Not the Girl Next Door

the long version

In this new biography, Chandler draws on exclusive and remarkably candid interviews with Crawford herself and with others who knew her, including first husband Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. As a result, this biography is a brand-new look at one of Hollywood's most acclaimed stars. Although her adopted daughter Christina would publish the scathing memoir Mommie Dearest after Crawford's death, Chandler offers a contrasting portrait, drawing in part on reminiscences of younger daughter Cathy among others. The result is an intimate portrait of a great star who was beautiful, talented, glamorous, and surprisingly vulnerable.--From publisher description.