Battle-Axe: The Making of 'Strait-Jacket'

This is really a missed opportunity. You'd think that with so many Joan Crawford fans still around there's be a market for a better, more professional documentary on one of her more infamous films. This just isn't worth your time. There is a new documentary about JC that was made for Turner Classic Movies that features footage fromthis movie and more informative interviews from her co-stars. It's a lot better this piece of crap and is funny to boot. Skip this and set your TiVo for it.

A VERY short making of documentary of the 1964 Joan Crawford horror film "Strait-Jacket". It has commentary by a few film historians and Diane Baker (probably the only living cast member). It does point out that Crawford was difficult and demanding but that's hardly news. The basic problem is that it's too short. Seriously--only 14 minutes??? It should have been longer. Also there are short clips of William Castle, Robert Bloch and Crawford sitting around talking about the movie. Why just a clip or two? Why not the whole thing? There has to be more information or people they could have bought up but didn't. It's frustrating because this will probably never be done again. Too bad.

Battle-Axe: The Making of 'Strait-Jacket' (2002)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

STRAIT-JACKET co-star Diane Baker is joined by Donald Glut, Michael Schlesinger and film historian David Del Valle as they discuss the now famous William Castle film that featured Joan Crawford in the lead.

Needless to say, the majority of the 15 minute running time is devoted to talking about Crawford but can you blame anyone? Del Valle tells some wonderful stories about how it was Castle's dream to try and get an "A" picture done with a famous star and this was it. He talks about the various demands that Crawford had and Baker also tells some great stories of what it was like working with her. This includes discussions on the ending, which was changed at Crawford's request.

BATTLE-AXE is a highly entertaining and very fun featurette that gives us some great stories about the production and even better is the fact that we get an interview with someone who was actually there and on the set. If you're a fan of the film or of Crawford then this is certainly a must see.