Mildred Pierce (1945 Michael Curtiz)

A film of marvellous sweep and style - coming from the recognisable director-composer team of Casablanca. Even the dissolves are fabulously done. James M Cain's novel, as adapted by Ranald MacDougall, comes over like a Sirk rags-to-riches / family melodrama bookended with a film noir. Composed and shot with enormous style by Ernie Haller.

Joan Crawford is the too loving mother. Excellent cast comprises Jack Carson, Ann Blyth as Veda (who Q describes at one point as a 'whore-let'), Zachery Scott, Eve Arden (to Carson: 'Leave something on me. I might catch cold"), Bruce Bennett, Lee Patrick (Mrs. Biederhof), Butterfly McQueen, Moroni Olsen (inspector), and Jo Ann Marlowe as the doomed little sister.

Maybe my favourite shot in the picture - dark turns into light