In the golden age of Hollywood, the pressure to conform to beauty standards was immense. Actresses were not only expected to captivate audiences with their talent but also with their physical appearance. This led to the rise of the "celebrity diet," with ordinary women eagerly scanning magazines for the beauty secrets of the stars. While today's celebrities often promote fad diets and weight-loss pills, the wellness routines of Old Hollywood were arguably even more bizarre and intriguing. Joan Crawford was a prominent figure in this era, known for her dedication to maintaining a powerful presence, both on and off-screen, through strict diet and exercise regimens.
The Hollywood Diet Craze: A Historical Overview
The concept of the "celebrity diet" emerged in the 1920s, with women striving to emulate the beauty standards set by Hollywood actresses. Vintage Secrets explores the origins of the modern diet, which gained traction during this period. By the 1930s, gymnasiums, unusual diets, metabolism boosters, and even cigarettes became popular methods for weight management. The 1940s saw a craze for calisthenics, while dancing to the music of Benny Goodman likely kept many women in shape. In the 1950s, stars like Marilyn Monroe promoted the benefits of Yoga, long before it became a mainstream trend.
Joan Crawford: Discipline and Diet
Joan Crawford, a woman of power both on and off-screen, exemplified the dedication required to maintain a Hollywood physique. Throughout her career, she was known for her strict and regimented exercise routine. In a 1952 Lydia Lane article, Crawford emphasized the importance of good posture for beauty.
Crawford had respect for her body and tried to take care of it by eating well but wisely. She trained herself to stay away from foods that weren’t good for her. She admitted that it takes discipline, but found that the longer she stayed away from candy, potatoes, hot rolls, bread, and rich desserts, the less she seemed to want them. During a lunch interview, Crawford ate cold roast chicken, sliced tomatoes, and a salad of watercress, romaine, and chopped green pepper with yogurt dressing, noting that yogurt has fewer calories than sour cream with a similar taste.
Crawford’s diet philosophy extended to entertaining. When planning a menu, she considered color, texture, taste, and balance. She avoided serving two vegetables of the same color, like celery and cauliflower, or two dishes with the same texture, such as creamed chicken with mashed potatoes. She also cautioned against serving two sours, two sweets, or two bitters together, using candied yams and cranberry sauce as an example.
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For buffets, Crawford recommended choosing two warm dishes that could be made the day before, such as beef bourguignon, chicken in cream sauce, or shrimp-lobster-and-scallop Newburg. These would be served with a large salad and a choice of dressings. Hot dishes were kept warm in chafing dishes, and plates were warmed before serving. The first course of a buffet supper would be an array of canapés, including a hot item, one at room temperature, and a bouquet of raw vegetables with dips. Dessert options included ice cream or cheese and fruit, with a bowl of fresh fruits for those watching their diets.
Joan Crawford: Exercise and Posture
Crawford didn’t have a set exercise routine, but she did some stretching and limbering every morning. She would do a workout for her shoulders or spine. She knew her whole body felt better after a little workout.
She emphasized the importance of posture, lamenting its neglect. To improve posture, she demonstrated an exercise where she stood barefoot against the wall, touching it with her calves, buttocks, and shoulders. She then rolled her pelvic girdle down to flatten the arch of her back against the wall, while simultaneously raising her chest.
Crawford also stressed the importance of walking correctly, with weight swinging from the hip and the back foot propelling the body forward. To prevent a back hump, she recommended standing with correct posture, closing the eyes, and feeling a stretch in the back of the ears, as if trying to touch the ceiling with the head.
Crawford also incorporated stretching exercises at home. One exercise involved standing with her back against a wall, heels dug into the floor, and the palm of her hand between the small of her back and the wall. She kept her chin level and pulled the crown of her head toward the ceiling. She also preferred to sit on hard chairs, believing that soft ones spread the hips.
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Joan Crawford: Beauty and Lifestyle
Beyond diet and exercise, Joan Crawford had a holistic approach to beauty and lifestyle. She believed in charm, which she defined as being soft-spoken, relaxed, and at ease, as well as being a giver, a good listener, and genuinely interested in people. Charm, to Crawford, was grace and good manners of the heart.
Crawford emphasized the importance of cleanliness, stating that her most important rule was to never put anything back soiled. Her dresses were always placed in individual plastic bags and pinned to canvas-covered wooden hangers.
She also believed in the importance of having a career. She thought that children benefit in all sorts of ways when they have mothers who have their own fascinating jobs. It’s good for them to know that mother is involved in other things besides smothering them with love. They respect that. She believed that a working woman loves coming home and making special time for her children.
Crawford also had strong opinions on fashion. She advised women to find their own style, choose clothes for their way of life, and make their wardrobe as versatile as an actress. She also believed in finding the happiest colors, as a dress of the wrong shade could bring out sallowness and add years to a woman’s face.
Other Old Hollywood Stars: Diverse Approaches to Fitness
While Joan Crawford's approach to diet and exercise was highly disciplined, other Old Hollywood stars had their own unique methods for staying in shape.
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- Betty Grable: Known for her "million-dollar legs," Grable trained them through dance and a unique exercise called "bird-pecking" to avoid a double chin.
- Rita Hayworth: A trained dancer, Hayworth danced up to eight hours a day to stay slim. She also participated in the Bagot Stack Stretch and Swing System and was cautious about her diet.
- Ginger Rogers: Rogers used her intense dance choreography with Fred Astaire as justification for indulging in her favorite meal - southern chicken and gravy.
- Ava Gardner: Unlike many actresses who dieted, Gardner ate a high-calorie diet due to a "nervous stomach" and a busy schedule that made her forget to eat.
- Clara Bow: Bow had a "weight clause" in her contract, requiring her to stay under 118 pounds.
- Jean Harlow: Harlow followed a four-day tomato-based diet to maintain her figure.
- Grace Kelly: Kelly followed the "elevenses" diet, having a snack at 11 a.m. to avoid overeating at lunch.
- Greta Garbo: Garbo was a client of "diet guru" Gayelord Hauser and incorporated juicing into her diet.
- Marilyn Monroe: Monroe combined weight training with a high-protein, high-nutrient diet.
- Audrey Hepburn: Hepburn, a trained ballerina, believed in eating three meals a day and was never partial to dieting.
The Enduring Appeal of Old Hollywood's Beauty
Despite the diverse and sometimes bizarre methods employed by Old Hollywood stars, their dedication to fitness and beauty remains captivating. These women took pride in their curves and worked hard to maintain their appearances. Their confidence and glamour continue to inspire, reminding us that beauty is not just about being skinny but about embracing a healthy and active lifestyle.