Hi Michelle

Thanks for letting me join this group - I see some familiar names have
been posting. We Crawford fans are a passionate lot!

Your book on Joan's letters is a marvelous idea; one I'm surprised
(given her dedication to letter writing) hasn't been attempted before.
I believe the tide is turning back in Joan's favour after the 'Mommie
Dearest' smear and your book will no doubt help this process admirably.

I'm also attempting to rescue Joan's reputation. I'm a screenwriter
and have almost completed the first draft of a script set at MGM
during 1931 - with Joan featured heavily, of course. Although I have
depicted her driving ambition, I have also tried to counter it with a
glimpse of the real woman underneath; vulnerable, unsure of herself
despite her confident, glamorous facade, somebody who wants to be
loved above everything else. It is cruelly unjust that Christina's
monstrous image of her mother is the one that springs to most minds
when the name Joan Crawford is mentioned. She was one of the screen's
immortals, and deserves respect.

Good luck with the manuscript. I'm sure you'll find success in
getting it published - she's a fascinating subject.

Cheers,

Paul

PS: I live in Melbourne, Australia - did you have a nice trip down
under? Where did you visit?