The story was adapted for the screen by Robert Getchell , Tracy Hotchner , Frank Perry and Frank Yablans , based on the 1978 book Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford . The executive producers were Christina's husband, David Koontz , and Terrence O'Neill , Dunaway's then-boyfriend and soon-to-be husband. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mommie_Dearest_( film)