Joan Crawford delivers a vintage performance in this rags to riches story of married early middle aged woman who leave her husband following the tragic death of her son. She has had enough of the grinding poverty associated with living in a small house with her in-laws and husband which is positioned close to pumping oil wells. Her mission is to be someone important, a woman of society. The method used is that of sleeping her way to the top of the syndicate latter.
None of this material is new or groundbreaking. "Flamingo Road" released earlier when Crawford was nearing the end of her stay at Warner Brothers covered much of the same ground. The Damned though benefits from even brisker than usual pacing and a strong supporting cast. The increased sexuality of the storyline was indicative at all the major studios as they saw the rise in the popularity of television was starting to cut against their numbers.
It may not be of the caliber of "Mildred Pierce" but it is very representative of the performances she was giving at the time
None of this material is new or groundbreaking. "Flamingo Road" released earlier when Crawford was nearing the end of her stay at Warner Brothers covered much of the same ground. The Damned though benefits from even brisker than usual pacing and a strong supporting cast. The increased sexuality of the storyline was indicative at all the major studios as they saw the rise in the popularity of television was starting to cut against their numbers.
It may not be of the caliber of "Mildred Pierce" but it is very representative of the performances she was giving at the time