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Joan Crawford dressed as Santa Claus ready to go down someone's chimney and deliver some presents (1926).   Janet Gaynor decorating a Christmas tree (c. 1930).     Eve Arden with an armful of presents (c. 1950).      Baby Liza Minnelli eating ice cream a children's Christmas party in the home of comedian Edgar Bergen (1948).   Shirley Temple sitting by her Christmas tree with a bunch of presents (1936).     Cyd Charisse with a model of Santa Claus (c. 1950).    Anna May Wong during the gathering of international film stars at the Christmas tree celebration in the Christy Hotel in Hollywood (1932).   Priscilla Lane standing next to a Christmas with an armful of presents (1941). Rosemary Lane (sister of Priscilla) with a pile of Christmas presents under the tree (1939).   Deanna Durbin dressed as a Christmas tree fairy (1945).   Arlene Dahl stepping out of a Christmas box (1947).     Gloria DeHaven sitting n...

Throughout this month, I've decided to do a series of Oscar-related articles in anticipation to tonight's 89th Academy Awards ceremony, which I am going to see live on television. Yesterday, I presented you my top 15 favourite Best Actor-winning performances , so today I thought I would do the same, but for Best Actress winners instead. As I have said before, please bear in mind that this is my own personal opinion, which of course is limited to the films I have seen so far.     15. Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce (1945)   Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford): I was always in the kitchen. I felt as though I'd been born in a kitchen and lived there all my life, except for the few hours it took to get married.     14. Joan Fontaine in Suspicion (1941) Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth (Joan Fontaine): I must go now or I'll be late to luncheon. Anyway, if my father saw me come in both late and beautiful, he might have a stroke.   13. Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of...