Mildred Pierce
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Writer: Ranald MacDougall; James M. Cain
- Producer: Jerry Wald; Jack L. Warner
CGiii Comment
Melodrama and noir at its best.
There's nothing really to add to this genre-defining masterpiece.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Mildred Pierce dotes on her daughters while husband Bert looks to Maggie Binderhof for affection. They separate leaving Mildred to raise the girls on her own. Elder daughter Veda goads her mother about their lack of money and in response Mildred proposes opening a small restaurant. Realtor Wally Fay advises her while making numerous rebuffed passes and introduces her to Monte Baragon whose property becomes the first of a chain of restaurants. Mildred has an affair with Monte. Meanwhile, money-hungry Veda pretends to be pregnant by wealthy Ted Forrester in order to bilk his family of $10,000. Mildred tears up the check, is slapped by Veda, and orders her daughter to leave. After time away, Mildred returns to find Veda singing in a cheap club. Veda will return only if Mildred promises luxury, so Mildred agrees to marry Monte in exchange for a third of her businesses. It soon becomes clear that something is going on between Veda and Monte.
Cast & Characters
Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce Beragon;
Jack Carson as Wally Fay;
Zachary Scott as Monte Beragon;
Eve Arden as Ida Corwin;
Ann Blyth as Veda Pierce Forrester;
Bruce Bennett as Albert Pierce;
Lee Patrick as Mrs. Maggie Biederhof;
Moroni Olsen as Inspector Peterson;
Veda Ann Borg as Miriam Ellis;
Jo Ann Marlowe as Kay Pierce;
William Alcorn as Soldier;
Betty Alexander as Party Guest;
Ramsay Ames as Party Guest;
George Anderson as Peterson's Assistant;
Robert Arthur as High School Boy