The Story of Esther Costello is a 1957 British drama film directed by David Miller and starring Joan Crawford, Rossano Brazzi and Heather Sears.

He views Esther as a source of cheap financial gain and arranges a series of exploitative tours for her under a mercenary manager Frank Wenzel.

When Margaret learns of her husband's business duplicities and the rape, she consigns Esther to the care of a priest and a young reporter who loves her.

[4] Esther's reporter friend was reminiscent of Keller's highly publicised attempt to elope with reporter-secretary Peter Fagan.

[9] The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The fascinations of mass hypnosis, at the huge Esther Costello rallies in America, are suavely indulged by David Miller's Iuxuriating direction.

Indeed, this scene – very reminiscent of the Communist rally in Trial – hits the only true note to be found in this florid Crawford vehicle.

William K. Zinsser in the New York Herald Tribune wrote, "It wouldn't be a Joan Crawford picture without plenty of anguish...And her fans will have their usual good time...this plot enables Miss Crawford to run a full-course dinner of dramatic moods, from loneliness to mother love, from pride in the girl to passion with her husband, and finally to smouldering rage...Somehow she pulls it off.

"[11] The Story of Esther Costello was released on DVD by Turner Classics (under license from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) on 25 November 2014, as part of the "Joan Crawford in the 1950s" collection.