Watch Video

When Christina Crawford's 1978 memoir "Mommie Dearest" was published it sent shock waves throughout Hollywood. The book alleged that Oscar-winning actress, Joan Crawford was a mentally unstable woman who abused her children. The author of the book was Crawford's own daughter, Christina. A film based on the book was released in 1981. In the title role was another Oscar-winning actress, Faye Dunaway. The film was said to have ruined Dunaway's career.

In this short documentary, the film's screenwriter and producer, Frank Yablans shares his experience of making the movie. Also featured is actress Diana Scarwid, who played adult Christina in the movie, and Mara Hobel, who played Christina as a child. The film has become a cult classic and is particularly popular with queer audiences. Lending a gay perspective to the documentary is filmmaker, John Waters. Overall, it's a fascinating insight into Hollywood and the deconstruction of a movie legend.