MovieChat Forums > Craig's Wife (1936) Discussion > This is better than the remake Harriet C...

This is better than the remake Harriet Craig

posted 16 years ago by mojo2004
5 replies | jump to latest

I saw them both today. Russell's version is better. Joan Crawford turned hers into " a evening with Joan Crawford " . Upstaging everyone. Tons and tons of dialogue and for what? You don't feel a bit sorry for her at the end like you do Russell. Rossalind Russell was creepy scary and had ice water in her veins but you still felt for her at the end. Crawford turned in a screaming shrew and I was giving Corey a standing ovation when he walked out!

[–] xerses13 16 years ago

mojo2004; Have to agree with what you felt, that RUSSELL's interpretation was more interesting compared to CRAWFORD's and well reflected the actresses different styles. RUSSELL's Harriet Craig comes across as the 'ICE QUEEN'. She could have played the same role as TILDA SWINTON did in the 'The Chronicles of Narnia'! From icy total control in the beginning of the film till she cracked in the end RUSSELL was in control of that part. A well done also to JOHN BOLES.

JOAN CRAWFORD plays the roll as a Mildred Pierce on steroids. As obsessive of her house in 'Harriet Craig' as she was about restaurants. All that was missing from her role is that she did not slap anybody. WENDELL COREY matched BOLES in coming through with a performance in a difficult role. Neither actor was given much time for their emotional transmutation from willing patsy to a Husband looking for retribution.

[–] poetcomic1 13 years ago

'Late Joan Crawford' is a 'guilty pleasure' and I thoroughly enjoyed the remake but Rosalind Russell gives us the CHARACTER'S madness. Joan Crawford gives us Joan Crawford's madness. There is a difference. I really felt Russell became another person the way, say, Meryl Streep can become another person when she acts. I was impressed - its a side of Rosalind Russell I didn't know. Can you honestly say you were 'surprised' by Crawford's Harriet Craig? It wasn't much of a stretch to leave the set, go home to her 'perfect house' and get out the Dutch Cleanser.

[–] xerses13 13 years ago

dliebert-2; It appears we are on the same page in relation to this movie so not quite sure what type of reply you expect. WOW, these comments were made a long time ago though, but appreciate that they still spark some sort of interest.

[–] jaddeo 16 years ago

I have to humbly disagree. I think Crawford gives the far superior performance. The neuroses never stops and even at the end of the movie Crawford's Harriet doesn't give in. She is cold no matter what. A very damaged woman. Harriet Craig has far more intensity and drive than Craig's Wife. A tighter script without the silly murder subplot. Love Russell generally but Crawford reigns supreme.

[–] mls4182 11 years ago

I agree with you conpletely. Russell was a real actress while Crawford was mostly camp especially at that stage of her career.