Aug. 25, 1964 - Joan Crawford, recuperating from a virus infection, said from her Los Angeles hospital bed that she was “hoarse from sobbing and still a little numb” after being replaced in the movie “Hush…Hush Sweet Charlotte.”
She was informed by newsmen yesterday at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital that producer-director Robert Aldrich had announced she will be replaced by Olivia de Havilland in the multimillion-dollar 20th Century-Fox production.
“I cried for nine straight hours yesterday,” she exclaimed. “I’ve never been replaced before. I’m used to having people look me right in the eye — and not this indirect treatment.”
The star, now 56, confirmed that she has not heard directly from Aldrich, although he said he had sent her a letter about his decision.
“He [Aldrich] sent me flowers a week ago and said he would come to see me when I was ready to receive visitors,” she continued. “I tried to reach him after that, and I was told he was out of town. Now I know why.”
Aldrich had flown to Paris to confer with Miss de Havilland, a two-time Oscar winner, and signed her to a contract.
Miss Crawford said she expects to be released from the hospital at the end of this week — “unless this emotional upset halts my recovery.”
“I blame the insurance doctors somewhat,” she said. “They told me twice I was ready to return to work, and I tried twice.”
She explained she knew she couldn’t endure an 18-hour day which she said was required during production, but she was willing to try. The movie was stopped for the second time July 29.
“Now,” she shrugged, “I guess I’ll go to a dry climate for a month. There are still some nice, gentle people in this business — and the world.”
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