A few months before then, film producer Frank Yablans purchased the film rights, telling Parade in 1978, “I see it as a love relationship between a mother and daughter. Michael Ochs Archives // Getty ImagesĬhristina Crawford’s memoir was published in October 1978, a year after her mother’s death. It should also be singled out for praise as a great Mother's Day movie: mainly, as a How Not To Parent handbook- in extremis.ĭiana Scarwid and Faye Dunaway as Christina and Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest. The film has become infamous for its ludicrous language, sumptuous furnishings, and over the top acting with a capital A. It is based on Christina's memoir of the same title. Survive.”įor the uninitiated, Mommie Dearest chronicles the parenting years of legendary Golden Age of Hollywood diva Joan Crawford and the demanding, sometimes unhinged abuse she poured on her two adopted children, Christopher and Christina. Beat “Except Christina.” Since this maligned biopic opened, Rocky Horror Picture Show-style midnight screenings have drawn attendees brandishing wire hangers, cleaning supplies, and ingenious costumes, like a gray track suit appropriately stained with sweat, a reference to the scene where Crawford jogs, huffing her mantra, “Survive. “Except Christina.” “PPE for Everyone!” reads another. “Merry Christmas!” reads one with Dunaway in character.

Its dialogue is shorthand for many, especially gay audiences, and the film continues to inspire imitation, turning up in all manner of memes.

In the decades since the film’s initial release, Mommie Dearest, starring Calpito pal Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, has been elevated to a level unique even among other cult favorites. It's the third line in the infamous, nearly seven-minute “No Wire Hangers” tirade from the camp classic Mommie Dearest, which turned 40 last year.

“And I hear people saying, ‘She’s getting old.’” While this might sound like a saucy kvetch mid strenuous workout, for many in his audience the reference was unmissable. “I work and work until I’m half dead,” he said into his phone’s camera.

Isaac Calpito, the fitness guru behind Torch'd, was poised on the floor with his legs akimbo.

Mommie dearest christina