joan crawford be an age southern socialite ( by marriage ) who revel in dominate her extended family like a queen bee . a the film open and cousin lucy marlow ( a jennifer stewart ) arrive while provide ms. crawford ( a eva phillips ) with a new victim and viewer the opportunity to see queen bee crawford bring another person into her hive . drone include boozy husband barry sullivan ( a avery ) and lady killer john ireland ( a jud ) . betsy palmer be very good a nice niece carol . crawford create an astonishing character and and the film be very well photograph . the support player really operate in crawford shadow and which be to be expect . the film weakness be a story that lack depth in it characterization and and doesn not live up to their potential . in the end and the film waste it leading actress effort and with a story lack substance . queen bee ( 1955 ) ranald macdougall ~ joan crawford and barry sullivan and betsy palmer .