brendanchenowith This comes across as one of the most unintentionally funny movies I've seen in years. However, I wouldn't take this as a bad straight drama, I think it's over the top melodrama, a biting satire on the issue of who really wears the pants in the marriage. Whether or not Joan Crawford lay siege on the set is anyone's guess. I wasn't around then and shouldn't speculate. However, her character does so on the house and in the lives of everyone who dares cross her path - from her husband's longtime housekeeper to his best friend, even to the little boy next door. The claws are sharpened and are not about to retract. I shouldn't say any more about this movie except to say it had me cringing and laughing from the opening credits. I could almost hear the clanging of jail cell doors when the opening title sequence segues to a shot of the Craig house. Feeling lonely? You won't after you see this movie.

utgard14 One of Joan Crawford's best roles. She plays a possessive domineering perfectionist housewife who tries to control everyone in her life, particularly her exceptionally nice husband (Wendell Corey). A lot has been said about the similarities between the character of Harriet Craig and Joan herself. Perhaps that's why Joan's performance is so superb. She plays the character of Harriet so effortlessly. Wendell Corey is terrific as her husband. Through most of the movie he's a pushover but when he finally realizes who his wife really is and what she's capable of, look out! It's a very good drama but also some funny parts. Moves along at a crisp pace. Unlike most dramas from the period (and today, really) it doesn't overstay its welcome and pad the length for another twenty minutes. Definitely recommended.

cardinalcall Same character, different men: Joan Crawford playing musical chairs in movies. It's deja vu all over again with Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce, Daisy Kenyon, and now Harriet Craig: in other words, it's Joan Crawford playing Joan Crawford, better known as "Mommie Dearest".The above three movies were made between 1945 and 1950. Apparently Joan's Oscar in Mildred Pierce spawned Daisy Kenyon and Harriet Craig. Let's not forget that Queen Bee comes later, another "Mommie Dearest" persona.Unless you are a submissive titillated by a Dominatrix whipping people--particularly men--into mush, change the channel and watch something more human and less beastly.

mountainkath TCM showed this movie immediately after Craig's Wife (this movie is a remake of that one) and I loved comparing the two versions of the same story.The Harriet in Harriet Craig is wonderfully evil and Joan Crawford was perfect in this role. I loved watching her spin her lies and was very curious as to just how her house of cards would fall.I was not disappointed. The scene where Walter confronts Harriet about her lies was brilliantly played by both Crawford and Wendell Corey. Scenes like this are often melodramatic or just not believable. In this movie, however, Crawford and Corey hit it out of the park.With just her eyes, Crawford showed Harriet's inner panic at being found out and her desperation when she realizes that Walter knows the truth.Corey was fantastic at showing the mixed emotions of Walter Craig. He was able to convey anger, disappointment and even love all at the same time. The moment when he found out that Harriet had lied about not being able to have children was just heartbreaking. I felt Walter's pain in that moment.My only quibble with this movie is Joan Crawford's hair. I know they were going for a severe look, but it was truly awful.