6 thoughts on “Norma Shearer (seated) in “The Women”, 1939 (GIF)”

      • It’s one that I own because it’s my favorite rainy day/sick day movie. And no, I’m fairly certain it was the only one. Supposedly there was little love lost between the two and the only reason they were together in this is because they were leading stars at the studio (albeit different types of pictures) and this was an all female cast…so it would have been foolish to exclude one or the other.

      • Oh I know, Joan HATED Norma as only Joan could. Could you imagine a different version of “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” but with Norma in the wheelchair and Joan as Baby Jane? Sick.

        Now I have to go watch “The Women” again!

  2. They were together in “A Slave of Fashion” in 1925. In one very early Joan Crawford film, she played the back of Norma Shearer’s head, probably in a twins scene. This was supposedly the start of the animus. I once asked William Schallert, the dad on “The Patty Duke Show,” about the young ladies who played the back of Patty’s head (Patty played identical twin cousins). He said there were three actresses, and they hated it. So close to fame, and no one saw their faces!

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    • I get their frustration – almost. I mean really, it’s not like it was any particular surprise for any of them to play “anonymous” roles, was it? So, was it like an “unknown quantity” for them to show up on the first – or any – day of shooting, and suddenly be informed that nobody would ever see their faces while they worked?
      No. They had to be hired by trying out for the role, finding out whether or not the back of their heads, and ONLY the back of their heads, and possibly shoulders and arms, would fit the part, figure out if they would need to wear wigs to fit the role, consent to the offer, the terms and the pay, sign contracts to play them, and show up every day they were requested to, right? They likely made pretty fair money in the process, I would imagine, too. So, what’s to whine about?🤔

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