Faye Dunaway 'fought tooth and nail' against the famous 'no more wire hangers' scene in 'Mommie Dearest'.

Almost didn't happen" is one of the most quotable lines in Hollywood history, and it was "No more wire hangers ever.

In the scene, Faye Dunaway, who played Joan Crawford in "Mommie Dearest," was reportedly hesitant to portray the film's most notorious scene, where Crawford is seen physically abusing her adopted daughter Christina, played by Mara Hobel.

"According to author A. Ashley Hoff, Faye's filming experience was traumatic, which is why she is reluctant to discuss the film now."

A new book by Hoff, titled "With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Unintentional Camp Classic," delves into the transformation of a box office flop into a cult classic. The book includes fresh interviews with the cast and crew.

The actress, 83, did not participate in the book. A spokesperson for Dunaway did not immediately respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment.

"Faye Dunaway was once praised by Joan Crawford as one of the best actresses, which attracted Faye to the role. Faye also hoped to provide a more nuanced portrayal of Joan Crawford. Unfortunately, the movie Faye signed up for was "Mommie Dearest.""

"The movie "Mommie Dearest" is based on the 1978 memoir by Christina Crawford, who claimed her mother, a renowned actress of Hollywood's golden age, was a harsh, abusive alcoholic who ruled her household with an iron fist. Despite her death in 1977, Joan Crawford left Christina and her adopted son Christopher out of her will "for reasons that are well-known to them.""

Dunaway allegedly resisted filming the intense, disturbing scene, according to Hoff.

Hoff explained that "she didn't want to be seen hitting Mara" and that "they had to have a stand-in for both Mara and Faye to do the actual hitting and whacking with a wire hanger." He added that "it was just a traumatic scene for Faye to do" and that "she had to overcome her trepidation to go through with the scene." However, Hoff also noted that "she had a lot of mixed feelings even throughout her preparation and the filming."

"Joan Crawford's public perception had become negative, and Faye wanted to change that. She hoped to provide more context and understanding of what Crawford was going through as an aging actress. However, the scene was violent, and Crawford was hesitant to play it up. She didn't want to do it, so stand-ins were brought in."

As a child actress, Hobel was not as affected by the scene.

Hobel recalled, as quoted by Hoff in his book, that there was one shot where they had something that resembled a mannequin or an unknown object.

"Although it wasn't human and not me, I was the one who took the shots. They layered my back in suede, leather, and cotton, then put a T-shirt over me and my wardrobe. The comforter that was pulled off during the tussle hit the hanger, but I didn't feel the sting on my back. Instead, I felt the thumping of the hanger on my back, but no pain."

Jonathan Zimbert, a technical adviser, stated that the scene was challenging to film.

"According to Zimbert, as quoted in the book, Faye understood that if she aggressively followed the script, she would be seen as a monster, 100%. Therefore, she held back, making it more comical on set than on screen. Despite encouragement, she refused to do it."

For years, rumors have circulated about Dunaway's bad behavior on set as a demanding diva. In an upcoming documentary about her career, the star will address these allegations, according to Page Six.

In "Mommie Dearest," it was stated that everyone on set held their own view regarding Dunaway's conduct.

"Hoff spoke with both actors and production staff and crew members about their experiences working on the set. He shared quotes from people who had different opinions about Faye Dunaway's behavior. While some felt that she was abusive, others believed that she was highly dedicated to her career and performances."

Hoff stated that sometimes she arrived late to the set by several hours, which led some people to believe it was due to her desire for perfection in makeup and hair. While many admired her attention to detail, others found her behavior diva-esque.

"Faye is a perfectionist who gives full dedication, regardless of the time it takes, regardless of the cost, and regardless of how it affects the shooting schedule. However, Hoff noted that there are differing opinions on both sides. Ultimately, the reader must decide."

Christina, 85, also expressed disappointment towards the film.

Hoff stated that several scenes in the movie were intensified for dramatic effect, which is why Christina Crawford dislikes it. She believes that many parts were fabricated for dramatic purposes, and she has been accused of exaggerating her stories. Crawford felt that the movie did not help her cause and has been dismissed as a bad movie by many people.

If a movie is still being discussed and debated about four decades later, it cannot be considered a bad film, according to Hoff. While it may have flaws, it remains entertaining and provides legitimate messages for some viewers. For others, it can be a therapeutic experience or unintentionally funny.

"The common misconception is that the movie was 'bad.' However, it was popular with audiences from the start and remains so."