Mildred Pierce [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Mildred Pierce [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

 Cast: Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
, Ann Blyth
Ann Blyth
, Jack Carson
Jack Carson
, Zachary Scott
Zachary Scott
, Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Mildred Pierce [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Mildred Pierce [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

 Cast: Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
, Ann Blyth
Ann Blyth
, Jack Carson
Jack Carson
, Zachary Scott
Zachary Scott
, Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett

Blu-ray (Black & White)

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Overview

Joan Crawford won an Academy Award for her bravura portrayal of the titular heroine in Mildred Pierce. The original James M. Cain novel concerns a wife and mother who works her way to financial security to provide a rosy future for her beloved daughter, but encounters difficulties and tragedies along the way. Ranald McDougall's screenplay tones down the sexual content, enhancing its film noir value by adding a sordid murder. The film opens with oily lounge lizard Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott) being pumped full of bullets. Croaking out the name "Mildred," he collapses and dies. Both the police and the audience are led to believe that the murderer is chain-restaurant entrepreneur Mildred Pierce (Crawford), who takes the time to relate some of her sordid history. As the flashback begins, we see Mildred unhappily married to philandering Bert Pierce (Bruce Bennett). She divorces him, keeping custody of her two beloved daughters, Veda (Ann Blyth) and Kay (Jo Anne Marlowe). To keep oldest daughter Veda in comparative luxury, Mildred ends up taking a waitressing position at a local restaurant. With the help of slimy real estate agent Wally Fay (Jack Carson), she eventually buys her own establishment, which grows into a chain of restaurants throughout Southern California. Meanwhile, Mildred smothers Veda in affection and creature comforts. She goes so far as to enter into a loveless marriage with the wealthy Monty Beragon in order to improve her social standing; Beragon repays the favor by living the life of a layabout playboy, much to Mildred's dismay -- and possible financial ruin.

Product Details

Release Date: 02/21/2017
UPC: 0715515192712
Original Release: 1945
Rating: NR
Source: Criterion Collection
Region Code: A
Presentation: [B&W]
Language: English
Time: 1:51:00
Sales rank: 11,030

Special Features

New 4k digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack; New conversation with critics Molly Haskell and Robert Polito; Excerpt from a 1970 episode of The David Frost Show featuring actor Joan Crawford; Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star, a 2002 feature-length documentary; Q&A with actor Ann Blyth from 2002, conducted by film historian Eddie Muller; Segment from a 1969 episode of the Today Show featuring Mildred Pierce novelist James M. Cain; Trailer; Plus: An essay by critic Imogen Sara Smith

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Joan Crawford Mildred
Ann Blyth Veda
Jack Carson Wally
Zachary Scott Monty Beragon
Bruce Bennett Bert
Eve Arden Ida
Moroni Olsen Insp. Peterson
Lee Patrick Mrs. Biederhof
Manart Kippen Dr. Gale
Butterfly McQueen Lottie
Veda Ann Borg Miriam Ellis
George Tobias Mr. Chris
Barbara Brown Mrs. Forrester,Waitress
John Compton Ted Forrester,Waitress
John Trowbridge Mr. Williams,Mr. Williams
Jo Ann Marlowe Kay Pierce
Garry Owen Policeman
Clancy Cooper Policeman
Tom Dillon Policeman
Charles Jordan Policeman
James Flavin Detective
Jack O'Connor Detective,Detective
Larry Rio Reporter
George Anderson Peterson's Assistant
John Walsh Delivery Man
Robert Arthur High School Boy
Lynne Baggett Waitress
Marion Lessing Waitress
Doria Caron Waitress
Marjorie 'Babe' Kane Waitress
David Cota Pancho
George Meader Man
Harold Miller Man
Robert Lorraine Man,Woman
Joan Wardley Wife
Don Grant Bartender
Chester Clute Mr. Jones
Robert Evans Sailor
Wallis Clark Wally's Lawyer
Perk Lazello Attorney's Clerk
Angela Greene Party Guest
Betty Alexander Party Guest
Ramsay Ames Party Guest
Helen Pender Party Guest
Joan Winfield Piano Teacher
John Christian Singing Teacher
Leah Baird Police Matron
Paul Panzer Waiter
William Alcorn Soldier
John Sheridan Clerk
Richard Kipling Personnel Man
Wheaton Chambers Personnel Man
William Ruhl Personnel Man,Personnel Man
Mary Ellen Meyran Woman
James Lono Houseboy
Mary Servoss Nurse
Thomas P. Dillon Actor
Bob Locke Lorraine Man
Max Steiner Composer

Technical Credits
Michael Curtiz Director
Ranald MacDougall Screenwriter
Jerry Wald Producer
Willard Van Enger Special Effects,Special Effects
Todd Haynes Director
Jack Warner Executive Producer
Oliver Garretson Sound/Sound Designer
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