Torch Song (1953)

An iron willed Broadway musical star (Joan Crawford) alienates almost everyone around her including her long time pianist (Benny Rubin) who finally quits. The pattern continues when she immediately clashes with the blind pianist (Michael Wilding) who replaces him. This piece of over roasted corn signified Crawford's return to MGM after over ten years. As hokum, it's quite pleasurable. It's fun watching Crawford playing the barking bitch to the manor born but when she starts suffering for us, it ceases to be pleasant. Crawford looks terrific in Technicolor and has ample opportunity to show off her sensational legs and her dancing is above average. This is the film that contains the infamous Two Faced Woman number performed by Crawford in blackface. Directed by Charles Walters. With Marjorie Rambeau as Crawford's mother whose performance here was inexplicably nominated for an Oscar, Gig Young, Nancy Gates, Harry Morgan, Dorothy Patrick, Maidie Norman and Eugene Loring, who also choreographed the film.