Joan Crawford Accepts Oscar For Anne Bancroft

By Michael Musto Mon., Aug. 8 2011 at 10:36 AM

Categories: Film

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In 1963, the Best Actress race at the Oscars boiled down to a heated battle between Bette Davis for Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? and Anne Bancroft for The Miracle Worker (though the other nominees, Katharine Hepburn, Lee Remick, and Geraldine Page, all gave sterling performances as well.)

Well, that darling little Joan Crawford -- who'd feuded with Bette Davis on the Baby Jane set, as well as all her adult life -- had craftily sent letters to the non-Davis nominees saying that in case they couldn't make the awards ceremony, she'd gladly be there to accept for them.

(Duh.)

And so, as absentee Bancroft was named the winner, out barrels Joan Crawford to hold that trophy and rub it in Bette Davis's face.

In the clip, Frank Sinatra brings on Maximilian Schell to announce the winner, and then out comes Blanche Hudson, looking glittery and very pleased with herself.

She's so bursting with joy, in fact, that she stumbles on her first words.

The embedding has been disabled, but just go here and enjoy.

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MSpeer

Watching Crawford on some other YouTube clips as well I find her a little sanctimonious. I especially recall an interview with Dick Cavett. I really like some of the movies she made but did she think anyone really took her seriously as she demeaned the movie industry in the 60s? I know that was then but it still annoys me. Especially coming from someone who was incredibly promiscuous and conniving during her prime. Ruth Gordon--of similar vintage--while not working an enormous amount in her later years, had a much better attitude and it showed. Guess she was just a little more comfortable in her own skin than our Joan.

Ssss

crawford was never interviewed by dick cavett.

Rabbit

Actually, Ruth Gordon did make a few memorable films late in her career - Rosemary's Baby, Harold and Maude - and also guest starred on shows like Taxi. Pretty amazing when you consider that she moved to NYC as a teenaged actress in 1914! I think Joan acted sanctimoniously because it was her defense against an industry that was by now indifferent to her - "You can't reject me - I reject you!"

MSpeer

Well said, Rabbit. And yes, what I meant to say was that RG did make some excellent films later in her career and seemed to really embrace the new direction that movies were taking.

Melinda9

You would have to get up pretty early in the morning to outwit Joan Crawford. (That mug needs to get its thyroid checked out.)

BetteD

Oh, those eyebrows! She looks so ---- so Faye Dunaway.

mjm

what is that? looks like a Steve Buscemi mug

billyjoe

Why do only gay men care about this nonsense?

Melinda9

It doesn't matter if it was 48 year ago - gossip never gets old.

Roisters

I don't think that happened, but what did happen is that at the after party, Joan was gloating to Betty about the award and Betty thought it was self-defeating of her because they both had points in Baby Jane and if Bette had won, they both would have made more money off it. Joan never thought of the larger picture, just her petty grievances of the moment.

Gregorama

I wonder if it's actually true (as it often is part of the legend) that Bette was standing in the wings as well, fully expecting to be named the winner---and when Bancroft's name was announced, Joan regally brushed past her with a victorious grin. Certainly makes the story even filthier!

Rabbit

I heard that she also said "Move" as she brushed past Davis.

Movielover

I HEARD that Joan said to Bette, "I can smell your cunt."

Speed

I heard on somewhere that Crawford actually said "Stand aside" to Davis which I think is even better. So pretentious. And that she made sure that there was an abundance of Pepsi backstage.

MonikaKY

She was one hateful cunt

Movielover

I thought I was being ribald and shocking to say "cunt!" I think my comment is read first though.

Mtlangan3

HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY!!!!!

Winchester

Love how Joan had to quote the part where Anne says "Here's my little speech, dear Joan." Couldn't she have just recited the speech? Typically self serving. All in the guise of helping someone out.