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Joan Crawford transformed from a lively flapper to one of Hollywood’s leading ladies, ruling the box office in the 1930s and ’40s with films like “Mildred Pierce,” which won her an Oscar in 1946. However, as history marched on, so did the nation’s tastes. The end of the Depression era ushered in a post-World War II period of optimism, where fresh faces captivated audiences. Among them, Marilyn Monroe shone brightest, embodying the new wave of glamour in the 1950s.
This shift was a bitter pill for Crawford to swallow. The rise of overt sensuality among newcomers was particularly unsettling for the iconic star of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Monroe’s unforgettable performance in a shimmering gold dress at the 1953 Photoplay Awards marked a turning point. According to Mamie Van Doren’s 2026 memoir, “You Thought I Was Dead” (via Entertainment Weekly), Crawford, dismayed and drinking heavily, couldn’t hide her disdain. After the event, she openly criticized Monroe’s act. “It was like a burlesque show,” she told Associated Press reporter Bob Thomas, who would later pen her biography.
Continuing her critique, Crawford remarked, “The audience yelled and shouted, and Jerry Lewis got up on the table and whistled. But those of us in the industry just shuddered.” Although her comments appeared harsh, particularly towards a fellow actress, Van Doren, who belonged to the celebrated trio of blondes alongside Monroe and Jayne Mansfield, empathized with Crawford’s perspective. “It must have been challenging for her to witness Hollywood’s evolving talent landscape,” she noted. Yet, Monroe was not one to take such criticism lightly.
Marilyn Monroe gave an iconic response
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Joan Crawford’s remarks alone wouldn’t have been enough to rank the situation among the forgotten feuds of Hollywood’s Golden Age stars, but it sure became one when Marilyn Monroe responded. While she opted to go the “no comment” route when Bob Thomas first reached out, she later issued a written response that has been praised for her decision to take the high road. “Although I don’t know Miss Crawford very well, she was a symbol to me of kindness and understanding to those who need help. At first, all I could think of was why should she select me to blast? She is a great star. I’m just starting,” her response read (via Vanity Fair).
Monroe admitted that Crawford’s words hurt her, but noted that she had chosen to move past it. “And then, when the first hurt began to die down, I told myself she must have spoken to Mr. Thomas impulsively, without thinking,” she continued. Her response was rather ingenious for a few reasons. Not only did Monroe show empathy toward the woman who openly criticized her, but she also painted Crawford as impulsive and jealous without using any harsh words.
Despite the nasty feud between the Hollywood stars, the two might have had a one-night stand. Monroe’s supposed confession was revealed as part of the secret tapes between her and her psychiatrist. “After I turned her down, she became spiteful,” Monroe reportedly said when Crawford showed interest in continuing the affair (via Los Angeles Times). However, the tape excerpts aren’t verified, so they need to be taken with a grain of salt.