In the late 1960's, Paramount Pictures was going through a dry spell. When it announced that it had purchased the film rights to Mario Puzo's The Godfather, it hoped that this bold move would turn its fortunes around. So when its chosen director- Francis Ford Coppola- recommended the pricy and prickly Marlon Brando, it resisted at first, recommending Ernest Borgnine instead.
Luckily for movie history, Mario Puzo also favored Brando. Paramount Pictures caved in. Years later it would buy the film rights for another book- the memoir Mommie Dearest, a tell all book that scandalized fans of Joan Crawford. Written by her daughter Christina Crawford, it depicted the famous actress as a tyrant who mercilessly beat her children. Intended to be a serious biopic about the Hollywood legend, Paramount originally wanted Anne Bancroft to play Joan Crawford.
Initially she was excited about the project, but she quickly changed her mind. Whether she saw the campiness of the film or felt bad about trashing Ms. Crawford, (after all, the legend had accepted her best actress Oscar when she couldn't attend the ceremonies) Anne passed on the project. Faye Dunaway quickly accepted the part, unintentionally creating a camp masterpiece. Ironically, Joan Crawford had thought highly of the actress, proclaiming her to be the only actress at the time who could have found employment during Hollywood's golden age. Perhaps Ms. Crawford got her revenge from beyond the grave; the film effectively sidelined Faye Dunaway and her career never recovered.
