Joan, before coat hangers.

Iconista has a theory that all Hollywood stars are profoundly damaged. If they were well-adjusted and fulfilled, they'd stay home and knit.

Who would seek stardom unless driven by some screaming inner demon?

But, with all damaged people, there was a time when they were the victims, soon to be survivors; a time before they became the damagers of others.

With that in mind, enjoy these early pictures of Ms Crawford, freshly escaped from a nightmare childhood; simply in search of something better.