Bette Davis's personal life was as dramatic as her acting. She was married four times:
Harmon Oscar Nelson, August 18, 1932 (divorced). Two-time Oscar winner, Bette Davis believed that she created the term Oscar to describe the golden trophy. “I am convinced that I was the first to give the statuette its name when I received one for my performance in Dangerous(1935).”
She went on to say..“I was married at that time to bandleader Harmon O. Nelson, Jr. For a long time I did not know what his middle name was. I found out one day that it was Oscar, and it seemed a very suitable nickname for the Academy statuette.”
Davis, knowing there were other petitioners to the name, hinted that she would be willing to resort to fisticuffs to support her theory.. “Of course, that’s all so very long ago – who knows? But I’d suggest that if the other claimants become very insistent we settle the whole thing with a duel.”
Arthur Farnsworth, December, 1940 (died, August, 1943). A Hollywood police report stated that Farnsworth, 35, a former commercial airline pilot, was found unconscious along the 6200 block of the boulevard.
Davis told authorities that her husband had "fallen down the stairs two months earlier at their New Hampshire home while running to answer the phone," the newspaper said. "An autopsy disclosed that Farnsworth had a blood clot on the right side of his skull, which apparently caused a pressure that made him dizzy and precipitated" the fatal fall, The Times reported. "It is believed the injury was suffered in the stair fall."
Farnsworth and Davis, who were friends in high school, eloped in December 1940.
William Grant Sherry, November 30, 1945 (divorced in 1950). Studied at the Academie Julian in Paris and at Heatherley's School of Art in London. The couple had one child, a daughter, Barbara Davis.
Gary Merrill, After Merrill's first marriage, to Barbara Leeds, ended in divorce in 1950. He immediately married Bette Davis, his co-star from All About Eve, and adopted her daughter Barbara from a previous marriage.
He and Davis adopted two more children, but divorced in 1960.
Shortly before his death, he authored the autobiography Bette, Rita and the Rest of My Life (1989). Merrill survived his second wife, Bette Davis, by only five months, dying of lung cancer in Falmouth, Maine on March 5, 1990. He is buried there in the Pine Grove Cemetery.
Michael Merrill, Bette's son, and Kathryn Sermak, Bette's personal assistant and friend, are now the executors of her estate. In her memory, they have created The Bette Davis Foundation, which provides financial assistance to promising young actors and actresses. Meryl Streep received the first Bette Davis Lifetime Achievement Award at Boston University in 1998.
Video: Bette Davis children getting war bonds for Christmas.
Video: Bette Davis and Spencer Tracy win Oscar for "Jezebel" and "Boys Town".
Old Acquaintance(1943). Drama directed by Vincent Sherman. Cast: Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins with Gig Young, John Loder, Dolores Moran, Roscoe Karns and Anne Revere.
Bette Davis personally requested the casting of Norma Shearer in the role of Mildred Drake. Shearer refused the role and the part went to Miriam Hopkins. This film was the second collaboration of legendary arch-enemies Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins, (Their previous collaboration had been The Old Maid.)
When, Prize-winning novelist Kit Marlowe, returns to her home town to give a lecture, she is greeted by her old friend, Millie Drake. Millie, is now married and pregnant with her first child. Millie, wonders why Kit does not seem happy to see her, but after Kit apologizes, Millie confesses that she too has written a book.
Eight years later, now as a successful writer, Millie, Preston and their eight-year-old daughter Deirdre are in New York City to attend the opening of Kit's play.
On the afternoon before opening night, Preston, who has been drinking, tells Kit that he is in love with her. Kit tries to fix her friend's marriage, but.. Preston, who has had enough wants out of his marriage to Millie.
Ten years later, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Kit joins the Red Cross and while asking for donations over the radio. Preston, who is now in the army, hears Kit and telephones her to ask her to join him for a drink. There Preston surprises Kit, with his announcement of his engagement.
The next morning, Rudd, asks Kit to marry him. Because of their age difference, Kit turns him down and Rudd, decides to take a walk with the now-grown Deirdre. The two spend the day together and fall in love.
Kit, changes her mind about Rudd and the shares her plans to marry him to Millie. After, Preston tells Millie he is remarrying and wants to see Deirdre more often, he also confesses that he once loved Kit.
Out of jealousy, Millie tells Deirdre about Kit's marriage plans and then accuses Kit of stealing her husband. Kit, can not believe what she is hearing and gives Millie a good shaking.
That night Rudd breaks the news to Kit that he is going to marry Deirdre. Kit pretends to be happy for the young couple and wishes them the best.
Later, Millie stops by Kit's apartment to apologize and Kit forgives her. Millie then tells her about the new book, Old Acquaintance, a story about two old friends and the two women hold up their glasses and drink to it.
Davis and Miriam, are truly two of the finest actresses on the silver screen and both deliver Oscar-caliber performances in this film.
Dolores Moran (January 27, 1926 – February 5, 1982). Moran's brief career as a film actress began in 1942 with some uncredited roles in such films as, Yankee Doodle Dandy.
By 1943 she had become a popular pin-up girl and appeared on the cover of such magazines as Yank.
She was given supporting roles in films such as, Old Acquaintance (1943) with Bette Davis.
Warner promoting her along with Lauren Bacall as a new screen personality when they co-starred with Humphrey Bogart in, To Have and Have Not (1944).
The film made a star of Bacall, but Moran did not do as well and her later films did little to further her career, this probably had something to do with Howard Hawk's decision to boost Bacall's career.
The Horn Blows at Midnight, gave her a leading role, but her film appearances after this were sporadic, and she suffered ill health that reduced her ability to work. Her film career ended in 1954 with a featured role in the western film, Silver Lode.
She was married to the film producer Benedict E. Bogeaus in Salome, Arizona, in 1946. Their son, Brett Benedict, born August 30, 1948, in Hollywood, later became a successful businessman. They divorced in 1962, he died of a heart attack in 1968. Moran had an affair with director Howard Hawks while filming To Have and Have Not, which Hawks undertook mainly as revenge for his rejection by Bacall in favor of Bogart.
Now, Voyager (1942). A drama starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains, and directed by Irving Rapper. The screenplay by Casey Robinson is based on the 1941 novel of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty. Prouty borrowed her title from the Walt Whitman poem "The Untold Want," which reads in its entirety, "The untold want by life and land ne'er granted, Now, voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find."
The very plain Charlotte Vale, lives in Boston with her domineering, wealthy mother. Believing, Charlotte is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, her sister-in-law Lisa brings psychiatrist Dr. Jaquith to examine her. Jaquith, is convinced that she is, very ill, and he recommends that she be admitted to his sanitarium, Cascade.
Away from her domineering mother, Charlotte recovers quickly, but not really wanting to return home, accepts Lisa's invitation to go on a long cruise. On board the ship, the now very stylish Charlotte is introduced to Jerry Durrance.
The two spend the day sight-seeing and the married Jerry asks Charlotte, to help him choose gifts for his two daughters. Touched when Jerry thanks her with a small bottle of perfume, she tells him about her family and her breakdown. She later learns from his friends, Deb and Frank McIntyre, that Jerry is unhappily married but will never leave his family.
After the ship docks in Rio de Janeiro, Jerry and Charlotte miss getting back on the boat and Charlotte stays with Jerry in Rio for five days before flying to Buenos Aires to rejoin her cruise.
Even though they have fallen in love, they promise not to see each other again. Back in Boston, Charlotte's family is shocked by her transformation. Her mother, is determined to regain control over her daughter.
Charlotte, receives a bouquet of camellias with no card... she knows the flowers are from Jerry because he had called her "Camille," and, reminded of his love, she is able to stand up to her mother.
Charlotte becomes engaged to the widower Elliot Livingston. One night, at a party, Charlotte runs into Jerry, who is now working as an architect. His youngest daughter Tina is now seeing Dr. Jaquith, for her emotional problems. Charlotte tells Jerry, not to feel guilty over their affair, because she gained strength from knowing that he loved her.
Charlotte, now realizes that she could never love Elliot and they break off their engagement, angering Mrs. Vale that during an argument with Charlotte, she has a heart attack and dies.
Feeling Guilty, Charlotte returns to Cascade, where she meets Tina. Seeing herself in the girl, Charlotte takes charge of her. When Tina's spirits improve, Charlotte takes her home to Boston.
Later, Jerry and Jaquith visit them and Jerry is very happy in the wonderful change in Tina. Charlotte tells him that she is only able to keep Tina with her on condition that she and Jerry end their affair. Jerry then asks if Charlotte is happy and she says.. "Well, Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon; we have the stars."
Fun Facts:
Edmund Goulding was first attached to the project as director. He wanted Irene Dunne to play Charlotte Vale. When Goulding fell ill, however, the project passed to Michael Curtiz, who had either Norma Shearer or Ginger Rogers in mind for the lead. In the meantime, Bette Davis was lobbying hard for the part. She was able to convince producer Hal B. Wallis that she would make a perfect Charlotte Vale, but she refused to work with Curtiz. Consequently Irving Rapper landed the director's job.
The biggest box office hit of Bette Davis's career.
Paul Henreid's act of lighting two cigarettes at once caught the public's imagination and he couldn't go anywhere without being accosted by women begging him to light cigarettes for them.
"Now Voyager" was actually the third book in a four-part saga of the Vales, a high-class Boston family, written by Olive Higgins Prouty over a 12-year period from 1936 to 1947. When Warner Brothers bought the film rights to the novel, Prouty wrote a lengthy letter to her literary agent, setting out how she felt the production should be mounted. She felt strongly that the best way to dramatize the flashbacks would be to feature short silent segments woven into the main sound narrative. Her letter made its way to producer Hal B. Wallis at Warners, who subsequently ignored her suggestions.
Claude Rains initially turned down the Jaquith role, finding it too insubstantial. The part was built up for him and he was paid $5000 a week for six weeks' work.
Filming went a few weeks over schedule, which in turn caused some conflicts with Casablanca, which also starred Claude Rains and Paul Henreid. Rains finished work on this movie June 3rd in 1942 and did his first scene on Casablanca at 10:30 the next morning.
All Bette Davis fans will love this film. She truly was an actress that knew how to pull on your heart strings. She had the power to transform herself into the many strong women she played. The transformation of the plain Charlotte to the stylish woman, is something that a lot of girls can relate to. The rest of the cast was excellent: Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper, Bonita Granville and Ilka Chase.
Ilka Chase (April 8, 1900 - February 15, 1978) was an actress and novelist, born in New York City and educated at convent and boarding schools in the United States, England, and France, she was the only child of Edna Woolman Chase, the editor in chief of Vogue magazine, and her first husband, Francis Dane Chase.
Chase made her society debut in 1923 and her Broadway debut a year later in, The Red Falcon. Her stage performances include: Days Without End, Forsaking All Others, While Parents Sleep, On to Fortune, Tampico, Co-Respondent Unknown, Revenge With Music, Keep Off the Grass and In Bed We Cry, which was an adaptation of her novel of the same name.
She was in the first Broadway cast in the play, The Women (1938) and later performed in the play, Barefoot in the Park.
Her films: Fast and Loose, Once a Sinner, The Animal Kingdom, The Big Knife, and Now, Voyager.
For several years, she was host of a radio program, Luncheon at the Waldorf. In 1957, she performed the role of the Stepmother in the television production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, which starred Julie Andrews.
Her last movie performance was in, Ocean's 11 (1960) as the mother of the Peter Lawford character. Chase made a rare television sitcom appearance as "Aunt Pauline" on The Patty Duke Show.
Jezebel (1938). Drama film directed by William Wyler. Cast: Bette Davis and Henry Fonda, George Brent, Margaret Lindsay, Donald Crisp, Richard Cromwell, and Fay Bainter. The film was adapted by Clements Ripley, Abem Finkel, John Huston and Robert Buckner, from the play by Owen Davis, Sr.
The story is about a headstrong, spirited young woman named Julie Marsden, who is engaged to a successful banker, Preston Dillard. Wanting to get even with Preston, for putting his work ahead of her to shop for a dress, she orders a beautiful red dress to wear to ball. It was the custom for all the proper unmarried women to wear white dresses. Although, no one could say or do anything to change her mind.
Once at the ball Preston and Julie's, entrance is met with shock and then disapproval by everyone. She is embarrassed and begs Preston to take her home, angry he forces her to dance with him. All the other dancers leave the floor, leaving them alone. When, the orchestra stops playing, Preston orders them to continue and they finish the dance.
Preston breaks off their engagement, not before Julie slaps him in the face. Aunt Belle Massey, tells her to go after Preston and beg his forgiveness, but.. she refuses, believing that he will come back to her. He leaves town and heartbroken Julie, closes herself off from the world.
A year later, Preston returns, to help Dr. Livingstone, try to prevent an outbreak of yellow fever. Julie goes to him and begs for his forgiveness. That is when Preston, introduces her to his wife Amy. Heartbroken, Julie has a skilled duelist Buck Cantrell, challenge Preston, but the plan backfires. Preston's brother Ted, is the one who accepts the challenge. In a twist of fate, Ted wins.
A epidemic of yellow fever hits the city and Preston becomes ill and is quarantined on an island. While Amy, is making plans to go to care for him, Julie stops her and begs to go in her place. Will her plan work?
This maybe one of Bette Davis' best and most memorable performances. Fay Bainter, also gives a wonderful performance as Aunt Belle. Henry Fonda, gives a strong early performance of his career.
Fun Facts:
Has been called a black-and-white version of Gone with the Wind (1939), which was in its pre-production stages at the time.
Some scenes were filmed around Henry Fonda, to allow him to be with his wife as she gave birth to their daughter Jane Fonda, including scenes with the sometimes-prickly star, Bette Davis. As the star of the film Davis was within her rights to insist that Fonda remain until their scenes were finished, but she allowed him to complete his shots and leave.
Margaret Lindsay (September 19, 1910 - May 9, 1981). She was best known for her supporting work in films of the 1930s and 1940s such as: Jezebel (1938) and Scarlet Street (1945) and her leading roles in "B movies" such as the, Ellery Queen series in the early 1940s. She is best known for her performance in the film, The House of the Seven Gables(1940).
Fog Over Frisco(1934). Drama film directed by William Dieterle. The screenplay by Robert N. Lee and Eugene Solow was based on the short story, The Five Fragments by George Dyer. Bette Davis, wanting to play the slatternly waitress Mildred, in the film, Of Human Bondage, accepted the small role of Arlene in hope to convince Jack Warner, to lend her out to the rival studio for the film. Her plan worked and when Warner heard about her wonderful performance in the film, Bondage, he gave her to top billing in, Frisco. Part of this was filmed on location in San Francisco. It was remade as Spy Ship in 1942.
A carrier, rushes to Jake Bello's nightclub to deliver some stolen bonds, demanding Bello to get rid of them quick, because.. he thinks that he is being followed by the law.
After, Socialite Arlene Bradford, arrives at the club with her fiance Spencer Carlton and her stepsister, Val. Reporter Tony Sterling sits down at her table, to chat with her while Bello, transfers the stolen bonds to Arlene's car.
At home, Arlene hides the bonds in her safe. Arlene's stepfather, Everett, takes this opportunity to accuse her of having "bad blood" just like her mother, but Val, comes to her defense.
Arlene, then goes to Spencer's work to hand him the bonds, he begs her to return them, but she talks him into selling them.
Later, detectives arrive at the Bradford house to look for the bonds. Thorne, the butler, overhears Arlene talking on the phone making arangements to meet a man. She then returns Spencer's engagement ring to him by letter and packs her bags.
Bradford, calls Spencer to the house, telling him that they know that he is some how involved with the stolen bonds. At Bello's, Arlene says that she is finished with the bond scam and he threatens her. Not worried, she leaves to see Mayard, the Honolulu manager of Bradford's company and head of the bond scam. He tells Arlene to return his love letters, saying that he does not love her anymore. She still insists that she is going to the Hawaiian Islands with him.
Val, hears the house elevator and expecting Arlene, runs out to met her. After not seeing anyone, she returns to her room. After she hears the elevator a second time, she and Thorne go to see what is going on. They finds Arlene's car in the garage and watch as a taxi leaves.
The next morning, Val finds a note from Arlene saying that she has left home. Val, wanting to find her stepsister, calls Tony at the paper, to ask him not to print the story. The news has already hit the papers and she blames Tony.
He and photographer Izzy, meet Val in the garage, but she refuses to talk to them. Soon after, Izzy finds Arlene's body in the trunk of her car, Tony calls Val, who again refuses to talk to him, he phones the story in to the paper. Val then receives a telegram, signed by Arlene, asking her to bring the car and the envelope with her letters, which she had given to Val for safekeeping.
Val, still does not know that Arlene is dead, drives to the meeting place and is captured by Bello and his men.
The police lose Bello's boat in the fog. Will the police get to Val in time, before she finds the same fate as her sister?
I enjoyed watching this is a fast pace crime film, with plenty of witty dialog and twists and turns. You will also see some great acting by Bette Davis, who gives a convincing performance as the glamorous Arlene, a spoiled rich girl. Margaret Lindsay, plays her step-sister Val, perfectly. This film, is a must-see for 1930's film period fans.
Margaret Lindsay (September 19, 1910 - May 9, 1981) After attending National Park Seminary in Washington, D.C., Lindsay convinced her parents to enroll her at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
She then went abroad to England to make her stage debut. She performed in plays: Escape, Death Takes a Holiday and The Romantic Age.
Lindsay was often mistaken as being British due to her convincing English accent, which impressed Universal Studios enough to sign her for their 1932 version of, The Old Dark House.
After some minor roles in Pre-Code films such as Christopher Strong and Baby Face, which starred Barbara Stanwyck, Lindsay was cast in the award-winning, Cavalcade.
Later, Lindsay performed in a small but memorable role as Edith Harris, a doomed English bride whose honeymoon voyage takes place on the Titanic.
Her work in Cavalcade earned her a contract at Warner Bros. where she became a supporting player, working with Paul Muni, Errol Flynn, Henry Fonda, Warren William, Leslie Howard, George Arliss, Humphrey Bogart, Boris Karloff and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Lindsay was cast four times as the love interest of James Cagney, from 1933-1935. She performed with Cagney in four films: Frisco Kid, Devil Dogs of the Air, G-Men and Lady Killer. Lindsay co-starred with Bette Davis in four films: 1934's Fog Over Frisco; in 1935's Dangerous (for which Davis won her first Best Actress Academy Award); in Bordertown, co-starring Paul Muni, and as Davis's rival for Henry Fonda's affections in Jezebel (1938), which earned Davis her second Best Actress Academy Award.
The Law in Her Hands (1936), she performed a leading role as a mob lawyer. It was rare among gangster films of the 30's to have a female in such a male-dominated role. Made after the Motion Picture Production Code came into effect, The Law in Her Hands was forced into a reactionary stance towards the gender switch and concluded with a plot twist that was the complete opposite of the Pre-Code period (1929–1934), when "female characters on the screen could say, do and be whatever they wanted".
Lindsay's best known film role was, The House of the Seven Gables in 1940, with George Sanders and Vincent Price. Her 1940s film series work in Hollywood included: Ellery Queen series from 1940-1942.
Lindsay, performed in a supporting role in the 1942 film, The Spoilers, starring John Wayne and in Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street in 1945. While her work in the late 1940s would occasionally involve a supporting role in MGM films like Cass Timberlane with Spencer Tracy, her film career faded, soon after.
She returned to the stage and co-starred with Franchot Tone, in The Second Man. 1950s and 1960s She made her television debut in 1950 in, The Importance of Being Earnest. More television work soon followed.
Lindsay performed in only four films during the 1950s and two in the 1960s. Her final feature film was, Tammy and the Doctor (1963). Lindsay lived with her sister Helen in Hollywood.
Later in life, she lived with her youngest sister Mickie. Despite being romantically linked to actors such as William Gargan and Edward Norris, she never married.
Margaret Lindsay's sister, Jane Kies (1909–1985), was also an actress under the name of Jane Gilbert. In 1940, Jane married the son of Hedda Hopper, actor William Hopper, best known for his role as Paul Drake in the Perry Mason television series. Their daughter Joan was born in 1942, and the couple divorced in the early 1960s. Lindsay's niece Peggy Kenline and great-nephew Brad Yates were also actors.
The Old Maid (1939). Director: Edmund Goulding. The screenplay by Casey Robinson is based on the 1935 Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same title by Zoë Akins, which was adapted from the 1924 Edith Wharton novella The Old Maid: the fifties.
On the day of Delia Lovell's wedding to socially prominent Jim Ralston, Clem Spender, to who Delia had once been engaged, reappears after being gone for two-years. Delia's cousin Charlotte, who was also in love with Clem, slips away to console him, coming home very late that night.
The next day Clem enlists in the Union army and dies on the battlefield.
Four years later, Charlotte has made a home for war orphans. Tina, Charlotte and Clem's own daughter comes to live with her. Charlotte lives with her secret until the day she is to marry Jim's brother Joe. Delia, who still loves Clem, decides to destroy Charlotte's chance to marry Joe and Charlotte goes into seclusion.
She reappears several months after Jim has died in a riding accident, and accepts Delia's invitation to move into the Ralston mansion with Tina.
Over the years Tina, considers Delia to be her mother, while Charlotte has become a miserable woman. Delia adopts Tina legally to provide her with a name.
On the eve of her wedding, Charlotte insists on telling Tina her true identity. Will Charlotte be able to keep her secret forever hidden?
I thought both Davis and Hopkins were amazing in this passionate film with many pull on your heart string scenes. Davis is wonderful in her transformation from beautiful debutante to embittered old maid. This movie reminded me of what a good actress Miriam Hopkins really was.
Miriam Hopkins (October 18, 1902 – October 9, 1972). At the age of 20, she became a chorus girl in New York City. In 1930, she signed with Paramount Pictures, and made her official film debut in, Fast and Loose.
Her first great success was in, Trouble in Paradise (1932). During the remainder of the decade, she appeared in such films as: The Smiling Lieutenant and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (both 1931), Design for Living (1933), Becky Sharp (1935), for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, Barbary Coast (1935), These Three (1936) (the first of four films with director William Wyler) and The Old Maid (1939).
Hopkins had well-publicized fights with Bette Davis (Davis was having an affair with Hopkins' husband at the time, Anatole Litvak), when they co-starred in their two films: The Old Maid (1939) and Old Acquaintance(1943). Davis admitted to enjoying very much a scene in Old Acquaintance in which she shakes Hopkins. After Old Acquaintance, she did not work again in films until The Heiress (1949).
In The Mating Season, she gave a comic performance as Gene Tierney's character's mother. She also acted in The Children's Hour, which is a remake of her film These Three (1936). In the remake, she played the aunt to Shirley MacLaine, while MacLaine took Hopkins' original role.
That Certain Woman(1937). Drama film written and directed by Edmund Goulding. It is a remake of Goulding's 1929 film The Tresspasser, Gloria Swanson's first sound film. Cast: Bette Davis, Henry Fonda and Anita Louise.
Young widow of gangster Al Haines, Mary Donnell.. is now working under an assumed name as a secretary for a well known wealthy attorney Lloyd Rogers. When a journalist Virgil Whitaker, threatens to expose her past. Rogers and Mary, ask Whitaker not to print the story. Although, she is still worried that the story will still be printed. Mary, thinks it would be best, to turn down wealthy Jack Merrick's marriage proposal.
He eventually, changes her mind and on their wedding night, Jack's father wants the marriage annulled. Mary leaves, hoping that Jack will come after her. She moves in with her friend Amy and hides her son Jackie, from the Merrick family.
Jack, then marries society girl Florence "Flip" Carson, but on their honeymoon, Flip is crippled in an car accident.
Needing help, Mary accepts Rogers financial support, hoping that Mrs. Rogers will not be hurt. Hunter doesn't really care because he's in a loveless marriage. One day, Rogers dies in Mary's apartment and it gets out that Jackie is Jack's child.
Jack visits Mary, to see if the rumors are true and learns that he is Jackie's father. Merrick, Sr. takes legal action to adopt Jackie, but it is Flip, who talks Mary into giving Jackie up.
Years later, Virgil, who has befriended Mary during her troubles, finds her in Monte Carlo and tells her that Flip is dead, leaving Jack free to return to Mary.
What I loved most about the film, was how the women all seemed to care about doing the right thing.
Anita Louise (January 9, 1915 – April 25, 1970), made her acting debut on Broadway at the age of six, and within a year was performing regularly in Hollywood films. By her late teens she was being cast in leading and supporting roles in important film, and was best known for her delicate features and blonde hair.
As her stature in Hollywood grew, she was described as one of cinema's most fashionable and stylish women. Her reputation was further enhanced by her role as Hollywood society hostess, with her parties attended by the elite of Hollywood, and widely and regularly reported in the news media.
Among her film successes were Madame Du Barry (1934), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935), The Story of Louis Pasteur (1935), Anthony Adverse (1936), Marie Antoinette (1938), The Sisters (1938), and The Little Princess (1939).
By the 1940s, she was reduced to minor roles until television gave her more opportunities. In middle age she played one of her most widely seen roles as the gentle mother, Nell McLaughlin, in the CBS television series My Friend Flicka from 1956–1957, with co-stars Johnny Washbrook, Gene Evans, and Frank Ferguson.
All About Eve, 1950 Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz Nominated for 14 Oscars, Won 6 Up Against: Born Yesterday, Father of the Bride, King Solomon's Mines, Sunset Blvd.
Synopsis: Eve Harrington is an aspiring actress, and a rabid fan of Margo Channing, a big Broadway star. One evening, a good friend of Margo's a playwrights wife, notices Eve and remembers seeing her at every single show Margo's done, and invites her to meet Margo. Margo, initially repulsed by the idea of a rabid fan, takes Eve in after hearing her story of loss, and of wanting to become an actress. She takes the girl in, lets her live in her home, and Eve becomes almost a pseudo-help. All the while, she's impressing all those she comes into contact with through Margo. And there may be a lot more to Eve than her seeming innocence.
This film has promise to be an interesting story (one that has become quite cliched now) of a young actress taken under their idol's wing, and becoming stars themselves. However, this film was overlong, and take s a very long time to get going, and a long time to wrap up.
It's a clever idea, and was probably one of the first films to mock celebrities. Bette Davis (Margo) was wonderfully over-dramatic, but subtle when she needed to be. And Anne Baxter as Eve was so innocent, but was able to turn on the persona she later gains in the second half of the film with ease and believability. The acting was great, and there was even a couple scenes with a very young Marilyn Monroe.
But the main qualm I had with this film was it was too long. Had this film been at least 45 minutes shorter, the story would've been much more effective, and a lot more entertaining. The first hour or so captivated me, but around the 1 and 1/2 hour mark, I started getting tired of the story. When I read I still had around 45 minutes to an hour left, I was impatient. The film took too long to get to Eve's "rise to fame" chapter, and then spent too long with a pompous Eve, being quite popular.
Overall, the film was well-acted and looked quite good, and the music also good, but it was just too long to really capture me entirely. The film got quite dry by the end, and I was ready for it to be over. Had this been 1950, and I were watching it when it was made, I may have been less hard on it. I haven't seen and read stories like these a few times over, and it would've been a fresher take. However, it's 2012, and it's hard to judge really. The screenplay was sharp and witty, and was another great thing about it. I really wish I'd liked it more, given how much of a classic it really is. I applaud the idea, being a clever one, and being executed (initially) quite well. Compared to other films, it is still quite relevant, and still has an audience appeal because we still make movies with a similar story. It stands the test of time quite well, as still being regarded as a good film, with a good story, screenplay, and acting. However, had this film been a little bit shorter, I may've enjoyed it a lot more.
Bureau of Missing Persons(1933). Drama/comedy, directed by Roy Del Ruth. Cast: Bette Davis, Lewis Stone, Pat O'Brien and Glenda Farrell. The screenplay by Robert Presnell is based on a story by Carol Bird adapted from the book Missing Men by former New York City police captain John H. Ayres.
When by the book Detective Butch Saunders, is assigned to Norma Roberts' missing husband case, he finds himself attracted to her. He is very disappointed to learn that, she is also wanted for her husbands murder.
Later, when the police find her clothes on the dock, Butch is sure that Norma didn't commit suicide. He stages a fake funeral to try and to lure her out from hiding. Just as he had hoped, she attends the funeral. Norma, tells Butch that when she was Roberts' private secretary, she found out he had an mentally handicapped twin brother. He killed his brother, making it look like he himself was dead to escape embezzlement charges. Butch, takes him in to the Bureau of Missing Persons. Will Webb be able to get him to admit the truth and will Norma be cleared of murder?
If you are a fan of the Hollywood films of the Thirties and Forties, you will love this fast moving classic film. All the characters are perfect in their roles and there are some interesting plot twists near the end. Davis, as young actress, looked absolutely beautiful in this film.
Glenda Farrell (June 30, 1904 – May 1, 1971). She was best known as the wise-cracking, dizzy blonde, along with Joan Blondell, with whom she would be frequently paired.
She is best known for her performances in the films: Little Caesar (1931), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Havana Widows (1933), Bureau of Missing Persons (1933), Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) and The Big Shakedown (1934).
She became one of Warner Brothers’ most prolific actresses of the 1930s, solidifying her success with her own film film series, as Torchy Blane, "Girl Reporter". In this role Farrell was promoted as being able to speak 400 words in 40 seconds. Farrell would portray the character Torchy Blane in approximately eight films, from 1937 to 1939 when the role was taken over by Jane Wyman.
In 1937 she starred opposite Dick Powell and Joan Blondell in the Academy Award nominated Lloyd Bacon and Busby Berkeley directed musical comedy, Gold Diggers(1937).
Farrell went out of vogue in the 1940s but made a comeback later in life, winning an Emmy Award in 1963, for her work in the television series Ben Casey.
A Stolen Life(1946). Drama, starring Bette Davis, who also produced, and directed by Curtis Bernhardt. The supporting cast: Glenn Ford, Dane Clark, Walter Brennan, Charles Ruggles and Bruce Bennett. The movie is a remake of a 1939 British film Stolen Life starring Elisabeth Bergner and Michael Redgrave.
When painter Kate Bosworth, who has made plans to visit her cousin Freddie, misses her steamer boat, she manages to hitch a ride with Bill Emerson, on his motor boat. They make a quick stop to a small island to pick up Dragon Head lighthouse keeper, Eben Folger. Attracted to Bill, she quickly comes up with a plan to see him again. She talks Eben into posing for her by gifting him a ship in a bottle that he has always wanted.
One day, a heavy fog prevents Kate from leaving, which gives her the perfect opportunity to talk to Bill. Soon, they two have fallen in love, even though Bill, is getting ready to leave for a new job, he promises to return.
Kate has a twin sister Pat, who is also visiting the island, meets Bill on the dock and he mistakes her for Kate. Pat pretends to be her sister and has lunch with Bill. The truth comes out when Kate arrives, but later, learning that Bill is going to Boston, Pat follows him and they marry.
After returning to New York, Kate meets artist Karnock, who seems to have a chip on his shoulder accuses her of being a snob. Soon after, Bill comes to inform Kate that he is going to move to Chile. Kate, realizes that she is still in love with Bill and decides to return to the island where she is suprised to find her sister, Pat there, keeping her distance from her husband Bill.
The twin sisters decide to spend the afternoon together and go sailing, when a storm hits them, causing their boat to crash on a near by reef. Kate tries to save Pat from drowning, but she slips away leaving behind only her wedding ring. Kate, is rescued wearing the ring which leads everyone to believe that she is Pat.
After hearing the news Bill returns from Chile, Kate continues to pretend that she is Pat. When she learns that Bill wants to end the marriage, she begs him for another chance until she learns that Pat had many affairs and unable to face Bill. She makes plans to stay with Freddie, who already knows the truth. Will Kate have enough courage tell Bill her true identity?
The film is very well written romantic story. The cinematography is absolutely beautiful and Bette played both sisters parts perfectly..
Fun Fact:
Because of her constant insistence for better productions to work on, and an overall better atmosphere on set, Jack L. Warner asked Bette Davis to produce the film. It would be the first and only time she would be able to do this.
Peggy Knudsen (April 22, 1923 - July 11, 1980). She began her film career in 1946 in the film, A Stolen Life opposite Bette Davis. That same year, she performed in bit parts in the films: The Big Sleep and Humoresque with Joan Crawford.
Knudsen's career never really took off and she performed in many smaller roles in "B" movies. Her last film role was in, Istanbul(1957) with Errol Flynn.
In the 1950s and '60s, Knudsen performed in guest starring roles on several television shows including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Millionaire, Perry Mason and Pete and Gladys. After performing in an episode of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet in 1965, Knudsen retired from acting.
Knudsen suffered from crippling arthritis for most of her later years and was cared for by her close friend, actress Jennifer Jones.
Fashions of 1934(1934). Pre-Code/musical/comedy directed by William Dieterle with musical numbers created and directed by Busby Berkeley. Based on the story The Fashion Plate by Harry Collins and Warren Duff. Cast: William Powell and Bette Davis.
Sherwood Nash's, New York investment business hits hard times until he meets dress designer Lynn Mason. They quickly come up with a plan to earn a living making knock offs of beautiful Paris designs.
They learn by accident that Oscar Baroque, gets his ideas from old costume designs. Lynn, picks up on the idea and she and Sherwood sells her designs to their New York customers.
Sherwood, comes up with a new scam and becomes partners with Joe Ward, an ostrich feather salesman after he recognizes the Grand Duchess Alix, his old friend, Mabel. Threatening to expose who she really is, Sherwood suggests that she convince Baroque, to back and design the costumes of the musical in which she is performing. Wanting to please the Grand Duchess, Baroque buys Ward's entire supply of ostrich feathers. Lynn, who has grown very tired of his scams, thinks about leaving him for the piano player.
Sherwood opens a new fashion house called, Maison Elegance and Lynn's designs are very popular, until Baroque finds out about their scam. The police give him one afternoon to straighten everything out. Will he be successful or ruin everyones lives?
William Powell, is one of those witty con artiest that you can not help fall in love and root for. You will not be able to take your eyes off the very talented Bette Davis and her glamorous blonde hair. If you enjoy fashions from the 30s. This film is for you.
One of the main reasons why I wanted to watch this film, was for the production number created by Busby Berkeley. Meant to showcase 'Spin A Little Web Of Dreams' with Busby's trademark identical blonde showgirls performing complicated dance numbers.
Verree Teasdale (March 15, 1903 – February 17, 1987). Trained as a stage actress at the New York School of Expression. She first appeared on Broadway in 1924 and performed there regularly until 1932. After co-starring in Somerset Maugham's play The Constant Wife with Ethel Barrymore in 1926-27, she was offered a film contract, and her first film, Syncopation(1929). Teasdale appeared older than her physical age, which enabled her to play bored society wives, scheming other women and second leads in comedies such as, Roman Scandals (1933).
In 1935 she married actor Adolphe Menjou, and they remained together until his death in 1963. Teasdale and Menjou performed together in two films, The Milky Way(1936) and Turnabout (1940), and were also co-hosts of a syndicated radio program in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Teasdale retired after the radio program finished its run, keeping busy with her hobby of costume design.
Although Lee Remick is overshadowed in many ways, she's just excellent as Kirsten, a pathetic woman, a real victim. Her story is very heartbreaking and you don't get any fun out of it but Remick's realism in this part is really impressive. A great performance that should be much more frequently talked about.
I would kill to see this performance on the stage but instead I have to make do with a great motion picture performance that's nothing short of excellent. Geraldine Page makes Alexandra a very fascinating character and she single-handedly makes the movie worthy of watching. This work is a real treat. Truly-truly memorable effort by a great actress.
I must say that I was thouroughly impressed by the performance of Katharine Hepburn. Although there's something in me that prevented me from totally embrace it, I still find her truly amazing in her part. As Mary Tyrone, she's just chilling and really disturbing but she never overplays Mary's broken personality. Fantastic work.
This is an iconic performance and rightfully so. It's both delicious and shocking, funny and disgusting. Bette's brilliance is at (another) peak here and she's really unforgettable. No matter what she does on the screen, it's going to be something that you'll never ever forget. She nails each and every nuance of Baby Jane and the result is a fantastic, dazzling and intense work by a brilliant actress.
I was totally amazed by Anne Bancroft's star-making turn as Annie Sullivan, the determined and tough teacher. Anne Bancroft created a multi-layered fascinating character that is a real joy to watch. Her beauty shines through the screen and it's effect is just astonishing. I was taken by this work and I can only praise her for this. It's kind of cheesy to say it's a miracle but for me, it is.
So I can proudly announce
the winner is...
Anne Bandroft
in
The Miracle Worker
That was a nailbiter.
Final thoughts: A really great year (the highest grades overall) but somehow I wasn't that blown away. All of these ladies were great but somehow I didn't enjoy this year as much as I expected to. Still, a wonderful year with great performances. The ranking was very difficult for me but I hopw to have made the right decision. I wasn't very sure but eventually, this seemed like the best alternative.
Omissions: Jeanne Moreau in Jules et Jim; Anna Magnani in Mamma Roma; Shelley Winters in Lolita
The ranking of the reviewed years:
1969
1944
1974
1961
1989
1962
2001
1959
2006
1978
2010
1996
1964
1939
1977
1992
1997
2009
1980
1941
1972
1963
1966
1973
1983
1986
1937
1990
1954
1958
1948
2002
1957
2003
1940
1998
1975
About the next year: It's no secret that it will be 1943. :)
