Joan Crawford: A Face and a Whole Lot More in "Our Dancing Daughters"

This is my entry in the Joan Crawford: Queen of the Silver Screen Blogathon, hosted by Pale Writer and Poppity Talks Classic Films. Click HERE for more Joan.

"Joan Crawford is doubtless the best example of the flapper, the girl you see in smart night clubs, gowned to the apex of sophistication, toying iced glasses with a remote, faintly bitter expression, dancing deliciously, laughing a great deal, with wide, hurt eyes. Young things with a talent for living." F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

1928's "Our Dancing Daughters" is generally accepted to be the film that made Joan Crawford a star. Since 1925 Joan had been toiling away at MGM first appearing as Norma Shearer's double in "Lady of the Night," and quickly working her way into supporting roles with important stars by the end of the same year. As Norma Desmond rightly proclaimed, silent stars had "faces," memorable canvases of expression that provoked emotion in the audience. With her large, expressive eyes and classically contoured face and profile, Joan clearly had a "face." But soon, film stars would need more than a face.

An unforgettable face

"Our Dancing Daughters" is the story of 3 flapper girls friends, all part of the "smart set." They go to parties, laugh a lot and flirt with boys.

Dorothy Sebastian, Anita Page and Joan Crawford

Diana Medford (Joan Crawford) is known as "Dangerous Diana," and is the leader of the pack. She is a good-time girl on the outside, appearing to be free and easy, but her frivolous persona masks a virtuous heart. Female virtue is really important in this film.

Beatrice (Dorothy Sebastian) is the fallen friend who must always, always pay for her transgression.

Ann (Anita Page) is the outwardly sweet and virtuous girl who is anything but. Schooled by a materialistic mother that money and prestige are all that matter, Ann is on the hunt for a wealthy husband.

Naturally, Diana and Ann fall for the same man (Johnny Mack Brown as Ben). Although he really loves Diana, he is fooled by her outward devil-may-care attitude and Ann's sweet and seemingly innocent demeanor. He picks the girl he thinks to be most virtuous. Beatrice, meanwhile, marries Norman (Nils Asther), the man who loves her but can't seem to get past the fact that he was not "the first." By the way, Nils Asther had one of the best sneers in the movies.

Norman loves Bea, but he can't stop giving her a
hard time over a past romance.

Ann and Ben's marriage breaks Diana's heart and she decides to go away for a while. Meanwhile, Ann scorns her husband and is unfaithful. Ben, having enough of her lies, decides to go to Diana's farewell party. There, he and Diana reaffirm their love for one another and are confronted by a drunken Ann, who doesn't want her husband but wants the luxurious life he gives her. After a drunken outburst, she takes a fatal head first tumble down a flight of stairs and paves the way for Diana and Ben to finally get together.

Joan Crawford's star-making role revealed a fresh, youthful and compelling performer. Her face beautifully expresses every deeply felt emotion and, truly, you can't take your eyes off of her. I'm reminded of a quote by Louise Brooks who said Joan danced like a lady wrestler. She does put a lot of muscle in her dancing, but it's her acting and her presence that captivate.

A word about Anita Page

A drunken Ann puts on quite a show

As fabulous as Joan is in "Our Dancing Daughters," the film is almost stolen by the tremendous performance by Anita Page as Ann, the girl with cracked ice in her veins who was sinfully abused by her materialistic mother. Of the 3 leading ladies, her's was the sweetest face that masked the blackest heart and she played her part brilliantly. After a great start to her film career (she also starred in "Broadway Melody"), it slowed to a halt in the 1930s. 

By 1928, the film flapper had been firmly established. She was young, fun loving and carefree. After the sadness of World War I, gaiety, even forced gaiety, ruled the day.

Famous Film Flappers: Louise Brooks, Clara Bow,
Coleen Moore and Constance Talmadge

Louise Brooks, with her famous bob and insolent look, was a perfect embodiment of the abandon, desperation and decadence of the 1920s. 

Clara Bow, the most famous flapper of all and ever-famous as the "It" Girl was always fun-loving and always strong, but soft, and always had a hint of sadness about her.

Coleen Moore, one of the first film flappers, was also a fledgling flapper. She was tasting the joy of freedom, but only dipped one toe in the pool.

Constance Talmadge was, as Fitzgerald called her, "a flapper de luxe." She was fun and sophisticated and just slightly out of reach.

None of these actresses were able to carry their success of the 1920s into the 1930s.

And then there was Joan.

Joan Crawford was the one film flapper who was able to transition from the carefree woman to the free woman of cares. She successfully crossed the bridge between girlish flappers and full-fledged women of strength and freedom. She was oh-so-like the others, yet oh-so-different.

As we know, Joan got lots of fan mail and she took her fans seriously. Somehow, I suspect much of that mail came from female fans. She was the woman every modern girl wanted to be: strong, self-possessed and independent, but willing to surrender to romantic love. She was smart and competent and  yet, somehow always had to pay a price for that. Hmmm.. I have a feeling Joan would still be fighting that same battle today. Oh, and may I add that throughout her storied career spanning many different looks and styles, Miss Joan Crawford was always extremely well groomed and well dressed. She knew the importance of the full package and we, her fans, are grateful for her devotion.