Born Lucille Fay LeSueur, Crawford was a dancer who appeared in six films before she landed a "credit" role in the 1925 film, Old Clothes. M-G-M then launched a magazine contest to find a new name for the dancer and "Joan Crawford" began her climb to stardom.

Numerous marriages, the adoption of four children, and a single Oscar were some of the hallmarks of her life, but Crawford is probably best remembered today for her role in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? with Bette Davis, and the book her daughter, Christina, wrote entitled Mommie Dearest.

Dispelling some of the myths about this sometimes misunderstood actress, Not the Girl Next Door adds another chapter to the continuing saga of one of the Golden Age of Hollywood's most recognizable stars.