Saturday On Set: Mildred Pierce's Home

I am a huge Joan Crawford fan - - unapologetically so - - and while I love all her films for different reasons, Mildred Pierce ranks right up there in my book.

Something I never picked up in watching the film (repeatedly) myself is that while the Glendale home shown in the exterior is a one story (see above), the interior sets show a lovely staircase leading to the upper floor bedrooms.  The wrought iron railing is to die for.


Note that the sofa is on bricks -- apparently it was too low for the cameraman or director.

You can see a bit of the fireplace in the first still below, which looks to be exquisite with some ornate detailing.


Despite what Veda thinks (because she's a spoiled jerk), I love the period details of this set.  The arched doorways are fab and even in black and white, you can see the textured walls.  I love the little arched niche by the front door.  Would you put anything there?  My grandmother used to have a table very much like the one Mildred is storing books on  by the doorway (see second and larger photo.) 


It is interesting that Veda is so embarrassed by this house, which today would be considered a fabulous, historical house.  Even in the thirties, which is when I believe the book took place, or 1945, when the film took place, this residence isn't shabby.  I would pack up and take it in a hot minute.

 

Final Resting Place: Jean Harlow

Like many stars of the golden era, Jean Harlow's final resting place is at Forest Lawn in Glendale.  Her notable neighbors include Marie Dressler, Irving Thalberg, Norma Shearer, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, to name but a few.  Not bad company.

Her crypt (along with those I mentioned above) is one I would love to see in person but the mausoleum is in an area that is roped off and for family only.  Darn it, Forest Lawn.  You can still walk around the Great Mausoleum (which is lovely) but you can't get close enough to truly see where Harlow rests.

Despite her name being memorialized above, her crypt only says "Our Baby," Baby being the nickname she had from family, friends and co-workers (all except Clark Gable, who labeled her "Sis.")

Harlow's funeral was a full production from MGM - - over 250 invited guests paid their respects and an estimate $15,000 in flowers covered Harlow's casket.  Harlow was interred in a gown she wore in Libeled Lady, clutching a gardenia.  Jeanette MacDonald sang "Indian Love Call," one of Harlow's favorite songs and Nelson Eddy sang "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life."

William Powell at Jean Harlow's funeral, June 1937

William Powell, purported to be both Harlow's fiancé at the time of her death and casually dating her, depending on your source, either voluntarily paid the $30,000 for the alcove where she was laid to rest or bent under the pressure of Harlow's mother telling the press that Powell was paying the expense.  Again, depending on your source.  Fan mags of the time claimed that a heartbroken Powell would eventually be laid to rest beside his "Baby."  Regardless of the truth of the situation, Powell appeared to have been genuinely grief stricken.


In the end, Harlow's mother would be interred next to her daughter in an unmarked crypt and the third and final space would remain unoccupied, as Powell would eventually be laid to rest in Palm Springs.