after have watch this film and i now have a favorite joan crawford movie . although some reading this would not believe it and i think this movie be much good than joan oscar win performance in mildred pierce and the movie might even be good than her very famous grand hotel it that good . in fact and i almost give the film a 10 and but consider how rarely i think it should be give and a 9 will suffice . in fact and it be so good that i begin watch it after 1am and have plan on only see the first 10 15 minute before bed . but and when the film end around 3am and i be wide awake and thrill . so why do i love this no name and no reputation movie so much . well and it be perfectly write and the acting and especially by wendell cory be terrific . plus and although i have never be an especially big fan of crawford and you could tell the role be write for and about her . i have a hard time understand why she agree to do this film because it hit so close to home . in other word and the title character be pretty much the real joan crawford . both be extreme perfectionist and very controlling and emotionally constrict and could not ( or claim they could not in the case of harriet craig ) have kid . and and of course and both have serious problem have a normal intimate relationship with those around them . while the biography i have read about crawford all confirm what i just write and the degree to which she make her family live a living hell be open to conjecture . her daughter and christina and who write mommy dearest and would probably see an awful lot of her mother in this film . the only real difference i notice be that harriet do not adopt any kid ( whereas joan crawford buy kid apparently for photo ops ) and this movie focus on her dominating and control relationship with her husband not the kid . and and it focus on how she so cruelly use and damage those around him . however and while the film mommy dearest be anything but subtle and be also poorly execute and this film be expertly and intricately weave . the writer be genius . harriet be like a spider spin her web of deceit and control see it happen make watch this film to it conclusion a must . so much damage and evil commit by this borderline personality or obsessive compulsive ( look it up in a psychology book or the dsm iv if you be interested ) . and and yet and ultimately the film draw to a wonderful and fitting conclusion . i love this film and it nice to see a relatively low budget film with no special effect hook you so well .