Bette Davis is known by people even those who never watched a film from her era. That’s a mark of stardom and how her legacy has stayed throughout time. There's just no denying her striking beauty! She had one of those memorable presences as a major actress that had everything to do with how she showed her own personality, never afraid of looking out there as an uncompromising performer!
id="an-icon-of-film">An Icon Of FilmShe was bold as an artist in showing the world her emotions as an actress and she truly was one of those talented performers who understood so well the impact of showing that powerful and unlikeable, complex characters are some of the most compelling to see on-screen.
A Star-Struck Life:
It looks like the story of Bette Davis isn’t as smooth as some may think! While it might seem like her performances have given us many of the great, classic movies we see now, her personal career, her impact with other stars, even her legacy as an iconic performer is filled with many exciting moments and unexpected twists! Davis won major Academy Awards back in 1930s, with All About Eve (in 1950), she made her most impactful performances. She came back with a powerful story, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (that appeared in 1960s) which re-energized her whole career,
Eight Movies That Made Bette Davis A Legend
You might be surprised as she's got plenty of memorable roles but you need to consider her career and how these 8 films really showed her talent! There were great moments throughout her long, fulfilling career as a performer.
Bad Sister (1931):
- The story begins with a first time performance. "Bad Sisters"
- This show, set in the very beginning of her movie career and came out in 1931 featured this remarkable actress.
She worked on Broadway! And decided to head out to Hollywood!
- Davis had to land some sort of deal and Universal Studios took the risk and hired her to give audiences her first role.
- In this first time outing. Davis was the good sister, "Laura." While the actress, Sidney Fox took on the far more interesting role, which would set Bette Davis up for a future of strong performances! If only the roles had been switched. But with the power of hindsight you can see her skill set and those complex characters that are not as simple and would really allow her to get into a much more powerful performance.
You might remember Davis working with another legendary actor Humphrey Bogart. This was the beginning of a special relationship that brought them to make several Movies together! This movie was also one where these talented performers worked on set together.
Of Human Bondage (1934):
- In her time. "Of Human Bondage really had everyone thinking about what a fantastic talent Bette Davis was.
- She landed an incredible role: "Mildred Rogers"
- A waitress who is an ambitious woman, and also someone who had great beauty but it wasn't as simple as everyone thought.
- The movie itself is based on a compelling, renowned novel written by W. Somerset Maugham and it brought together Davis and Leslie Howard.
Howard plays a man in this tragic love story that couldn't get past Mildred's actions! He didn't realize she was incapable of offering the same amount of dedication and loyalty that he offered. Davis really was on point as she won her first "Academy Award" nominations.
The award went to Claudette Colbert for her performance, but, you see, the "Academy Award" voters overlooked a major point, it gave the perfect part to Davis! This gave her a springboard for those more powerful roles as an actress.
id="dangerous-1935">Dangerous (1935)
Even though she had those big moments in "Of Human Bondage", you can bet the "Academy Awards" went back to recognize "Dangerous" (that came out in 1935). It would land a great award for Davis. A film that showed her incredible range. However, her character Joyce Heath, had a darker, tragic and slightly sadder journey. But it was one filled with so much drama. The storyline was as incredible as some of her most powerful roles!
If that wasn't a remarkable achievement, it set the scene for a legendary feud Bette Davis would have with another actor. The woman in the next film with her. The dynamic and incredible personality of Joan Crawford!
id="jezebel-1938">Jezebel (1938)
"Jezebel" helped launch Bette Davis' star into the sky. The classic 1850s period piece, and a Southern story. What made it even better? She had some incredible roles, along with Henry Fonda. Davis showed just how incredibly talented she was in portraying an almost unbreakable character.
- "Jezebel" brought Davis her second Oscar.
- The director "William Wyler, was one who embraced more of Davis’ quieter performances while giving audiences the epic moments that many remember!
While this character, "Julie Marsden," gave Davis a special perspective on more vulnerable moments as an actress. She could also get those more bold, brash and compelling features! It turns out she could handle those epic stories just as easily.
id="now-voyager-1942">Now, Voyager (1942)
By 1940s Bette Davis had arrived on the scene and was no stranger to success. It's a testament to a long career filled with the Academy Awards nominations she received. Davis was back to her classic powerful acting in Now, Voyager! She had her moment of redemption in an extraordinary tale of an emotional woman.
- Her character Charlotte Vale, really got those emotions out, going through a time with an aristocratic mother! The emotion she had really drew a new understanding for her! It helped make her a powerhouse on screen.
- "Now, Voyager" gave the most impactful moment. Charlotte, while recovering and regaining control in a sanitorium, found something completely unexpected- a love affair.
This was the love story to remember with Paul Henreid. If it wasn't enough, the film took audiences into Charlotte's troubled childhood, as a product of the environment, but this really made the performance of Bette Davis more authentic.
id="all-about-eve-1950"> All About Eve (1950)
"All About Eve" really pushed the world of film! It gave everyone the idea of a powerfully complex woman that everyone needed to recognize. At a point where Bette Davis had almost completely faded, audiences didn't have that connection that they once had! That may be why this role, Margo Channing stood out even more!
- Margo Channing was the type of character audiences expected! She showed us her full, vibrant, but fragile self.
It turned out this was more than just her performance. Davis worked alongside other incredible stars as well, which included "Anne Baxter," the woman who helped to give viewers such an interesting view of "Eve Harrington." Joseph L. Mankiewicz really was one of those legendary directors. With his help they brought such an exciting, and controversial tale. This made the whole performance so much more enjoyable, the acting felt even more realistic and memorable.
id="what-ever-happened-to-baby-jane-1962"> What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962):
- "Baby Jane"
- In this amazing movie, it really showed that Bette Davis was the best at creating these dark, complex characters!
It was another big step forward for Bette Davis.
After spending so many years being a major Hollywood icon, her career shifted to this interesting role of "Jane Hudson." This film brought her back into the spotlight.
- Davis, and her former rival Joan Crawford, helped to breathe life into these characters that had a big part of this iconic, thrilling film!
- With an understanding that they would be two major figures! And both of these incredible, world-class actresses were amazing at their craft, working to give an excellent movie to viewers! It brought back the excitement of the stars in those big Hollywood, productions!
- "Baby Jane" has to be on your list of memorable psychological movies!
It's a testament to the longevity of these talented actresses, which gives us an incredible tale of sibling rivalry!
With Davis showing so many diverse characters throughout the movie.
id="wicked-stepmother-1989"> Wicked Stepmother (1989)
Even though Davis has shown what a truly amazing performer she was. This story might leave viewers with some sadness.
- A film that could be considered a real disappointment! It just shows that everyone who's on the "Hollywood" circuit may be at the top of their career for a while, but a good portion of actors' careers fade into obscurity and even as Davis had a super high profile, her ending, in the 1980s was met with some bad times.
- You might remember her as a powerhouse, but as the final stages of her movie career neared, she was mostly making TV movies! A transition that happens often in an actor’s career.
- This film. "Wicked Stepmother". Not a success in her eyes! Bette Davis never completed the production. She walked away from it with so much anger and disillusionment.
"Bette Davis" expressed all of these feelings by writing in a letter about how ashamed she felt about working with the production, calling the movie, and its team “horrible”! It’s not uncommon for someone in Hollywood to see what an incredible talent "Bette Davis" was, yet not every movie is an easy experience!
She went down in history, not as a faded star but as an artist who left such a great, lasting, unforgettable impression that her legacy of these bold and powerful roles still shines even today!
It's the characters like this that Bette Davis really did create with passion!
If you have not seen any of her work or are new to Bette Davis it is so worthwhile to check these stories out. It's amazing that they will help you dive back into Hollywood's Golden Age and the incredible films she starred in, bringing back these incredible movies, showing those performers at their best, and an excellent look into what really makes someone an icon. It doesn't end here! Davis, was not only a brilliant star but someone who left their mark on the world. The next time you are on Netflix, make sure to check out a couple of her classics.
