Queen Bee (1955)

Director:

Ranald MacDougall

Writers:

Edna L. Lee (novel)
Ranald MacDougall (writer)

Release Date:

7 November 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

She's so excitingly good . . . when she's so wonderfully bad!

Plot:

Eva Phillips is a Southern socialite whose manipulation and ruthlessness ruins the lives of everyone around her...

Plot Keywords:

Manipulation | Friendship | Cousin Cousin Relationship | Estate | Tragedy

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Joan Crawford	...	Eva Phillips
Barry Sullivan	...	Avery 'Beauty' Phillips
Betsy Palmer	...	Carol Lee Phillips
John Ireland	...	Judson Prentiss
Lucy Marlow	...	Jennifer Stewart
William Leslie	...	Ty McKinnon
Fay Wray	...	Sue McKinnon
Katherine Anderson	...	Miss Breen
Tim Hovey	...	Ted Phillips
Linda Bennett	...	Trissa Phillips
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Willa Pearl Curtis	...	Miss George (uncredited)
Robert McCord	...	Man (uncredited)
Juanita Moore	...	Maid (uncredited)
Olan Soule	...	Dr. Pearson (uncredited)
Bill Walker	...	Sam (uncredited)

Directed by
Ranald MacDougall

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Edna L. Lee		novel
Ranald MacDougall		writer

Produced by
Jerry Wald	....	producer

Original Music by
George Duning

Cinematography by
Charles Lang

Film Editing by
Viola Lawrence

Art Direction by
Ross Bellah

Set Decoration by
Louis Diage

Costume Design by
Jean Louis

Makeup Department
Clay Campbell	....	makeup artist
Helen Hunt	....	hair stylist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Irving J. Moore	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Lambert E. Day	....	sound
John P. Livadary	....	recording supervisor

Music Department
Morris Stoloff	....	musical director

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures Corporation

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1955) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina (2000) (Argentina) (all media) (re-release)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• LK-TEL (2000) (Argentina) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2000) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-release)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Christina Crawford, Joan Crawford's adopted daughter, recounted in her autobiography "Mommy Dearest" that she had to leave the theater midway through a showing of this film because it was too true-to-life in her mother's portrayal of the main character.

Quotes:

Judson Prentiss: You're like some fancy kind of disease. I had it once - now I'm immune.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Die, Mommie, Die! (2003)

Queen B she is for sure!

If you love Joan, like I love Joan, you have to see this movie. The script, costumes, acting, and music are all A++++. This has to be the baddest girl that Joan has ever played, and the part suits her well; Mildred Pearce pales in comparison to this role. Barry Sullivan is terrific too. Somehow, I get the impression that during the whole picture that Joan is thinking, "I'll show that Bette how to play a southern vixen!" This movie is the reason that I like old movies; they spent money on this one - the scenery, furnishings, costumes, and jewelry were all "old school" and to die for. If you see the DVD, the original trailer is a hoot! I fell out laughing looking at the trailer after watching the movie. They show way too much of the plot in the trailer, so don't watch the trailer before watching the movie.