Reflection: A-Z Blogging Challenge ’15

It’s reflection time again!

First of all, I’m so thankful and satisfied because I survived another A-Z Blogging Challenge! Who would have thought that even with a theme (a person theme at that), I still managed to pull off the complicated letters? Haha!

Anyway, here are my thoughts. I realized that…

• I could blog every day if I have make time.
• Having a theme is so much fun than writing random posts— makes me more creative and gets my engine running better.
• Scheduling posts still works wonders. Hahaha.
• Throughout the challenge, I was constantly reminded of how big my love and admiration for Joan Crawford is, and how much I wanna share more information about her to the world.
• I wanna do this again next year (and the next year, and the next year, and the next year…!)

To be honest, I was a bit hesitant to push through with the Joan theme because I know some people don’t know her (or only recognize her in Mommie Dearest). But I decided to go for it because, well aside from the fact that I enjoy any Joan-related activity, I wanna “educate” people about Joan— who she really was, things people don’t know yet (or refuse to believe because of MD)… everything about her. And even though only a handful of participants actually read every entry I posted till the end (especially Barbara – thank you soooooo much dear!), I’m glad to share knowledge about the real Joanie.

(Me and my theme— and a letter from her 30+ years ago!)

Thank you so much to all who visited my blog and read my posts! I really appreciate it. I always look forward to your responses. And of course, to all the people behind this challenge— you guys rock! I admire your creativity and efforts to make this activity possible every year. 🙂

For easy navigation, here’s a list of my 2015 A-Z Blogging Challenge entries:

1. A is for Amazing Beauty: Almost Perfect
2. B is for Brows: Joan’s Eyebrow Evolution
3. C is for Costumes Galore: Joan’s Memorable Film Costumes
4. D is for the Divine Feud: Bette and Joan’s Famous Rivalry
5. E is for Ex-Husbands: Joan’s Marriages
6. F is for Friends: Joan and Her Fans
7. G is for Gable: The King to Joan’s Queen
8. H is for Hair Schmair: Joan’s Many Hairstyles
9. I is for Impeccable Style: Fashionista Joan
10. J is for Jazz Baby: Flapper Joan
11. K is for Keane: Joan and the Famous Painter
12. L is for Laughing Joan: When the Queen is Happy
13. M is for Memorable Roles: Joan’s Unforgettable Characters
14. N is for Name Game: From Lucille to Joan
15. O is for Oscar: Joan and her Academy Award
16. P is for Poetry: Joan and Words
17. Q is for Quotable Quotes: In Joan’s Words
18. R is for Reel Love: Joan’s Leading Men
19. S is for Silents: Joan Before the Talkies
20. T is for The Painter: Joan’s Painting
21. U is for Underneath the Makeup: Joan’s Freckles
22. V is for Voice: When Joan Sings
23. W is for When She Dances: Joan Got Groove
24. X is for X Factor: What Joan Had
25. Y is for Youth: Joan’s Early Days
26. Z is for Zeal: The Joan Crawford Drive

Again, thank you all so much! Other participants, we made it! Woohoo! :))

Till the next year’s challenge!

Happy blogging (and fangirling!)

D is for the Divine Feud: Bette and Joan’s Famous Rivalry

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s much-publicized feud is one of Hollywood’s most famous scandals ever.

They were two legendary queens with almost the same qualities (they’re both Aries; strong and independent, but weak and in desperate need of love) and personal battles (both have daughters whom they had problems with, and were married more than twice). Their feud became bigger than them— sprawling a number of controversies and exchange of insults over the years.

This so-called “queen rivalry” became worse when they were teamed up in the 1962 classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? People were shocked and glad at the same time; seeing the queens portray their disdain at each other on the big screen sure was a delight to audiences.

But, as much as people love a juicy gossip, I can’t bring myself to believe that Joan and Bette really hated each other. I think this whole feud was just a lie— a story cooked up by reporters to milk some cash.

I’m not saying that they didn’t hate each other at all, though. Sure, they weren’t the best of chums, but they were casual to each other. They respected each other’s craft and talents. But going back… they weren’t really good friends, not as good as Joan and Barbara Stanwyck, or Bette and Olivia de Havilland.

What was the reason behind their feud? It isn’t even clear up to now. Some sources claim that Franchot Tone (Joan’s second husband and Bette’s co-star in Dangerous (1935)) was the root cause of their hatred to each other, because at the time, Bette was in love with Franchot, who was pursuing Joan then (and will soon marry).

However, some say that the reason why they hate each other is because of Joan’s upstaging in a party for newcomers in the mid-30s. Other sources state that it was because of their clashing personalities (just because they’re so alike).

Nobody really knows how their “feud” began. But one thing’s for certain: it’s one of those Hollywood things that people will never, ever forget.

I just wish, at some point, they became close friends… don’t we (OH fans) all? ❤

Happy blogging (and fangirling!)

 

(Photos from Joan Crawford Best, Cake Chooser, Jake Weird and Daily Mail)

C is for Costumes Galore: Joan’s Memorable Film Costumes

Costumes hold a very important role in movies, especially those made in Hollywood’s Golden Era. Whether it’s Bette Davis’ stunning (and sinful) red gown in Jezebel (1938), or Vivien Leigh’s outstanding Southern number in Gone With The Wind (1939), these costumes have stayed in people’s minds longer than expected.

As one of Hollywood’s legends, Joan also had her share of awesome and memorable costumes. She’s even credited for the invention (and fame) of the shoulder pads in the 40s.

Here’s a quick tour:

(As Bobby the showgirl in Pretty Ladies (1925), her first credited role)

(Nanon’s circus getup in The Unknown (1927))

(Dangerous Diana’s cute dress in Our Dancing Daughters (1928))

(Flaemmchen’s stenographer outfit in Grand Hotel (1932), also starring the Barrymore brothers (John and Lionel), Greta Garbo and Wallace Beery)

(Sadie Thompson in Rain (1932))

(This is probably her most famous costume. Ladies and gentlemen, the unforgettable gown with puffy shoulders in Letty Lynton (1932))

(Another well-known gown from Letty Lynton (1932))

(Elegant gown in Sadie McKee (1934)

(Her gown in The Bride Wore Red (1937), which still exists today. Hurrah!)

(As Crystal Allen in The Women (1939), also starring Norma Shearer and Rosalind Russell)

(Of course… Mildred’s “padded” fur coat in Mildred Pierce (1945))

(As Jenny Stewart in Torch Song (1953))

(Jenny’s blackface number in Torch Song (1953))

(Vienna’s cowgirl outfit in Johnny Guitar (1954))

(Eva’s stunning black gown in Queen Bee (1955))

(Lastly, Lucy Harbin’s floral ensemble in Strait Jacket (1964))

Cheers to you and your amazing costumes, Joan! ❤

Happy blogging (and fangirling!)

 

(Photos from Joan Crawford Best)