Are we the last people in the country to hear about the new Mildred Pierce made-for-tv movie with Kate Winslet? We found out about it by accident: while researching something totally different, came across a picture of Miss Winslet in a cute, decidedly ‘30s frock (above) and did a double take! It’s still being filmed now, and slated to air on HBO later this year as a mini-series. 
While it’s based on the same source material as the classic 1945 film starring Joan Crawford, it does not appear that the current project could accurately be described as a “remake” of that film. James M. Cain’s grim and rather sordid 1941 novel is set in the 1930s-early '40s and is as much a story of the Depression as anything else. Nothing really dramatic happens.
The film noir aspects of Mildred Pierce were added by Hollywood. This was Crawford’s first film for Warner’s, having been forced to leave Metro, and she won an Oscar If adhering more closely to the original book as they apparently are, the new tv-Mildred will probably remind us more of the 1934 film Imitation of Life with Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers than Mildred. We will have to wait and see. It looks like they’re doing a good job with the sets and clothing, anyway.
Hey, the front of that Model A looks very familiar...
More costumes from the film
James M. Cain's story spans a number of years, from pre-Repeal days into the late '30s-early '40s 
Top: extras hamming it up on the set? Lower: Evan Rachel Wood, whom we admit we've never heard of before, plays Veda, the eldest Pierce daughter (fated to get slapped no matter which source material they're using).
One last note: In doing "research" for this post, we saw Joan Crawford being derided repeatedly for her supposed “middle aged” appearance in Mildred Pierce. We wish we could direct their attention to this still, from the beach house scene: underneath those shoulder pads, Joan retained an enviable, trim dancer’s figure. Picture, and many more, from our favorite site for all things Joan, The Best of Everything: A Joan Crawford Encyclopedia.
One last note: In doing "research" for this post, we saw Joan Crawford being derided repeatedly for her supposed “middle aged” appearance in Mildred Pierce. We wish we could direct their attention to this still, from the beach house scene: underneath those shoulder pads, Joan retained an enviable, trim dancer’s figure. Picture, and many more, from our favorite site for all things Joan, The Best of Everything: A Joan Crawford Encyclopedia.
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9 comments:
Unf, I love Evan Rachael Wood. She just looks so at home in this kind of period attire.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Oh thank you thank you thank you for posting these images! MUST MUST MUST see this. Evan Rachael Wood was in the Beatles musical-movie Across the Universe. I wouldn't have recognized her (OR Kate) from these glorious images!
One of my all time favorites! Thank you for the post,. I would have never known!!!
Thanks for this!
love the whole blog actually!!!
wonderful post. I've known about the remake for a few months, but forgot about it until now. I recently finished reading the book the 1945 film was based on, and though I love the original film the book is so much more interesting. it's unfortunate the it couldn't be made closer to the original source material due to the production code. I have high hopes for this version of it, and of course the costuming is fantastic.
Thanks for posting the photo of Evan! I'm a big fan of the original Mildred Pierce film and novel, and have been curious as to what she looked like in this. Although I still think I will love Ann Blyth's portrayal more!
Love your blog!
Thank you all. . it was a happy accident finding out about the movie. The 1945 is a favorite at our house, too. I wish all the websites would not call it a remake, or say that Kate is "channeling her inner Joan Crawford" as that does not appear to be the intent! I have never seen Evan before, so will be introduced to her as Veda - what a first impression for anyone to make! Must befriend someone around here with HBO between now and then...
I love the costuming. They really have captured the mid 1930s!
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