The Bette Davis thread

**SnarkyOracle!** · 01-10-2012, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by minx

Come to think of it, I don't think "Ferry Cross the Mersey" or Marianne Faithfull's version of "As Tears Go By" would have sounded out of place in the film either--maybe in Bobbie Medman's bedroom during one of Master Joey's window entrances.

Yes, likely better than what they used.

**SnarkyOracle!** · 01-12-2012, 09:26 PM

**SnarkyOracle!** · 01-14-2012, 10:22 PM

**minx** · 03-04-2012, 01:30 AM

I watched DEAD RINGER today. Bette was in fine form. Loved her shifty eyes, that distinct voice, and the way she waved her cigarettes. Just what you'd expect from her. Malden and Lawford were well-suited for their roles. I liked the camera shots--especially the outdoor scenes--and Andre Previn's music.

The plot felt a bit weak. It wasn't difficult to guess how it would end, but I wasn't bored. I still prefer CHARLOTTE, THE NANNY, and BABY JANE (probably in that order). I was impressed with the way they shot Bette as both twins in one camera shot, so I was really surprised when I saw how badly the dog attack was done. I don't suppose they wanted to risk messing pretty Peter Lawford's face with the real dog on top of him, but that fake dog's head and paws were awful. Gave me a good laugh though.

**SnarkyOracle!** · 03-04-2012, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by minx

I watched DEAD RINGER today. Bette was in fine form. Loved her shifty eyes, that distinct voice, and the way she waved her cigarettes. Just what you'd expect from her. Malden and Lawford were well-suited for their roles. I liked the camera shots--especially the outdoor scenes--and Andre Previn's music.

Oh, yes, Previn's score is terrific.

Originally Posted by minx

The plot felt a bit weak. It wasn't difficult to guess how it would end, but I wasn't bored. I still prefer CHARLOTTE, THE NANNY, and BABY JANE (probably in that order).

Yes, that's my preferred order as well.

Originally Posted by minx

I was impressed with the way they shot Bette as both twins in one camera shot, so I was really surprised when I saw how badly the dog attack was done. I don't suppose they wanted to risk messing pretty Peter Lawford's face with the real dog on top of him, but that fake dog's head and paws were awful. Gave me a good laugh though.

I guess they never realized we could one day freeze frame DVDs. I don't think I've watched the dog attack once without doing so, the stuffed Scooby Doo "mutilating" Lawford's face.

So funny.

**minx** · 04-16-2012, 05:15 AM

I totally forgot how much the woman liked to smoke until I started looking through pictures of her. She really had a talent for making a bad habit look appealing.

**vaughnleland** · 04-16-2012, 07:16 PM

Charlotte is a brilliant film... Davis,Joe Cotton and Olivia DeHaviland are all first rate in it... along with Agnes Moorehead,Cecil Cellaway,Mary Astor and Victor Buono. tight film,suspensefu ,well acted.

my other favorite is little Foxes.. a brillant epic about a corrupt southern aristoratic familt. Davis,Charles Dingle and Carl Benton Reid as the battling siblings are all dynamite.

**alexis** · 12-07-2012, 05:19 PM

Not sure if its been mentioned here but theres a Bette pilot on youtube called THE DECORATOR. It's from 1965 I think and was un-aired. I haven't watched it yet but I plan to tonight. It was produced by Aaron Spelling.

**alexis** · 12-09-2012, 02:33 AM

I watched THE DECORATOR pilot. I thought it was very funny. The type of thing I would have loved as a kid, along with THE ADAMS FAMILY and THE BEVERLY HILL BILLY'S. People on youtube have commented that Bette wasnt very funny in it. I think she was, and that she is very funny in lots of films. She could do comedy.

**SnarkyOracle!** · 12-09-2012, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by alexis

Not sure if its been mentioned here but theres a Bette pilot on youtube called THE DECORATOR. It's from 1965 I think and was un-aired. I haven't watched it yet but I plan to tonight. It was produced by Aaron Spelling.

Originally Posted by alexis

I watched THE DECORATOR pilot. I thought it was very funny. The type of thing I would have loved as a kid, along with THE ADAMS FAMILY and THE BEVERLY HILL BILLY'S. People on youtube have commented that Bette wasnt very funny in it. I think she was, and that she is very funny in lots of films. She could do comedy.

I thought somebody had posted that -- turns out it was me!

**Barbara Fan** · 12-28-2012, 05:21 PM

from this months Sight and Sound magazine

for Snarky in particular

love BF x

**SnarkyOracle!** · 12-28-2012, 07:02 PM

Thanks for posting, Barbarafan!!

**SnarkyOracle!** · 12-28-2012, 07:35 PM

For the perusal of vaughnleland, Darius and anyone else who'd like to know (if they don't already) what the love ballad to "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte" might sound like if actually sung at Houmas House (where they filmed the movie) in Louisana and was performed by a heavyset African American lady named Mrs. Judy who sounds like Carole King.

Enjoy: