Watch Queen Bee

Queen Bee is a psychological melodrama released in 1955, directed by Ranald MacDougall and produced by Jerry Wald. The movie stars Joan Crawford, Barry Sullivan, and Betsy Palmer in prominent roles. It is based on the novel of the same title by Edna Lee. The story takes place in a small town in the southern United States, where Eva Phillips (Joan Crawford), a beautiful and manipulative woman, returns after a six-year absence. She is married to Avery Phillips (Barry Sullivan), a successful businessman and the scion of a wealthy family. Soon after her arrival, Eva rekindles her friendships with some of the prominent members of the society, including her former flame, Judson Prentiss (John Ireland), and his wife, Jennifer (Betsy Palmer).

Eva has a reputation for being a queen bee - someone who dominates and controls others. She manipulates people with her charm and charisma, and her ultimate goal is to achieve power and social status at any cost. However, her behavior is not limited to her social circle. She also manipulates her husband, Avery, by playing on his insecurities and controlling his every move.

The movie explores the dynamics of Eva’s relationships with people around her, and how her presence in their lives affects them. Her manipulative behavior causes conflicts and tensions among them, and they start to question her intentions. As the story unfolds, we see the characters struggling to break free from Eva’s influence.

Joan Crawford’s performance as Eva Phillips is one of the highlights of the movie. She portrays the character with great conviction and intensity. Her body language, facial expressions, and dialogue delivery convey the manipulative nature of the character brilliantly. Crawford’s performance in Queen Bee is considered one of her best by many film critics.

Barry Sullivan and Betsy Palmer’s performances as Avery Phillips and Jennifer Prentiss, respectively, are also noteworthy. They bring depth and nuance to their characters, making them more than just pawns in Eva’s game. Their characters’ relationships and interactions with Eva give insight into her manipulative tactics.

The movie’s cinematography and art direction are also noteworthy. The film’s southern setting is beautifully depicted with picturesque landscapes and stunning interiors. The use of light and shadow is also notable, especially in the tense and dramatic scenes.

Queen Bee is an engaging melodrama that explores the dark and manipulative side of human nature. It showcases exceptional performances by its lead actors, especially Joan Crawford, who is at the top of her game. The movie’s themes of power, manipulation, and control are still relevant today and make it a must-watch for fans of classic cinema.

Queen Bee is a 1955 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.