An interesting new book says the famous "No more wire hangers ever" scene from "Mommie Dearest" almost did not happen in the film. This new information shows how hard it was for actor Faye Dunaway to play Hollywood actress Joan Crawford.

The Reluctance of Faye Dunaway

Known for giving impressive performances, Dunaway struggled to bring the famous sequence to life in the 1981 film "Mommie Dearest," based on Christina Crawford's 1978 memoir. Dunaway struggled to accept the film's attempt to depict how violent Joan was.

"With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic," A. Ashley Hoff's new book, talks about the difficulties faced while making the movie. Hoff said that Dunaway did not want to film the shocking and violent scene where Crawford hits her adopted daughter Christina with a wire hanger at first.

Hoff said that Dunaway did not want to be seen hitting Mara Hobel, who played Christina when she was younger. For the hitting and whacking with a wire hanger, they used stand-ins for both Hobel and Dunaway. Dunaway had a lot of mixed feelings while preparing for and filming the scene because it was so upsetting for her.

Technical adviser Jonathan Zimbert shared similar thoughts. He said Dunaway knew that if she strictly followed the script, people would think less of her character. He said Dunaway controlled herself, making the scene funnier while it was being filmed than in the final cut. Even though she got a lot of support, Dunaway did not fully commit to the violence.

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The Impact of the Scene on the Cast and Crew

Hobel, now 53, remembered the precautions taken during filming to minimize harm. She mentioned there was a shot where a mannequin or similar item was used, and for other shots, her back was layered with thick suede, leather, and cotton under a T-shirt and wardrobe. Hobel said she could feel the hanger hitting her back despite not feeling the sting.

Many people think the movie's portrayal of Joan is more important than her long and successful career. Crawford was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood's Golden Age.

However, now, she is mostly known for her cruel behavior in "Mommie Dearest." She performed in 100 films and received an Oscar for her performance in "Mildred Pierce," but the slogan "No wire hangers!" has come to represent her legacy.

About Ashley Hoff's New Book

Hoff's book tells how "Mommie Dearest" came to be and how it became an unexpected camp favorite. Following her death in 1977, Joan was seen as a Hollywood star. However, Christina published her book a year later, presenting a more sinister image of the actress. Christina stated that she had been subjected to severe abuse when she was a child. 

Christina's book was an instant hit because it mixed Hollywood drama with a rarely-discussed subject: child abuse. The movie version from Paramount Pictures starring Anne Hathaway got terrible reviews from critics but did well at the box office thanks to its silly and inappropriate scenes.

The new book has new interviews with everyone involved in the book and film, including the actors, crew, and industry professionals. Hoff looks at the social problems the memoir and movie dealt with, the phenomenon of its camp appeal, and the strong reactions it sparked. The book shows how a film critics initially hated has become a beloved cult favorite that still makes people think and be interested 40 years later.

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