Mildred Pierce lets you know that it’s film noir from the opening scene when you hear six rapid gunshots being fired into the body of Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott), his last word being, “Mildred.” 

Flashbacks take the audience to a happier time in the early 1940s when Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is married to Bert Pierce (Bruce Bennett), a California real estate broker.  A homemaker, her major focus is on the well being of her two teenage daughters, Kay and Veda.  When her husband loses his job, Mildred works herself nearly to death baking pies and slaving as a waitress to earn enough money to give her girls the best of everything though Veda never seems satisfied with what her mother provides.  Neglecting her husband in favor of her children, Mildred’s marriage fails. 

Mildred learns the restaurant business with the help of her wisecracking assistant Ida (Eve Arden).  Realtor Wally Fay (Jack Carson) advises her despite her rebuffs of his numerous passes.  Wally introduces Mildred to Monte Beragon from whom she buys the first in a series of properties as she establishes the beginnings of a restaurant empire.  Monte and Mildred have an affair, while Veda becomes jealous of her mother, laughing at her, saying she’s still little more than a lowly waitress.  Meanwhile, Monte, who has social status, but no actual cash, takes money freely given to him by Mildred. 

Unexpectedly, daughter Kay dies.  Mildred is naturally distraught and dotes on Veda all the more.  Veda marries a wealthy young man, but soon asks for a divorce, claiming she’s pregnant to get a $10,000.00 settlement.  She confesses to her mother that she never was pregnant, and Mildred strikes her daughter, ordering her from the house.

Miserable over Veda, Mildred begins drinking.  Her first husband, Bert, takes her to see their Veda singing in cheap restaurant of Wally’s.  A shocked Mildred begs Veda to come home.  Veda refuses unless her mother can provide wealth as well as a respectable life.  Mildred enters a loveless marriage with Monte.  He has the social standing and she has the money, but Monte agrees only under the condition that Mildred give him 1/3 of her restaurant empire.  Monte sells his share to Wally who gets his revenge by taking over because Mildred has turned him away so often. 

Mildred comes home to find Veda in Monte’s arms and pulls a gun from her fur coat pocket.  Does she shoot him?  What will happen to Mildred?  Jeepers, I can’t tell you everything!  Seek this one out, folks.  It’s a classic because it deserves to be.

Statistics 

1945, Black and White Melodrama, Film Noir

113 minutes

Warner Brothers

Michael Curtiz, Director

Max Steiner, Music

No rating, adult themes 

Awards

1945 Academy Award categories:

Best Actress – Joan Crawford – winner

Best Cinematography – Ernest Haller – nominated

Best Original Screenplay – Ranald MacDougall – nominated

Best Picture – nominated

Best Supporting Actress – Eve Arden – nominated

Best Supporting Actress – Ann Blyth – nominated

1945 New York Film Critics Circle:

Best Actor – Zachary Scott  

Best Actress – Joan Crawford

Players

 Joan Crawford – Mildred Pierce

Jack Carson – Wally Fay

Zachary Scott – Monte Beragon

Eve Arden – Ida

Ann Blyth – Veda Pierce

Bruce Bennett – Bert Pierce

Jo Ann Marlowe – Kay Pierce