Queen Bee

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Queen Bee

Released Nov 7, 1955

1h 35m

Drama

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4 Reviews

58%

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1,000+ Ratings

In the 1950s American South, the vicious and conniving Eva Phillips (Joan Crawford) makes the lives of those around her miserable -- especially her husband, Avery (Barry Sullivan), who resorts to heavy drinking and becomes an alcoholic. Meanwhile, when Eva discovers her sister-in-law (Betsy Palmer) is to wed her former lover (John Ireland), she really becomes nasty. Witnessing Eva's cruel exploits is Avery's cousin, Jennifer Stewart (Lucy Marlow), who can only stand by, mortified.

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Francois Truffaut

Arts (France)

The acting is not absolutely bad, but weak, very weak, including Joan Crawford’s... Not only is the mise- en-scene clumsy but also, because of its solemn awkwardness, it curbs the timid impulses of the script [and] dulls the rare clever details.

May 9, 2022

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

A vintage item for the Joan Crawford Fan Club, but a bit of an ordeal for non-members like me. She appears as the self-adoring psychotic empress of a wealthy tribe of moderns.

Oct 30, 2019

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

About as much fun as being stung by a bee.

Rated: C+

Jul 1, 2010

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Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 3/5

Aug 22, 2003

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The Criticism O

Great Film and captivating story, shot in minimal locations and it works. To my critics of the movie and characters tho, Eva is not the only villain of the story. Avery is just a bad husband, a drunk, never wants to go out nor do anything with his wife. That makes him a villain too. Plus he kissed his wife cousin. How distasteful. The cousin Jennifer is also a villain for falling in love with her cousin’s husband. And also Jud, is a villain too for having an affair with his boss wife, when he’s the one who introduced them. In conclusion, they were in no position to judge Eva. She was a villain, but not THE villain of the story. But, Great filmmaking. I love me some good film noir.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

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Steve D

Crawford fans like me will enjoy.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

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Georgie S

Actually a pretty good movie when you get right down to it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/08/23

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Cole T

Phenomenal! I have no idea why this isn't rated as well as it is, great acting and a gripping and suspenseful storyline. Very dramatic, a classic for sure. Very underrated.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/23

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Audience Member

Excellent Joan Crawford vehicle. Scary controlling bitch and she knows it. Terrific interaction between all the characters. Having a lotta money may not make you happy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

Strong performances in a depressing story. Not much to add from what everyone else has said, except that I loved Crawford's gowns. She's 51-years-old here and except for those eyebrows (why, Joan, why??) she looks fabulous!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Ranald MacDougall

Director

Joan Crawford

Eva Phillips

Barry Sullivan

Avery 'Beauty' Phillips

Betsy Palmer

Carol Lee Phillips

John Ireland

Judson Prentiss

Lucy Marlow

Jennifer Stewart

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Synopsis

In the 1950s American South, the vicious and conniving Eva Phillips (Joan Crawford) makes the lives of those around her miserable -- especially her husband, Avery (Barry Sullivan), who resorts to heavy drinking and becomes an alcoholic. Meanwhile, when Eva discovers her sister-in-law (Betsy Palmer) is to wed her former lover (John Ireland), she really becomes nasty. Witnessing Eva's cruel exploits is Avery's cousin, Jennifer Stewart (Lucy Marlow), who can only stand by, mortified.

Director: Ranald MacDougall
Producer: Jerry Wald
Screenwriter: Edna L. Lee, Ranald MacDougall
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 7, 1955, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2010
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Mono

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