FILMFACTS
PRODUCTION
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The Meanest Mother Of Them All...
Production
Go behind the scenes on the 1981 Drama movie starring Faye Dunaway, Diana Scarwid, Steve Forrest, Howard Da Silva
Mara Hobel, Rutanya Alda, Harry Goz, Michael Edwards, Jocelyn Brando, Priscilla Pointer, Joe Abdullah, Gary Allen, Selma Archerd Update Cast
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Little love was lost between costume designer Irene Sharaff and Faye Dunaway. "Yes, you may enter Miss Dunaway's dressing room," Sharaff once said, "but first you most throw a raw steak in - to divert her attention."Rewind Archive
The part of Joan Crawford was originally to have been played by Anne Bancroft, who left the project once the screenplay was completed.Rewind Archive
The part of the film in which Joan substitutes for her daughter Christina Crawford on the soap opera was filmed on the Cunningham living room and kitchen set from "Happy Days".Thanks to politeintruder
Unlike Cher and Liza who embrace their fan base and cult status, Faye Dunaway does not share the enthusiasm for the B movie, cult status of Mommie Dearest and how she is famous for this particular role which is often spoofed and referred to in jest.Rewind Archive
Faye Dunaway mentions in her autobiography that she screamed herself hoarse during the filming for the notorious "wire hanger" tantrum scene in this movie. She called her friend Frank Sinatra for help and he gave her some pointers on how she could get her voice back into shape.Rewind Archive
The lobby cards issued for the film contain scenes from several sequences that were deleted from the final cut of the film, including: -Joan drives around the MGM lot in her car, apparently just before she visits L.B. Mayer & finds out she's fired. -Joan talks to young Christina on the beach. -Adult Christina talks to Joan while wearing the same dress she wears to the awards ceremony at the film's conclusion.Rewind Archive
The pressbook for the film goes into detail about several of the scenes, including one sequence that was cut from the film. Apparently they filmed an entire sequence where young Christina runs away from home and Joan goes out looking for her in her car.Rewind Archive
The classic cars that were necessary for the film caused a big stir in the neighborhood where the scene was filmed and one of the people stopped in traffic, so as not to ruin the scene, was Barbara Streisand, who apparently spent time hanging out with Faye Dunaway between takes.Rewind Archive
According to Christina Crawford, there were several scenes in which the script had to make alterations for real life events. For example, for the famous rose bush cutting scene Christina said that those manic occasions happened periodically in their life due to no real cause. The producers wanted to use the scenes but had to write in that it was brought on by Joan being fired by MGM executive Louis B. Mayer. Also in reference to Joan helping the maid scrub the floor, Christina stated that Joan never cleaned floors that she could remember. Joan would make Christina or Christopher clean the floors while she supervised.Next Section: Deleted Scenes
Deleted Scenes
There are often scenes cut from the final version of a movie. Sometimes these will have been seen by preview audiences, or be included in Blu-ray or DVD extras etc.
Shucks.. We don't know of any cut scenes from "Mommie Dearest". Can you help? Please add one for others to enjoy. It's quick & easy
Next Section: Alternate Versions
Alternate Versions
Sometimes, there will be several versions of a movie floating about on cable, tv or video etc. Other times, a Director may release a special cut of the movie on Blu-ray or DVD.
Aw, man.. We don't know of any alternate versions of "Mommie Dearest". If you know better, please add one for others to enjoy. It's quick & easy
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1981 Paramount Pictures
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