Home / Arts and Entertainment / Mamie Van Doren Memoir: Crawford's Monroe Envy
Mamie Van Doren Memoir: Crawford's Monroe Envy
12 May
Summary
- Van Doren recalls Crawford's disgust at Monroe's performance.
- Monroe's 'burlesque show' denouncement by Crawford detailed.
- Van Doren reveals her real name is Joan Lucille Olander.
Mamie Van Doren, a blonde bombshell of the rock & roll era, has released her new memoir, 'You Thought I Was Dead.' The book delves into her Hollywood career, from the late 1950s into the early 1960s.
Van Doren recounts a memorable 1953 Photoplay Awards ceremony. She describes Joan Crawford watching Marilyn Monroe perform a show-stealing act in a gold lame gown. Crawford, according to Van Doren, drank herself into a stupor and later publicly denounced Monroe's performance as a "burlesque show."
Despite Crawford's criticism, Van Doren expresses understanding for the veteran actress. She acknowledges the difficulty of navigating Hollywood's unforgiving industry as one ages. Van Doren also reveals her given name is Joan Lucille Olander, a fact she shared with Crawford directly.
Crawford, whose career began in the silent era, was known for her strong support of her family and her professionalism. Van Doren, though noting Crawford's snide remarks towards younger actresses, still referred to her as a "consummate professional."
