Christina Crawford, Author of "Mommie Dearest", Interview with Bill Boggs 

+alwaysangel There are some people who witness abuse can choose to deny it.

My little sister missed a lot of the abuse, and can't relate to it. So I understand this.

Yes, exactly. But did you note *how* those twins told *their* side...? All stuck, and robotic...choppy soundbites. #Truth rarely spills like *that*. ..it's more fluid. Kinda how #ChristinaCrawford emotes. Either those twins had/have #StockholmSyndrome, or there may have been stipulations in the will that claused for them to always speak kindly of their adoptive mom. I know, speculation.

Agreed. My parents had 4 children and I was the second to the youngest and my fathers favorite target of his abuse. Not to say that he did not beat my siblings but I was definitely the one he fixated on most. ALL my siblings agree that we were abused but, of course my mother and father claim it never happened. Once in a while you can catch my mother off guard and she almost admits to it but usually tried to make up some excuse as to why he would beat us, as if we had done something to deserve being beaten black and blue!

Her adopted sisters did not live with Joan full time. So Joan would most likely treat them the same way she treated all the other people in her life that she wanted to smooze and manipulate. Joan was a known sociopath.

good observation. narcissists blame others to maintain control ---we have just to look at the white house now for someone with classic narcissistic tendencies. in the situation of child abuse this is crime of the greatest disorder. children are powerless-it was very brave of Christina to write this book--hell, to have survived a mad woman.

Guess the world is full of dumb folks

Happens all the time

When was she treated like the perpetrator?

1000%

Thank for sharing this.

I remember that but it was Joel Steinberg that did most of the beating

I did not know Christina Crawford before this interview that I watched because of the movie trailer to Mommy Dearest. I feel a lot of sympathy for her and she seems like a very brave woman. Concluding by what she mentioned about the unfair long duration of her punishments, being left out of J.C.‘s will seems like the final punishment. I feel blessed for having such a good childhood.

@@1000sachenmuell Christina Crawford claims in "Mommie Dearest" that she was strangled by Joan Crawford in the summer of 1953. Here is how she describes this incident in her book: "The choking pain of her fingers around my throat met the thudding ache of the blow to the back of my head. She banged my head on the floor, tightening her grip around my throat....I gasped for air and felt myself sinking into unconsciousness as I tried desperately to fight back....If something or someone didn’t help me very soon I was going to die. I tried with the last bit of my strength to struggle free of those choking fingers and managed to wedge one of my knees between her body and mine and push upward on her ribs with my hands which loosened her grip slightly. It at least allowed a trickle of air down my throat and kept me from losing consciousness." This type of physical attack would, no doubt, leave bruises to the neck and throat. However, according to Christina, she had no bruises to the neck or throat, and the bruises she claims to have received to the face were greatly diminished within "a few days." This is what Christina Crawford said regarding her "injuries" after this alleged strangulation: "I had one black eye and a cut on my upper lip that was swollen and covered with dried blood. My whole face was sort of puffy and I had a perfect handprint bruised across one cheek....A few days later I was on my way back to the Chadwick’s house...I still had vestiges of the black eye but the rest of my face had returned pretty much to normal." This claim is medically impossible. Bruises to the face take at least a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks to fade. Perhaps this was a quick rationale by Christina in her book to account for no one seeing these "injuries" after she returned to Chadwicks. By 1988. Christina Crawford claimed in her book "Survivor" that the stroke she suffered in late 1981 was the result of this "strangulation." Christina claimed the strangulation caused an embolism (a blood clot) that blocked the flow of blood to her brain, and this embolism had lied dormant for over 28 years (1953 - 1981) without causing issue before it dislodged and flowed to her brain. This claim, in and of itself, is medically improbably, if not impossible. However, the impossibility is further enhanced when considering that Christina did not even have bruising to her throat from this alleged strangulation. In "Survivor" Christina writes: "In the hospital the doctors questioned me as thoroughly as they could about possible causes of my stroke. They were interested in what might have been a source of original damage to the left carotid artery in my neck since I had no history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol. They asked me about a car accident or a neck injury. I had experienced none. The only incident I could think of was a violent argument my mother and I had when I was thirteen years old. She had been drinking at the time and flew into a rage. I recalled this incident in the book Mommie Dearest, not knowing at the time I wrote about it that I would later have a stroke" This outrageous allegation is further debunked by a 1978 sworn deposition, whereby Christina DENIES knowledge of this incident. Along with a unpublished interview with the secretary (Billie Greene) who was an eye witness the evening Christina claimed this strangulation took place. Greene refuted the claim that Joan strangled or choked Christina. Billie Greene -Former secretary to Joan Crawford -“I believe I am quoted to have said something like, “Stop, you’ll kill her.” There was a point where they were having an argument. What precipitated it was possibly one of many misunderstandings. Or where Christina had lied to Joan, and the hostility was getting greater. Joan came towards her and gave her a good swat, and hit her towards the neck area. I remember at one point taking Joan’s arm when it was in midair and saying, “I want you to stop. You’re going to hurt her.” This was not for Christina’s sake. This was for Joan’s sake. No one wants to see anyone out of control. I can tell you that I’d never seen any discipline towards Christina or towards the other children that I would call out of control. There was not brutality that night. Possibly there was rage. I can’t conceive of the distortion, unless Christina had a deep-seated plan, a vendetta that was present even when she was 14. Christina lied often for absolutely no reason. [The book] was a pack of lies that made your hair stand on end. I have utter contempt for Christina. When Christina was at Chadwicks, she would tell some lies. Like the lengths Joan would go through to see that she had everything to get back to school. Shoes, dresses, etc. I don’t know what Christina would do with them between Brentwood and school, but she would arrive with a couple of beat up, old dresses and the call would come from Chadwicks. “Couldn’t you send this girl one decent thing to wear?” I got Christina in my office one day and said, “Christina, what did you do? All those things we picked out and packed and got ready for you that you chose?” She said, “I gave them to my friends,” and I said, “What does this do? Make you a hero with your friends?” and she said, “No, I just wanted to.” I said, “Don’t you know what you do to your mother when you make her look cruel and evil and selfish?” and she said, “No, it’s just something I like to do. I like to give my clothes away.” On more than one occasion I found Christina to be an opportunist, dishonest and distorting everything, every single actions of her mother.” **ChristinaCrawfordLied**

Christina Crawford has admitted to exaggerated in order to sell her book. Being adopted it's possible that Christina suffered from Reactive Attachment Disorder and they always claim that they are abused. Joan Crawford herself came from a traumatic childhood of her own. It's obvious that Joan suffered from OCD & possibly Historonic Disorder.

Yes, this "interviewer"/host is aggravating. He seems to be talking over her at times.

He's a terrible interviewer.

Cocaine is a terrible drug

He's definitely not a gentlmen.

Agree

Muirmaiden But, if Joan was aware of the book, might that also have been the reason that she cut Christina and Christopher out of the will? Every relationship is complicated. We are only seeing one side of the story. Joan was dead and could not defend herself, and, the other children allege that there was no abuse.

+LRayartJoan Crawford's will is no one's business , except Joan Crawford's. I have relatives who left everything to the Humane Society. That' their prerogative, it's their money.

+Silence is Golden Duct Tape is Silver Actually, she did cut them out, so that fact is right but the book was written after Joan's death so I can certainly see why some may state that Christina wrote it out of spite of being cut out of the will. Joan Crawford Died in May 1977 the book was published in 1978. It's hard to say if it was true, her other children do not support it nor do a number of other actors and actresses. Though there are some that also do support it. ~~~ In her will, which was signed October 28, 1976, Crawford bequeathed to her two youngest children, Cindy and Cathy, $77,500 each from her $2,000,000 estate. She explicitly disinherited the two eldest, Christina and Christopher, writing "It is my intention to make no provision herein for my son Christopher or my daughter Christina for reasons which are well known to them." She also bequeathed nothing to her niece, Joan Lowe (1933-1999; born Joan Crawford LeSueur, the only child of her estranged brother, Hal). Crawford left money to her favorite charities: the U.S.O. of New York; the Motion Picture Home; the American Cancer Society; the Muscular Dystrophy Association; the American Heart Association; and the Wiltwyck School for Boys.~~~~

+LRayart Siblings that aren't abused usually do deny the abuse of their siblings. Mine did until my father admitted it to him. When it came out about my mom, he then believed me right away, but now is back peddling. He can't handle it because that was not his experience with her. He knows a more loving mother than I do. They also have a very codependent relationship. I hope that makes sense.

Writing it was, for Christina, clearly meant as revenge. She had learned that she wasn't 'in the will'. Joan didnt leave much to any of her children, not just Crawford. If we are being honest, I dont think Joan liked any of her kids very much. When you have two million, and your will leaves 77 thousand to a couple kids, and zero to other kids, well, I would say she didnt care much for any of them. They got a very small fraction of her estate. And maybe that's fair. Were they nice to Joan? Did they ignore her? Did they visit her when she was elderly? Why leave money to kids who don't even like you?

+ZombieMommy I've been struggling with the idea of cutting ties with my mother, though my abuse wasn't as bad as hers. I was treated more like a slave, & my nickname while growing up was even "slave girl", & "kitchen wench". I was always the reason for anything bad happening, & they always critiqued me. I have trouble making decisions to this day because I was always told what to do, & if I wanted differently I was yelled at. My mother didn't hit me until high school, which she did because I wasn't "smiling", so I always hide how I feel. She also would kick me when I had seizures & said she hoped I die, then married me off so she wouldnt have to take care of me. My sister & brother though would abuse me- sister started sticking me with pins & cutting me with knives. When mom found out, my sister wasn't punished because "my sister has OCD, so she's mental & theirs nothing you can do about it". My brother would hit me over things like me asking to use the Playstation when he was done while he was playing & I disturbed him. I would get in trouble if I crossed my baby brother because I supposedly baited him. I think the emotional abuse is worse though, I feel like peoples opinions are facts because my family always projected things onto me...

+Emily Willen; go get some help, talk to you doctor, go online find a self help group, start reading some books to get your life back, start to love yourself, I was an angry man, still ,at times but not always. Meditation helped me a lot ..... do something to feel better live a constructive life ... do what you want , YOU DON'T NEED ANYONES APPROVAL if you need some info on meditation just message me peace

My mother was volatile much like Crawford. my mom would go into blind rages that she conveniently doesn't remember. It's very frustrating and im sure my mom had a very difficult childhood herself.

The first time I watched Mommie Dearest I didn't really get it cause she wasn't as bad as my mother and she consumed alcohol which my mother didn't. These days I have as little contact as possible with her. She still continues to pull horrific illegal schemes and attempt to shift the blame to me.

My nickname was, The nervous wreck. Gee, I wonder why!? When you are abused and walk on eggshells 24/7, you do develop a nervous personality.

Thank you LG. I too was abused by my Dad, verbally and emotionally all throughout my childhood and teens. Like Joan, he told everybody I was expelled from school - a total lie which through sheer repitition many people came to believe. This when I was 13-14 years old. It was humiliating, probably because academia was so important wthin our family. My Dad also abused my mother relentlessly - she actually took her own life seven years ago. She changed from a beautiful, strong, progressive, feminist into a nervous wreck - by the time of her death, my Mum was like a victim of Stockholm Syndrome. Sorry for such a digression but your post has moved me to share my own experience. I suspect Christina probably was motivated by vengeance more than she can admit or acknowledge, even to herself. But I cannot fault her for that . How could I? Just writing this RU-vid post about my abusive father feels strangely exhilarating & cathartic too! PS Joan Crawford left behind a brilliant ouvre & as an actress, I love her.

Same here girl. Well said.

@@MR-fe7st I'm sad that you had to endure the same experience. I wish you all the love and light I have, hoping you find true peace in this lifetime! :)

@@marksmeaton13 I'm sad you had to experience such difficult experiences. I understand what you mean, putting something out there into the internet ether feels rather cathartic. Even after 6 years, I have forgotten what I wrote but proud that even all those years ago, I was still choosing to be consciously healing. My healing journey has brought me to a place where I am finally able to take my experience and serve others who find themselves in the same hardships and now I know it wasn't in vain. I hope you will be given the same opportunity, I guess because helping others who are going through the same things are the most valid and significant effects that we should highlight after surviving such hell. Sending you all my love and light so that you too may experience some peace and relief from the burdens you carry! Thank you for sharing, I hear you and I believe you!

@@marksmeaton13 I believe you and hear you, too. I will hold you in my heart and in my prayers. Linda

Actually, there have been several Hollywood stars who have said they witnessed some of the abuse (which was referred to as 'mistreatment').....They said it was no secret in Hollywood. Some of this happened at her school when Joan ordered them to collect all of her dresses and make her wear one dress for months....Joan didn't seem to mind who saw it because she thought she was right. Remember when this was going on, there was a prevailing attitude that you didn't interfere with other people's parenting or discipline style. And NO ONE talked about child abuse, just as they didn't have any help for abused women. If you study ANYTHING about child abuse, you will find that it is not unusual for abusive parents to pick out one or two of their kids to abuse and treat the others normally. so the 2 younger sisters who were 8 years younger and not even there for much of the abuse, may have had a different relationship with her. Sometimes it is because they learn to 'comply' and not confront. Joan was a control freak, so if you didn't balk, she was happy. It was also common knowledge among co-stars that she was a control freak who went into rages if she didn't get her way. NONE of this was secret, but people didn't interfere.

Thanks, Calicocat. Finally someone who knows what they're talking about. Some of that I didn't know or think about.

TheCalicocat2

I thought the same thing when he said, "If you really loved your mother, why would you write this book exposing her?" Seriously??? What the fuck!?!?!?! As if she owes it to her to keep it a secret. What a douche bag.

That part is true.There was no protection for abused children back then.Help for abused kids didn't show up until the late 70's or early 80's.

I don't, think it had to do, with her being older. She, already took, all her (anger) out on Christina & Christopher. That's, what that was.

What does her being older have to do with her not abusing the twins??

@@reginabarron557 I agrée, what the fuck does her being older have to do with anything?

@@judethaddeus9856 LEARN THE TIMELINE: Christina Crawford was born in June 1939. Joan Crawford’s third husband, Phillip Terry DENIED ever seeing abuse. Joan Crawford’s twin daughters were born in January 1947. The twins DENIED ever seeing abuse. Christina Crawford was sent to boarding school in February 1950. During all of this, Joan Crawford’s secretary, Betty Barker, was constantly in the Crawford home. Barker DENIED ever seeing abuse. **ChristinaCrawfordLied**

@@Garsons-oq4lh ok

I believe christina too.

Yep.

I believe her too.

No, no, no....I cannot consider Christina's points of view as valid, especially when siblings are at odds with different opinions!!!

Nope. The opposite is true. You believe the lies of a sociopath who still trades on the name "Crawford."

Tina Jenne Oh Joan Crawford was batshit fucked!!! She was completely insane and should have been locked up for life!

and sociopath too

yet no one did anything about that!!!

Marlena Bontas that's because it was kept hidden.

like our current president--god help us! we'll all end up like abused children-so to speak-as a nation.

+Black Ginger “...what does a covertly narcissistic family look like? Unfortunately, it looks more like Joan Crawford with drawn on eyebrows, and giant shoulder pads chasing little Christina around screaming, “No wire hangers!” In Christina Crawford‟s memoir, Mommie Dearest, she exposes the abuse that went on behind closed doors, shattering the façade of the loving family with perfect children that her mother had so carefully manufactured….Christina Crawford‟s story is a perfect example of the Echo child. It was her duty to unconditionally love her mother, but her mother‟s love was always conditional. In Christina‟s book, she explains this role reversal beautifully: The image was of a bottomless pit into which you could pour years of loving kindness, and attempts at reconciliation, without visible results. It failed to erase the one mistake...there just wasn‟t enough love in the world to fill her need...She demanded constant reassurance of devotion that she left no room for love. It was impossible to love her. (Nathiel, 2007, p. 45)" www.academia.edu/924834/Adult_Children_of_Narcissistic_Parents_The_Echoes

+Ted Wrinch Going to have to look at that. I've not heard of the echo child. I am the scapegoat. I think my mom may be borderline on top of narcissism. Too complicated of a person. Too severely damaged.

It's sad when the damaged inflict more damage. The choice after damage seems to be to become a healer or abuser oneself. They do need support and knowledge from us to help them heal their damage; I know I didn't know enough to do that well enough for my narc :(

As someone who experienced much of he same, I hope you are receiving help and/or have someone o help you through this.

Yuppers!!!

.....and narcissism.....npd

her story has never wavered. I belive her

Yes I am glad christina crawford spoke up.

I applaud her bravery and her battle against child abuse.

Watch all her interviews. I watched one she laughed with delight at every single negative made against her mother. Her words are more staged in later years for one goal. To destroy her mother personally. Is sad to watch as she got older, she exposed her growing hatred.

@@lilasmurray2425 as she should that's growth

I laugh when people talk negatively about my abuser too. Does that mean I wasn't abused? Are victims of domestic violence obligated to have nothing but goodwill toward their abuser in order to "deserve" a shred of empathy in your mind?

The same thing happen to me and two brothers by my father who was an alcoholic too! The other 4 siblings did NOT get hit on. We were NOT rich but considered upper middle class. It was a secret not even neighbors new but I told ALL when I was 16 yrs old. When I listen to Christina I can tell she's telling the truth and I understand her reasoning for her book and movie. It is a HEALING to TALK about it especially if you are Against Violence. That's the WHOLE REASON for Talking about it and the BOOK I'm sure. It does help YOU better yourself and heal those terrible Scares.

Dana Preston I'm so very sorry for what happened to you and your brother's! I'm glad you've been able to talk about it. God Bless!

Rachel A. I think what adds to the dissent is the differing accounts of the twins. But what people don't get is that it's normal for child abusers to single out children to abuse

bookcreator Yeeup.

Rachel A. Lana Turners daughter Cheryl Crane say's in her book *Detour* that everyone in Hollywood knew about Joan's abuse of her children. Cheryl learned about it at a early age as it was a frequent topic of discussion of" The Nanny Network ". Cheryl later went to boarding school with Christina who's a bit older and she said Christina was basically trapped at the School and wasn't allowed any privileges . She wrote that everyone at the school knew Christina's situation and felt sorry for her.

Ampp Hosea I couldn't of said it any better. My maid last name is Hosea we could be related.

My situation was similar as yours. I grew up being abused and hit by my parents alot as I was growing up but I didn't know nor realize it was abuse. I just thought it was how every parent would teach and discipline their child. But something about the way my parents "teaching" seemed off and just too much when I observed and compared to other parents. It was borderline abusive. There was alot verbal abuse and name-calling as well. Too hurtful if I still think about it to this day. The pain and suffering I felt and went through as a child, I couldn't reach out to anyone. Also I remember my mom never talked nicely about me in front of her friends and neighbors. She tried to imply that I was a devil and not a good daughter and that I was nothing special. While other mothers boasts about their children, my mother would put me down. I felt despressed since young. I grew up having low self-esteem. Relatives were mum and didn't think much about the way my mom treated me. Tho my cousin actually threw shade (in a joking way and tactfully) in regards to my mother when she asked me and my brother whether our mother is as scary as a lion or tiger when she's angry. But what I couldn't handle the most was I was 8 when I was reading a story on a newspaper about irresponsible mothers abandon their innocent children and I asked "Why would mothers do this to their children? How could they?" Then my grandma answered out of the blue, "Because of the children are SPOILED, DUMB, DISOBEDIENT, MISCHIEVOUS and STUBBORN which made the mothers run away. Now, if you don't stop being all of those, your mom would run away too, so you better start behaving." Can you believe what my grandma said? So suddenly it's all my fault, the children's faults as if the mothers are all innocent and never at fault. She actually defended all those irresponsible selfish mothers and implied that I should take all the responsibilities and punishment because that what I deserved, I guess. Surely I was mischievous and disobedient alot but can you blame me? I was a child for god's sake. I was growing up and being immature and childish was normal. After what I went through with the abuse, ofc a child like me felt the need to rebel after being in control so much as I needed an outlet to rage. Had my parents adopted a good parenting and disciplining style, I would've also not given them a hard time. It wasn't until I turned 25 that mom realised her mistakes and asked for my forgiveness. She realized how much wrong she had done after seeing my current adult self with state of having depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, no confidence, weak, etc. She couldn't remember all of the things she did, so I listed out the ones that are most painful that I could never forget even if I tried. It was finally quite a relief that I was able to get it out of my system. Even with her apology, I still feel hurt because those scars were cut so deep into my heart and memories. But I guess her apologies and me showing/telling how awful she was made me feel a little bit better.

I applaud her surviving this--many children don't.

Probably due to her DNA. 'Could you imagine if she was Joan's natural daughter?

I had an abusive biological mother but was lucky to connect with a therapist when I was younger. I think from experience that most mental issues are nurture rather than nature. I am not in the least the violent people that my parents were. I'm still resolving matters unlike other members of the family.

I agree.i enjoy watching and listening to christina.

Not saying I’m a great person, but I was adopted by a “Joan” when I was a baby and I think I’ve turned out okayish I am mentally ill for sure but I know how to treat people no I’m well spoken at times lol. I always knew I wanted to be nothing like my “parents”

I agree.

You are right.

My mother, as well.

One of my aunts was just like this too. Bipolar maybe, definitely crazy, and any little thing would set her off and she’d switch from being overly sweet to a raving monster. My cousin, her daughter, lived through god knows what.

I feel you And now as old my mother says none of that it’s true and play the victim 🙄

I think this is one of the reasons why Christina's story has not only resonated but encouraged others to come forward and speak out about their own childhood abuse. There is so much that others with similar experience can relate to - it's so vindicating to know that you are not alone, that it's not normal, and that you deserved better.

💔

I used to feel the same. But her story does appear to change in a few different ways. She said here she loved her mother very much yet later said she never loved her. Although I appreciate that could be a case of her coming to terms with her own emotions and feelings over time. But there are other instances. For example, when she contested the will she didn’t state anything about the abuse and when asked about a specific incident she stated she had no recollection of it. Yet some years later she remembered every detail. The instance was the strangling incident. The secretary she stated who witnessed it was nameless in the book at first but eventually it came out and the secretary stated it was nothing like what she stated happened and while there was an argument it was nothing like an attack. I’m a bit torn these days as to what to believe

I honestly just can’t believe her, even if I wanted to. Just the fact that she waited after Joan’s death so she couldn’t defend herself, & that the main reason she did the book was because she was disinherited from her mothers will. Not to mention Joan’s younger daughters, as well as everyone who actually knew Joan, said that none of it was true. I think she was just an average strict & over protective type of parent, which is not abusive. I think that when she was disinherited, she thought of this as a way to make the money she didn’t get, but also a way to get revenge on her mother for disinheriting her. She almost ruined her mothers legacy, Good thing she didn’t.

@@toxicperson8936 Very well said!!!

Are you serious!,! It had changed, many times. And this is not proved because Joan was denied her right as a person to face accuser or defend herself. I hope people here in the comments know tour children could do the same to you. Guess what there will be people who would believe that too. But you'd be gone, so it will be said to be a fact. No, a fact can be proved. It's not a fact otherwise

@@xg7022 because it's a famous name

I know it was annoying to see him ask the questions like that. It is her story and people needed to hear it.

Yes I am glad christina came out.i read mommie dearest in 1992.i was 16 years old.i reread it in 2012.i recently bought the 40th anniversary edition.chrustina is a highly skilled and gifted writer.a few years ago I read the sequel survivor.late in 2019 I read no safe place.i also read her novel black widow a few times.

@@eugenekozma2697 Christina Crawford claims in "Mommie Dearest" that she was strangled by Joan Crawford in the summer of 1953. Here is how she describes this incident in her book: "The choking pain of her fingers around my throat met the thudding ache of the blow to the back of my head. She banged my head on the floor, tightening her grip around my throat....I gasped for air and felt myself sinking into unconsciousness as I tried desperately to fight back....If something or someone didn’t help me very soon I was going to die. I tried with the last bit of my strength to struggle free of those choking fingers and managed to wedge one of my knees between her body and mine and push upward on her ribs with my hands which loosened her grip slightly. It at least allowed a trickle of air down my throat and kept me from losing consciousness." This type of physical attack would, no doubt, leave bruises to the neck and throat. However, according to Christina, she had no bruises to the neck or throat, and the bruises she claims to have received to the face were greatly diminished within "a few days." This is what Christina Crawford said regarding her "injuries" after this alleged strangulation: "I had one black eye and a cut on my upper lip that was swollen and covered with dried blood. My whole face was sort of puffy and I had a perfect handprint bruised across one cheek....A few days later I was on my way back to the Chadwick’s house...I still had vestiges of the black eye but the rest of my face had returned pretty much to normal." This claim is medically impossible. Bruises to the face take at least a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks to fade. Perhaps this was a quick rationale by Christina in her book to account for no one seeing these "injuries" after she returned to Chadwicks. By 1988. Christina Crawford claimed in her book "Survivor" that the stroke she suffered in late 1981 was the result of this "strangulation." Christina claimed the strangulation caused an embolism (a blood clot) that blocked the flow of blood to her brain, and this embolism had lied dormant for over 28 years (1953 - 1981) without causing issue before it dislodged and flowed to her brain. This claim, in and of itself, is medically improbably, if not impossible. However, the impossibility is further enhanced when considering that Christina did not even have bruising to her throat from this alleged strangulation. In "Survivor" Christina writes: "In the hospital the doctors questioned me as thoroughly as they could about possible causes of my stroke. They were interested in what might have been a source of original damage to the left carotid artery in my neck since I had no history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol. They asked me about a car accident or a neck injury. I had experienced none. The only incident I could think of was a violent argument my mother and I had when I was thirteen years old. She had been drinking at the time and flew into a rage. I recalled this incident in the book Mommie Dearest, not knowing at the time I wrote about it that I would later have a stroke" This outrageous allegation is further debunked by a 1978 sworn deposition, whereby Christina DENIES knowledge of this incident. Along with a 1980 interview with the secretary (Billie Greene) who was an eye witness the evening Christina claimed this strangulation took place. Greene refuted the claim that Joan strangled or choked Christina. Billie Greene -Former secretary to Joan Crawford -“I believe I am quoted [in Christina’s book regarding the LIE that is the strangling incident] to have said something like, “Stop, you’ll kill her.” There was a point where they were having an argument. What precipitated it was possibly one of many misunderstandings. Or where Christina had lied to Joan, and the hostility was getting greater. Joan came towards her and gave her a good swat, and hit her towards the neck area. I remember at one point taking Joan’s arm when it was in midair and saying, “I want you to stop. You’re going to hurt her.” This was not for Christina’s sake. This was for Joan’s sake. No one wants to see anyone out of control. I can tell you that I’d never seen any discipline towards Christina or towards the other children that I would call out of control. There was not brutality that night. Possibly there was rage. I can’t conceive of the distortion, unless Christina had a deep-seated plan, a vendetta that was present even when she was 14. Christina lied often for absolutely no reason. [The book] was a pack of lies that made your hair stand on end. I have utter contempt for Christina." "When Christina was at Chadwicks, she would tell some lies. Like the lengths Joan would go through to see that she had everything to get back to school. Shoes, dresses, etc. I don’t know what Christina would do with them between Brentwood and school, but she would arrive with a couple of beat up, old dresses and the call would come from Chadwicks. “Couldn’t you send this girl one decent thing to wear?” I got Christina in my office one day and said, “Christina, what did you do? All those things we picked out and packed and got ready for you that you chose?” She said, “I gave them to my friends,” and I said, “What does this do? Make you a hero with your friends?” and she said, “No, I just wanted to.” I said, “Don’t you know what you do to your mother when you make her look cruel and evil and selfish?” and she said, “No, it’s just something I like to do. I like to give my clothes away.” On more than one occasion I found Christina to be an opportunist, dishonest and distorting everything, every single actions of her mother.” **ChristinaCrawfordLied**

@@Garsons-oq4lh thank you for sharing.

Right - I don’t appreciate his questioning

She does. She is very well spoken.

Yes christina crawford is so sensitive

I agree.

Remember, she was cut out of the will. This worthless excuse for a daughter failed at everything she ever attempted, except trade in on trashing her mother.

Back in the day it was considered a family affair.

What about Barbara Bennett, the Redbook reporter who allegedly witnessed the near strangulation of Christina by Joan? Did she say anything about this afterward? Or any of the people who worked for Joan? (Cooks, maids, and so forth). I am certain Christopher Crawford has corroborated the accounts.

atlantic 11561 Christopher has corroborated it's True, he just doesn't want to talk to the press, etc.

Dana Preston I assumed that, thank you!

We have come a long way since those days. Today, such a person would be arrested. A child will love its parent, regardless of what the parent does to it up to and including the time the parent kills the child. That is just the way they are made.

Are you one of these new effeminate males floating around these days, you sound like a girl, be a man..

jenn faire I don't think he's "effeminate" as much as he's pointing out the honest truth. Just saying.

Asking direct questions about a topic is part of taking that topic seriously, and that is a good quality in an interviewer. He certainly screws up, though, when he asks her if she had written the book to get revenge on her mother, and then insists, even after receiving a negative. It's OK to be curious, but insisting on your own assumption after your interviewer has denied it is definite bias.

just like her mother

@@jennfaire154 the OP is right, the guy is hostile and insists on painting her as a gold digger out for revenge on her dead mother. PS, effeminate, wtf.

+MrJTYoung7 Because they are blind fans

+MrJTYoung7 Because she is a liar.She was spoiled.Why did Bing Crosby's son say he was abusive? Why did Bette Davis' daughter BD say she was abusive? For one thing,the baby boomers are so messed up! They were the suburbia children and yet,they always have the most terrible lives-give me a break.And these Stars' children were the very priviledged.LISTEN to her,she don't sound AT ALL abused.

+spice66 No, she is not a liar and her accounts are corroborated by many people. It is part of the healing process of children who suffered abuse to be able to tell their story, to talk about it and have a catharsis of sorts. It also helps other survivors of abuse as well. You are not an expert, so don't remark on the appearance of anyone as if you know what is inside their head. The most stunning thing about your callous comments is that we should NEVER diminish the very real and lifelong damaging effects of severe child abuse. Don't judge them because they were wealthy. Wealth means nothing when your life is marred by abuse. This isn't a "messed up baby boomer" who was "spoiled." This is an adult (middle-aged) woman coming to terms with her stolen childhood, instead suffering years of horrible physical and mental abuse. Imagine how you would feel if the one person appointed to protect and care for you causes you untold physical and emotional harm that lasts into your entire lifetime. Now imagine that person who abused you is canonized as an icon when they have a completely maniacal and violent side to them. Celebrities must not be immune to scrutiny and more than any other member of society. Children all deserve to be protected and nurtured. We should nurture the lost child in her and applaud her courage as an adult to come to terms with what she experienced, and she had every right to tell it. This book was hugely influential and pivotal moment in history because nobody ever talked about child abuse so openly before it was published, though we now understand that adult neurosis stems form early childhood experiences. As a survivor of child abuse myself, I appreciated this book and film and how it exposed something hideous that people used to ignore. So did millions of others. Be understanding and less judg-y.

I have moved on.Bye,lol.

Fu**ing troll

SPOT ON!

I don't know why it's so hard for some people to understand this. What's more important - keeping up appearances or exposing the reality of child abuse? This shouldn't even be a question, but the sad fact is, a lot of people choose the former.

Thank God this is being exposed heavily today. There were NO CHILD ABUSE LAWS ON THE BOOKS WHATSOEVER UNTIL 1974 . Unbelievable.

taoofmike. 💯. Ppl negating this horrific fact are complicit in all child abuse . Yes they should be ashamed of themselves.

I agree.but I like the movie.it is a true portrait of child abuse and family violence.i take the movie seriously.i do not find the movie campy and I do not find it a laughfest.i am glad the movie was made.it makes dysfunction in households come alive highly well.i saw the movie on videotape in 2000.i recently got it on dvd.i treasure the movie.like I said it successfully shows family violence and child abuse.

This book was written in the spirit of bringing light to a dark subject that is hidden way too much, the comments on this feed really show how much this is STILL a problem. She was incredibly brave to share these things and use her notoriety to help other suffering children and still suffering adults.

baddoggie101 me too!

Me too. And there are several celebrities who witnessed the abuse.

I do believe her as well

@@erickroman4550 #ChristinaCrawfordLied

@@kevinc4756 wrong.

I agree with you.

Yes God bless her

No, no, no....I cannot consider Christina's points of view as valid, especially when siblings are at odds with different opinions!!!

Muirmaiden Thank you 🤗

The best comment I've ever read on a CC vid

Amen. Thank you.

So true, I lived this myself.

Muirmaiden Are you aware of how dumb you sound ?

exactly

Shut up bitch, she made all of this crap up to make money. Joan was Top notch, you're just a dumb stupid bitch with no talent.

Wow, like your misguided pity is a loss to Joan Crawford. Get off your high horse!

Mary MacIntyre There is a big difference between the movie and the book, agreed. The movie is ridiculous and fixates on the tantrum scenes. I think something that gets lost when people talk about "Mommie Dearest" is that it is Christina's story, not Joan's story. The book makes clear what she was going through emotionally when all this was happening. It was much worse than just a beating with a hanger, especially when Joan strangled her and then sent her to the convent.

@@jennfaire154 stfu you asshole

I love the movie mommie dearest too.i saw it in 2000.i got it on dvd a few months ago.u find the movie a strong powerful and well done movie showing child abuse and family violence.i read the book in 1992.i reread it in 2012.i recently bought a copy of the 40th anniversary edition of the book.excellent book.several years ago I read survivor.late in 2019 I read no safe place.no safe place is a wowza of a book.i also read her novel black widow a few times.christina crawford is a gifted writer.she is so rich with words facts and detail.

I have respect for christina crawford too.glad she came out.

MichaelGaschler me too.

I believe christina.

did your mother know that -Joan- was Not at.all her reall name!!! That was another thing in Joan'S life-that was fake,and only made up for her image

For pete's sake you idiot a lot of actors and actress's changed their names.

I agree with you because I believe Christina Crawford 1,000%. Her OLD LADY should have gotten medical help a long time ago but I doubt any SHRINK would have been able to cure her.

Yes joan crawford should not been allowed to adopt christina and christopher.she was an abuser.

Lisa O. Davis I was adopted as well and I relate a lot of your comment

My dad was abusive to me as a child so I would say daddy dearest

Wyoming Adventures that’s good to know.

Jackknifegyp me too.

She DOES have a sinister look!

Yes joan had a disturbingly hard personality.

Sordid is the word you wanted.

I applaud christina for coming out.

I will always question her motives: why didn't Christina have Mommie Dearest published before Joan died?? Would that not have eradicated the speculations of greed and notoriety on Christina's part? If abuse so urgent to reveal, what was holding you back Christina ?? I cannot consider Christina's points of view as valid, especially when siblings are at odds with different opinions!!!

Yes she is

I thought the same thing

Unfortunately lots of interviewers do this. It’s likely that he is trying to keep the interview moving so that he can cover all of the questions on his list.

MyBrainEatsEverything that interviewer is just impatient and in the rush as a stupid head.

I agree.

He's awful

I agree.i applaud christina for coming out.

He keeps interrupting

Stay classy, San Diego! -Ron Burgundy!

fawwwk thought I was the only one..

Chevy Girl good one! I was gonna say Juan Epstein from Welcome Back Kotter.... but that would show my age.

Chevy Girl lol yes he keeps interrupting her.

Yeah IKR he should stick to comedy acting and playing drums for the Red Hot Chili Peppers

golden86 in your face, Joan!

Joan TOTALLY deserved to have her reputation destroyed!! Joan did that to herself, by being a monster!!! I am glad that she didn't totally get away with it!!

He's a horrible interviewer. Same in all the interviews he does.

Very well said. I agree.

Nicole3900 definitely, yes! Impatient interviewer.

Survivor of a pathologically narcissistic mother here.

Christina broke a huge taboo by airing dirty laundry in public. That had never happened before in publishing or really the country in general. And I find her story a mite dubious because ultimately everyone forgot one thing: she wanted to be a star also and she had neither the talent nor the drive and on top of it she got shut out of the will. Personally, I don't think she did what Christina said.

Me too.

I admire christina crawford too.

I was beaten with my dad's big black policeman's belt. Abuse is very real. I am still trying to release the hurt and move on. I am in therapy again, at age 61. Those people sure messed up their 5 kids.

Elder Randy G, Newman Sorry for your experience

Pastor Randy G, Newman wish you all the happiness and success in life. You deserve it

Look to the dearly departed Pastor Stepehen Darby. My Lord, he has helped me to start the process to unbind evil generational contracts and to close the doors and return the evil back to its senders, in Jesus' holy name. Hallelujah. Amen.

1974Coconut That would be the other way around. I don't care for Joan's movies, and she wasn't that great an actress, but the woman was stunning, at least far more than her adopted daughter would ever be. I'm not trying to dog on someone's looks, I don't think Christina is ugly (at least not on the outside), but I have to question someone's eyesight who would ever say Joan was less physically beautiful than Christina. Just, no. Though I do understand how her supporters would deny truth just to make their point.

Tiffany Cherish Christina looked sorta homely to me...she slowly grew into her looks as she got much older

I believe christina

I believe christina too.

Not a deep enough dive.. Christina Crawford claims in "Mommie Dearest" that she was strangled by Joan Crawford in the summer of 1953. Here is how she describes this incident in her book: "The choking pain of her fingers around my throat met the thudding ache of the blow to the back of my head. She banged my head on the floor, tightening her grip around my throat....I gasped for air and felt myself sinking into unconsciousness as I tried desperately to fight back....If something or someone didn’t help me very soon I was going to die. I tried with the last bit of my strength to struggle free of those choking fingers and managed to wedge one of my knees between her body and mine and push upward on her ribs with my hands which loosened her grip slightly. It at least allowed a trickle of air down my throat and kept me from losing consciousness." This type of physical attack would, no doubt, leave bruises to the neck and throat. However, according to Christina, she had no bruises to the neck or throat, and the bruises she claims to have received to the face were greatly diminished within "a few days." This is what Christina Crawford said regarding her "injuries" after this alleged strangulation: "I had one black eye and a cut on my upper lip that was swollen and covered with dried blood. My whole face was sort of puffy and I had a perfect handprint bruised across one cheek....A few days later I was on my way back to the Chadwick’s house...I still had vestiges of the black eye but the rest of my face had returned pretty much to normal." This claim is medically impossible. Busies to the face take at least a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks to fade. Perhaps this was a quick rationale by Christina in her book to account for no one seeing these "injuries" after she returned to Chadwicks. By 1988. Christina Crawford claimed in her book "Survivor" that the stroke she suffered in late 1981 was the result of this "strangulation." Christina claimed the strangulation caused an embolism (a blood clot) that blocked the flow of blood to her brain, and this embolism had lied dormant for over 28 years (1953 - 1981) without causing issue before it dislodged and flowed to her brain. This claim, in and of itself, is medically improbably, if not impossible. However, the impossibility is further enhanced when considering that Christina did not even have bruising to her throat from this alleged strangulation. In "Survivor" Christina writes: "In the hospital the doctors questioned me as thoroughly as they could about possible causes of my stroke. They were interested in what might have been a source of original damage to the left carotid artery in my neck since I had no history of high blood pressure or high cholesterol. They asked me about a car accident or a neck injury. I had experienced none. The only incident I could think of was a violent argument my mother and I had when I was thirteen years old. She had been drinking at the time and flew into a rage. I recalled this incident in the book Mommie Dearest, not knowing at the time I wrote about it that I would later have a stroke" This outrageous allegation is further debunked by a 1978 sworn deposition, whereby Christina DENIES knowledge of this incident. Along with a unpublished at the time interview with the secretary (Billie Greene) who was an eye witness the evening Christina claimed this strangulation took place. Greene refuted the claim that Joan strangled or choked Christina. Billie Greene -Former secretary to Joan Crawford-unpublished interview “I believe I am quoted [in Christina’s book regarding the LIE that is the strangling incident] to have said something like, “Stop, you’ll kill her.” There was a point where they were having an argument. What precipitated it was possibly one of many misunderstandings. Or where Christina had lied to Joan, and the hostility was getting greater. Joan came towards her and gave her a good swat, and hit her towards the neck area. I remember at one point taking Joan’s arm when it was in midair and saying, “I want you to stop. You’re going to hurt her.” This was not for Christina’s sake. This was for Joan’s sake. No one wants to see anyone out of control. I can tell you that I’d never seen any discipline towards Christina or towards the other children that I would call out of control. There was not brutality that night. Possibly there was rage. I can’t conceive of the distortion, unless Christina had a deep-seated plan, a vendetta that was present even when she was 14. Christina lied often for absolutely no reason. [The book] was a pack of lies that made your hair stand on end. I have utter contempt for Christina.” “When Christina was at Chadwicks, she would tell some lies. Like the lengths Joan would go through to see that she had everything to get back to school. Shoes, dresses, etc. I don’t know what Christina would do with them between Brentwood and school, but she would arrive with a couple of beat up, old dresses and the call would come from Chadwicks. “Couldn’t you send this girl one decent thing to wear?” I got Christina in my office one day and said, “Christina, what did you do? All those things we picked out and packed and got ready for you that you chose?” She said, “I gave them to my friends,” and I said, “What does this do? Make you a hero with your friends?” and she said, “No, I just wanted to.” I said, “Don’t you know what you do to your mother when you make her look cruel and evil and selfish?” and she said, “No, it’s just something I like to do. I like to give my clothes away.” On more than one occasion I found Christina to be an opportunist, dishonest and distorting everything, every single actions of her mother.” **Courtesy of ChristinaCrawfordLied**

@@Garsons-oq4lh I wonder why Dinah Shore, June Allison, Kirk Douglas, Lana Turner, Betty Hutton, Natalie Schafer, Helen Hayes and others all invented first hand accounts of Joan Crawford's abusive parenting. If Joan Crawford's reputation is ruined, she did it to herself.

That's false. The twins successfully sued Christina for lying about them in the book, and she added new details on multiple occasions.

@@Insomnious8 Give one example. One direct quote. Joan was unquestionably very strict by 1940s standards, but provide one witness account of violence.

@@pendorran The beatings and attempted strangulation may have occurred in private, but the abuse was well known and several of the first hand accounts from Lana Turner, Natalie Schaffer and June Allsion have made their way onto RU-vid.

Joan was a control freak, and always had to be in charge. She was reportedly even like that on the set, which in turn caused her to engage in bitter feuds with other actresses, namely Bette Davis. (This explains why, in her later years, she starred in Grade B movies with unknown actors and actresses whom she could easily manipulate). With that said, Christina (along with Christopher who apparently always took Christina's side) were written out of the will because they both dared to defy Joan. According to Christina, when the latter got a part in Marcus Welby, MD, Joan was furious because she had wanted to appear in that show for a long time, but was never given the opportunity. When Christina got another guest part in a TV series called The Sixth Sense, sure enough, Joan secured a part in that same show soon after. Have you seen the video clip of Joan's other two children? They lavish praise on Joan like cult members lavish praise upon their spiritual leaders. This is why they got the money, simply because (I am not certain how genuine it was) they bowed down to Joan when she was alive.

yes it was. it's really sad at all the stuff that girl had to go through. I hear the little brother went through a lot of abuse too

Joan knew Christina was writing the book a couple years before her death. Read the Vanity Fair article. No wonder Christina was cut from the will. She was always envious of Joan's beauty, talent, and fans. Spoiled problem child of the highest order.

And yet, by doing so, Joan made Christina a FAR wealthier woman than she would have been and her reputation was ruined forever. I think Christina won.

+Ron are you trying to be sarcastic

Yes I enjoyed it.

+Tammy Nelson It's comforting to think that it's just a condition, that what you're doing doesn't have deep roots in your own experience, because that way you limit the pain you have to feel. There's nothing especially irrational about abusive behaviour. It's learned. It's also an effort to get rid of the energy of a feeling you desperately need to avoid. You do it because you don't realize that you can in fact feel a little of your own old helpless victimization, without lashing out at people. Yes, there's biochemistry at work, but if you learn to deal with it thus, your biochemical condition may in fact improve in time. Primaltherapy.com for more.

Randall Vanderende It's not a "condition". It is a valid illness, a disease. Sure, Joan had a tough life, she worked her butt off for every single thing she had. I agree, abusive behavior can be learned, but I don't see just that in this case. There is no "pulling up your bootstraps" with mental illness. Sorry, it isn't a matter of, I don't want to be this way, and if I go to therapy, I can cure myself! It is these kinds of beliefs that continue to cause shame to those afflicted. If you broke your leg, would you just continue to walk on it, believing you could make it go away? If you had Diabetes, would therapy make it all okay and you didn't need to take insulin? How about food poisoning? Could you just tell yourself, okay, we've puked and pooped enough, so we're not going to do that anymore? It makes me CRAZY when people put mental illness into a category in which the afflicted are supposed to just cure it themselves. That's not the way it works! Joan was also from a generation that did not accept such things. They thought that you just get right or be committed. You can clearly see the manic phases when you read Christina's memories. That isn't excusing Joan for her behavior, it just means she was ill and undiagnosed. Read Patty Duke's book, Call me Anna. I should have said, the condition Joan was in, not just "her condition"

+Tammy Nelson I'm not suggesting people bootstrap themselves. In fact, with the best help in the world, it's still slow and difficult. It's just that believing it's a condition is a way of resisting having to feel, and I know from experience you can block yourself that way for years. The feelings you're talking about, that you resent being forced on you about having an illness, are actually the tip of an iceberg. But they are at the same time your consciousness's only current point of contact with what's really going on. If it's shame, then you have to feel that shame, for starters. One doesn't want to, so you'll grab any theory that suggests that you don't have to feel. It's not about being fair, it's about understanding what works. I'm presenting a simple idea here; there's a lot more. Check out primaltherapy.com

Sometimes, many words are said and it doesn't mean anything. Sell your kool-aid to someone else.

I have the same theory .

Thank you. Condisider follow me @realbillboggs on Instagram

Oops I meant I bought the 40th anniversary edition of the book.

Well said.

Consider the source. I haven't seen a mature, well-stated perspective from any of these people here calling Christina a liar. They call names, they laugh over the fact Elvis supposedly slapped her, they use a lot of exclamation points and say Joan couldn't possibly have abused her kids because so-and-so said she didn't, and someone said Christina makes a mean neighbor. I'm sure they do fabulous Joan Crawford drag, but they ain't the brightest bulbs in the chandelier.

@groovydoom I one hundred percent agree with you... I mean, wow. It makes me absolutely sick when people create these disgusting accusations about others. Now, was I there to witness the abuse, no! Do I know if Christina is telling the ABSOLUTE TRUTH or not? No. But I still believe. I know what I would do if I ever had such a mother. I wouldn't be able to stand the fact that everyone saw her as a goody goody princess. I would expose her, Of course I would! Not for MONEY! No, just to show what was really going on. So that people would finally open their eyes and go," gee, maybe I do actually know some child abusers. Maybe I can actually do something about it..." In my opinion, most people shouldn't have children or own pets.

I noticed that too - at the time of this interview she was coming for tremendous hostility - the Mother is beyond reproach even today within the culture So I think she was saying she loved Crawford as a defence against the accusation of spite and revenge Once it all died down years later she was like "nah she was a bitch"

Good riddance to that lousy 🤬!

+Alex Black I always feel sorry for Christina Crawford because I have feelings for her all the time.

Me too.

@@kevinbarton9052 me too.

Yes she is