The fact that both Joan and Kate could give iconic performances of the same character shows how good of a character Mildred Pierce is. Thanks BKR, worth the wait 🤗

Mildred feels like a reflection of my own grandmother, who worked hard to go from a single mother working as a secretary in the 40's to an independent woman who owned her own small book keeping business in a time and place when it was almost shocking for a woman to do so. She was legitimately amazing AND had really toxic relationships with her kids. She was especially unforgiving with her daughters and granddaughters. I'm fascinated with Mildred and Veda's relationship as a sort of alternate reality of my own family history AND as a metaphor for the American middle class' neurotic obsession with the idea of upward mobility.

I always thought Veda took that low class job at the bar down by the docks to lure, manipulate and horrify Mildred. To the point where Mildred would do anything to save her and get her back, including marrying Monty. She could have taken a different job, like war production, which was a well-paid booming business. But no, she took the sleaziest, by her standards, job she could find.

Did I know anything about the book, movie or mini series? No. Was I invested in them all because of your video? Yes! Love your work

My Grandmother(a titanium magnolia) was a widow during the Great Depression and it was the family stories that resonated through the whole series. She never remarried or even dated. She spent most of that time surviving, working split shifts at a dime store soda fountain to make ends meet. Eventually, she worked in a hospital kitchen. All her kids did well, rising to the middle class.

I really enjoy these videos where you examine a narrative that has been adapted multiple times (like this, Little Women, West Side Story and A Star is Born). I like the way you contrast the different periods of production, the history of story and the actresses involved. Perhaps this could continue to be a series you create(?)

Veda is a very curious role because she may be one of the first - or at least among the first - character depictions of a genuine female sociopath in mainstream American films. I note you also mentioned Bette Davis's role of Regina Hubbard in The Little Foxes, which preceded Mildred Pierce by a few years, and which also arguably depicted a sociopathic female character. There's more than a coincidence here - consider an interesting factoid: Ann Blyth, who played Veda in the '45 Mildred Pierce, would go on to play the film role of Regina Hubbard in Another Part of the Forest (1948), an adaptation of Hellman's1946 play that was the prequel to The Little Foxes. Now that is odd...

I would imagine the idea of TV being a step down would be even more bizarre to Winslet, because it was always much more of a US thing. Actors going from theatre, TV and movies is normal in the UK. Also, if anyone in the UK wants to watch Winslet’s version, Sky Atlantic still have it in their On Demand service.

The idea of a series on how Todd Haynes interacts with classic film has my mouth watering! Carol is my favourite film of the 21st century so far, (very happy to hear Murtada mention it on the pod), and Far From Heaven and I’m Not There were both riveting finds - can’t wait to see what’s next! ❤

Quick shoutout to Mare Winningham as Ida and Melissa Leo as Lucy in the 2011 series. Great characters and performances! 💕

BKR you are really a *gem* on this platform. As someone from Belgium I want to thank you for giving the whole world masterful and insightful content!

Vada is one of those characters that provoked just INSTANT hate with every cell of my body. Both the young actress and Evan Rachel wood had something about them that emanates pure evil.

Joan did a great job with what she had to work the material she was given. She does make Veda her only care in the world. But Kate really makes you feel the tragic tension between Mildred and Veda. And Veda is evil and makes for a great baddy in the mini series. Great job as always BKR.

I am interested in a Todd Haynes series!!! PLEASE!!!!

What Haynes HBO miniseries does well is capture a difficult , thorny , complicated mother and daughter relationship. The previous film version is essentially a crime/noir film that turns a novel with complex relationships into a straight forward crime flavored drama that falls within the Production Code straitjacket of crime and punishment . As usual, a polished, well produced video. Your work is well worth watching .

I’m glad to finally find a film channel covering the Kate Winslet miniseries! I’d recommend comparing “Imitation of Life” 1932 vs 1959 or “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” 1962 vs 1992. Great video!

Mildred Pierce was my first Joan Crawford film and one of the first HBO miniseries I watched as someone with an active interest in film, so this video really took me back. I have to say, even though it's not in the novel I adored the fact that the murder was added to the film. It provided a sense of urgency that the miniseries, gorgeous as it is, lacks. I also remember thinking Mildred was softer and girlier as played by Kate Winslet when compared with Joan's hard edge. Which was not a bad thing, it just amazed me how different their interpretations were, and how the material was able to support both takes. 1945 is still my favorite, but I want to revisit the show. Also, that Todd Haynes series idea is amazing. I know the Far From Heaven/Douglas Sirk analysis video is coming someday, and I'll be waiting patiently.

I saw the notification for this video, and I kid you not, I went to the kitchen and POPPED a big bowl of POPCORN. I was so excited when I settled down into the sofa to watch this, and you did not disappoint. My Venn diagram is just like yours. And in answer to your question at the end, YES, a series like this from you is something I would definitely want to see. With even more popcorn. 😊

I love the way HBO re-invents timeless stories. I absolutely loved the film they did based on Grey Gardens, staring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, it gives a new meaning to the original documentary. I’d like to see you make a video about that film someday!

I love noir films, so I find the 1945 movie perfect as it is. I didn't know about the existence of the series, but I might give it a chance someday (although melodramas aren't really my thing). Anyway, I always get so happy whenever you post! :))

This channel should talk about Crawford in Possessed too. It's her best performance, imo.

This is my favorite BKR video to date because Mildred Pierce is my all-time favorite classic film/miniseries.

OT but hinging on both this and the It Happened One Night video where it was previously mentioned, I would LOVE to see a similar video done on the two versions of Imitation of Life, how it was adapted from its source material, and why it inexplicably hasn't been remade in the 2020s when it would be at its most timely... just a thought

i could honestly watch you compare different movie adaptations for hours! i wonder if jane eyre would be a fun one, since there are a lot of high quality versions across a long period of time. excellent video-really made me appreciate that kate winslet is a transformative actor. also, i'm going to go to the library and pick up a copy of mildred pierce asap lol

Stephen King wrote for The Daily Beast and Newsweek, saying that the 5 hour adaptation was “too damn long” and "Winslet’s Mildred is a genuine star turn. How Joan Crawford would have loathed her."

I haven’t seen the 2011 miniseries, but I adore the Joan Crawford version. The atmosphere, the acting and the story made it too sublime.

I’m glad the new version was different. However, the older version is more satisfying.

I loved Kate Winslet’s portrayal and Evan Rachel Wood was excellent. I return to it every now and then-it is more faithful to James M. Cain’s novel. That said, Crawford’s film is of course always number 1. And it incorporated film noir so deliciously well within the plot.

I loved both versions for different reasons. And both performances. And your analysis. But I must pause and beg for a vídeo about Glenda Jackson. I am still grieving...

I like the Joan Crawford version best. The film noir style and classy melodramatic sensibilities for the changes work well to make Mildred more relatable and Veda more vile.

I’ve always wanted to see somebody do a video essay comparing the two different adaptations of Mildred Pierce as I have seen both you have delivered. In fact, I actually saw the Mildred Pierce miniseries as a screening at the Portland art museum (yes, all five episodes at once with an intermission I think) and the next day there was an in person lecture in Q&A, with Todd Haynes, and his producer, Christine vaschon (I think that’s her name I could be wrong). I had actually watched almost every movie that Haynes had directed at that point so I could gain knowledge about his work and ask the right questions.

I really love both of these versions separately. I wish Evan would've gotten an Emmy alongside Kate though.

Todd Haynes was my Semiotics T.A. at Brown University in 1983-1984. Great to see him adapting Mildred Pierce which was one of the films we watched for the class.

Just realized both Bette and Joan had great success with Mildreds, Bondage '34 and Pierce '45

Hi! Please do a video on Glenda Jackson who passed away one week ago. A fascinating woman who won two Oscars, ignored Hollywood for the most part, went off to be a poilitican, and returned triumphantly in her eighties.

Been itching to rewatch the 45 version for a while now. This video may well push me over the edge.

I would love to see a BKR video all about Angela Bassett. She’s my all time favourite actress and her roles are so diverse.

I had come across an article some 12 years ago that suggested Mildred had created Veda by passing some of her own toxic views to the latter.

Great video, as always! As a classically trained musician, the part about becoming a soprano di coloratura without years of training and discipline feels unhinged 😂 A friend of mine is a writer and for a short story about a pianist he asked me to watch for a couple of hours while I practice and attend one of my lessons. I think most people have an incorrect assumption about how one becomes a classical musician.

I look down and 50 minutes has just flown by. Absolutely fascinating analysis as per usual. I’ve seen the Crawford movie, and I had no idea so much was changed from the source material.

I love your videos! This is required viewing for people who say they hate remakes! The only thing 1945 has in common with 2011 Mildred Pierce is the title! Todd Haines' version is a direct interpretation of the novel. I remember reading the book in the 90s I had to put the 1945 film completely out of my mind and read the book anew. One thing that struck in my head was Cain's depiction of the grittiness and hard work it took to operate a restaurant. In the 1945 movie it looked glamorous! The 2011 Mini Series did delve into the inner workings of running a business like Mildred explaining how to prepare a meal ordering to serving while maintaining freshness and quality. Having worked in the industry I could relate. One thing in the video is the footnotes in the bottom left corner were partially cutoff made it difficult to read the text. Something very minor but I like to know the source material. Bravo to you! ❤

Tbh - this made me want to hear a retelling of Mildred Pierce told from Veda’s point of view. What on earth was that girl thinking during all of this.

Love this. Thank you. I read "Mildred Pierce" shortly after reading "Gone With the Wind" and was struck by the similar trajectories of Mildred Pierce and Scarlett O'Hara, from vain, too-proud girls to hardened but also humbled women who rebuilt themselves from the ashes of their original pretensions. They're ultimately stories about status, like all the great novels about women, because status-fighting against an assigned, inferior role-is THE fight in women's lives. It's the endless liberation project. What I loved about both books is that the resolution of both their struggles isn't love; it's maturity. Mildred and Scarlett are both finally able to reject the juvenile self-concepts that conspired to keep them in an inferior social position. Those were exactly the concepts that propped up status. Mildred and Scarlett move into a future that may or may not include love and companionship, but they do so dry-eyed, clear-headed, with no regrets, and as fully developed people. We should all take as much from our mistakes.

I love how the Joan version kinda has a Mommie Dearest vibe

i saw this in my feed and GASPED you really made this for me specifically thank you would LOVE a video about sirk and far from heaven

Was this video made for me specifically?? This is literally what me and my viewers live for!

Wow!! Love this piece! So glad you spent time on Mildred's carnal obsession with her own daughter, the crucial thing that both film versions avoid. The book is Bananas, such a great read.

this is the only thing on youtube I truly look forward to! your content and research are like no other! and this one is made for me!

I wrote a paper on this in my Masters program! Amazing job!

BKR, yes I would love for you to continue this type of series. I love the compare and contrast. I also your love how you present commentary. It’s very interesting discovering your videos on this platform. I also look forward to it.

I am SO glad you're covering this!! I *just* finished the series and was bummed there was little content on it, and here you are. Best channel.

I love your work, always so thoughtful and really spot on in so many ways, and one thing I like a lot about your videos that has NOTHING to do with your astute observations and insights is how you integrate your sponsorships into the themes and nuances of your creations as well as accept sponsorships from brands that fit in culturally with what you present as a channel. Very impressive.

48:36 this. I see you too Disney 👀 fantastic video, thank you! I like both versions but I only saw Todd Hayne’s once, Joan’s I have watched regularly throughout the years (I own the wonderful Criterion Blu-Ray), I just find it more entertaining 🤷🏻‍♂️ wonderful video!

Veda’s fast rise as a coloratura soprano isn’t absurd. She had advanced musical training as a pianist which would give her all the skills needed to fast track as a singer. Once her outstanding vocal talent had been discovered she could start a career as fast as she could learn the repertoire. The great coloratura soprano Lily Pons is an example….a trained pianist who quickly became an opera and concert sensation. It never occurred to me that this plot line was ludicrous…on the contrary I considered it well researched on Cain’s part. I love your channel and all your content!

As a person who has the Crawford Mildred Pierce and Todd Hanes’ Safe on my favorite films of all time list I’m kinda shocked I didn’t know he directed the miniseries. This is going right to the top of my watchlist along with the the novel to my reading list

I don’t believe you normally use background music as much in ur videos, which actually works much better. I found this one a tough watch/listen, because the background music was so distracting. Maybe it was the type of music or the volume Your videos are perfection, always so amazingly put together, and I think the usual narration without background music works great.

A book so good I actually read it twice over the first time. Cain doesn't waste a word. I grew up in Glendale, California. My parents went through the Depression. The series and the book really nailed it. There is no snob like a middle-class snob, with a hardcore work ethic but dreams of grandeur. I started by rooting for the mother and wound up rooting for the daughter. I never liked the 1940s version because it dispensed with the chilling and subtle way the two women change places. Mildred begins as a clear heroine and Veda a spoiled brat. But Veda's absolute devotion to her music, her ascension into fame and fortune based on talent, make her infinitely more interesting. Mildred lives for Veda in a way that borders on prurient. Veda has no patience with this, and neither do I. Thank you for dissecting the reasons the studio tossed that aspect of the story. Because of your review, I'm going to have to watch it again with more charity. The 2011 version is spectacularly faithful but not to a fault, so we keep watching. Monty is infinitely more sympathetic, as he is in the book, effortlessly elegant, natural, and unshakably upper class. By the way, Veda became famous over about a year, because of radio, and she studied music for years before she sang. No overnight success but a realistic ruthlessness. "...a snake?" "No, is coloratura soprano, is much worse." Cain's mother was an opera singer, and this strain runs through all his works.Thanks for this pithy examination. I can't wait to re-watch the series. Your channel is wonderful. Yes, a series, please.

Hour-long video about Haynes' eight-hour long adaptation? YESS

On the ending, I don't know if Veda planned for her mother to choke her or she came up with the plan to fake voice damage right after this traumatic moment.

Okay I am officially convinced I have rewatched your videos to the point we are becoming the same person as I literally just watched this show and movie for the first time like 3 days ago. Thank you for continual quality content

The way Kane writes Mildred's thoughts about Veta comes across as a man who can't fathom how women care for their children. It's like he saw a codependent mother in the wild and thought, "Yep, incest is the only explanation for this."

It’s interesting how we talk about who drives the production. The ‘46 film is the pinnacle of a Joan Crawford Picture. And while there’s no denying Winslet’s star power, the miniseries has the artistic signature of its director.

This was delightful. As I am a cinephile and have seen both version. Please do other comparisons for us please and thank you!❤

I love Haynes and I very much liked his version of Mildred Pierce in the same way that I liked Spielberg's update on West Side Story.... so good for both of them. That being said, I'd love to see more directors remake old films that SHOULD have been great, but weren't... or that aged horribly because of changing social norms. First up should be Breakfast at Tiffany's. Imagine what Todd Haynes could do with THAT magnificent story today.

Honey wake up there's a new be kind rewind video! Im so excited for this bc mildred pierce is referenced a lot but ive not actually been able to see it

I ADORE this way of looking at film and cultural history. I would love love love to see more videos like this!

I would kill for a video about Far From Heaven/Douglas Sirk. Please, make it a series ✨💖

I'm in favor of doing films or TV projects of the original novels that iconic movies are based on to get the original author's intent, ("Breakfast at Tiffany's" would be an interesting project). The iconic film would still be there but it would be worth it to see what the author envisioned, too, when there are substantial differences. That said, it may be axiomatic that the book is better than the movie but I think this case shows that that's not always the case. You can see why the novel was considered unfilmable. It would have been so even without the Breen office. Warner's turned it into a cleaned up but jazzed up and speeded up masterpiece. I watched the 2011 mini-series and quickly realized that that was going to be a character study, and period piece, not a crime melodrama. Still, I found myself getting bored and felt the story meandered. Part of it was the difference between a 1940's movie star and a 2010's movies star. Both Crawford and Winslet are great actresses but Crawford has an intensity and charisma that is missing form Winslet's performance. Crawford seems to focus on Mildred's strengths and Winslet on her weaknesses. I also agree that having Veda become an opera star overnight is ridiculous. Thinking she could become famous and finding that a torch singer in a dive is the best she can do on her own makes much more sense to me. The right-off-the-bat murder is one of the great movie openings and having Mildred finally liberated from Veda at the end is a great ending. They don't make 'em like that any more.

I'd never seen the mini-series, but have watched Crawford's version several times. The difference is marked and fascinating. I watched your analysis, then watched both versions. You hit it spot on. Great commentary. Thanks for the new/old update!

Honestly the more I hear about the original novel the more I like it compared to the 1940s version or even 2011 one because it kind of reminds me of Lolita where the narration is played out by abuser who doesn't understand the extend of the damage he /she is causing and paints the victim in an alluring but also an unsympathetic light for their own benefit. In Mildred and many understandably sympathetic audience , Mildred's action can be easily construed as a single minded devotion of a loving mother rather than obsession that feels predatory. Veda while she has become a spoiled person and is of course not likable at least goes on to have a life where she controls what she wants to do and succeed unlike poor Lolita who tragically dies too soon and poor.

I love that you try to sneak Cher into as many of your videos as possible! 😆

@BKR joked about Glenda Jackson. Brings idea to me of a wraparound topic of portrayals of Queen Elizabeth I. (Masterpiece Theater second installment.)

I rarely enjoy remakes but Mildred Pierce is the exception…highly recommend the mini series!!

So neat to see the character develop overtime. Thanks for the evening content, I always love bkr days 😊

Yes to the Todd Haynes deep dives but I also still want the Judy Holliday video you promised!

When I read the book I was reminded of how I felt when I read "The Postman Always Rings Twice" - that it's way better than the potboiler I expected it to be. It's so much more frank about, well, sex, but also a lot of other kinds of emotions and desires that media was usually pretty bogus about at the time. Maybe I should stop being surprised that Cain was a pretty good writer.

This is such an interesting story. Thanks for doing this video, I’ve always enjoyed comparing the two screen versions and never would have reached such insightful conclusions myself. I just might have to read the book now. Keep up the amazing videos, and thanks again!

Could you please do a video on The Little Foxes and Now, Voyager pretty please ❤

Our Miss BKR, thank you again for such fine quality analysis and for your intelligent ideas and insights. I never cease to be impressed by what you offer on the channel and the clever commentary (and humor) that is a part of all of your videos. Thank you!

I would LOVE your take on Todd Haynes' "Far From Heaven" vs the original "All that Heaven Allows"

Great analysis, thank you for putting so much time and research into it. To be honest, I understand both movies MUCH better after watching this!! And though I haven't read the book, I feel like I know that version well, now. Fine job, BKR!

I normally despise remakes, especially when talking about the remaking of a classic, but this is a great example of the WHY a remake should be made in some cases ... it's more faithful to the complexity of the original story (author's intent) and it has the benefit to delve deeper by virtue of its limited series run time. I enjoyed both, thoroughly.

The limited series with Kate was excellent!

I would love to see your video analysis on Far From Heaven and Carole.

So lucky I found "Be kind Rewind today! Obsessed!

Such a deep and knowledgeable analysis! Thank you so much for your videos. I learn so much about American movies, culture and history.

I hadn’t watched either adaptation before this video and MY GOD AM I GRATEFUL for the recommendation! Thank you for making me a more cultured human being BKR ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I wish someone would remake "Marjorie Morningstar." That was one of my fave films and then, when I could find it, the book.

You and Brad Rowe should do a SuperCollaboration on and Oscar category. Like Best Actress of 1950.

I loved Todd Haynes' version. :) Speaking of Todd Haynes: Would love to see a series were he engages with Classic Cinema. Sign me up! Love your videos and your research is always top notch. Thanks and Cheers!

I love your film analysis. This is one of the best KZfaq channels in the genre. Can’t wait to see what you put out next.

Yes series please! Love love love your work. Nuanced and clever. Thanks so much! 😊

Watching your videos is comparable to the anticipation of going to see a newly released theatrical film! Thank you for your expert analysis of various pieces. A suggestion for a new topic: How about picking two movies with first time directors and pitting them against each other? LOL!!! You know, analyze comparable/contrasting director styles, what makes one a better directed movie over the other, which gained better accolades, who went on to have greater success in directing future movie, etc. It would be amazing! (Examples of directorial debuts and not necessarily the picks) - Robert Redford's Ordinary People vs. Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs.

Anything you want to put on your channel, please do! Would love to see more Todd Haynes vids but seriously, I'll watch anything and everything you put on the channel! Keep up the great work!!

23:41 I will never forget the Crowford & Messi crossover

Great video! I think you should make this a series!

Looking back, I wonder how someone who can come off a bit less dignified and tender than Winslet could've handled this. Someone like Toni Collette perhaps?

As always, your work is splendid. Thank you.

Every upload from this channel is a delight.

Did you ever see Carol Burnett's spoof "Mildred Fierce"? It is hilarious, and I think it captures the extreme relationship between Mildred and Vida in a way that is true to the book as well as the Crawford portrayal. I tried to post it here with a link, but it seems to have disappeared each time, so I guess I must be breaking a rule on KZfaq. It is definitely available! Doug