Joan Crawford: The Enduring Star

Joan Crawford's classic beauty, dazzling confidence, and sheer toughness madeher the very definition of a star; her formidable talent won her an Oscar forMildred Pierce and shines through in other classics such as Grand Hotel andThe Women. Focusing on the often overlooked first half of her career, this isthe first visual book to reclaim her place in the canon of glamour. Crawfordpioneered a new depth that had not been seen before in roles for women. Herdomineering charisma gave audiences a new kind of heroine, laying the pathfor today's actresses from Meryl Streep to Cate Blanchett. Women-and manymen-identified with her in ways they never had before. Drawing from archivesaround the world and including more than a hundred photos unseen in the pastfifty years, Joan Crawford is sure to reintroduce fans to this ultimate Hollywoodlegend. "She was the perfect image of a movie star . . . You could photograph herfrom any angle, and the face moved beautifully."-George Cukor, director.