Joan Crawford Awards

Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University Libraries

c. 2008 By Brandeis University Libraries, all rights reserved


Table of Contents

Administrative Information
Biography
Scope and Content
Series Description
Container List


Creator: Joan Crawford
Title: Joan Crawford Awards 1948-1965, undated
Quantity: 24 awards
Repository: Brandeis University Libraries
Identification: MWalB0414
Language: English

Administrative Information

Access:

Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of Brandeis University Libraries, Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department.

Copyright:

Requests to publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department.

Processed by:

Stephanie Farkas

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Joan Crawford Awards, 1948 - 1965, Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.

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Biography

Actress Joan Crawford was born Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1908[?], in San Antonio, Texas, to Thomas LeSueur and Anna Bell Johnson. At a young age, LeSueur was involved in theater and made her way to New York City in 1925, where she signed a movie contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In that same year, MGM sponsored a magazine contest for readers to create a new name for LeSueur, and the name Joan Crawford was chosen. Crawford starred in a total of 81 films during her film career and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1945 film Mildred Pierce. When Crawford married Pepsi-Cola Company CEO Alfred Steele in 1955, she became involved with the business, serving as a board member and publicity executive. Even after Steele's death, in 1959, Crawford continued to travel and promote Pepsi-Cola Company, well into the 1970s. In the late 1960s, Crawford came to Brandeis University to support the arts program. In 1965, the Joan Crawford Dance Studio was dedicated within the Spingold Theater Arts Center to promote education in dance. In 1968, Brandeis University elected Crawford as a Brandeis University Fellow. Crawford's success in the film and business worlds and her contributions to needy organizations won her multiple awards of appreciation and merit.

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Scope and Content

This collection consists of the awards that were presented to Joan Crawford for her acting talents, contributions to the community, and business achievements. Awards for acting comprise the majority of the collection. Of particular interest is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences certificate of nomination to Crawford for Best Actress for her role in the movie Sudden Fear, dated 1952. The collection is organized into three series: theater awards, community awards, and business awards.

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Series Description

Series I: Theater Awards
Inclusive dates: 1948-1963, undated
13 awards
This series includes the awards that Joan Crawford received for her acting career.
Series II: Community Awards
Inclusive dates: 1952-1965, undated
9 awards
This series includes the awards that Joan Crawford received in appreciation for her contributions to the community.
Series III: Business Awards
Inclusive dates: 1963-1965
2 awards

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Container List

Theater Awards
box 1 Alitalia a Joan Crawford XI Rassegna Cinematografica Messina-Taormina,undated
box 1 The First Tap Shoe to Feel the Touch of "Our Dancing Lady," With Love from Dorothy,undated
box 1 F.R.C.T.C., 1948
box 1 Laurel Award, 1948-1953
box 1 Laurel Award, 1952
box 1 Laurel Award, 1953-1954
box 1 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Certificate of Nomination for Best Actress, 1952
box 1 Screen Actors Guild of America Awards Dinner, 1953
box 1 Master Furriers Guild of America, Fur Fashion Woman of the Year, 1954
box 1 National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers Award of Merit, 1963
folder 1 Golden Shutter Award, 1955
folder 2 Photoplay Magazine Award, 1950
folder 2 Photoplay Magazine Award, 1952
Community Awards
box 2 Paperweight labeled: Joan Crawford City of Philadelphia, undated
box 2 Texas Theatres Crippled Children's Fund Award, 1952
box 2 Hebrew-English torah presented by the United Jewish Appeal, 1959
box 2 Variety Club Award, 1960
box 2 Award by the Carbonated Beverage Syrup and Allied Trades Division of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York, 1960
box 2 City of Hope Award, 1963
box 2 USO Award of the Year, 1965
box 2 Heart of the World Award, 1965
folder 1 Honorary Hoosier Award, 1964
Business Awards
box 1 Philadelphia Club of Advertising Women Award, 1963
folder 1 Dallas Advertising League Oscar, 1965

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