Revenge of the Kids
Why I pity Joan Crawford.
by Candy Spelling
April 10, 2008
Their versions of her family life are so different from the unpleasant daughter-turned-author. They said she was a loving mother and good parent, a philanthropist, a good friend, a devoted wife.
Two years earlier, hearing there might be a book, Chandler quotes Joan saying, "I think she's using my name strictly to make money. I suppose she doesn't think that I'm going to leave her enough or that I'm going to disappear soon enough."
No one appreciates catchy titles like I do. My late husband, Aaron Spelling, was not only an incredible writer and producer, but he was a marketing genius. His shows, including Charlie's Angels, Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, The Love Boat, Melrose Place, Fantasy Island and many others became part of the vocabulary and still are shorthand today to describe situations or locations.
I understand how a catchy title like Mommie Dearest and a familiar household item like wire hangers came to define a mother as "a sadistic control freak."
Tori's book was not a Mommie Dearest.
An alternate title, such as My Wonderful Mother and Our Expensive Wooden Hangers, probably wouldn't be remembered thirty years later.
One of my protective friends said she wished I had a Charlotte Chandler when my daughter's book, sTori Telling, came out recently, but Tori's book was not a Mommie Dearest. Her childhood recollections vary from those of the rest of the family and the many friends who were around during those years. The fact that the media focused on her childhood complaints, not the many positive experiences of her life, made me sympathize even more with poor Joan. Parents learn early that mothers and fathers are convenient targets for criticism; but there's nothing quite like hearing a totally revised version of your daughter's childhood on a television show. At least Joan missed the heartbreak of hearing strangers and outsiders discussing her life.
I met Joan Crawford a couple of times and was awed by her star presence. She was very sweet to Aaron and me when we went to New York. I knew her to be the mother of four seemingly lovely children who was active in many charities. One couldn't help thinking of her stunning and strong performance in Mildred Pierce — the story of a mother and an ungrateful daughter (!) — upon meeting her.
Chandler refers to Mommie Dearest as the "prototype of angry books by the children of the stars." That's an understatement.
©2008 Candy Spelling and Nerve Media
About the Author
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Candy Spelling has been an entrepreneur, civil commissioner, charity board member, television hostess, wife (of the late TV legend Aaron Spelling) and mother (of the actors Tori and Randy Spelling). She has contributed to TMZ.com, Los Angeles Confidential and The Huffington Post. Visit her at candyspelling.com. |
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