Queen Bee (film)
| Queen Bee | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Ranald MacDougall |
| Produced by | Jerry Wald |
| Screenplay by | Ranald MacDougall |
| Based on | The novel by Edna L. Lee |
| Starring | Joan Crawford John Ireland Betsy Palmer Barry Sullivan |
| Music by | Morris Stoloff |
| Cinematography | Charles Lang |
| Editing by | Viola Lawrence |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 7, 1955 |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Queen Bee is a 1955 drama film starring Joan Crawford, John Ireland, Fay Wray, Betsy Palmer, and Barry Sullivan in a story about a family dominated by a ruthless woman. The screenplay by Ranald MacDougall was based upon a novel by Edna L. Lee. The film was directed by Ranald MacDougall and produced by Jerry Wald. Queen Bee has been released to DVD.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Ruthless Eva Phillips (Joan Crawford) dominates her Georgia mansion and her husband Avery (Barry Sullivan), an alcoholic mill owner who hates his wife. A cousin, Jennifer Stewart (Lucy Marlow), visits and watches in horror as Eva maneuvers to prevent the marriage of Avery's sister Carol (Betsy Palmer) to Judson Prentiss (John Ireland). Judson was once Eva's lover, and, when Carol learns the truth, commits suicide. Jennifer and Avery are drawn together. When Eva senses the developing relationship, she increases her malevolent actions. Judson, guilty over Carol's death and determined to avenge it, takes Eva driving and when Eva discerns from Judson's conversations that he wants her dead, she frantically attacks him resulting in a crash over a cliff, killing them both. Jennifer and Avery are free to love each other.
[edit] Cast
- Joan Crawford as Eva Phillips
- John Ireland as Judson Prentiss
- Betsy Palmer as Carol Lee Phillips
- Barry Sullivan as Avery Phillips
- Lucy Marlow as Jennifer Stewart
- William Leslie as Ty McKinnon
- Fay Wray as Sue McKinnon
- Katherine Anderson as Miss Breen
- Tim Hovey as Ted Phillips
- Linda Bennett as Tessa Phillips
[edit] Reception
Bosley Crowther of the New York Times noted, "[Miss Crawford] is the height of mellifluous meanness and frank insincerity." William K. Zinsser of the New York Herald Tribune wrote, "Miss Crawford plays her role with such silky villainy we long to see her dispatched."[1]
[edit] Accolades
Queen Bee was nominated for 2 awards at the 28th Academy Awards in 1956 for Best Cinematography (Charles Lang) and Best Costume Design, Black-and-White (Jean Louis).
[edit] References
- ^ Quirk, Lawrence J.. The Films of Joan Crawford. The Citadel Press, 1968.
[edit] External links
- Queen Bee at the Internet Movie Database
- Queen Bee at AllRovi
