Joan Crawford entered into pictures during the silent era and proved very early in the new age of talkies that her presence, both vocally and visually, was a force to be reckoned with. We chose two high quality Film Noirs for discussion that show Crawford at her absolute best. The first one we look at is Mildred Pierce (1945). Crawford had created a film identity for herself as a rags to riches girl throughout her career. This movie earned Crawford an Oscar for her portrayal of a struggling mother whose troubles only increase with success. Sudden Fear (1952) on the other hand, is a well-planned crime story worthy of the best mystery writers. Crawford, playing a successful playwright, does not know she has a target on her back as she lives through her apparently perfect life.