Harriet Craig

Title character Joan Crawford is upstairs now, having observed rather a mess downstairs, surprising her husband Wendell Corey, after returning early from a trip because of her (unfounded) suspicions about his activities, in Harriet Craig, 1950, from the 1925 Pulitzer Prize play by George Kelly.

Innocent Clare (K.T. Stevens), who lives-with and works-for her cousin (Joan Crawford, title character) with beau Wes (William Bishop), who works for Joan’s husband, quite sincere until she interrupts, dismissing him, then sharing a wholly fabricated secret about his intentions, in Harriet Craig, 1950.

After a visit with her increasingly unwell mother, Joan Crawford (title character) consults with her cousin-assistant (K.T. Stevens), then with the doctor (Katharine Warren), providing some background, then grows suspicious and decides to travel home to surprise her husband, in Harriet Craig, 1950.

Director Vincent Sherman delivers bedlam and power relations in the opening, K.T. Stevens as cousin-cum-assistant Clare manages staff and visitors (Ellen Corby, Viola Roache, Fiona O’Shiel) while title character Joan Crawford supervises husband Wendell Corey, in Harriet Craig, 1950.

Joan Crawford wants everything in her house just so or she goes nuts in Harriet Craig (1950).