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New Book on MGM Classic ‘The Women’ Reveals Extent of Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer’s Feud (Exclusive Excerpt)
Illeana Douglas’s new book examines the intense rivalry between Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer during the making of MGM’s 1939 film The Women. It argues that their hostility was genuine but also became a carefully exploited publicity angle, helping sell the all-female production as a sensational Hollywood “feud”.
The dispute reportedly extended to billing, costumes, trailers and public appearances. Shearer skipped the wrap party and premiere, while Crawford made pointed remarks about Shearer’s recurring “wronged wife” roles; screenwriter Anita Loos said the actresses came from very different worlds but understood that their antagonism generated valuable publicity.
In short
- Crawford and Shearer’s rivalry shaped publicity for The Women.
- Their feud involved status, costumes and public criticism.
- Illeana Douglas explores the conflict in a new book.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The rivalry can be read as a real clash of personalities and status: the reported disputes over billing, costumes and appearances, along with Shearer’s absence from key events and Crawford’s pointed remarks, suggest genuine hostility. On this view, publicity amplified an existing feud rather than inventing it, and the actresses’ different backgrounds may have sharpened their differences.
The case against
The rivalry can also be understood as a publicity story deliberately shaped around a film whose all-female cast offered an easy hook for audiences. If the antagonism helped sell the picture, public incidents and pointed remarks may have served that purpose as well as expressing personal feelings; the evidence described does not settle how much was sincere and how much was performed.
Explained simply
The Women is a 1939 MGM comedy-drama about a circle of wealthy women and their relationships. Its cast was made up entirely of women, unusual for a major Hollywood film of the time. The film starred Norma Shearer, an established MGM leading actor, and Joan Crawford, who had joined the studio after building her career elsewhere.
The actresses’ rivalry became part of the film’s public image. Their disagreements were reported to involve matters such as billing and costumes, while studio publicity could turn conflict between stars into a way to attract attention. Screenwriter Anita Loos later described the two women as coming from different backgrounds and recognised that their antagonism could help promote the film.