Mommie Dearest (1981) Edit

A daughter...

A father.

A few minutes ago, a reporter asked me what I thought,

A little to your right, Christina. Come on, Christina. Beautiful!

A lot of fans have written how impressed they are with Christina,

A lot of rejections, but I'm up for a part.

A reporter! I told you how important this is to me. I told you!

A small, simple ceremony.

A three hundred dollar dress on a wire hanger?

Adopted children are luckiest, 'cause they were chosen.

Adoption agencies can be brutal.

After all those years! I never thought it could happen to me.

Again?

Al and I helped build Pepsi to what it is today.

Al, look at this. It's perfect, except for the colours. They're too strong.

Al, you're a great businessman.

Alfred, darling, I'm so happy!

All of America knows of your generosity in adopting these homeless children.

All right, dear. Go along and have Nanny fix it. We'll wait for you here.

All right, Jimmy.

All right, Jimmy. Come on, darling.

All right, ready?

All right.

All right. Tina, look at me.

All the rest I'm giving to the poor orphans.

Although I know he feels very far removed from all the planning.

And a fever, so I wouldn't have to even listen.

And he's burying me alive.

And how I would describe the marriage between the soft drink king

And how proud you must be of her acting.

And I accept it from you, and only you.

And I get smart aleck back talk!

And I hear people saying she's getting old,

And I think you're under reacting!

And Jennifer Jones, for Love Letters.

And might I say to all of our listeners, they're beautifully behaved.

And on a more personal note...

And on our left, up the hill, is the home of movie queen Joan Crawford.

And put a window where it ought it be.

And stay there until I tell you to come out!

And surely you'll finish up by reading '''Twas the night before Christmas''?

And thank you, George, and Merry Christmas to all your listeners.

And the queen of Hollywood.

And the winner is Joan Crawford!

And the winner is Ray Milland, for The Lost Weekend.

And tomorrow we'll write our thank you notes.

And two limestone salads.

And we want to give you ample time to repay the debt,

And what about your Christmas card list?

And what do I get?

And whisk away to the home of one of America's foremost actresses,

And you don't care if your clothes look hunchbacked from wire hangers.

And you know how shameful that is for her?

And you treat them like they were some dishrag. You do!

And you!

And your room looks like a two dollar a week priced room

And...

Answer me!

Are you crazy? Are you? Tell me!

Are you crazy? No person talks to me like that! No one, anywhere!

Are you having a happy birthday, Christina, darling?

As a Christmas present to our listeners, would you all like to say the last lines?

As she cares about me!

As the final event of this prestigious evening,

As usual, she has the last word.

Barbara Bennett is here from New York doing a cover story on me.

Bastard!

Be quiet! You're always trying to find a way to make people look at you.

Be serious now, Bill. Mother and I have to make plans today.

Because I am not one of your fans!

Because I wanted a child.

Because I wanted someone to love.

Being away at school has made you more rebellious.

Being with the children at Christmas is one of the things I look forward to.

Besides, a baby needs a father.

Better, but keep your legs together when you go in the water.

Between us.

Birthday girl! What do you think?

Both have been put on probation and will have no privileges for a month.

Box office poison!

Box office poison!

Bridget, look.

Bring me the axe!

But also as a businesswoman held in high regard

But are you sure his divorce is final?

But Bruce is being good,

But here there's no confidence, there's no hope. It's time for a change.

But nobody ever said that life was fair, Tina.

But she was simply not well enough.

But styles change. You'll leave.

But the thing is, I...

But we have retired you from the board of directors.

But we like to share them with other boys and girls who aren't so fortunate.

But you see, I'm only keeping one present.

But you shall find forgiveness here...

By the way, Mayer thinks you'd be wonderful in that picture.

Can I have your autograph when you're a star?

Carol Ann and Christopher, start clearing away all these branches.

Carol Ann, get some more emotion into the scene.

Carol Ann, I have asked you to keep the children quiet today!

Carol Ann, let me get you a cup of tea, or something.

Carol Ann!

Carol Ann! Carol Ann!

Carol Ann?

Carol Ann? What is it?

Chadwick has an impeccable reputation.

Cheap bastards!

Christina, Christina!

Christina, come on!

Christina, darling.

Christina, darling.

Christina, darling.

Christina, do sit up properly.

Christina, do you and your brother get lots of presents at Christmas time?

Christina, I want to talk to you... in the other room!

Christina, meat loses its vitamins if it's overcooked.

Christina, why can't you...?

Christina, you haven't touched your lunch.

Christina!

Christina! Christopher!

Christina! Darling, guess what?

Christina...

Christmas cards? I've been studying for exams!

Christopher.

Class...you're class...you're class!

Clean up this mess!

Come here!

Come on in.

Come on, Christopher!

Come on, help me! Stop it! Help me, come on.

Come on, Joan.

Come on, Joan.

Come on, let's get to work.

Come on, let's put her to bed.

Coming.

Corporate headquarters are in New York.

Could you call...

Could you tell us what will happen after we leave you this evening?

Could you...

Creative differences!

Cuts both ways.

Damn it, Greg. How can you put Mayer over me?

Damn it, Joan. I got you the baby. It's yours!

Damn it!

Damn it! Perino's is my place.

Darling, my daughter's here. I'll talk to you before we leave.

Darling, rare meat is good for you, the doctor said so.

Darling, remember what I told you about adopted children?

Dear Christina,

Did you scrub the bathroom floor today?

Did you sleep well? Did you?

Did you?

Dirt on the floor. We're going to clean this floor, you and me together.

Do I look all right? Am I dressed right?

Do you call that clean? Do you?

Do you have to degrade us?

Do you think it's clean?

Do you think it's clean?

Do you understand?

Do you understand?

Does she?

Does she?

Doing things on your own is best.

Don't do this to yourself.

Don't flirt, Christina.

Don't fuck with me, fellas!

Don't leave me here alone.

Don't let her kid you. I remember her name. It's Mrs Alfred Steele.

Don't worry.

Don't worry. Love conquers all, right?

Don't you act for me.

Don't you agree, Tina?

Don't you have any more romantic ideas?

Don't you worry.

Easy. Easy on the scotch, Christina.

Eighteen years in the business, and who can hold a candle to you?

Eighteen years in the business! And we parted friends!

Empty that plate into the trash can.

Every studio will think they're smarter than LB.

Everyone already knows! Box office poison!

Everything! Everything!

Excuse me, Barbara.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Fade...and out!

Father.

Five after! Turn the set on, now!

For God's sakes, Joan.

For her charitable, civic and professional contributions.

For my son, Christopher...

For reasons which are well known to them.

For the best female performance in a leading role, the nominees are:

For the happiness you bring our children.

For years I've paid no attention.

Forget it!

Gave me this award tonight.

Gene Tierney, for Leave Her to Heaven,

Get out of that bed!

Get out!

Get the goddamned company to pay the bill!

Get the wheelbarrow and the rake.

Get up! Get up, clean up this mess.

Get up. There's no camera in here.

Gimme that!

Give me the pillow.

Glad you think that, LB, because aces beat kings.

Go introduce yourself. Go on!

Go to your room until I come for you.

Go! Scrub hard.

God be with you.

God has brought you to our convent school

God! I hate this night! It turns every year into a crisis.

Going through my things?

Good afternoon.

Good evening, Miss Crawford, welcome. Your booth is ready.

Good luck.

Good, I want some help here. I want these branches cleared out.

Good. I want you to leave Metro.

Goodbye, dear child.

Goodbye.

Goodnight and thank you for letting us share your Christmas Eve.

Goodnight.

Greer Garson, for The Valley of Decision,

Greg, darling.

Greg.

Guys are guys. It hasn't changed.

Hard times is good for people.

Hauling me over to Mayer's table like some picked up floozy.

Hear, hear!

Helga, I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the dirt.

Helga! When you polish the floor, you have to move the tree.

Hello, Arthur.

Hello, Bridget.

Hello, Christopher, my angel. How are you?

Hello, darling.

Hello, darling.

Hello, darling.

Hello, hello!

Hello, LB. What a pleasant surprise.

Hello, Mother.

Hello!

Hello?

Hello?

Hello. Anything wrong?

Hello. Please, this way.

Here it is.

Hi, Daddy. I'm Christina.

His divorce is final?

Hold it! Look this way, please.

Hollywood royalty!

Hollywood royalty.

How could this happen? How could you humiliate me?

How many drinks is that?

How sad that is.

How?

How's your mother doing?

I always loved you so.

I am going to adopt one.

I am going to tell. I am. I am going to tell!

I am not a baby any more.

I am not your uncle.

I brought you a gift.

I buy you beautiful dresses,

I came in, and I found her like this.

I came up to say goodnight to you.

I can handle the socks.

I can use it any way I want.

I can't go to school like this. Mommie, please, don't!

I can't have one.

I can't keep the emotion up if you don't come in right away.

I could teach a kid to look after himself and amount to something. I could!

I didn't mean that, Greg. I didn't mean it.

I do hope you feel we've done her justice.

I don't ask much from you, girl.

I don't feel I have anybody.

I don't know what I'm going to do.

I don't know what I'm going to do.

I don't know what I'm going to do.

I don't know what to do with you.

I don't know what to do. That bitch of a bearing wall is blocking my view.

I don't want her growing up a spoiled Hollywood brat

I expect you to walk in and sit down at your table with me!

I explained why, didn't I, Tina?

I fought worse monsters than you in Hollywood. I can win the hard way!

I got all As, one B.

I have been begging you, begging you for a good script.

I have been working nights, so I can go on interviews during the day.

I intend to stay with it.

I just happened to be in the neighbourhood.

I just spoke to Mrs Chadwick.

I just want that part!

I know she wants to have an affair with Robert.

I know she would want me to say thank you

I know.

I lost my contract at Warner's.

I love all of you!

I love you.

I miss you, too, darling.

I need so much...

I need to believe that.

I never had one. Ma changed husbands faster than she changed bedsheets.

I picked it out myself.

I promise! I can be better.

I promised the studio some stuff when she blows out the candles.

I put a lot of thought into this when I picked it for you.

I should have known you'd know where to find the boys and the booze.

I told you how important today is to Mommie.

I told you, Mommie has to be beautiful today.

I tried to talk him out of it, but I couldn't.

I understand just how you feel, Christina.

I understand.

I wanna know!

I want everything perfect.

I want so much to be a good wife.

I want that set on every day at four sharp.

I want to show you something.

I want us to look great and us to live well, but there's a limit.

I want you to meet a few financial friends.

I was acting, play acting, like you're always doing.

I was pregnant seven times with Franchot. I lost them all.

I was serious. Think of all the work it will save your mother.

I wasn't making fun of you. I was just trying to...

I will. I will.

I wish I did have pneumonia. I wish I was raging mad with the flu,

I work and work until I'm half dead,

I worked from my own personally autographed photo of your mother.

I worked my way through school scrubbing floors.

I would have straightened up a little bit.

I would like to adopt every unwanted child in the world.

I would rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world!

I'd have rather cut off my hand.

I'd rather you go bald to school than looking like a tramp!

I'll always wish you well, Joan.

I'll call you later, all right?

I'll get by.

I'll get the cards out on time, OK?

I'll give you a bigger head start. Come on, Tina!

I'll have my maid and studio people clear out my bungalow.

I'll roll it to you this way. Go get it, Christopher.

I'll tell you what to do.

I'll...

I'm afraid I have some difficult news for you, Miss Crawford.

I'm ashamed to be your mother. How could you let this happen?

I'm Belinda Rosenberg, Christina's producer. Thank you for calling us.

I'm bigger and I'm faster. I will always beat you.

I'm doing this for you. I'm turning this apartment into your showplace.

I'm glad they let go of you. We were about to send out a rescue party.

I'm going out this evening. You will have dinner in your room.

I'm going to call you...

I'm going to give you all the things I never had.

I'm going to make a perfect life for you.

I'm going to try to make him happy. You know, in every way.

I'm not acting!

I'm not acting.

I'm on the board of directors of this lousy company.

I'm scared, Tina.

I'm scared!

I'm so glad you're here.

I'm sorry I did that.

I'm sorry now.

I'm sorry, Mommie.

I'm sorry, Mommie.

I'm sorry.

I'm sure everything will be fine, once you settle in.

I'm sure you'll find the interest arrangements agreeable.

I'm waiting for you.

I've always had some bad movies, you knew I'd make them work.

I've brought you a freshener, Mommie Dearest.

I've got an appointment.

I've got it!

I've got it!

I've got it! I've got it!

I've had my vitamins this morning. Pills!

I've had to let Helga go. I need your help at home this weekend.

I've put the house up for sale.

If I ever am old.

If she doesn't like you...

If this marriage comes as a surprise to some of you,

If you can't do something right, don't do it at all.

If you're acting, you're wasting your time. If you're not, you're wasting mine.

If your career's in trouble, it has nothing to do with him.

In some cheap little backstreet town in Oklahoma!

In ten, please.

In the way I would be treated by any stranger on the street?

Ingrid Bergman, for The Bells of Saint Mary's,

Is Miss Crawford's daughter, Christina.

Is such a good recipe.

Is that what you think of me?

Is this an institution of learning, or a teenage brothel?

Isn't this fun? Us having a date on your weekend home from school?

It all comes out in the washer. It all comes out in the wash.

It can't be!

It is an honour for me to present this award of recognition

It is my intention to make no provision herein

It is pretty, pretty colours.

It looks quite neat to me.

It was an ovarian tumour, but completely benign.

It was just setting lotion.

It'll be grand.

It'll be great.

It'll be OK.

It's a great Sunday at home...with a star.

It's a Greek myth, written by a French playwright.

It's a privilege to be with you tonight, to accept this honour, this award,

It's a rotten break for her. This won't affect her job in any way, will it?

It's a sword,

It's hardly necessary to make threats you surely don't mean.

It's Mr Savitt, calling from Mr Mayer's office.

It's not clean!

It's not fair! You're bigger than I am. It's not fair to win twice!

It's not you.

It's over...

It's the scripts, LB, bad pictures, bad directors.

It's time for his nap.

It's very good experience.

Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ!

Joan Crawford, for Mildred Pierce,

Joan, come on! A little something.

Joan, you've got to understand, it's a public company.

Joan...

Just a minute, young lady!

Just because she's Crawford's daughter.

Just think how I felt when Joan said yes.

Later, we'll welcome some of their friends to help us sing carols.

Leave Metro?

Leave Metro?

Leave us alone, Barbara. If you need anything, ask Carol Ann.

Let me see that.

Let us pray together for your repentance.

Let's go!

Let's have a lovely evening...

Let's... After the uniform, downtown restaurants.

Life goes by too fast. You've got to know how to compete and win.

Life is tough enough when you are wanted. Isn't it?

Look at that, darling!

Look at this floor!

Look at you. Look!

Look at yourself!

Love to you, too.

Ma, with her sloppiness and dirt!

Making fun of me?

Maybe I did it for a little extra publicity.

Maybe just a little true.

Maybe that's why Father left.

Maybe you could. One thing's certain, you'd sure get a lot of publicity.

Maybe you'd be better off at home.

Merry Christmas, Bridget.

Miss Crawford, I've always been such a fan of your mother's.

Miss Crawford, words cannot express our gratitude

Miss Crawford?

Miss Jenkins said it was clean.

Miss Jenkins said it was clean.

Miss Joan Crawford.

Miss Movie Star, what is this, not too booked?

Mom loves every minute of it.

Mom, ow!

Mom!

Mommie, don't! Mommie, stop!

Mommie, I don't understand.

Mommie, I love you.

Mommie, I told you. I want to do it for you.

Mommie!

Mommie!

Mommie!

Mommie!

Mommie!

Mommie?

Mommie?

Mommie?

Mommie?

Mommie?

Mommie.

Mommie's not quite ready yet, Mr Gelber.

Most of our expenses, including this apartment, are for your company.

Mostly work.

Movie star manages to have it all: career, home and family.

Mr Gelber, I fix all my uncles' drinks this way.

Mr Savitt, come in.

Mrs Chadwick, how kind of you to greet us. This is Christina.

My babies! Someone stole both my babies.

My beautiful little darling!

My character's only 28 years old.

My compliments to your school on its impeccable reputation.

My darling daughter.

My daughter would love to have your signature.

My daughter.

My God, Carol Ann. She's still picking out clothes for me!

My God! Christina?

My little Tina.

My mother, a common waitress!

My own daughter!

My own...

My wonderful fans who've made me a star.

My wonderful fans who've made me a star.

Never!

Never.

New faces, new voices, a breath of fresh air. Who knows?

Nine, eight...

No Christmas Eve would be complete without that.

No contract.

No matter what you say, or ask, or do.

No money.

No report on Christmas would be complete

No visitors, no mail.

No wire hangers, ever!

No wire hangers!

No, Greg!

No, I'm the one who's grateful, Reverend Mother.

No, it's not good!

No, Mommie. Please, no!

No, she's here.

No, thanks. I can manage it. I'm OK.

Nobody wanted my signature, so I just walked in.

Not a cent.

Not in Hollywood, dear.

Nothing is clean. This whole place is a mess!

Nothing really happened. It was innocent.

Nothing, Mommie. I was just playing.

Now they won't wake you up when you need your rest.

Now, let's get to work.

Now, please forgive me. Goodnight.

Now, the sofa... This is wonderful. And this chair...

Now, what about us...

Of all my picture family, who turned out best? Joan Crawford.

Oh, but not now.

Oh, Christina.

Oh, God.

Oh, Greg!

Oh, I wouldn't.

Oh, Joan, listen to them! They're so happy for you.

Oh, Mommie Dearest!

Oh, Mommie, thank you.

Oh, Mommie, you won!

Oh, Mommie!

Oh, Mommie.

Oh, Mommie.

Oh, Uncle Greg! It's just what I wanted.

Oh, yes, it was thrilling. I'm so grateful to you all.

Oh, yes. It was thrilling. I'm so grateful to you all.

Oh! I have a grass stain.

OK, big smile, Christina.

OK, Christina, wide smile, now. Wide eyes. OK?

OK, Christina... Over a little more, Christina...

OK, go.

OK, Pally.

OK.

OK.

On behalf of my mother, Joan Crawford.

On your mark, get set...go!

One, two, three, dive!

Or one of those starlets, out to give the big shots a nice night in town.

Out of here.

Out! Out!

Ow!

Pally, that's what he calls you when he can't remember your name.

Perfect!

Please don't go!

Please don't leave. If you do, you'll never come back in,

Please don't make me stay.

Please!

Please! I don't want whisky on your breath.

Plenty of time.

Probation! I have devoted myself to making her a proper young lady.

Run downstairs, get your breakfast, and don't be late for school.

Scrub! Scrub, Christina!

See you later, Tina, darling.

Sharing the burdens and the joy.

She always is.

She always loved you...

She can't.

She did.

She doesn't know that you are the king.

She has requested the strictest discipline for you.

She is this character, Mildred Pierce.

She negotiates everything like a goddamn Hollywood agent!

She told me we were broke.

She wanted so much to be here in person tonight.

She wants this film. She knows she's right.

She went to such lengths to pick out the right colours.

She'll be all right.

She's agreed to let you go on a work scholarship programme.

She's doing quite well, don't you think?

She's drunk.

She's improving.

She's only a kid.

She's perfect.

She's so beautiful!

Sit down, Tina. I want to talk to you about something.

Sit down.

Sit still! This ought to teach you!

So now, let us all hop on our imaginary sleigh

So that you can see the error of your ways.

So was I, only a kid. I learned early!

So, how are the guys?

So, I'll just keep this for you until you don't have to choose.

So?

Sometimes I feel like it's her wedding.

Sorry it has to be like this, for you, for her.

Speech! Speech!

Still, I treat you to a lovely evening.

Strap yourself in. She'll kill me if she found out.

Sure.

Take it into the kitchen and put it into the refrigerator.

Take your shoes off. I've just washed that floor.

Tear down that bitch of a bearing wall

Tell you what, let me call you tomorrow. We'll discuss it.

Thank you all for being here on such short notice.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Connie.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you, Mommie.

Thank you, Mommie.

Thank you, Sister...

Thank you, Tina, darling.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. I feel that discipline mixed with love

That boy should be expelled!

That was great.

That way is breaking my back.

That we parted friends because we didn't agree.

That will be as big a favour for you as it is for me.

That's all right.

That's because she's not as smart as her father.

That's good, darling.

That's good! But you've got to push off more with your weight.

That's Mayer's business. I never tell a man I respect how to run his business.

That's my Pally.

That's not all they've been teaching her.

That's quite an extraordinary young lady.

That's right.

That's the problem. The cue cards are too low. Tell them to bring them higher.

That's the truth, to face and deal with, if you want to survive.

The agency has denied your application for adoption.

The biggest female star he's got, ever had.

The board has failed to realise the extent of your interest in the company.

The condolences of every person at Pepsi Cola are with you.

The envelope, please.

The first word I ever heard...

The good Lord will grace you with his comfort and guidance.

The kid's a couple of months old. It's not going to know.

The last time I saw you, you were four.

The opportunity to live a wonderful and advantaged life.

The real world expects us to live in a certain way.

The respect that I'm entitled to?

The studio sent over a new batch. We've got plenty.

The studio would like some shots of you watching Christina open a present.

The truth is you're getting old.

Theatre owners voted you box office poison.

Then I'm not going to play with you any more, ever!

Then Mayer would bring his bankers over, get your autograph and leave.

Then that's the present you can keep.

There isn't a cover up in this business that I don't know about.

There will be no privileges.

There will be no telephone calls in or out,

There'll be time enough to understand when I'm old,

There's a liquor store to the right.

There's no more pain.

There's something else.

These years have been very hard.

They announced your mother is going to stand in for you until you're well.

They call, you run.

They think I'm slipping.

They were delivered this afternoon. Come on, Joan. Get up, get up.

They were the first present that Al ever gave me.

They were thoughtless, selfish, spoiled children.

They'll try to finesse me.

They're beautiful.

They're here.

They're making your mother take a screen test.

They're teaching you some fancy manners at Chadwick.

They're the ones who really made me.

They've packed your things. They're loading your car.

This afternoon she has to see Mr Mayer.

This ain't my first time at the rodeo.

This floor is not clean. Look at it!

This is Christopher, my second child.

This is the best party I ever had!

This is the best script the studio has, and it hasn't been offered to me.

This is the section pertaining to you and Christopher.

This is very important to me. I don't want any trouble from you!

This is wonderful. This is wonderful!

This isn't Hollywood. This is the real world.

This one.

This time it's even more important.

This time we'll make an exception.

Tina,

Tina, darling, coffee?

Tina, darling, I...

Tina, flirting can be...

Tina, I don't know what I'm going to do.

Tina, look at me... when I'm talking to you!

Tina, tell the children to come up and we'll open the presents for real.

Tina, that's not true!

Tina, what do you think?

Tina!

Tina?

Tina...

To a truly great lady, Miss Joan Crawford.

To all the new kids coming up, she's like a diamond. Class.

To each and every one of you

To Joan and Alfred, a long and happy marriage.

To see how well they manage without me?

To see your mother.

Today is so important. You are selfish and thoughtless.

Tommy, we'll have the New York steak for two, rare.

Transgressed against the Holy Commandments,

Trying to sweep the poor little widow under the carpet.

Turn it off. Turn it off.

Understand.

Unsuitable?

Until I come out publicly against your product. You'll see how much you sell.

Until you are ready to behave and to apologise.

Upon a woman known not only as an Academy Award winning actress,

Vain.

Very naughty.

Very proud.

Wait a... Greg, oh!

We appreciate your devotion and contribution, Miss Crawford.

We are leaving. Obviously, she cannot be controlled in this environment.

We assumed that you would no longer want to be on the board.

We bestow our organisation's highest award of merit

We don't want any hard feelings.

We had a sudden little labour problem, so we had a sudden little early meeting.

We have a moral and legal responsibility.

We have to help her. We will, won't we?

We have to look great for Pepsi Cola.

We parted friends!

We shall be pleased to have you stay on.

We will probably watch the Christmas tree lights.

We...

We'll all meet in New York.

We'll find a solution.

We'll manage.

We'll manage.

We'll pay you off. But you can't afford to make more losers for us.

We'll see how many you've hidden over here. We'll see.

We'll see! Get out of that bed!

We'll take the rest to the orphans who don't have anything.

We're going into debt.

We're going to see how many wire hangers you've got in your closet.

We're ready for you, Miss Crawford.

We're so very happy to have you with us.

We've got company.