Mildred Pierce Overview:

Mildred Pierce (1945) was a Drama - Film Noir Film directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by Jack L. Warner and Jerry Wald.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by James M. Cain published in 1941.

Mildred Pierce was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1996.

Academy Awards 1945 --- Ceremony Number 18 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressJoan CrawfordWon
Best Supporting ActressEve ArdenNominated
Best Supporting ActressAnn BlythNominated
Best CinematographyErnest HallerNominated
Best PictureWarner Bros.Nominated
Best WritingRanald MacDougallNominated
.

BlogHub Articles:

Noir Nook: Dame Name Noirs ? Mildred Pierce (1945)

By Karen Burroughs Hannsberry on Nov 12, 2020 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Noir Nook: Dame Name Noirs ? Mildred Pierce (1945) If you know anything about me, you know I love my noir dames. Everything about them fascinates me ? from their fearless approach to life to their mercenary ways ? and don?t get me started on their unadulterated sexiness. No wonder they leave so m... Read full article


Wally Fay in Mildred Pierce

By Amanda Garrett on Jun 25, 2017 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm writing about my cinematic soft spot for the character of Wally Fay in the classic film noir Mildred Pierce (1945). In the production still above, Wally, played by Jack Carson, straps on an apron to help Mildred (Joan Crawford) and Lottie (Butterfly McQueen) in the kitchen. This articl... Read full article


Film Noir of the Week: Mildred Pierce

By Amanda Garrett on Jun 11, 2015 From Old Hollywood Films

If you like film noir with a side of chicken and waffles, you're in for a treat. TCM will air Mildred Pierce (1945) starring Joan Crawford at 3 p.m. June 12 as part of its film noir festival, Summer of Darkness. I'll outline the noir elements of this classic film below. Mildred Pierce (1945) ha... Read full article


Mildred Pierce (1945) – Updated

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 21, 2015 From 4 Star Films

Before any gun was fired or a dead body was found at a beach house or any of that happened, Mildred was a stay at home housewife with two daughters and a husband. It becomes all too clear that all is not right in the Pierce household as Bert becomes annoyed with Mildred, who spends so much time doti... Read full article


Review: Mildred Pierce (1945)

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 21, 2015 From 4 Star Films

Before any gun was fired or a dead body was found at a beach house or any of that happened, Mildred was a stay at home housewife with two daughters and a husband. It becomes all too clear that all is not right in the Pierce household as Bert becomes annoyed with Mildred, who spends so much time doti... Read full article


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Quotes from

Wally: You know, you keep on refusing me, and one of these days I'm going to start thinking you're stubborn.


Mildred: That Ted Forrester's nice-looking, isn't he? Veda likes him.
Monte: Who wouldn't? He has a million dollars.


Veda: With this money I can get away from you. From you and your chickens and your pies and your kitchens and everything that smells of grease. I can get away from this shack with its cheap furniture. And this town and its dollar days, and its women that wear uniforms and its men that wear overalls.


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Facts about

Producer Jerry Wald was keen to exploit the potential of James M. Cain's novel. He envisaged the idea of a climactic murder, then restructuring the story using flashbacks. He also infused the project with a higher moral tone that is in the original novel. With these changes, he was able to extract a cautious go-ahead from the Breen Office, which then prompted studio head Jack L. Warner to approve the purchase rights to the novel in early 1944.
Shooting the early scenes, director Michael Curtiz accused Joan Crawford of needlessly glamorizing her working mother role. She insisted she was buying her character's clothes off the rack, but didn't mention that her own dressmaker was fitting the waists and padding out the shoulders.
Ann Sheridan was considered for the lead.
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Best Actress Oscar 1945






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National Film Registry

Mildred Pierce

Released 1945
Inducted 1996
(Sound)




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Also directed by Michael Curtiz




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Also produced by Jack L. Warner




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Also released in 1945




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