The bette davis thread (films, scene, actors, biography)

[ExPit]

I always liked Bette Davis. I always knew she was a great actress, and can't remember seeing a bad performance of hers, but the other night I watched, "All About Eve," I had seen bits and pieces of it before, but as I sat there, watching this movie, I couldn't take my eyes off any scene that this woman was in, and I found myself thinking, 'This is truly a superior being,'

The same thought I've had over the years about other people, but then as now I'm not sure I can say why, though it does seem to be a matter of a lot of admirable characteristics in one person. Maybe it's more subjective than it seems, but to me Bette Davis had so much going for her that she is set apart from us mere mortals.

Could be the voice, the intelligence behind those eyes, the fluidity through which she communicates her characters, and her thoughts that split the moment with ferocious but effortless focus, her not versatility 'cause that would imply a difficulty, but just her adaptability to whatever environment she found herself in.

Of course as an actress is how we know her, though from what I know of her as a person, she had guts and integrity, fought the studio system at a time when it was unheard of for a woman to do so, and she won! I saw a Dick Cavett interview with her not too long ago, one from I believe the early 70's and she was as down to earth as a waitress in a truck stop diner, adding to that then the sharp wit of a Park Avenue socialite with the esoteric depth of a Bohemian poet.

Anybody else like her? Know a lot of her movies? Anything about her life off the screen? I don't know much, but she strikes me as a personality without limitation or dead ends. Watch her as the ingenue dreamer, stranded in the unromantic desert in, "The Petrified Forest," the love-starved nanny forced to go beyond her own pain and find her generosity for the sake of the troubled child in her care in, "Now Voyager," or of course, as the wacked-out, hasn't-been-in-a-long-long-time in, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Let's celebrate the life and career of Bette Davis. Watch a movie or two of hers before you tell me that she doesn't deserve it.

[LovinDecatur]

Not a beautiful face, but one that stays with you forever.I'm remembering her face as she rowed a typhoid-infected Henry Fonda to the quarantine island in Jezebel.

[ExPit]

I'd say not traditional beauty, but to me beautiful on some deeper level, and sexy, I think so.

[CrouchTigerHiddenDog]

Originally Posted by ExPit

I always liked Bette Davis. I always knew she was a great actress, and can't remember seeing a bad performance of hers, but the other night I watched, "All About Eve," I had seen bits and pieces of it before, but as I sat there, watching this movie, I couldn't take my eyes off any scene that this woman was in, and I found myself thinking, 'This is truly a superior being,'

The same thought I've had over the years about other people, but then as now I'm not sure I can say why, though it does seem to be a matter of a lot of admirable characteristics in one person. Maybe it's more subjective than it seems, but to me Bette Davis had so much going for her that she is set apart from us mere mortals.

Could be the voice, the intelligence behind those eyes, the fluidity through which she communicates her characters, and her thoughts that split the moment with ferocious but effortless focus, her not versatility 'cause that would imply a difficulty, but just her adaptability to whatever environment she found herself in.

Of course as an actress is how we know her, though from what I know of her as a person, she had guts and integrity, fought the studio system at a time when it was unheard of for a woman to do so, and she won! I saw a Dick Cavett interview with her not too long ago, one from I believe the early 70's and she was as down to earth as a waitress in a truck stop diner, adding to that then the sharp wit of a Park Avenue socialite with the esoteric depth of a Bohemian poet.

Anybody else like her? Know a lot of her movies? Anything about her life off the screen? I don't know much, but she strikes me as a personality without limitation or dead ends. Watch her as the ingenue dreamer, stranded in the unromantic desert in, "The Petrified Forest," the love-starved nanny forced to go beyond her own pain and find her generosity for the sake of the troubled child in her care in, "Now Voyager," or of course, as the wacked-out, hasn't-been-in-a-long-long-time in, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"

Let's celebrate the life and career of Bette Davis. Watch a movie or two of hers before you tell me that she doesn't deserve it.

Dark Victory was a performance given by Bette that will grab your heart and rip it from your chest every time you view it! She also was great as the heiress who falls for a gold digger-shucks, can't think of the name of that one, but again a great and unforgetable performance!

She had one daughter, who became a Christian and has a ministry and website. She has spoken about their differences as well as her mother's strengths.

Yes, one of the best actors of all time, you are right!

[LiveChick]

Omg I love Bette Davis !!! All About Eve is one of my favorite films with her.
Fell in love with her acting since "....Baby Jane ?" and started watching some of her other films.

Especially Dead Ringer, Jezebel, etc; She was great. RIP

[Katimae]

I LOVE Bette Davis, I think she's an amazing actress and a fascinating person. I have read a biography, I have another one on my shelf of books to read and I also read a book just about the fued between her and Joan Crawford. I wish I could remember the name of that book, as a fan of both Davis and Crawford I loved it... had so many crazy stories. Like in Whatever happened to Baby Jane in the scene where Bette is kicking Joan she actually kicked her for real and wore shoes to inflict maximum damage. In retaliation Joan sewed weights into her nightgown for the scene where Bette had to drag her a long distance. After Joan died, Bette was on the tonight show and Johnny made a comment to which Bette replied "Oh Johnny, we must speak good of the dead... Joan Crawford is dead.... GOOD!" I'll fill you in on anything else I learn while reading the newest bio. Did you know after she died they sold her false eyelashes for $600!! That was back in 1989 too.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by Katimae

I LOVE Bette Davis, I think she's an amazing actress and a fascinating person. I have read a biography, I have another one on my shelf of books to read and I also read a book just about the fued between her and Joan Crawford. I wish I could remember the name of that book, as a fan of both Davis and Crawford I loved it... had so many crazy stories. Like in Whatever happened to Baby Jane in the scene where Bette is kicking Joan she actually kicked her for real and wore shoes to inflict maximum damage. In retaliation Joan sewed weights into her nightgown for the scene where Bette had to drag her a long distance. After Joan died, Bette was on the tonight show and Johnny made a comment to which Bette replied "Oh Johnny, we must speak good of the dead... Joan Crawford is dead.... GOOD!" I'll fill you in on anything else I learn while reading the newest bio. Did you know after she died they sold her false eyelashes for $600!! That was back in 1989 too.

Classic Bette

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by LiveChick

Omg I love Bette Davis !!! All About Eve is one of my favorite films with her.

Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night.

[ExPit]

Originally Posted by Katimae

I LOVE Bette Davis, I think she's an amazing actress and a fascinating person. I have read a biography, I have another one on my shelf of books to read and I also read a book just about the fued between her and Joan Crawford. I wish I could remember the name of that book, as a fan of both Davis and Crawford I loved it... had so many crazy stories. Like in Whatever happened to Baby Jane in the scene where Bette is kicking Joan she actually kicked her for real and wore shoes to inflict maximum damage. In retaliation Joan sewed weights into her nightgown for the scene where Bette had to drag her a long distance. After Joan died, Bette was on the tonight show and Johnny made a comment to which Bette replied "Oh Johnny, we must speak good of the dead... Joan Crawford is dead.... GOOD!" I'll fill you in on anything else I learn while reading the newest bio. Did you know after she died they sold her false eyelashes for $600!! That was back in 1989 too.

Yeah, I've heard of the feud she had with Joan Crawford. Funny that story of their battles on the set of Baby Jane, and funny coincidence that both great actresses had daughters who wrote tell-all books about their famous mothers. I liked Joan Crawford too. My favorite movie of hers was "Mildred Pierce." Interesting information. Thanks.

[ExPit]

Originally Posted by CrouchTigerHiddenDog

Dark Victory was a performance given by Bette that will grab your heart and rip it from your chest every time you view it! She also was great as the heiress who falls for a gold digger-shucks, can't think of the name of that one, but again a great and unforgetable performance!

She had one daughter, who became a Christian and has a ministry and website. She has spoken about their differences as well as her mother's strengths.

Yes, one of the best actors of all time, you are right!

"Dark Victory", I know I know that film but I can't place it. What's the premise of that Crouch?