Susan And God

Anita Loos' adaptation of the successful drama by Rachel Crothers was actually better than the play's script. It had been specifically tailored for Gertrude Lawrence on the stage and after the property was acquired by MGM, it was offered to Norma Shearer, who declined because she didn't want to be seen as the mother of a teenage child. Crawford eagerly jumped in and made the transformation from siren to actress with this role. Crawford and Shearer never liked each other and often competed for roles, which were usually handed to Shearer because she was sleeping with the studio boss, Irving Thalberg. (Lest you think that's gossip, be aware that Shearer and Thalberg w...