Who was more beautiful in their prime: Joan Crawford or Elizabeth Taylor?

Call 911 immediately. Do you smell toast? You're obviously having a stroke.

Liz, no question.

Liz was chunky even during her prime. Joan didn't have an ounce of fat, not even in her 50s and onwards.

Sorry, but I have to post my very favorite pic of Elizabeth at age 29 in the natural afternoon sunlight before leaving for the Academy Awards presentation in 1961. She was beautiful, and her eyes are purple!

Joan, why do you put yourself in the middle if this useless argument?

YOU LOSE!

OP = 3

Silly OP

Isn't Liz more what straight men wanted and straight women wanted to look like? It's like some Madge stans who tried to say Madonna was more beautiful than Marilyn Monroe.

Joan was more beautiful. Liz was sexier though.

Joan was more beautiful in her 20s than Elizabeth. But her looks turned hard, fast.

Obviously it was Liz, but Joan was no slouch either.

R10 You clearly haven't seen some of Liz's later movies. As early as Suddenly, Last Summer she's packing on the weight. It's really obvious by Cleopatra and The VIPS.

Liz was more beautiful to me and sensuous. Liz had some fat but so what? Straight men like women with some meat to grab. They don't like anorexic girls with bodies of teenage boys. Joan is also beautiful too, striking face and eyes.

Only some gays like to look at anorexic women with no tits ergo the fashion industry. Some people here say Monica Bellucci or Rihanna are fat thus not beautiful and it's comical.

Liz was gorgeous, but her eyebrows weren't good.

Never thought Crawford was beautiful.

I have never considered Joan Crawford even pretty. Just looked up pics of her young and nope, not nearly as pretty as Taylor. Joan looks very Art Deco but that's about it. Can someone post a picture where she looks pretty?

Crawford looked like a drag queen

What world are you living in where you think this chunky?

R16 There aren't any.

[quote]I have never considered Joan Crawford even pretty.

Thank you for your opinion, Ms. Keller.

As a kid I used to confuse Joan Crawford and Virginia Gregg (who was frequently seen on Dragnet).

A screen shot of Virginia

Young Liz curry for young Phil who popped a boner

Thin as a rail and sexy as hell!

R23 What am I, chopped liver?

Joan looked like a hooker who’s had a tough life.

Great picture of Taylor from the set of "Giant"...

Vivian Leigh and Greta Garbo were more beautiful than Joan in the 30s Grace Kelly was more beautiful than Joan in the 50s. Tyrone Power was more beautiful than Jone in the 40s.

Crawford / Leseur was born an old whore.

Liz was a beautiful child as well.

Joan always had that BIG head and large, hard features. Taylor was exquisite. I only saw her in once in person (circa PRIVATE LIVES). Even though she was not at her slimmest, she was stunning

This thread is beginning to piss me off.

R28 Grace Kelly was a plain whore who slept her way to a mediocre career with only a stolen Oscar to show for it.

Idk about Joan growing old harsh, I thought she was still quite beautiful in Mildred Pierce, and in 1946's Humoresque, she was at least in her 40s here

And here In Mildred Pierce....Idk why she started doing the thing with her eye brows later on, it harshened up her face and aged her so much more

Joan was always mannish looking and harsh looking when she was older. Liz was never mannish or harsh looking , even in her fat days and tacky old lady days.

I AND my dog were more beautiful than those bitches, as anyone can see.

R12, you need glasses if you think Taylor was overweight in Suddenly Last Summer.

R3, when was she chunky during her prime? What years?

^ The Richard Burton years took their toll on Mrs. Burton

[quote]I have never considered Joan Crawford even pretty.

Pffft. Poor R16. You're half-blind.

^ She looks like a shop girl

One thing Crawford and Taylor had in common, they were fag hags extraordinaire...

Taylor and Clift

[quote] Joan is also beautiful too, striking face and eyes.

Since Joan's beauty was a result of plastic surgery and exaggerated make-up, she loses by default.

OP, In these parlous days, we need to laugh. Thank you.

Our pronouns. are she/her.

Was Joan ever overweight even once in her entire life? Anyone know?

^ With a diet of cigarettes, gin and Pepsi, I doubt it

R46, No. But facially she became almost a grotesque.

You obviously haven't seen "Grand Hotel", R41. She looks like anything but an ordinary shop girl. She has plenty of charisma and great looks. Please get your eyes checked.

^ So, you're saying she peaked in 1932... Ok

Crawford was never beautiful. She always looked like a circus clown with all that makeup slathered on her face and those horrendous eyebrows and fake lips painted on.

[quote] So, you're saying she peaked in 1932... Ok

Nope. I didn't say that, but her hairstyle and make-up looked pretty ridiculous by the 1950s.

A message for the OP.

She looks beautiful here, R51.

In the movie "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane", she looks beautiful in the photo of her younger self that she keeps in her room.

^^^^ Okay, maybe her eyes are a little too googly.

Know who was a total knockout in the late 20s? Barbara Stanwyck, looking all lez

Stanwyck looks like she could be Jodie Foster's mom in that pic.

I think Joan was a narcissistic nut case and alot of her looks came via ps, but to act like she was an uggo or the way she looked in the 1950's and on was the way she always looked is pretty ignorant.

If you look at photos of model Suzy Parker, she blows both out of the water.

I think this is the photo from "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane".

That hairstyle really suited Stanwyck. Many of her late 30s/40s hair-dos were unflattering, but she did age well.

Um no, R58. 1950s Joan is an acquired taste.

I guess Joan's face is intriguing because, like Sophia Loren, she isn't a classic perfect beauty. From certain angles, she looks amazing.

I never acquired it R62. It's a shame because she aged well, wrinkle wise, and her skin was great for a long time, but those eyebrows and those lips and that hair aged her so much more.

They were both beautiful - I have felt attracted to both while watching their films. There was a time I felt almost in love with Crawford when looking at pictures such as the one linked at R20; she is very, very attractive to lesbians and women in general. So is Liz, by the way.

Off topic, but the picture of Stanwyck at R56 literally took my breath away... that's an all-around irresistible lesbian right there (I would let her take me in a heartbeat).

@r65, I'm a Gay man with zero Gaydar when it comes to women, but when I saw that picture of Stanwyck my immediate thought was, "That's a beautiful lesbian"

- r56

Wasn't Joan supposed to be the lesbian, or at least bi? And Stanwyck was a conservative republican and married twice

Crawford was common, and always trying so hard not to be.

^ Mary Pickford, Former Mother- in-law

I think Stanwyck was a lesbian but because she was so much in the public eye, she had to marry and keep up appearances. She certainly couldn't be open about her sexuality at the time.

Joan Crawford with the Groucho Marx eyebrows?!

Beach no make up

Early 50s - age, not decade

Yes, R66, it truly is. That's the kind of woman that makes another woman go completely vulnerable and weak, defenseless, even...

Hi, R67. Joan was bisexual, there's no doubt about it. I'm also absolutely certain that she really, really loved having sex with women, as much as she would probably never admit that, but it's blatantly obvious to any lesbian or bisexual woman out there, I guarantee you that.

About Stanwyck, of course she was married, almost all of them - lesbians - were at that time (what R70 said). Many were Republicans, too. That's not surprising. One thing I do wonder is how she ever managed to lie with a man, that is, if she ever even did... I could only see it when she was very young.

Oh, my God... the picture at R72. See, that's what I was talking about at R65. There's no lesbian in the history of the world who would not be attracted to that woman, and who would not either melt or get impossibly turned on (or both) at that picture. God help me and keep me.

Joan actually was beautiful, but in a rather androgynous way. She was fantastically photogenic, but not the kind of femme beauty that appeals to straight men. That was Liz, who was fantastically photogenic in a completely feminine way.

I wonder if Joan was good-looking in person, as she was supposed to be freckled all over, and had the freckles touched out or covered up by makeup when she was photographed. She had to look like a completely different person, without makeup.

This is for all the people who called Liz "fat" or "chunky".

She was very slim as a young woman, while it lasted, although always soft and never toned. But being soft isn't the same thing as being fat.

She is stunning in that picture, R76. I would take her with no makeup and full of freckles any day.

And yes, she had sort of an "intimidating" beauty, I would say. Mind you, that doesn't mean she liked e.g. to be dominating when in bed with another woman, not all the time, at least. Quite the contrary, actually, if I had to guess.

As for Liz, like you said, she had that striking feminine beauty with delicate features, very different from Joan's.

Taylor was also quite sick for most of her life, and still managed to look great with the exception of when she was overweight. I don't think Joan had significant illness like Taylor, except mental illness that is.

Did Liz ever lez?

I've also been wondering about that, R80.

Taylor. Crawford looked like a drag queen.

Liz, no question. Delicate features, stunning eyes and that incredible coloring. I've heard she was that rare star who was even more beautiful in person--during her heyday.

Crawford was interesting and distinctive looking, but that heavy jaw wasn't great. She was good at making assets out of deficits--she was broad shouldered and flat-chested without much of a waist. She made the shoulders even more exagerrated, which drew attention away from the no-bust and gave her more of a waist. The heavy eyebrows emphasized her eyes, while the mouth drew attention away from the heavy jaw.

Taylor never had to work that hard--her neck wasn't long, so she kept her hair short or up. Her jawline was a little delicate to be ideal for photography, but it was fine as long as the weight was down.

Madonna was more beautiful than both of them

[quote]Taylor was also quite sick for most of her life

Or more likely a hypochondriac, and that takes time and thought.

[quote] Madonna was more beautiful than both of them

You're trolling, but Madonna was never ugly.

"You're trolling, but Madonna was never ugly. "

Now you're trolling...

R85, You clearly do not know whereof you speak.

Elizabeth is only 17 at r42.

SEVENTEEN.

Please, click on the link at r89 just to see THE LAST PHOTO.

Stunning. Not the usual.

The caption......

And how is that ugly, R87? A cute young teenage girl with an "I couldn't give a damn" expression. Shocking. F&F and block your Helen Keller ass.

Ooh, was that a nerve, cupcake?

Liz had a hole in her neck so definitely not her.

R46 No

R76, found it:

^ She looks like she has measles

Oh? Sounds bad indeed.

Here's hoping I can go back in time so I can fuck her silly, and have her do the same to me for a week straight.

I've been looking at all the pictures posted here. Joan looks striking and very elegant, but certainly not beautiful. Liz in her prime was incredibly gorgeous.

I read a Monty Clift bio years and years ago, and in that bio there was a man mentioned who either ran or worked at a restaurant which Clift frequented in NYC. It was during the early 1950s when Taylor was visiting Clift in NYC - the two used to go to this establishment together. I never forgot this man's quote in that bio because it was so extraordinary in its emphatic, resolute judgement. He said about Taylor: "She was so beautiful. You couldn't believe that someone could be so beautiful. It was like somebody giving you a hard punch in the stomach to see in the flesh for the first time. My God was she beautiful."

Add to this - there was a Hollywood producer or director, name forgotten. He claimed that Elizabeth Taylor was NOT photogenic. That as beautiful as she appeared on screen and in pictures, she was still far more beautiful to the naked eye.

^ I've seen both Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda in real life. I finally understood the Hollywood term of having "it". Until you see someone in person who has "it", it's hard to understand

Both stunningly beautiful women

Did you see Taylor during her prime? When she was young?

^ My mother worked at Marshal Field's in Chicago in the late 40s/ early 50s. Elizabeth Taylor came in and purchased manicure sets as bridesmaid's gifts for her first wedding from my mom. My mother now well into her 90s still talks about what an impression she made and about her violet eyes

@r101, no I met Elizabeth Taylor at an AIDS benefit in Atlanta probably around 1990, but she still had "it"

Very interesting. Thank you R99 for sharing, and thanks R100 / 103 and R102 for posting your stories. Thank you also to R101 for posting your question (as I was wondering the same thing).

This is a nice thread. Thank you all.

The first time I met ET was the night she appeared on The Tonight Show on Carsons' last week.

What I can tell you is it was like being punched. The only time I've been star struck.

[quote]I finally understood the Hollywood term of having "it". Until you see someone in person who has "it", it's hard to understand

I disagree. It only matters how someone comes across on the screen, they could be mouse off of it. Many stage actors aren't able to translate their charisma on the big screen.

ET was even more stunning in person- and tiny- 5 ft. Any time her weight was under control lifelong she was ravishing. Crawford was a great film star/actress and striking- harder as she got older.

You blew it again, charlie. Taylor was 5'4", I know because I met her and she wasn't wearing huge heels.

^ Did you measure her? I'll bet that really impressed her, huh?

charlie, your track record for telling the difference between fantasy and truth is skimpy.

Height: 5′ 2″

[quote] Crawford / Leseur was born an old whore.

Here's your rum and Xanax, Ms. Pickford.

Joan often looked rather masculine from the early 1950s.

Crawford was plenty pretty. Taylor was the apex Hollywood beauty...more beautiful than them all.

Taylor Vs Crawford? This has to be some grade A trolling.

And yes I’ve seen all her supposedly “beautiful” pictures when she was young.

Taylor Vs Vivien Leigh is a much more apt comparison.

^ I often wonder if GWTW had been made 10 years later would Taylor have gotten the role?

[quote]I wonder if Joan was good-looking in person, as she was supposed to be freckled all over, and had the freckles touched out or covered up by makeup when she was photographed. She had to look like a completely different person, without makeup.

I found this old blog post about freckles, I don't think I ever knew Maureen O'Hara had freckles.

Joan was alpha female/lesbian butch and threatening looking, Taylor was feminine

R118 Joan would hate to be referred to as lesbic.

Weren't they all part of the famous "Sewing Circle"?

With her strong jaw and broad shoulders, the young Crawford had a touch of androgyny that made her a marvelous photographic subject, and quite beautiful in the hands of a good cinematographer. Of course, in her later years, that touch of androgyny turned into full-blown manliness. Nobody else could dress up in sequins, heels, and a bouffant, and still come off as butch enough to lead the Pride Parade on her motorcycle!

Taylor was purely feminine, who disproved the theory that all the great beauties have a touch of androgyny. Her beauty was completely feminine, and when she got older and fatter, she did so in a feminine way. Matronly, not butch.

Eve Arnold captured Joans freckles upclose for LIFE.

[quote] who disproved the theory that all the great beauties have a touch of androgyny

They do?

With the hairdo and the makeup she looks like a DRAG QUEEN

OP = Helen Keller, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder.

R122. That’s one the few photos of the mature Crawford in which she doesn’t look frightful. Perhaps if she could have allowed herself a more natural appearance, she would have looked better

I can’t really answer the question, but I do know that Crawford had the best-looking husband. She married Douglas Fairbanks Jr in his prime.

Liz' actual first fiance, William Pawley. Engaged in 1949, but never made it down the aisle. Demanded she end her career. No go.

Compare Elizabeth Taylor to Joan Collins...not Joan Crawford.

There is no comparison. What some don't seem to comprehend is that Taylor was all around incomparable. That's the truth of it.

No one was more beautiful than Elizabeth Taylor in her prime.

First Elizabeth had her prime, then she had her prime rib.

Joan was considered the most beautiful woman in the 1930s. She was the barometer of beauty that all new actresses were weighed against, like Bette. That's why Bette had so many issues with Joan, because execs kept telling her that nobody would want to look at her when Crawford was around.

Joan's title of most beautiful woman in the world was supplanted by Hedy Lamarr by the late 1930s/early 1940s. Vivien Leigh, with her close resemblance to Hedy, was another contender. By the 1950s, it was Elizabeth Taylor who took the title.

"No one was more beautiful than Elizabeth Taylor in her prime."

IMHO Liz's only rivals for the title of Greatest Screen Beauty were Vivien Leigh, and Hedy Lamarr. And Leigh was head and shoulders and hips and high heels above the other two as an actress! I mean Liz could be decent in the right role, and was usually very likable, but we aren't talking about her all these years later because of her actin!

All three of my Great Screen Beauties have dark hair, oval faces, and light eyes. I guess that even though I'm not into women, I still have a type!

christ!

I find her quite scary. I've no doubt she was a monster behind closed doors

R134, we all do. Those are beautiful women you mentioned.

Never liked or understood that orange hair either, R135. And agree she was most certainly a monster behind closed doors.

But as someone said upthread, one cannot pretend the way she looked in her older years was what she had looked like her entire life. It wasn't. Young Joan was a gorgeous woman. The hardness and abuse of her life (that she both bestowed and received), plus very serious mental illness, caught up with her later.

Crawford was beautiful as a young woman, when she still had enough girlish softness to take the edge off of her angular bone structure. Like Katherine Hepburn her angular bone structure helped her age remarkably well, both women photographed beautifully in middle age, when they didn't overdo anything.

More...

FUCK HER!

Of course Crawford always overdid it, this is the one time in her later career where she took off the wigs and makeup and actually looked her age, at the end of the camp masterpiece "Straight-Jacket".

She was a beautiful gray-haired older woman without all the glam, but she was more comfortable looking like a drag queen.

That's a sweet picture, R141, love it. You are right.

Was the woman who botched the Jesus fresco Joan's make-up artist?

R141. That photo is really surprising mg. Without wigs and makeup she might have been a reasonably attractive older woman.

r141 there's a softness and humanity to that photo I haven't seen in Joan before.

As is well known Joan appeared in Grand Hotel which featured an all-star cast including Greta Garbo. Unfortunately they didn't have any scenes together but one day Greta happened to pass by Joan.

She went up to Joan placed her hand under Joan's chin, lifted Joan's head back very slightly and said 'beautiful face'. Apparently Joan was completely star struck and words escaped her. That was their only known meeting.

[quote]That's a sweet picture, R141, love it. You are right.

Yeah but she'd still shank you if you crossed her.

We know, R147.

Elizabeth Taylor was undoubtedly the most beautiful. However, Crawford had a striking face, but it was too often disfigured by garish makeup, especially in her later years. As she aged, her manner and screen presence hardened, making her grotesque. Pauline Kael, someone whom I often disagree with, could sometimes be quite perceptive and pungent. In a review of Grand Hotel, she wrote (this is from memory), “The role of Flaemmchen is played by a surprisingly sexy minx named Joan Crawford, who bears no resemblance to the later zombie of that same name.”

[quote]As she aged, her manner and screen presence hardened, making her grotesque.

I don't know, R149. I thought her performance in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" was quite good.

[quote]Joan was considered the most beautiful woman in the 1930s. She was the barometer of beauty that all new actresses were weighed against

Madeleine Carroll was often named the most beautiful star in the 30s. Loretta Young was also considered one of the great screen beauties of the 30s. Then There were Garbo, and Dietrich. And Katharine Hepburn. Crawford was more of a clothes-horse.

A lot of big time screen beauties then are forgotten now, like Annabella. Merle Oberon was also considered one of the most beautiful women on the screen in the 30s.

"Crawford was more of a clothes-horse. "

No one could rock a pair of shoulder pads like Crawford...