voice and if you get a chance, see her interview at the Castro Theater in SF... I think that's where it is from.... the NOIR series

[@tropicalpancake56]

Lovely tribute! Ann Blythe is a first class lady. Thank you, for sharing.

[@chriscanale9535]

love Ann and Joan

[@Jorr235]

They don’t make movies like this anymore. You’re eyes were glued to the screen.

[@AnthonyWiggins7712]

A simply remarkable tribute to a remarkable woman. I absolutely enjoyed it!!

[@mothermovementa]

So much better than Meryl Streep's self fladulating "tribute" to betty Davis

[@StaunchComic]

Ann Blyth what a class act and dear friend you are beautiful lady. You spoke so sweetly about what a kind and dear friend Joan was to you since MP 1945. Joan was very lucky to have a dear friend like you. You are the kind of friend people dream about having! Best of luck to you!

[@allys744]

Ann has a lovely voice. It’s nice to hear that Joan was a nice person especially after Mommie Dearest.

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

The one thing I can't get over about Joan Crawford is her IMPECCABLE discipline. The mini's TCM shows between movies,I happen to catch. A guy who,I don't remember his relation to Crawford,said one time a director asked Crawford to cry for a particular scene. For the sake of the scene,she asked "would you like for me to cry only from my left eye or right or both?" Who can control which eye their own,natural tears come out of?!!?!?! LOL!!!! I was BLOWN away by that. I respect her work alot!!! :)

[@jorgedominguez1957]

The best movie scene ever! Love the way when she scream Veda's name out

[@MrStpendouslvforjo]

I read Mommie Dearest when I was fourteen (1980) and knew instantly that she was the most beautiful woman on Earth (from the picture on the cover) I identified with the book, and went on to studying her career when I read "The films of Joan Crawford" I have just enjoyed her movies, her mystique and the whole pop culture /gay camp aspect-all of it!! She had an absolutely HORRIBLE upbringing....the rich girls at her catholic school called her"that THING" read the book "Jazz Baby" and the other biographies.....she was an inspiration to me and I never tire of her face....and movies and television work Anne Blyth did a great thing here

[@missjulia1207]

do you know what movie that is at the 1:08 mark? (when she says HEY HEY) :)

[@ricardobigi5476]

Lovely. This well-deserved tribute to Joan Crawford should have been longer. Still, in a few minutes Ann Blyth says the essential things about JC both as an actress and as a human being. Very lovely indeed. From AB I expected nothing less.

[@cranky1chick]

I really wish that some of Joan's earlier, Pre-Code pictures would be released because you can really see what Ann's talking about there. She was lovely and in some of her first talkies with Clark Gable, you can really see the combination of strength and vulnerability.

[@discomadame]

I LOVE JOAN CRAWFORD so beautiful, so talented, so fierce

[@Cmc995]

Joan Crawford is my inspiration

[@RMS1103]

One of the true Greats.

[@1peterpann]

There will only be one Crawford! She once was asked by a media representative how was it that she looked so tall in her pictures she simply replied "I Walked Tall" wow it was in her destiny to become a star and that she was, together with shall i say it Bette Davis they ruled the roost in a wonderland of make believe and they gave the audiences what they wanted their bodies and souls.

[@python130]

I love you Joan

[@gmaureen]

Almost every parent I knew in the 50s would today be called abusive. Children were not coddled and catered to, it wasn't the norm. I read Christina's book and I was surprised at what she saw as abuse, she should have lived with my mother - or my friends mothers - she would have realized she had little to complain about.

[@dardude1139]

So true, I was born in 1962 in Australia, me, my siblings and most kids in my neighbourhood were regularly paddled with wooden spoons, electrical cords or hairbrushes for transgressions, it was the norm. I remember once my father (drunkenly) slapping my sister in a Restraunt because she said “arks” instead of “ask”!. We were all horrified and angry at him, and I don’t agree with corporal punishment now, but I think you have to cut a little slack to parents who were just giving as they got.

[@thomstephens]

I was raised in the late 80s and I got a smack when my mouth acted up. Glad I did, too! It’s sad Christina learned so little from her mother. If she had done more to improve herself - like Joan did - maybe she could have been a marginally successful actress/person. Long Live Joan!

[@theraven6843]

@William Brynn You are right!!!! What kind of comments are this !? I was born in 1954, we had kind and loving parents. Christina’s book is horror. I have lots of friends and we have a large family, I never heard stories like that, EVER!

[@theraven6843]

@William Brynn You nailed it sir!

[@evermoredany]

yeah, child abuse was really common back then

[@dh1267]

Thank You! Ms. Blyth is spot on and a great actress too.

[@IsabellaBlue]

Very nice tribute to a great actress.

[@edwardjames50]

Nice to see that someone so young is appreciative of Joan. Let me tell you, I knew Joan in the last few years of her life, and based on my experience with her, I can honestly say that "MD" is a work of spiteful fiction.

[@barbaraobach]

I think that as a child something deeply hurt her and that hurt was brought into adulthood and she may have put it on others, even those she loved, without meaning to .I don't place, but perhaps a flawed place. She probably had unresolved ptsd. She seems like a good, even kind person who was anguished about something. And as she was an artist she had a higher chance of being bipolar. These disorders can cause even good people to behave abnormal at times. There's a difference between an evil person and a mentally ill one who's good but needs help. She deserve more sympathy, respect and forgiveness from her daughter Christina . Never the less Joan Crawford was one of the best movie stars in the world ever, no actress today can touch her, not even one. Kate Winslet who did the Mildred Pierce remake,is a great talent and I think on of the few " real" movie stars of today ,even she who's a super great actress, pales a little bit ,next to the super great Miss Crawford.

[@nateboytwo]

Seriously GREAT to hear the truth about Joan ,💛

[@mildredpierce2432]

my two most favorite actresses....Joan Crawford and Ann Bancroft.....ofcourse Joan Crawford is my most favorite.

[@belenheredia2024]

Omg both are my favorite actresses too! And I'm sorry for Bette Davis but Anne deserved that Oscar! She was amazing. (I know this an 8 years old comment but I don't care haha)

[@Themanwhocameback2]

This is very touching. And there is more than a kernel of truth.

[@sportygirl869]

Ann Blyth was BEAUTIFUL!

[@karinlawrence6500]

Mildred Pierce: art imitating life.

[@reesemorgan2259]

It's her best film. Well maybe tied with 'Baby Jane', which was really Bette's picture. But Davis was right, Crawford was a good actress.

[@michaelneel4828]

Its so funny that my mother loved Betty Davis & her sister my Aunt Loved Joan Crawford & boy O boy they both acted the parts ! My mother the first woman head of the UAW & my aunt a very wealthy woman . If I had to choose I would settle in the middle . RIP Both you strong woman & i'm talking of both ;)

[@ContrastY]

excuse me, very MANY people do not acknowledge Joan Crawford was a great movie star. she was.

[@71crm]

Ann Blyth is quite the beauty herself, and she seems like a down to earth person who doesn't like to waste her time and energy talking negatively about others:)

[@kirklevitt8813]

Joan and Ann both great actresses

[@edwardjames50]

Yes, I knew Joan from 1973 until her death, and was invited to her memorial service. A truly remarkable, generous, and often very funny lady. I still can't get over the fact that this 23 year old kid got to hang out and play backgammon with Joan Crawford!

[@bramos488]

Omg I'm jealous...lol. How cool is that? You're a lucky guy. What an awesome memory to have.

[@trevorMT]

Joan Crawford my favourite actress legend thank you Anne blyth

[@edwardnashen5960]

Nicely done Ann! And you're so right, she certainly could act and that face! A million dollars!

[@kadejito1]

WHOA...I was blown away when I googled J.C's height after Ann Blyth remarked on it. 5'3"? I always thought she was 6 feet at least. That's how powerful her screen presence was.

[@brookehanley3659]

Never knew either. They must have had her in heels. It wasn't her presence.though she had it. She was beautiful in this.

[@melmagnifique6954]

If Joan was really 5'3, well I am glad cuz we petite ladies are the most gorgeous, hehe.

[@drinkwater319]

kadejito1 ....Ann Blyth was tiny, officially was 5'3", but I think she was just below 5ft

[@iCyclone]

Love this. It flies in the face of all the rumors and myths about Joan.

[@84ccipollini]

Dedicated actress. She could control which EYE she cryed from!!!!

[@prousaburttly1577]

Joan Crawfowd what an Amazing Actress, Love her in all her films especially Johnny Guitar,Whatever Happend to BabyJane and Possessed (1947) .... 👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@gmaureen]

Rain (1932) is excellent, and available on KZbin

[@user-vq6iw5vl8o]

what a wonderful tribute by Ann Blyth, a wonderful actress and human being :)

[@bilkomax]

Her reputation being tarnished is based on innuendo ,therefore , rather like beauty , its in the eye of the beholder whether her reputation is tarnished or not . I choose to believe it is not

[@665kk]

Sons?? She had one son. Christopher. And he hated the film Mommie Dearest and so did Christina, actually. Both said it was exaggerated. Christina even went on tv and said the wire hanger scene didnt happen. Joan's other daughter's Cythia & Cathy have said that Joan was a loving, warm, wonderful mother.

[@Terrancejoseph1964]

I have always liked Joan Crawford, I did a little research and discovered her other adopted children say the abuse never happened. I really don't believe Joan ever hurt her children. It is so nice to hear another hollywood actress saying kind words about her. Thanks for posting, it's lovely. Terry...aka Terrancejoseph1964

[@msmedved_]

She was amazing

[@dennishalford5763]

This is wonderful!!! Thank you so much! This role was completely against character for Ann Byth, but she was wonderful in it!

[@zenzimakeba2248]

What beautiful words. She was an inspiration when the camera's turned on. No one's perfect,i think Joan had her moments... I don't think she was a total MOMMIE DEAREST...SHE MEANT WELL, WHEN SHE ADOPTED THOSE CHILDREN.. A GREAT ACTRESS IN HER TIME.. Breathtaking and a striking 💃beauty was Joan Crawford...Thanx Ann Blyth for sharing. ♥

[@Orchid89706]

Wonderful!!! Thank you Miss Ann!!

[@jefferythomas4872]

Luminescent. I love to see the smile on her face when she damces.

[@lordcron]

I just love old movies. It's like looking back through time when I see those movies.... Until video came along you only had your imagination of what life must have been like before your own time.

[@Zva26]

It's very easy to hate Joan Crawford because of what was written in that "Mommie Dearest" book. There's also been other things written about her that wasn't very kind either. But when a lady like Ann Blyth, who is so wholesome, real, and genuine, talks like this about her, I'm inclined to believe her. I'm starting to think that Christina Crawford did a terrible thing by writing that book, whether true or not. You don't air your personal dirty linen in public.

[@ThePharaoho]

Larry Mitchell You do when you want fame celebrity, a platform and you want to make lots of money. Some people have no souls.

[@rakesfunnyfarm]

Hollywood came out and said the abuse was true.

[@Vwjl1207]

What a beautiful tribute. I always thought she was tall until I saw her in a Lucy episode where Lucy and Ethel entered her empty home and Joan served them lemonade. There she looked so petite.

[@Thatgirl1965]

There are many sides to people. We are all flawed. I'm so glad that Ann Blyth had the oppty to experience Joan Crawford's very best. This was a truly lovely tribute.

[@outinsider]

If you watch the TCM documentary on Joan Crawford, I think it is safe to say that yes, her reputation for being kind and overtly generous, being an excellent actress and an innovator for women in films has been tarnished by another aspect of her being which is what her adopted daughter wrote about in Mommie Dearest. I believe both Blyth's and Crawford's accounts are equally true. And when I see Joan Crawford, I see a human being who needed help as much as she was willing to help others.

[@pete0969wi]

Happy belated birth day Joan!! You will live forever.. See you on the other side!!!

[@rgs6236]

A beautiful tribute to Joan...

[@georgegallucci9958]

I love Ann's voice, so soothing and classy. No wonder Joan took to her so quickly and remained friends with her for the remainder of her life.

[@poetcomic1]

Ann Blyth was nurtured along by Joan and so was the nervous young Cliff Robertson who was gently and firmly helped along to deliver a powerful and sexy performance. Both of them have come out to say that this was the Joan Crawford we loved and knew.

[@analogasmr]

I agree with you here & this is the most sensible response I've ever read with the names Joan & Christina in the same sentence! That said, I don't understand why Christina would publish the book after her mother's death 1) totally a cowardice act 2) how about finding psychological help instead of trying to erase your mother's entire career?

[@robertshadix7948]

"Before I had ever met her" ... 1925 was before she was even born. Just made me chuckle.

[@robertshadix7948]

"She" being Ann, by the way.

[@gregrak9389]

Robert Shadix what a dumbass comment

[@rshadix86]

Greg Rak OK, well, good talk

[@Vwjl1207]

Joan Crawford was a superb actress and a beautiful woman. What a life and career.

[@trevorMT]

My favourite actress legend Joan Crawford

[@etanaedelman9011]

After reading about her childhood, it's not shocking to believe that Joan Crawford had some emotional problems. I don't think Christina is lying (although some of her behavior recently has rubbed me the wrong way) but I don't think Joan was a horrible monster.

[@kalevala29]

I've never read the book just seen the completely over the top movie. It's hard to believe after listening to Ann's kind words that Joan would ever beat a child with a wire hanger. But why would Christina lie, except to make money off a best seller.

[@kiranolan7104]

@@kalevala29 I really don't know what happened but Ann Blyth knew Joan Crawford as an actress and worked with her. I think its totally possible she presented herself one way to some people and to the public but in front of her children the darker side would come out.

[@rakesfunnyfarm]

@@kalevala29 Hollywood came out and said the abused was true.

[@rakesfunnyfarm]

@Arikm7 Hollywood came out and said the abuse was true. Yes Joan knew about the book. But Joan only cared about her self!

[@suzannahschulthies1260]

@@rakesfunnyfarm Her other two daughters said Christina is a liar. And there were plenty of people in Hollywood who also said both Christina and Christopher were problems. I only ever heard good things about the way Joan Crawford treated people, all the way down to the lowliest grunt on film sets.

[@depresebady9495]

Love this short, sweet tribute 😍

[@Patrick3183]

What a wonderful clip! Thanks for posting this. Joan deserves a major reassessment of her legacy. She was a talented, hardworking and beautiful woman. Also, I want to let everyone know there are several songs sung by Joan for sale on iTunes.

[@ldyreal]

So Beautiful the tears are still falling.

[@Kaboomboo]

Thank you for this! I remember seeing this years ago and I'm so glad I could see it again.

[@illnsp08]

I watched Mildred Pierce and from there i started to get to know Joan's acting. She's a great actress! Great tribute to her & a lovely friendship between Ann Blyth & Joan.

[@MiamiPush2theLimit]

She was a hard worker.

[@heathernikki5734]

I love Joan 😍😍😍

[@hoobie7588]

Just found this video, Ann you have to be one of the classiest women that has ever been on the silver screen. Joan Crawford was very lucky to have you as a friend. Joan was flawed, just like everyone else. It’s so easy for people to attack someone that can’t defend themselves. I know that you will see your friend again someday. We all need forgiveness.

[@mctalks]

Joan was one of the most brilliant and dedicated actors there ever was. There weren't many of her films I didn't love although I hated the fact that in her early years MGM cast her in one ' rags to riches " story after another. I'm glad that she was eventually able to break out and do more deep and complicated characters. She was also deeply flawed as most of us are. She was indeed " Mommie Dearest " with her children, not because her daughter said so but because so many others saw it too.

[@edwardjames50]

You are so lucky to have such a lovely and talented lady in your family. Miss Blyth always was, and remains, a class act.

[@bigjoe330]

History will remember her as a beautiful talented star....and forget her "daughter's" book about her. Your 15 minutes were up a long time ago Christina.

[@19ccj65]

It's great to see something of Joan Crawford before the whole "Mommie Dearest" persona took over her image.

[@fool4singing]

+Carlos Chavarin Jr. Christina got exactly what she wanted; revenge and book residuals.

[@geraldoeuclide1940]

Os olhos grandes da Joan era o destaque de sua beleza, a Ann Blyth tinha um rostinho agradável para olhar. (LINDAS!)

[@BettinaBalser]

Love it. Thank you for posting.

[@asteverino8569]

How nice for you, Ann

[@iamismay]

Thank God some Sane folks.. Joan was a gifted actress and dancer. If Joan in earthly form knew her legacy would be the trash her ungrateful daughter wrote of her she would die all over again.. If anyone doublt's Joan do it on her own words not of a daughter who perscuted her when she could no longer defend herself... God Bless you Always.. Joan, We love u and will never ever forget your talent and humility.

[@purpleteen06]

It's true what she said about people forgetting she could because they were looking at her beauty. It's too bad that her reputation has been tarnished.

[@giavannira]

thanks for posting i love joan! this video actually made my eyes tear up! its great videos like these that people are starting to realize that she was no monster like in that trash fil mommie dearest! love u 4 ever joan! cant wait to meet u some day in the next life:)

[@pamelacushman4956]

great actress

[@odovicor]

If you haven't seen "The Women," you haven't seen classic Joan Crawford.

[@analogasmr]

That's sweet! Call me stupid, but I believe we all eventually meet the ones we truly, deeply admire. The ones who inspire us...just my thoughts.

[@moorlock2003]

Joan Crawford will always be a fascinating actress and person. I don't think her reputation is tarnished at all by "Mommie Dearest". It only carried her to further prominence in film history. I happened to love that film and believe most of it was true; after all she was an alcoholic and needed therapy, but in those days nobody could get help for these personal problems, so she took it out on her oldest daughter most of all.

[@Alvin4NY]

@KURISUCHRIS99 - Never believed the full content of Tina's book. She was a spiteful, spoiled, rebellious brat that Joan could never do enough for. Christina's false sense of entitlement made her think she was the Paris Hilton of her day, and that her Mother would just keep footing the bill and opening doors for her until she was a star, too.

[@Bakin13]

@jhburch1 I, too, agree Christina was jealous. I suspect she was terribly spoiled and eventually out of control. There are two sides to every story. Joan isn't here to tell hers. Many don't realize that Joan's other daughters speak lovingly of her; they weren't mentioned or seen in "Mommie Dearest." My mother said the Joan Crawford (and Leena Horne) was the epitome of American beauty in the 40s here in NY. I've been a fan since the 70s. Brava! to Ann Blyth.

[@trevorMT]

Rain and strange cargo question religious beliefs beautifully

[@Marchant2]

I never knew Joan was only 5 feet tall. She carried herself like a much taller woman. Love her.

[@annedavis6090]

That was nice...but boy what a slap Vida gave Mildred. With the tattered check flying about...one of my favorite movie moments.