Vintage Century Idle Hour

Joan Crawford vs. Norma Shearer | Hollywood Rivalry & Their Oscar-Winning Roles Explained

Jennifer Passariello Season 2026 Episode 27

Joan Crawford vs. Norma Shearer — Old Hollywood rivalry, Oscar glory, and the beauty standards they defied.

In this episode, we explore the real-life tension between two MGM legends and their Academy Award–winning performances in The Divorcee (1939) and Mildred Pierce (1944).  We also dive into classic Hollywood beauty ideals — and how Crawford and Shearer challenged the standard definition of beauty.

Topics: Classic Hollywood • Joan Crawford • Norma Shearer • Oscar history • Old Hollywood rivalry • The Divorcee • Mildred Pierce • MGM • Film history • Beauty standards in film.

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