The Concluding Chapter of Crawford

The Joan Crawford Chronicle

1969

January 4: Joan's daughter, Christina, substitutes for Joan as the presenter of the 1968 Fashion Reporters Award - New York (aka The FRANY Award). The award is sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, and is presented to Chicago fashion editor/columnist Peg Zwecker for the second consecutive year. Zwecker is presented the award during a black tie dinner at the Hotel Pierre during the 52nd National Press Week of the New York Couture in Chicago, Illinois.

January 12: Joan attends a book publication party hosted by Earl and Rosemary Wilson at the El Morocco restaurant in Manhattan, New York. The party is for Jacqueline Susann's book "The Love Machine." 350 guests attend the party, and include Ethel Merman and Andy Warhol. (Partial source: "Lovely Me: The Life of Jacqueline Susann")

January 15: Joan attends the opening of Edith Head's one-woman show exhibit of her costume designs. The exhibit is held the Wright/Hepburn/Webster Gallery in Manhattan, New York.

Mid-January: Joan signs her contract to guest star in the pilot episode of the NBC series "Night Gallery," in the segment entitled "Eyes."

January 22: Joan is given the "Rafael Ramos Cobian Achievement Award" at the El San Juan Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The award is presented by theater owner and film distributor Rafael Ramos Cobian. The award is in honor of Joan's contributions to the film industry.

Early February: Joan negotiates co-starring in a film for Continental Films, which would co-star comedian Marty Allen.

February 1: Joan arrives in Los Angeles, California to begin pre-production on the pilot episode of "Night Gallery."

February 2: Joan meets with Steven Spielberg in her West Hollywood apartment to discuss the pilot episode of "Night Gallery." According to Spielberg, upon his arrival, he is greeted by Joan wearing a blindfold over her eyes to demonstrate her practice maneuvering around a room as a blind person. When Joan removes the blindfold, she sees Spielberg for the first time, and is shocked that her director is merely 21 years old. After Joan's initial surprise, she and Spielberg go to dinner at Lulu's in Hollywood. (Source: Steven Spielberg: A Biography)

February 3: Joan reports to the Universal lot to begin filming the pilot episode of "Night Gallery." Before filming commences, Joan gives a speech to the crew informing them that she had worked with Spielberg previously, and encourages the crew to treat him with the same respect they would garner for an older, more seasoned, director.

During filming of the segment, Joan and her co-star, Barry Sullivan, have difficultly reciting their lines and director Steven Spielberg places cue-cards around the set. Joan later recalls her experience on "Night Gallery" to a reporter, saying she adored Rod Serling and his writing "but his dialogue was the hardest to memorize. There's a rhythm to his words and if you change one of them, the rhythm is off and you can't remember."

The segment's filming concludes nine days later, which is two days over schedule.

February 5: While working on the set of "Night Gallery," Joan is stricken with an inner ear cold, which causes her to lose her equilibrium. Joan credits her makeup-man, Monty Westmore, for saving her from a possible injury when she loses her balance while in her bungalow at 5:30 am. Fortunately, Westmore entered her bungalow at the same instance to begin Joan's make-up.

Mid-February: Joan meets actor Darren McGavin for the first time on the Universal Studio Set while on her way to the sound stage while filming "Night Gallery."

Mid-February: Joan is interviewed by Shirley Eder on the set of "Night Gallery."

February 20: Joan gives a speech to sales and marketing executives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While in Milwaukee, Joan is presented with a gift box of Wisconsin cheese from Governor Knowles. Later in Joan's room at the Pfister Hotel, she visits with Mark Krolicki; an eight-year old boy with muscular dystrophy, who brings Joan roses and a box of Wisconsin cheese.

February 21: Joan travels from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Manhattan, New York.

February 23: Joan travels from Manhattan, New York to Toronto, Canada to attend a banquet hosted by the Sales and Marketing Executives Club of Toronto, Canada.

Last week of February: Joan films promos for local Pepsi-Cola bottlers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

February 28: Joan attends the International Film Awards dinner at the American Hotel in Manhattan, New York.

March 1: Joan attends the Golden Ball dinner at the Greenbrier Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The dinner is sponsored by the local Women's Club, and is attended by 500 guest. Joan arrives at 7:00 pm, dressed in a gold sequined sheath dress, with a matching jacket and a mink turban.

March 13: Joan's daughter, Christina, appears on Virginia Graham's talk show show "Girl Talk." Also appearing on the episode is actress Constance Ford.

Early-April: Joan attends the wedding anniversary party of comedian Marty Allen and his wife, Lorraine ("Frenchy"). The party is held at the El Morocco in Manhattan, New York.

April 8: Joan attends a luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, New York. The luncheon's purpose is to acquaint businessmen with an industrial investment in Alabama. Among the luncheon's guests are; Pepsi-Cola president James B. Somerall; Alabama Governor Albert Brewer and the president of Auburn University in Alabama, Henry Philpott

April 14: Joan attends the 41st annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.

April 18: Joan travels to Lima, Ohio from Los Angeles, California to attend the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant.

April 19: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Lima, Ohio.

April 23: Joan arrives in Johnson City, Tennessee in preparation for the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant, which is to be held on April 26th. During her visit in Johnson City, Joan stays at the Holiday Inn motel.

April 26: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Johnson City, Tennessee. At the ceremony, Joan wears a grey silk suit and matching pillbox hat.

April 28: Joan cuts the ribbon to dedicate the "Theater On The Mall" in Washington, D.C., which houses the Smithsonian's Summer of Performing Arts. During the dedication, Joan presents a $50,000 grant check to the theater on behalf of Pepsi-Cola, who is exclusively associated with the theater.

May 9: Joan's daughter, Christina, appears as a contestant on the television game show "Play Cards."

May 10: Joan visits Rochester, New York.

Mid-May: Joan signs her contract for the film "Trog." The film is slated to begin filming in England over the summer.

June 12: Rafael Ramos Cobian and his wife host a "bon voyage" party for Joan in the El Morocco's Champagne Room in Manhattan, New York. The party is in celebration of Joan traveling to England via the RMS Queen Elizabeth II to film "Trog." At the party, Joan wears a pink and white print silk sheath dress and coat, which stops two inches below her knees.

June 23: Joan arrives in England via the RMS Queen Elizabeth II to begin production on the film "Trog." Upon arriving, Joan is told by reporters that Judy Garland had just died.

June 30: Filming begins on "Trog" in London, England.

Mid July: Joan becomes ill with a virus during the second week of filming "Trog," and reportedly loses five and a half pounds as a result.

July 30: Joan is interviewed on the set of "Trog" for an article in London's Times newspaper. During the interview, Joan is photographed by Michael Ward. The photos are candid, and exposed many lines in Joan's face. Joan is unhappy with the photos, calling them "lousy." To her dismay, one of the photos was printed with "The Times" article, and later syndicated with the article in the August 24th,1969 issue of the New York Times.

In 1970, the first edition of Larry Carr's book "Four Fabulous Faces" printed the same photo as a full page in the book. Joan would remove the entire page from her personal copies before giving them to friends, or when she autographed the book for fans. The subsequent editions of the book replaced this photo of Joan with a photo of her at the 1961 Academy Awards ceremony.

July/August: Joan films her hostess scenes for the film "Journey To The Unknown." The film is a compilation of two of the television show's episodes, "Matakitas Is Coming" and "The Last Visitor." (Note: This is an educated guess on the part of this Webmaster. Being this was a British production, it's reasonable that Joan recorded this appearance while filming "Trog" in England.)

August: Joan meets with Alexander Walker at her Grosvenor House suite in London, England. Walker would later publish the book "Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Star."
On the same evening, Joan entertains half a dozen managers and their wives in London who work at a Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Beirut, Lebanon.
(Source: "Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Star")

August 23: Joan is honored with an award by the Hollywood Club Forum, along with Pee Wee King, Ryan O'Neal, Louis Haywood and James Shigeta.

Joan did not attend the awards ceremony, as she was in England filming "Trog."

August 31: Joan appears on a previously recorded appearance for Jerry Lewis' Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon. Other celebrities who appear are; Jackie Gleason, Joan Rivers, Patty Duke, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr., Carl Reiner, David Frost, Rodney Dangerfield and Johnny Carson. The program runs from the evening of August 31st - 6:00 pm on September 1st.

September 7-11: Pepsi-Cola's annual national bottler's convention is held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Joan is unable to attend due to filming "Trog" in England.

September 8: Principal photography is completed on the film "Trog."

September 12: Joan travels from London, England to Manhattan, New York.

September 19: Joan travels from Manhattan, New York to Marion, Illinois for the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling pant on September 20th. At 1:30 pm, Joan gives a press conference with Marion Pepsi-Cola plant presidents Harry Crisp Senior, Harry Crisp Jr. and Pepsi-Cola president James B. Somerall.

September 20: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Marion, Illinois. The ceremony begins at 10:30 am. At the ceremony, Joan wears a grey suit and matching hat.

September 22: Joan records an appearance on the television talk show "The Merv Griffin Show." For her appearance, Joan is paid $265.

September 26: Joan holds a press conference at the Commodore Perry Motor Inn in Toledo, Ohio.

September 27: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Toledo, Ohio. The ceremony begins at 10:30 am.

Late-September: Joan signs her contract to guest star on the television show "The Virginian," playing "Stephanie White" in the episode "Nightmare."

October 2: Joan appears on the television talk show "The Merv Griffin Show." During the show, Joan hosts a brief fall fashion show.

October 3: An ad of Joan promoting Blackglama Furs appears in the October issue of Vogue magazine.

October 13: Joan commentates the "Career World Fashion Show," which is sponsored by the Women's Advertising Club in Baltimore, Maryland. During her visit to Baltimore, Joan appears on Sylvia Scott's talk show "Woman's Angle," which is broadcast by WMAR-TV.

October 19: Joan attends the "National Association of Food Chains" convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

October 20-23: Joan attends the North American Van Lines Convention at the Fontainebleau Resort Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

October 24: Joan attends a USO luncheon at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, New York. During the luncheon, Gypsy Rose Lee is presented the organization's "Woman of The Year" award by Pearl Bailey. The award is given to Lee for her service to the USO.

October 28: Joan arrives in Houston, Texas in preparation for the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant. During her visit to Houston, Joan stays at the Hotel America. Upon her arrival, Joan and Pepsi-Cola president James B Somerall hold a press conference at the hotel.

In the evening, Joan attends a banquet held at the hotel in honor of the plant's dedication, which will take place the following day. The banquet is attended by over 500 Pepsi-Cola delegates and Houston locals.

October 29: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Houston, Texas. Accompanying Joan at the ceremony is Pepsi-Cola president James B. Somerall and public relations vice president Mitchell Cox.

November 8: Joan appears in the premiere of the NBC television show "Night Gallery," playing "Claudia Menlo" in the segment entitled "Eyes."

November 14: Joan attends a charity brunch for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at Wednesday's restaurant in Manhattan, New York. Tickets to the brunch are $12.50 each.

November 15: Joan travels to Los Angeles, California to film a guest appearance on the television show "The Virginian."

November 17: Joan begins rehearsals on the Universal lot for her guest appearance on an episode of the television show "The Virginian." During the episode's filming, Joan resides on the Universal lot.

November 18: The 50-minute documentary "Garbo" airs in America at 8:00 pm on PBS. Joan narrates the documentary. The program is produced by Fred Burnley and written by Alexander Walker. For her appearance and narration, Joan is paid approximately $10,000. (Source for salary: "Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Star" by Alexander Walker)

November 20: Joan begins filming on the television show "The Virginian" episode "Nightmare." For her services, Joan is paid a total of $5,912.86. This salary includes her $4,000 base salary, three additional days of filming and overtime.

December 5: Joan completes filming on the television show "The Virginian" episode "Nightmare."

December 9: Joan serves as honorary chairwoman for the Manhattan chapter of a Childville luncheon and fashion show held at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, New York. The event's ticket price is $17.50 per person.

December 13: Joan is the guest speaker at a celebrity luncheon at the El Morocco in Manhattan, New York.

© All original Joan Crawford research and original text herein is property of Webmaster Bryan Johnson and is copyright protected by the United States Copyright Act of 1976. Copyright © Bryan Johnson

THE CONCLUDING CHAPTER OF CRAWFORD