Always in competition with her older, more famous sister, Olivia de Havilland, Joan Fontaine had a varied and successful career of her own. She eventually attained stardom for her work in the film Rebecca, which won the 1940 Academy Award for best picture. The following year, she won the Academy Award for best actress in Suspicion, beating out her sister for the coveted prize. This book tells the story of her fascinating career and provides full information for her many performances.

A short biography of Fontaine begins the book and overviews the rivalry between Fontaine and her sister, her disappointing marriages, her illnesses, and her productive and rewarding career as an entertainer. Chapters then provide detailed information for her films, radio and television shows, and stage appearances. Each chapter contains individual entries for her productions, with entries providing cast and credit information, a plot summary, a critical analysis, and excerpts from reviews. An annotated bibliography provides information about books and articles related to every aspect of Joan Fontaine's life and work.