Strait-Jacket in The Psycho Ward Forum

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Strait-Jacket

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TomWeaver999	Re: Strait-Jacket	#41	[-]
Aug 31 06 10:14 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh, that old battleaxe Robert Bloch, lying because ... because ... ummm ... Y'know what? Just for THAT, I'm not gonna TELL you why he was lying!
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Butcher Benton	Re: Strait-Jacket	#42	[-]
Sep 1 06 1:07 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh, you two.
Bill Warren	Re: Strait-Jacket	#43	[-]
Sep 1 06 1:28 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Bloch's autobio says that Wm. Castle got word from NY that they wanted to pay Blondell off and get Joan Crawford instead. That at least answers the question of whether Blondell was ever pencilled in for the role. My previous comment regarded what Bloch said about Crawford as a person--Tom can confrim that he seems to have liked her--not about how she came to be cast in STRAIT-JACKET. As others have noted, most producers would have preferred Crawford at that time over Blondell.
TomWeaver999	Re: Strait-Jacket	#44	[-]
Sep 1 06 6:09 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< That at least answers the question of whether Blondell was ever pencilled in for the role. << That was never in doubt; the earliest trade-paper item about STRAIT-JACKET I ever found was a 4/25/63 "Joan Blondell has been signed for star role, Anne Helm will play her daughter." In a 5/22 item, she was still the star; on 5/24 suddenly it was Joan Crawford.
yendor1152	Re: Strait-Jacket	#45	[-]
Sep 1 06 8:47 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	QUOTE: "In a 5/22 item, she was still the star; on 5/24 suddenly it was Joan Crawford." So, of course, that means Joan Crawford stole the role. I get it now. Rod
oldmanster	Re: Strait-Jacket	#46	[-]
Sep 1 06 9:09 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	This is a great thread, despite the conflicting conjectures (and _all_ of the comments are basically conjecture based on interpretation of comments made or omitted). I remember being very surprised and pleased with Strait-Jacket when I saw it in theatrical release. I'd've been 17 at the time, certainly not wise to the literary machinations of Robert Bloch (even after the traumatizing catharization of the film version of Psycho), and I think I remember the "twist" ending as being a pleasant surprise. At that age, Joan Crawford was a Big Name. I had no idea that the film represented a lowering of early standards. And I was very taken with George Kennedy, and especially Diane Baker, who was a subject of lust and unrequited love after meeting her in Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Wizard of Baghdad, The 300 Spartans, and The Prize (not to mention all her early TV appearances). She was a hottie to my 17-year-old eyes, and still looks good in Silence of the Lambs and all her 21st century cameo appearances. She's only six or seven years older than I am -- I can still dream. Looks like I'm gonna have to pick up the Joan Crawford genre films -- yes, even Trog. ... Reed
Bill Warren	Re: Strait-Jacket	#47	[-]
Sep 1 06 10:31 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My previous comment regarded what Bloch said about Crawford as a person--Tom can confrim that he seems to have liked her--not about how she came to be cast in STRAIT-JACKET.
TomWeaver999	Re: Strait-Jacket	#48	[-]
Sep 1 06 11:21 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< Tom can confrim that he seems to have liked her << Judging from his autobio, he seemed VERY very impressed with her, and every anecdote he told about her spoke well for her (IMHO). He concluded the STRAIT-JACKET chapter with something like, "A hell of a cook, a hell of a sport, one hell of a star."
Butcher Benton	Joan Crawford	#49	[-]
Sep 1 06 11:22 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	A lot of people liked Crawford. One of her most fervent admirers is her co-star 'daughter' from "Mildred Pierce", Ann Blyth. Blyth recently appeared at a screening of "Mildred Pierce" in San Francisco and spoke about Crawford at length. Her extended remarks amounted to an impassioned defense about the "Joan Crawford I knew" while casting a skeptical eye on the 'Mommie Dearest' tales that have become preeminent. For an interesting take on Joan Crawford, check out the late Vincent Sherman's memoir, "Studio Affairs".
yendor1152	Re: Joan Crawford	#50	[-]
Sep 1 06 12:08 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	QUOTE: "(and _all_ of the comments are basically conjecture based on interpretation of comments made or omitted)." Reality check: not ALL of the comments are basically conjecture. Do a web search of Joan Blondell/Strait-Jacket, and you'll read that she withdrew from the production due to an accident. I have yet to find anything, outside of Bette Davis' quote in "The Divine Feud" and what's been written here to support the notion that Crawford moved in and stole the part. Rod
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TomWeaver999	Re: Joan Crawford	#51	[-]
Sep 1 06 12:36 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	<< I have yet to find anything, outside of Bette Davis' quote in "The Divine Feud" << Out of curiosity, how many more times do people on this thread need to post that Anne Helm has talked about the Blondell boot in published interviews, and that Robert Bloch writes about it in his autobio, before you stop saying, "Only Bette Davis has ever mentioned it" ? We need a light at the end of the tunnel, guy!
grgstv338	Re: Joan Crawford	#52	[-]
Sep 1 06 1:18 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just guessing here, but can I offer another scenario - basically that both versions could be right? Consider this - Blondell could very well have had that accident where she hurt her foot, an injury that some online sources go on to say "required several stitches." Blondell could then have told the producers that because of this she wouldn't be available to start filming on the day originally scheduled. But perhaps the producers didn't want to wait, pursued Crawford (or maybe her people approached them), and thus Crawford took over the role from Blondell. From Blondell's viewpoint, she lost the part due to an injury. But the way Helm and Davis choose to see it is that wicked Joanie C. stole the part. *Quote:* Bloch's autobio says that Wm. Castle got word from NY that they wanted to pay Blondell off and get Joan Crawford instead. As for Bloch, maybe he's not even aware of Blondell's injury and is only told "Blondell's out, Crawford's in." As I'm sure many writers would agree, they're often out of the loop on this sort of thing.
TomWeaver999	Re: Joan Crawford	#53	[-]
Sep 1 06 1:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	In Bloch's autobio he gives the impression that he was still working on the script, working with Castle every day, and even participating in the casting process, and that Blondell was definitely "in," when suddenly the NY heads of Columbia called and were insistent on giving Joan Crawford the part and paying off Blondell. Bloch and Castle left the next day for NY to discuss the picture with Crawford. And the start of shooting was still a couple months away at that point -- this was in May, and the picture didn't start shooting 'til July or so. If Blondell claimed to have cut her leg, like, the day before the picture was gonna start, I'd say, "Okay, maybe" -- but it wasn't gonna start shooting for months yet at the point that Crawford took over.
oldmanster	Re: Joan Crawford	#54	[-]
Sep 1 06 2:37 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Reality check: not ALL of the comments are basically conjecture. Do a web search of Joan Blondell/Strait-Jacket, and you'll read that she withdrew from the production due to an accident. I have yet to find anything, outside of Bette Davis' quote in "The Divine Feud" and what's been written here to support the notion that Crawford moved in and stole the part. No need to repeat Tom Weaver's response to your comment above, Rod. In a way, _my_ statement was giving you much more benefit of doubt. I still stand by that statement -- what that particular discussion boils down to is: you believe Blondell's comment to be _your_ Truth, while other cite Bette Davis (or Anne Helm; or Robert Bloch) to prove _their_ Truth. The statements remain extant but interpretation of them I call conjecture. The discussion is very interesting, but does nothing to diminish my fond memories of this film. By the way, the dual interpretation of Blondell's accident and Crawford's eventual signing seems pretty logical to me. Can it be proven? Probably not, unless someone tracks down actual hospital records. ... Reed
grgstv338	Re: Joan Crawford	#55	[-]
Sep 1 06 2:47 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Re my theory that maybe both versions might be true - *Quote:* If Blondell claimed to have cut her leg, like, the day before the picture was gonna start, I'd say, "Okay, maybe" -- but it wasn't gonna start shooting for months yet at the point that Crawford took over. Well, okay, there goes that theory then! Re the who to believe question, it seems like Bloch is the only disinterested party here. In her recollections, Blondell could be spinning the story one way, while an aggrieved Helm and longtime rival Davis obviously have motivation to spin it another. But I don't see what Bloch would have to gain either way, so I'm guessing (admittedly) that in this case his version is the one to be most trusted. Is the source for all the online citings about Blondell having had to drop out due to injury her own later recollections? Just curious if there was any contemporary source for it.
TidesOfWerewolves	Re: Strait-Jacket	#56	[-]
Sep 1 06 2:52 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* Cynicism is not always an appropriate response, and you're sure spinning this spin to your pre-determined attitude. I'm not as inclined to rely solely on regurgitated, possibly dubious information in the way that you are. A Hollywood biopic is not really my idea of the most reliable source and anyone can just quote somebody else's thoughts. I'm sure you're very well read and book smarts are a nice thing to have, but sometimes it's better to think a little critically and wonder if the story that's been proffered is necessarily credible. I can't prove it isn't, but I have my doubts. Would it really surprise me that actors in Hollywood-- especially one with substantial clout-- might get a little underhanded when it came to something they wanted? Not especially. My best imaginary friend/ He & I made excellent bookends/ Brothers not to others tied/ But each the shadow of his twin
Bill Warren	Re: Strait-Jacket	#57	[-]
Sep 1 06 3:43 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* I'm not as inclined to rely solely on regurgitated, possibly dubious information in the way that you are. No, but you are inclined to use negative terms like "regurgitated" when referring to someone's autobiography--and then to compound this baseless insult by referring to the book also as "dubious information." I assume you have some authentic evidence to indicate that Robert Bloch was lying. Please provide it. Skepticism is not evidence.
TomWeaver999	Re: Strait-Jacket	#58	[-]
Sep 1 06 3:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh, you two!
oldmanster	Re: Strait-Jacket	#59	[-]
Sep 1 06 4:41 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* No, but you are inclined to use negative terms like "regurgitated" when referring to someone's autobiography--and then to compound this baseless insult by referring to the book also as "dubious information." I assume you have some authentic evidence to indicate that Robert Bloch was lying. Please provide it. Skepticism is not evidence. Oh, C'mon Bill. Get a life. You define the word "regurgitation" as negative and assume that is the intended attitude. Taking a lot for granted, aren't you? I couldn't find the term "lying" applied to Bloch in any of Tides' posts. Did I miss something? And it seems that unsubstantiated adoration should not be used as defense (or evidence) any more than skepticism. What is your (knee-jerk) sore spot with Bloch's autobiography? Do you own stock in the publishing company? ... Reed
TomWeaver999	Re: Strait-Jacket	#60	[-]
Sep 1 06 4:45 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Oh, you two!
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