September 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, September 25th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/25/2012
Oscar statue awarded to Joan Crawford for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role as the title character in the 1945 film "Mildred Pierce". Joan Crawford currently ranks in the American Film Institute's top ten actresses in the history of cinema. After rocketing to stardom in MGM's pictures "Sally, Irene and Mary," "Our Dancing Daughters" and "Untamed," Crawford became one of the biggest movie stars of the day, the flapper ideal for the modern woman. Her reign as so-called "Queen of the Movies" spanned the entire Great Depression era. She left MGM for Warner Brothers in 1943 and then, despite rumors that her career was over, convinced director Michael Curtiz, who had just won the Oscar for "Casablanca," to cast her in the lead role as "Mildred Pierce." The murder mystery film was adapted to the screen from the James M. Cain novel of the same name and produced by Jerry Wald and Jack Warner. Crawford's character is the subject and driving force of the noir film, a divorced woman enslaved by her need to gain the approval of her spoiled, elitist teenage daughter, Veda. Ann Blyth plays Veda, and herself was Oscar-nominated for her supporting role. Joan Crawford's role as Mildred Pierce was regarded as her triumphant comeback, and indeed, the winning of this Oscar ultimately proved to be the true pinnacle of her extraordinary Hollywood career; it is considered one of the Best Actress performances of all time. The plaque affixed to the front of the base is engraved: "Academy First Award / To / Joan Crawford / For Her Performance In / 'Mildred Pierce'". Gold-plated statue of "Oscar" standing on a film reel measures 10.25" in height atop a round black base to an overall height of 13.25". Base measures 5.5" in diameter. Statue weighs 6 lbs. 2 oz. Light speckling and rubbing to finish and scattered chips to base, else near fine. With provenance from Christie's.
Joan Crawford's Best Actress Academy Award Oscar For ''Mildred Pierce'' -- Considered One of the Greatest Performances by an Actress in the History of Cinema
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