Hearst vs. Welles would be brilliant! Now I'm going to spend the morning imagining who could play Hearst. If Leonardo DiCaprio did TV, he would make a great Orson, I think.

I agree on everything you've said about Crawford and Pickford. Absolutely everything. I'm just not sure that Crawford was unique in the highest tiers of the Hollywood echelons, the royalty as you so accurately put it. You had previously said that the public accepted from Crawford what they might not or would not…

Interesting point about whether Joan was a possible exception to the general norm or perceptions. ("Exception" isn't the right word, but I see what you're saying, that other stars wouldn't have emphasized such a glamorous lifestyle and gotten away with it.)

My point concerned the changes in perceptions of what is considered normal or positive for a movie star to do — then versus now — and particularly how public reaction has changed towards extravagant behavior. It had little to do with what Joan saw as normal movie star behavior and why. :)

Oh, *nice* observation!! Very clever. I hadn't picked up on that at all. Looking back at the scene, it becomes even funnier now.

Same here. I think one of the things which the show has done very well is to show how much Joan Crawford was driven by feelings of being an outsider, feeling inadequate, or inferior, as well as by perceptions that others saw her as all those things too. Her beauty and desirability were the only things she really felt…

Haha, perfect!!

Well, perhaps Beyonce to some extent, although I've seen criticism for even her pregnancy photos. But "Madge" seems to get bucket loads of mockery for her pretensions. Not as much as Gwyneth Paltrow, but then few people are as irritating or obnoxious as Her Highness, imo.

One thing that struck me is how times have changed in terms of how movie stars present themselves to the public, and the public's blind worship of them in response. Nowadays, no star, no matter how big, would possibly think it was a good thing to present their hospital stay with butler-served filet mignon, Dior…

Bob's remark may have started things, but it doesn't change the fact that Joan thought Bette made the comments and so she reacted as a result. You only prove my point about Joan being reactive.

It's strange, no matter how awful, manipulative, narcissistic, even vindictive Joan Crawford can be, she has all my sympathy. Intellectually, I sympathize with Bette David's situation in Hollywood in terms on both her gender and age, but I don't care for her and I never have. I don't root for her as a person, only as…

That was such a hilarious line. I'm grinning just reading/remembering it.

I interpreted the scene the exact same way.

I'm thrilled on Mr. Niven's behalf! Seriously, I'm very happy I could tempt someone, as that is one of my favourite autobiographies. It was written in such an easy but charming, self-deprecating style, very much like David Niven himself. It managed to be both insightful, candid, open, and tactful all at the same time.…

That's awesome! I hope someone who is a fan of the Golden Age gets it. I treasure my battered copy. (His second book is good, too, btw, but not as riveting as this one, imo.) Thank you for hunting up the link/book for anyone who may be interested, Incense. That was lovely of you.

Out of the two choices, Eichmann for me. I much prefer Anthony LaPaglia's portrayal of Frank Mitti in The Enforcer, and he also physically fit the image that I had of Nitti.

Big Night is a small gem, and he co-wrote it, too! The only thing wrong with Big Night is that I can't watch it without yearning for Italian food or needing to make pasta right after. lol

Those were the two things that cemented my love for him as well.

Fantastic and very astute analysis. I hadn't made the connection, either, but I think you're right.

Joan Crawford as Alexis' Mommy Dearest would be genius casting!! I almost wish we could go back in time to make this happen. Teenage me would have been even more riveted by Dynasty than I already was. lol