THE CONCLUDING CHAPTER OF CRAWFORD

The Joan Crawford Chronicle
1967

Early January: The financial arraignments fall through for Joan's planned film "You'll Hang, My Love," which was slated to be filmed in Spain. The project is delayed several times before Joan leaves the project with Agnes Moorehead accepting the role. The film is ultimately canceled in mid-1967.


January 9: Joan hosts a candlelight dinner in the ballroom of the Pierre Hotel ballroom in Manhattan, New York. The dinner is attended by 200 fashion editors in celebration of New York's fashion week, and to honor seven American fashion corresponds who have been covering the New York fashion collections for the past 24 years. As a gift to the guests, Joan gives out small individual calorie counters. The dinner is presented by the New York Couture Business Council.
At the dinner, Joan wears a white embossed dinner gown with matching jacket, with an "up-do" hairstyle and tiara.


January 17: Joan attends a White House gala in Washington, D.C. The event is in honor of; American Vice President Herbert Humphrey, Chief Justice Earl Wilson and House Speaker John W. McCormack. Prior to the gala's dinner, a tea is hosted from 5:10 pm - 5:55 pm by First Lady Ladybird Johnson in the West Hall. The tea is attended by Joan, Rosemary Stroer and Liz and Sharon Francis. The dinner begins in the East Room at 8:25 pm. Among the 190 guests are: Carol Channing; Douglas Fairbanks jr.; Interior Secretary, Stewart Udall; Ambassador Sol Linowitz; U.S. Supreme Court Justice, William O. Douglas and wife Cathy; New York Governor, Nelson A. Rockefeller; Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine and Marge and Gower Champion.
At Joan's table, she is seated in close proximity of 23 year old Cathy Douglas, the new wife of 67 year old Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. During the dinner, Joan is allegedly rude to Mrs. Douglas during a discussion of woodlands. Later when the finger bowls are passed around the table, Mrs. Douglas forgets to place her doily under her finger bowl, and Joan reaches across the table to lift up the finger bowl and place the doily under it while exclaiming "That's how we do it!" Following the dinner, the guests are treated to a condensed 30-minute performance of the play "Hello Dolly!" by Carol Channing and the play's company.
Joan later leaves the White House prior to the end of the gala, and instructs Douglas Fairbanks jr. to tell Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine that she will send her car back for them. The following day, Joan is criticized in news reports for being rude to Cathy Douglas. However, Joan denies to reporters that she was rude.
Barbara Stanwyck later commented, of the record, to reporter Shirley Eder that Joan was probably angry she was not seated at the main table.


January 18: Via teleprompter, Joan appears on a 45-minute press presentation by Daytona International Speedway to an estimated 750 media agents in the 12 largest cities in the nation. The presentation is to present to the press the upcoming activities and events that will be held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Pepsi-Cola is one of the sponsors of the presentation.


January 19: Joan travels from Manhattan, New York to Los Angeles California to tape an appearance on the television show "The Hollywood Palace." While in Los Angeles, Joan is also scheduled to do a recording for Pepsi-Cola, and to sign her contract to guest star in an episode of the television show "The Man From UNCLE."


Early February: Joan attends a black-tie dinner in honor of actor Robert Stack at the home of Harry Jameson. Joan was escorted to the dinner by Dr. Rex Kennamer.


February 3: Joan talks, via telephone, to Detroit newspaper columnist Shirley Eder regarding the January 17th White House dinner controversy with Cathy Douglas. Joan denies the allegations, and her quotes are published in Eder's column on February 4th, 1967.


February 4: Joan attends the gala opening of the Camelot Theater in Palm Springs, California. The theater is opened by Joan's friend, Sherrill Corwin. The gala includes; a Mayor's cocktail party, the screening of the film "Dr. Zhivago" and a celebrity champagne supper. The $100 per couple gala benefit is on behalf of the "United Funds Charities." Among the guests who attend the gala are: Barbara Rush, Suzanne Pleshette, Mr. and Mrs. David Jansses, Bill Bixby, John Shubeck, Lily Pons and Jolie and Eva Gabor.


February 8: Joan works from 1:00pm to 3:00pm rehearsing her scenes for "The Hollywood Palace."


February 9: Joan works from 10:30am to 9:00pm rehearsing her scenes for "The Hollywood Palace."


February 10: Joan works rehearsing and filming her scenes for "The Hollywood Palace." Her dramatic reading is filmed between 11:00am to 12:00pm. The remainder of the show is filmed in front of a live audience from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.


February 13: Joan signs her contract for "The Man From U.N.C.L.E," episode "The Five Daughters Affair." Joan is paid $2,500 for her appearance.


February 22-25: Joan films her scenes for the television show "The Man From UNCLE," episode "The Five Daughters Affair," on the MGM lot. For Joan's return to the MGM lot, she is greeted by a red carpet, and a special welcoming lunch given in the MGM commissary, which is decorated with photos of Joan, and bouquets of flowers. Much of the celebration is arranged by Joan's longtime friend, Dore Freeman, who works in MGM's publicity department. Joan tells reporters "It's like I'd only left yesterday."


Late February: Escorted by George Kocens, Joan attends artist Ednah Root's one-woman show of her paintings and tapestries at the Comara Gallery in Los Angeles, California.


February 28: Joan attends columnist Sheilah Graham's book party for "College of One" at L'EToile in Manhattan, New York.


March 8: Joan attends the premiere of the Elizabeth Taylor film "The Taming of The Shrew" at the Coronet Theater in Manhattan, New York.


March 12: Escorted by Van Johnson, Joan attends a fund-raising dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, New York. The dinner is sponsored by the New York Association for Brain-Injured Children. Actress Patrica Neal, the parent of a brain-injured child, is the dinner's special guest of honor. This was Neal's first public appearance since her hospitalization for a series of strokes. The benefit dinner is also attended by; Rock Hudson, Van Johnson, Leonard Bernstein, publicist John Springer, Otto Preminger, Paul Newman, Alistair Cooke, Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, and Henry Fonda.


Mid-March: Joan fractures her ankle when she slips on a sheet spread across the floor of her Fifth Avenue apartment while the apartment is being painted. The incident results in Joan using crutches until her ankle heals.


March 26: Joan attends an Easter Sunday luncheon, dance and fashion show at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, New York. The event is to benefit the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health. Also attending the event is actress Joan Fontaine.


March 31: Joan appears in a cameo appearance on the television show "The Man From UNCLE," in part one of the episode "The Five Daughters Affair."


April: At Joan's insistence, producer Herman Cohen changes the title of the film "Circus of Blood" to "Berserk."

April 9: Joan presents actress Helen Hayes with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's first humanitarian award.


Mid-April: Joan's "Berserk" co-star, Judy Geeson, visits with Joan at her Fifth Avenue apartment in New York. This is Geeson's first visit to Manhattan, New York.

April 18: Joan and Judy Geeson film an appearance on "The Merv Griffin Show" in Manhattan, New York. The episode airs on April 30th.


April 22: Joan appears as the hostess during an episode of the television variety show "The Hollywood Palace." Joan's appearance was previously recorded in late February. Performing on the episode are the following: Singers Julius La Rosa and Nancy Ames; the band "The Cyrcle"; magician Ralph Adams; comedian Tim Conway; trapeze artists "The Flying Cavarettas" and "The Great Halasis"

April 23: Joan appears on the American Cancer Society's televised "Crusade '67" and recites the poem "Dirge Without Music." Other celebrities who appear on the program are; Sammy Davis jr, Jack Benny, Sherry Lewis and Lorne Greene.


Late April: Joan vacations in Palm Springs, California, at the home of close friends Sherrill and Dorothy Corwin.


April 29: Joan attends the City of Hope's "Night of The Stars" banquet at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach, California. Joan is escorted to the banquet by George Kocens. Among the other guests are; Jimmy Durante, John Wayne and former California Governor Goodwin J. Knight. During the banquet Joan receives the City of Hope's "Woman of The Year" award. Following the banquet Joan visits with her former "Torch Song" director Charles Walters in her suite at the Balboa Bay Club.


April 30: Joan appears on "The Merv Griffin Show" with Judy Geeson to promote "Berserk." Also appearing on the episode is actor Dom Delouse and psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Spock.


Late April: Joan is honored at a private party at the Palm Springs, California home of Baroness Rita Kocens. Guests include; Robert Taylor and his wife, Robert Gist, and Joan's close friends Sherrill and Dorothy Corwin.


May 3: Joan does not attend the annual Pepsi shareholder's meeting in Wilmington, Delaware. Shareholders notice and inquire about Joan's absence.


May 4: Joan arrives in Burlington, North Carolina to attend the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola plant on May 6th.


May 5: Joan attends a press conference in Burlington, North Carolina.


May 6: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Burlington, North Carolina. The dedication begins at 10:30 am. Joan is accompanied to the dedication by Pepsi-Cola executives James B. Somerall, Samuel Desch and John E. Repko.


Mid-May: Joan travels to Mexico City, Mexico to attend the week-long Variety Clubs International Convention.


Mid-May: Joan serves as honorary chairwoman in preparations for a USO-sponsored dinner at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, New York. Actresses Mary Martin and Helen Hayes also assist with planning the dinner, which is hosted by Merv Griffin.


May 27: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas.


June 4: Joan attends the 19th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which is held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California.


June 7: Joan arrives in Dallas, Texas and then commutes to Irving, Texas in preparation for the dedication ceremony of a new Frito-Lay plant the following day.


June 8th: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Frito-Lay plant in Irving, Texas


June 14: Joan attend the EMBA Mink Awards in Manhattan, New York.


June 15: Joan has lunch at Chauveron in Manhattan, New York with Pepsi-Cola executives Mitchell Cox, Charles Pintchman and Allen Rose.

June 27: Joan appears on the television talk show "The Merv Griffith Show." Also on the episode are; Van Johnson, Milt Kamen, Robert Murphy and diplomat Bill Henderson.


June 29: A December 1966 interview of Joan with Phillip Jenkinson airs on the BBC in England as part of the BBC's "Film Profile" series.


June 30: Joan attends a photo shoot in her Fifth Avenue apartment, whereby she models various furs.


July: Reporter Shirley Eder, Barbara Stanwyck and Joan-biographer Jane Ardmore meet in Los Angeles, California. During the women's discussions, Joan is mentioned prominently. Later Joan informs Ardmore that she is aware of the meeting, with the knowledge of her being a topic of discussion.


July 1: Joan's daughter, Christina, appears in the play "Barefoot In The Park" with actor Tab Hunter at the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts.


July 6: Joan attends the opening of "The Unknown Soldier and His Wife" at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in Manhattan, New York. Following the performance, Joan has dinner at 21. Joan reportedly wears a green print ensemble to the play and 21.


Mid-July: Joan signs her contract to appear on an episode of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," scheduled to begin filming on August 25th.


July 26: Joan, accompanied by daughter Christina, arrives in Petersburg, Virginia.


July 27: Joan is the guest of honor at a buffet dinner held in the home of Petersburg's Pepsi-Cola plant vice-president Norman Sisisky. The dinner is attended by 40 guests. After the dinner, Joan and Christina attend an invitation-only screening of "Berserk" at 8:15 pm at the Walnut Mall theater in Petersburg, Virginia.
Following the screening, Joan purchases two pairs of sandals, for $4.99 each, and two handbags in the shopping mall.


July 28: Joan and daughter Christina visit the American House in Petersburg, Virginia, and also visit patients at Fort Lee's Kenner Army Hospital.


July 29: Joan attends the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Petersburg, Virginia. Accompanying Joan at the plant dedication ceremony is; daughter Christina, Virginia Governor Mills E. Godwin, Lieutenant Governor Fred G. Pollard and Pepsi-Cola president James B. Somerall. Over 2,800 people attend the ceremony.


July 30: Joan travels to Dallas, Texas to attend the dedication ceremony of a new Pepsi-Cola bottling plant.


Mid-August: Joan cancels her previously scheduled appearance on the television show "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Show." Joan reportedly cancels her appearance following her receiving the episode's script. According to Tom and Dick Smothers, Joan did not like that the script called for her to play a queen in a sketch, and Bette Davis had already played a queen in a sketch on the show during the previous season. Prior to her cancellation, Joan had scheduled a 10-day trip to Los Angeles, California for the show's taping, with the expected arrival date of August 16th.


August 14: Joan greets the 1968 Miss America Pageant contestants at Kennedy International Airport before their 17-day Pepsi-Cola and USO sponsored tour to entertain troops in Vietnam.


Mid-August (Week of August 21): Joan visits daughter Christina at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut during a production of "Barefoot In the Park," which stars Christina and Joan Bennett.


August 23: Joan attends Judy Garland's concert at the Palace Theater in Manhattan, New York. During the performance, Garland brings Joan on stage.


Late August: Joan and Van Johnson visit the set of "Rosemary's Baby." (The film's New York location filming took place from August 21 - August 27)
It has been claimed by actress Rutanya Alda that Joan and Van Johnson filmed a cameo for the film, in which Joan and Johnson portray themselves in the lobby of a New York theater where "Rosemary" is attending a performance of "The Fantasticks." However, no corroborating evidence or secondary supporting account of this has been cited or discovered.


August 30: Joan attends a dinner in Manhattan, New York. Joan is escorted to the dinner by Cesar Romero.


September 3: Joan appears on Jerry Lewis' Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy telethon. The marathon is broadcast live from the Americana Hotel in Manhattan, New York , and airs from 9:00 pm on September 3rd - 5:00 pm on September 4th. Among the celebrities who appear are; Cliff Robertson, Thelma Ritter, Jackie Gleason and Joe Namath.


September 5: Joan appears on Virginia Graham's television talk show "Girl Talk." Also on the episode is editor Constance Woodward and model Anita Colby.


September 9: Joan appears on the "Miss America Beauty Pageant" during a commercial break to promote Pepsi-Cola.

September 21: Joan attends the "Farewell Queen Mary" gala aboard the Queen Mary, which is docked in Manhattan, New York.


September 29: Joan arrives at Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix, Arizona to attend the Pepsi-Cola National Conference, which begins on October 2nd, and continues until the 7th. During Joan's stay in Arizona, she receives a telephone call from Lucille Ball offering her a guest spot on her television show, "The Lucy Show."


October: The film "Berserk" is released theatrically in the United Kingdom.


October 2-7: Joan attends the 1967 Pepsi-Cola National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. All of the convention business sessions are held at the Townehouse Hotel in Phoenix.


October 3: Joan attends a cocktail party hosted by Pepsi-Cola president James B. Somerall and his wife from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm at the Moonshadows resort and restaurant nears Scottsdale, Arizona.


October 4: Joan attends a barbecue dinner at the Pennacle Peak restaurant, which is located north of Scottsdale, Arizona. Also attending the dinner is; Pepsi-Cola president James B. Somerall, and his wife; actor Richard Boone; and 1,800 other Pepsi-Cola convention delegates and their wives.


October 5: Joan attends a women's luncheon and narrates a desert fashion show. The event is held in the Gold Room of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. In the late afternoon, Joan hosts a "big top" cocktail party inside a 125 feet-tall circus tent at the corner of First Street and Adams Street in Phoenix. The circus-themed cocktail party is accented by live lions and elephants, a freak sideshow, a live band and large cardboard cutouts of Joan as "Monica Rivers" from "Berserk." The party is attended by 2,000 guests, including 100 locals. At 8:00 pm one section of the circus tent is lifted to reveal a 1,800 feet-long red carpet which lead guests into the downtown Phoenix Fox Theater for a special screening of "Berserk."


October 7: Joan and Marian Israel is scheduled to co-chair the Thalians 30th anniversary ball at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California on this date. Joan cancels her appearance shortly beforehand.


October 13: Joan signs her contract to appear on the CBS television show "The Lucy Show."


October 31: Joan hosts a Halloween party for the USO at the New York City Zoo. All of the guests wear animal masks at the party.


November: Joan and daughter Christina film a cameo appearance on the deck of the Queen Mary for the documentary film "This Was The Mary." The film is to celebrate the ocean liner's final voyage after being retired from service.


Early November: Joan hosts a dinner for actor Richard Boone at the 21 Club in Manhattan, New York.


November 2: Joan, escorted by Cesar Romero, attends the annual Illustrious Graduates West Point Society dinner, held at the Americana Hotel in Manhattan, New York. The dinner is $50 per plate and is to honor approximately thirty West Point Military Academy graduates. Bob Hopes serves as the master of ceremonies. Other guests include former president Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley.

November 15: Joan acts as chairwoman of a charity luncheon, which is to benefit the Childville organization of Brooklyn, New York.


Mid-November: Joan travels to Chicago, Illinois. During her visit, Joan stays at the Ambassador East Hotel.


November 17 (#1): Joan appears on columnist Irv Kupcinet's television show in Chicago, Illinois.


November 17 (#2): Joan models various hats in her suite at the Ambassador East Hotel for fashion editor Peg Zwecker's fashion column in the Chicago Sun Times.


November 23: Joan prepares a Thanksgiving dinner for her domestic employees, which include her maid "Mamacita" and part-time houseman Charles Grant.


Late November: Joan hosts a small dinner at Voisin in Manhattan, New York. The dinner is to celebrate the engagement of her daughter, Cathy, to Navy officer Jerome LaLonde. Also attending the dinner is Joan's other daughter, Christina.

November 27: Joan travels to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on a Pepsi-Cola business trip.


December 1: Joan publicly announces the engagement of her daughter, Cathy, to Jerome LaLonde.


December 2: Joan appears on columnist Irv Kupcinet's television show, which is previously recorded during her November visit in Chicago, Illinois. Other guests to appear on the episode are; Shelley Borman, Hugh Downs, Molly Picon and Godfrey Cambridge.


Early December: Joan attends a celebration in her honor that is held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.


December 6: Joan travels from Rio de Janerio, Brazil to Manhattan, New York.


December 8: The film "Berserk" is test-screened to audiences in Dayton, Ohio prior to its national release in America in January 1968.


December 19: Joan and Mrs. Winthrop Rockefeller introduce a midnight floor show during an all-night gala benefit for Childville, which is a psychiatric residential treatment center for children in Brooklyn, New York.


December 20: Joan and daughter Christina appear on Merle Pollis' radio show on WJAS in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at 7:05 pm.


December 23: Joan's daughter, Cindy, marries John S. Jordan in Iowa.