Bette Davis
from the Now, Voyager film trailer, 1942. Now Voyager is a 1942 American Drama film directed by Irving Rapper.
Born	Ruth Elizabeth Davis April 5, 1908(1908-04-05) Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
Died	October 6, 1989 (aged 81) Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Years active	1929-1989
Spouse(s)	Harmon Nelson (1932–1938) Arthur Farnsworth (1940–1943) William Grant Sherry (1945–1950) Gary Merrill (1950–1960)

Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television and theatre. Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census the city had a total population of 105167 The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Neuilly-sur-Seine (nœji syʀ sɛn in French) is a commune bordering the western limit of the city of Paris, France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Arthur Farnsworth (? &ndash August 1943 was the second spouse of actress Bette Davis. William Grant Sherry (born April 13, 1914) is a painter and Artist. Gary F Merrill ( August 2, 1915 &ndash March 5, 1990) was an American film and television Character actor whose credits included Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 1908 ( MCMVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres; from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, though her greatest successes were romantic dramas. In Film theory, genre refers to the primary method of film categorization based on similarities in the narrative elements from which films are constructed A crime film, in the most general sense is a Film that involves various aspects Crime and the Criminal justice system The historical drama is a Film genre in which stories are based upon historical events and famous persons " Period piece " is phrase that is used to describe creative works Comedy (from the Greek κωμωδίαkomodia has a popular meaning (any discourse generally intended to amuse especially in Television, Film, and While most films have some aspect of romance between characters (at least as a Subplot) a romance film can be loosely defined as any Film in which the central

After appearing in Broadway plays, Davis moved to Hollywood in 1930, but her early films for Universal Studios were unsuccessful. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Universal Studios (sometimes called Universal Pictures or Universal City Studios) a subsidiary of NBC Universal, is a major Global American She joined Warner Bros. in 1932 and established her career with several critically acclaimed performances. Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and In 1937, she attempted to free herself from her contract and although she lost a well-publicized legal case, it marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career. Until the late 1940s, she was one of American cinema's most celebrated leading actresses, known for her forceful and intense style. Davis gained a reputation as a perfectionist who could be highly combative, and her confrontations with studio executives, film directors and costars were often reported. Her forthright manner, clipped vocal style and ubiquitous cigarette contributed to a public persona which has often been imitated and satirized. A cigarette ( French "small Cigar " from cigar + -ette) is a product consumed through Smoking and manufactured

Davis was the co-founder of the Hollywood Canteen, and was the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For the 1944 Warner Bros motion picture see Hollywood Canteen (1944 film The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization ostensibly dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of Motion She was the first actor to receive 10 Academy Award nominations and the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. The AFI Life Achievement Award (not to be confused with the Honorary Academy Award) was established by the Board of Directors of the American Film Institute on The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 Her career went through several periods of decline, and she admitted that her success had often been at the expense of her personal relationships. Married four times, she was once widowed and thrice divorced, and raised her children as a single parent. Her final years were marred by a long period of ill health, but she continued acting until shortly before her death from breast cancer, with more than 100 film, television and theater roles to her credit. Breast cancer is a Cancer that starts in the cells of the Breast in women and men

In 1999, Davis was placed second, behind Katharine Hepburn, on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female stars of all time. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 Part of the AFI 100 Years series, AFI's 100 Years 100 Stars is a list of the top 50 stars of American cinema

Contents 1 Background and early acting career 2 Transition from stage to film 3 Legal case 4 Success as "The Fourth Warner Brother" 5 War effort and personal tragedy 6 Professional setbacks 7 Starting a freelance career 8 Renewed success 9 Late career 10 Illness, conflict and death 11 Comments and criticism 12 Academy Awards and nominations 13 Filmography 14 Notes 15 References 16 External links

Background and early acting career

Ruth Elizabeth Davis, known from early childhood as "Betty", was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of Ruth ("Ruthie") Augusta (née Favor), and Harlow Morrell Davis, a patent attorney;^[1] her sister, Barbara ("Bobby"), was born October 25, 1909. Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census the city had a total population of 105167 Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The family was Protestant, of English, French, and Welsh ancestry. The English people (from the adjective in Englisc) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to England who predominantly speak English Legal residents and citizens To be French according to the first article of the Constitution is to be a citizen of France regardless of one's origin race or religion ( The Welsh people ( Welsh: Cymro ("Welshman" Cymraes ("Welsh woman" Cymry ("Welshmen/women" Cymry ^[2] In 1915, Davis's parents separated and Betty and Bobby attended a Spartan boarding school called Crestalban in Lanesborough, which is located in the Berkshires. "Lanesborough" redirects here There are also several places named Lanesboro. Please note that this article on the Berkshires is about a geologic and cultural region in the United States for other uses see Berkshire (disambiguation ^[3] In 1921, Ruth Davis moved to New York City with her daughters, where she worked as a portrait photographer. The City of New York Betty was inspired to become an actress after seeing Rudolph Valentino in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) and Mary Pickford in Little Lord Fauntleroy (1921),^[4] and changed the spelling of her name to "Bette" after Honoré de Balzac's La Cousine Bette. Rudolph Valentino ( May 6, 1895 &ndash August 23, 1926) was an Italian Actor, Sex symbol, and early The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a 1921 Silent movie produced by Metro Pictures Corporation, directed by Rex Ingram and starring Mary Pickford ( April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979) was an Academy Award -winning Canadian motion picture Fauntleroy redirects here For other uses see Fauntleroy (disambiguation. La Cousine Bette (English Cousin Bette) is an 1846 novel by Honoré de Balzac. ^[5] She received encouragement from her mother, who had aspired to become an actress.

She attended Cushing Academy, a boarding school in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, where she met her future husband, Harmon O. Cushing Academy is a Boarding school in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Ashburnham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts. At the 2000 census the town population was 5546 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Nelson, known as "Ham". In 1926, she saw a production of Henrik Ibsen's The Wild Duck with Blanche Yurka and Peg Entwistle. "Ibsen" redirects here For other people named Ibsen see Ibsen (disambiguation. The Wild Duck (original Norwegian title Vildanden) is an 1884 play by the Norwegian Playwright Henrik Ibsen. Blanche Yurka ( June 18, 1887 &ndash June 6, 1974) was an American theatre and film actress Peg Entwistle ( February 5, 1908 – September 16, 1932) was a Welsh -born stage Actress and briefly a Davis later recalled that it inspired her full commitment to her chosen career, and said, "Before that performance I wanted to be an actress. When it ended, I had to be an actress. . . exactly like Peg Entwistle. "^[6] She auditioned for admission to Eva LeGallienne's Manhattan Civic Repertory, but was rejected by LeGallienne who described her attitude as "insincere" and "frivolous". Eva Le Gallienne ( January 11, 1899 – June 3, 1991) was a well-known Actress, producer, and director, ^[7] She was accepted by the John Murray Anderson School of Theatre (where Lucille Ball was also a pupil), and studied dance with Martha Graham. John Murray Anderson ( September 20 1886 - January 30 1954) was a Theatre director and producer, Songwriter Lucille Ball (August 6 1911 – April 26 1989 was an American comedienne, film television stage and radio Actress, model, film See also Martha Graham ( May 11, 1894 &ndash April 1, 1991) was an American Dancer and Choreographer

She auditioned for George Cukor's stock theater company, and although he was not very impressed, he gave Davis her first paid acting assignment anyway – a one-week stint playing the part of a chorus girl in the play, Broadway. George Dewey Cukor ( July 7, 1899 – January 24, 1983) was an Academy Award -winning American Film director. She was later chosen to play Hedwig, the character she had seen Peg Entwistle play, in The Wild Duck. After performing in Philadelphia, Washington and Boston, she made her Broadway debut in 1929 in Broken Dishes, and followed it with Solid South. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located A Universal Studios talent scout saw her perform and invited her to Hollywood for a screen test. For the BBC TV series see Screen Test. A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an Actor or actress for

Transition from stage to film

Accompanied by her mother, Davis traveled by train to Hollywood, arriving on December 13, 1930. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. She later recounted her surprise that nobody from the studio was there to meet her; a studio employee had waited for her, but left because he saw nobody who "looked like an actress". She failed her first screen test but was used in several screen tests for other actors. In a 1971 interview with Dick Cavett, she related the experience with the observation, "I was the most Yankee-est, most modest virgin who ever walked the earth. Richard Alva "Dick" Cavett (born November 19, 1936) is an American former Television Talk show host known for his conversational They laid me on a couch, and I tested fifteen men . . .  They all had to lie on top of me and give me a passionate kiss. Oh, I thought I would die. Just thought I would die. "^[8] A second test was arranged for Davis, for the film A House Divided (1931). Hastily dressed in an ill-fitting costume with a low neckline, she was rebuffed by the director William Wyler, who loudly commented to the assembled crew, "What do you think of these dames who show their chests and think they can get jobs?"^[9] Carl Laemmle, the head of Universal Studios, considered terminating Davis's employment, but cinematographer Karl Freund told him she had "lovely eyes" and would be suitable for The Bad Sister (1931), in which she subsequently made her film debut. A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. William Wyler ( July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a four-time Academy Award -winning motion picture director This article is about Carl Laemmle the founder of Universal Pictures. Karl W Freund, ASC ( January 16, 1890 - May 3, 1969) was an Oscar-winning German cinematographer and Film director The Bad Sister is a 1931 American Drama film made by Universal Pictures, directed by Hobart Henley, produced by Carl ^[10] Her nervousness was compounded when she overheard the Chief of Production, Carl Laemmle Jr., comment to another executive that she had "about as much sex appeal as Slim Summerville", one of the film's co-stars. Carl Laemmle Jr ( 28 April 1908 &ndash 24 September 1979) was in charge of production at Universal Studios from about 1928 to 1936 Slim Summerville ( July 10, 1892 &ndash January 6, 1946) was an American film actor best known as a comedy performer ^[11] The film was not a success, and her next role in Seed (1931) was too brief to attract attention.

Universal Studios renewed her contract for three months, and she appeared in a small role in Waterloo Bridge (1931) before being lent to Columbia Pictures for The Menace, and to Capital Films for Hell's House (all 1932). Waterloo Bridge is a 1931 Drama film made by Universal Pictures, directed by James Whale and produced by Carl Laemmle Jr }} Columbia Pictures Industries Inc is an American Film production and distribution company Hell's House is a 1932 American Drama film directed by Howard Higgin and starring Bette Davis. After nine months, and six unsuccessful films, Laemmle elected not to renew her contract.

George Arliss chose Davis for the lead female role in The Man Who Played God (1932), and for the rest of her life, Davis credited him with helping her achieve her "break" in Hollywood. George Arliss ( April 10, 1868 - February 5, 1946) was an English Academy Award -winning Actor, Author The Man Who Played God is a 1932 Film drama produced by Warner Brothers. The Saturday Evening Post wrote, "she is not only beautiful, but she bubbles with charm", and compared her to Constance Bennett and Olive Borden. Constance Campbell Bennett ( October 22, 1904 &ndash July 24, 1965) was an American actress. Olive Borden ( July 14, 1906 - October 1, 1947) was an American Actress in silent andearly talking ^[12] Warner Bros. signed her to a five-year contract.

In 1932, she married "Ham" Nelson, who was scrutinized by the press; his $100 a week earnings compared unfavorably with Davis's reported $1,000 a week income. Davis addressed the issue in an interview, pointing out that many Hollywood wives earned more than their husbands, but the situation proved difficult for Nelson, who refused to allow Davis to purchase a house until he could afford to pay for it himself. ^[13]

After more than 20 film roles, the role of the vicious and slatternly Mildred Rogers in Of Human Bondage (1934), a film adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's novel, earned Davis her first major critical acclaim. Of Human Bondage is a 1934 film the first film adaptation of the 1915 novel of the same name by the British author W William Somerset Maugham, CH ( January 25 1874 &ndash December 16 1965) was an English Playwright, Many actresses feared playing unsympathetic characters, and several had refused the role, but Davis viewed it as an opportunity to show the range of her acting skills. Her costar, Leslie Howard, was initially dismissive of her, but as filming progressed his attitude changed and he subsequently spoke highly of her abilities. Leslie Howard ( April 3, 1893 - June 1, 1943) was an English stage and Academy Award nominated Film The director, John Cromwell, allowed her relative freedom, and commented, "I let Bette have her head. Elwood Dager John Cromwell ( December 23, 1887 – September 26, 1979) was an American Film director, Actor I trusted her instincts. " She insisted that she be portrayed realistically in her death scene, and said, "the last stages of consumption, poverty and neglect are not pretty and I intended to be convincing-looking". Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common ^[14]

The film was a success, and Davis's confronting characterization won praise from critics, with Life Magazine writing that she gave "probably the best performance ever recorded on the screen by a U. S. actress". ^[15] Davis anticipated that her reception would encourage Warner Bros. to cast her in more important roles, and was disappointed when Jack Warner refused to lend her to Columbia Studios to appear in It Happened One Night, and instead cast her in a melodrama, Housewife. It Happened One Night is a 1934 screwball comedy directed by Frank Capra, in which a pampered Socialite ( Claudette Colbert ^[16] When Davis was not nominated for an Academy Award for Of Human Bondage, The Hollywood Citizen News questioned the omission and Norma Shearer, herself a nominee, joined a campaign to have Davis nominated. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. Edith Norma Shearer (August 10 1900 - June 12 1983 was an Academy Award&ndashwinning Canadian-American actress. This prompted an announcement from the Academy president, Howard Estabrook, who said that under the circumstances "any voter . . .  may write on the ballot his or her personal choice for the winners", thus allowing, for the only time in the Academy's history, the consideration of a candidate not officially nominated for an award. ^[17] Claudette Colbert won the award for It Happened One Night but the uproar led to a change in Academy voting procedures the following year, whereby nominations were determined by votes from all eligible members of a particular branch, rather than by a smaller committee,^[18] with results independently tabulated by the accounting firm Price Waterhouse. Claudette Colbert ( IPA: /koʊlˈbɛɹ/ ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) was a French -born American stage PricewaterhouseCoopers (or PwC is one of the world's largest Professional services firms ^[19]

Davis appeared in Dangerous (1935) as a troubled actress and received very good reviews. Dangerous is a 1935 American Drama film directed by Alfred E Green. E. Arnot Robertson wrote in Picture Post, "I think Bette Davis would probably have been burned as a witch if she had lived two or three hundred years ago. She gives the curious feeling of being charged with power which can find no ordinary outlet. " The New York Times hailed her as "becoming one of the most interesting of our screen actresses". ^[20] She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the role, but commented it was belated recognition for Of Human Bondage. Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to

For the rest of her life, Davis maintained that she gave the statue its familiar name of "Oscar" because its posterior resembled that of her husband, whose middle name was Oscar,^[21][22] although her claim has been disputed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, among others.

In her next film, The Petrified Forest (1936), Davis co-starred with Leslie Howard and Humphrey Bogart, but Bogart, in his first important role, received most of the critics' praise. This article is about the Film The Petrified Forest For the National Park in Arizona where the film is set see Petrified Forest National Park. Leslie Howard ( April 3, 1893 - June 1, 1943) was an English stage and Academy Award nominated Film Davis appeared in several films over the next two years but most were poorly received.

Legal case

Convinced that her career was being damaged by a succession of mediocre films, Davis accepted an offer in 1936 to appear in two films in England. Knowing that she was breaching her contract with Warner Bros., she fled to Canada to avoid legal papers being served upon her. Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and Eventually brought to court in England, she later recalled the opening statement of the barrister, Sir Patrick Hastings, who represented Warner Brothers. Sir Patrick Gardiner Hastings ( March 17, 1880 &ndash February 26, 1952) was a noted British Barrister who served as Hastings urged the court to "come to the conclusion that this is rather a naughty young lady and that what she wants is more money". He mocked Davis's description of her contract as "slavery" by stating, incorrectly, that she was being paid $1,350 per week. He remarked, "if anybody wants to put me into perpetual servitude on the basis of that remuneration, I shall prepare to consider it". The British press offered little support to Davis, and portrayed her as overpaid and ungrateful. ^[23]

Davis explained her viewpoint to a journalist, saying "I knew that, if I continued to appear in any more mediocre pictures, I would have no career left worth fighting for. "^[24] Davis's counsel presented her complaints – that she could be suspended without pay for refusing a part, with the period of suspension added to her contract, that she could be called upon to play any part within her abilities regardless of her personal beliefs, that she could be required to support a political party against her beliefs, and that her image and likeness could be displayed in any manner deemed applicable by the studio. Jack Warner testified, and was asked, "Whatever part you choose to call upon her to play, if she thinks she can play it, whether it is distasteful and cheap, she has to play it?" Warner replied, "Yes, she must play it. "^[25]

The case, decided by Branson J. in the English High Court, was reported as Warner Bros. Studios Incorporated v. Nelson in [1937] 1 KB 209. Davis lost the case and returned to Hollywood, in debt and without income, to resume her career. Olivia de Havilland mounted a similar case in 1943 and won. Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award -winning actress.

Success as "The Fourth Warner Brother"

Davis began work on Marked Woman (1937), as a prostitute in a contemporary gangster drama inspired by the case of Lucky Luciano. Marked Woman is a Crime Melodrama Film released by Warner Brothers Studios in 1937. Charles "Lucky" Luciano (born Salvatore Lucania; November 24 1897 – January 26 1962 was a Sicilian Mobster. The film and Davis's performance received excellent reviews, and her stature as a leading actress was enhanced.

During the filming of her next film, Jezebel, Davis entered a relationship with director William Wyler. Jezebel is an American Drama film released in 1938 and directed by William Wyler. William Wyler ( July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a four-time Academy Award -winning motion picture director She later described him as the "love of my life", and said that making the film with him was "the time in my life of my most perfect happiness". ^[26] The film was a success, and Davis's performance as a spoiled "Southern belle" earned her a second Academy Award, which led to speculation in the press that she would be chosen to play a similar character, Scarlett O'Hara, in Gone with the Wind. A southern belle (derived from the French belle, 'beautiful' is an Archetype for a young woman of the American Old South 's Antebellum Scarlett O'Hara (full name Katie Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler) is the Protagonist in Margaret Mitchell 's 1936 novel Gone with Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American dramatic - romantic - War film adapted from Margaret Mitchell 's 1936 Davis expressed her desire to play Scarlett, and while David O. Selznick was conducting a search for the actress to play the role, a radio poll named her as the audience favorite. David O Selznick, born David Selznick ( May 10, 1902 &ndash June 22, 1965) was one of the iconic Hollywood producers Warner offered her services to Selznick as part of a deal that also included Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, but Selznick did not consider Davis as suitable, and rejected the offer. Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn ( June 20, 1909 &ndash October 14, 1959) was an Australian Film Actor, most Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award -winning actress. ^[27]

In contrast to Davis's success, her husband, Ham Nelson, had failed to establish a career for himself, and their relationship faltered. In 1938, Nelson obtained evidence that Davis was engaged in a sexual relationship with Howard Hughes and subsequently filed for divorce citing Davis's "cruel and inhuman manner". Howard Robard Hughes Jr (December 24 1905 – April 5 1976 was an American Aviator, Industrialist, Film producer / director, Philanthropist ^[28]

She was emotional during the making of her next film, Dark Victory (1939), and considered abandoning it until the producer Hal Wallis convinced her to channel her despair into her acting. Dark Victory is a 1939 American Drama film directed by Edmund Goulding. Hal B Wallis, CBE ( September 14, 1899 &ndash October 5, 1986) was an Academy Award -winning American The film became one of the highest grossing films of the year, and the role of Judith Traherne brought her an Academy Award nomination. In later years, Davis cited this performance as her personal favorite. ^[29]

She appeared in three other box office hits in 1939, The Old Maid with Miriam Hopkins, Juarez with Paul Muni and The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex with Errol Flynn. The Old Maid is a 1939 romantic drama film produced by Warner Brothers. Ellen Miriam Hopkins ( October 18, 1902 – October 9, 1972) was an Oscar -nominated American actress Juarez is a 1939 film with Paul Muni, Brian Aherne, Bette Davis, and John Garfield about the conflict between Paul Muni ( September 22, 1895 – August 25, 1967) was an American Academy Award -winning and Tony Award -winning The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex ( 1939) is a romantic Drama film based on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I, portrayed The latter was her first color film, and was her only color film made during the height of her career. To play the elderly Elizabeth I of England, Davis shaved her hairline and eyebrows. During filming she was visited on the set by the actor, Charles Laughton. Charles Laughton ( 1 July, 1899 &ndash 15 December, 1962) was an English Academy Award -winning stage and She commented that she had a "nerve" playing a woman in her sixties, to which Laughton replied, "Never not dare to hang yourself. That's the only way you grow in your profession. You must continually attempt things that you think are beyond you, or you get into a complete rut. " Recalling the episode many years later, Davis remarked that Laughton's advice had influenced her throughout her career. ^[30]

By this time, Davis was Warner Bros. ' most profitable star, described as "The Fourth Warner Brother", and she was given the most important of their female leading roles. Her image was considered with more care; although she continued to play character roles, she was often filmed in close-ups that emphasized her distinctive eyes. All This and Heaven Too (1940) was the most financially successful film of Davis's career to that point, while The Letter was considered "one of the best pictures of the year" by The Hollywood Reporter, and Davis won admiration for her portrayal of an adulterous killer. All This and Heaven Too is a 1940 drama film made by Warner Bros For the article about the 1927 play from which this film was adapted see The Letter. The Hollywood Reporter is a major trade publication of the Film industry in the United States. ^[31] During this time she was in a relationship with her former costar George Brent, who proposed marriage. George Brent ( March 15 1899 - May 26 1979) was an Irish film and television Actor in American cinema. Davis refused, as she had met Arthur Farnsworth, a New England innkeeper. History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the They were married in December 1940.

In January 1941, Davis became the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences but antagonized the committee members with her brash manner and radical proposals. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization ostensibly dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of Motion Faced with the disapproval and resistance of the committee, Davis resigned, and was succeeded by Jean Hersholt, who implemented the changes she had suggested. Jean Hersholt ( July 12, 1886 &ndash June 2, 1956) was a Danish actor who lived in the United States where he was a leading

William Wyler directed Davis in Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes (1941), but they clashed over the character of Regina Giddens. Lillian Florence Hellman ( June 20, 1905 &ndash June 30, 1984) was an American playwright linked throughout her life with many The Little Foxes is a 1941 American Drama film directed by William Wyler. Taking a role originally played on stage by Tallulah Bankhead, Davis felt Bankhead's original interpretation was appropriate and followed Hellman's intent, but Wyler wanted her to soften the character. Tallulah Brockman Bankhead ( January 31, 1902 – December 12, 1968) was an American Actress, talk-show host and Davis refused to compromise. She received another Academy Award nomination for her performance, and she never worked with Wyler again.

War effort and personal tragedy

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Davis spent the early months of 1942 selling war bonds. The attack on Pearl Harbor (or Hawaii Operation, as it was called by the Imperial General Headquarters) was a surprise Military strike conducted by War bonds are a type of Savings bond used by combatant nations to help fund a war effort and as a Monetary policy for controlling Inflation from an After Jack Warner criticized her tendency to cajole crowds into buying, she reminded him that her audiences responded most strongly to her "bitch" performances. This article is about Jack Warner the head of Warner Brothers She sold two million dollars of bonds in two days, as well as a picture of herself in Jezebel for $250,000. She also performed for black regiments as the only white member of an acting troupe formed by Hattie McDaniel, that also included Lena Horne and Ethel Waters. Hattie McDaniel ( June 10, 1895 – October 26, 1952) was an American Actress and the first black performer to win an Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917) is an iconic American singer and Actress. Ethel Waters ( October 31, 1896 &ndash September 1, 1977) was an American Blues and Jazz Vocalist ^[32]

At John Garfield's suggested opening of a servicemen's club in Hollywood, Davis – with the aid of Warner, Cary Grant and Jule Styne – transformed an old nightclub into the "Hollywood Canteen", which opened on October 3, 1942. John Garfield ( March 4, 1913 – May 21, 1952) was an Academy Award -nominated American actor Jule Styne ( December 31, 1905 &ndash September 20, 1994) was a British -born American Songwriter especially For the 1944 Warner Bros motion picture see Hollywood Canteen (1944 film The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Hollywood's most important stars volunteered to entertain servicemen. Davis ensured that every night there would be a few important "names" for the visiting soldiers to meet. ^[33] She appeared as herself in the film Hollywood Canteen (1944) which used the canteen as the setting for a fictional story. Davis later commented, "There are few accomplishments in my life that I am sincerely proud of. The Hollywood Canteen is one of them. " In 1980, she was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the United States Department of Defense's highest civilian award, for her work with the Hollywood Canteen. The Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award is the highest civilian award given by the United States Department of Defense. The United States Department of Defense ( DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government ^[34]

Davis had initially shown little interest in the film Now, Voyager (1942) until Hal Wallis advised her that female audiences needed romantic dramas to distract them from the reality of their lives. Now Voyager is a 1942 American Drama film directed by Irving Rapper. Hal B Wallis, CBE ( September 14, 1899 &ndash October 5, 1986) was an Academy Award -winning American It became one of the best known of her "women's pictures". In one of the film's most imitated scenes Paul Henreid lights two cigarettes as they are held in his lips before passing one to Davis. Paul Georg Julius Hernried Freiherr von Wassel-Waldingau, (January 10 &ndashMarch 29) known professionally as Paul Henreid, was an Austrian actor and film director Film reviewers complimented Davis on her performance, the National Board of Review commenting that she gave the film "a dignity not fully warranted by the script". ^[35]

During the early 1940s several of Davis's film choices were influenced by the war, for instance Watch on the Rhine (1943) and Thank Your Lucky Stars, (1943) a lighthearted all-star musical cavalcade, with each of the featured stars donating their fee to the Hollywood Canteen. Watch on the Rhine is a 1943 Drama film that was adapted by Dashiell Hammett and Lillian Hellman from Hellman's play Thank Your Lucky Stars is a 1943 Film made by Warner Brothers as a World War II fundraiser A cavalcade is a Procession or Parade (of sorts on Horseback, or a mass Trail ride by a company of riders. Davis performed a novelty song, "They're Either Too Young or Too Old", which became a hit record after the film's release.

Old Acquaintance (1943) reunited her with Miriam Hopkins in a story of two old friends who deal with the tensions created when one of them becomes a successful novelist. Old Acquaintance is a 1943 film drama made by Warner Bros It was directed by Vincent Sherman and produced by Henry Blanke Ellen Miriam Hopkins ( October 18, 1902 – October 9, 1972) was an Oscar -nominated American actress Davis felt that Hopkins tried to upstage her throughout the film. The director Vincent Sherman recalled the intense competitiveness and animosity between the two actresses, and Davis often joked that she held back nothing in a scene in which she was required to shake Hopkins in a fit of anger. Vincent Sherman ( July 16, 1906 – June 18 2006) born in Vienna Georgia) USA, was a Hollywood ^[36]

In August 1943, Davis's husband, Arthur Farnsworth, collapsed while walking along a Hollywood street, and died two days later. An autopsy revealed that his fall had been caused by a skull fracture which had occurred about two weeks earlier. An autopsy, also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy, or obduction, is a Medical procedure that consists of a thorough Examination Davis testified before an inquest that she knew of no event that might have caused the injury, and a finding of "accidental death" was reached. An inquest is a judicial investigation usually by a group of court-appointed people ( Jury) in Common law Jurisdictions The most common kind of inquest Highly distraught, she attempted to withdraw from her next film Mr. Skeffington (1944), but Jack Warner, who had halted production following Farnsworth's death, convinced her to continue. Mr Skeffington is a 1944 Drama film which portrays a woman whose many love affairs cost her the love of her husband and her daughter

Although she had gained a reputation for being forthright and demanding, her behavior during filming of Mr. Skeffington was erratic and out of character. She alienated director Vincent Sherman by refusing to film certain scenes, and insisted that some sets be rebuilt. She improvised dialogue, causing confusion among other actors, and infuriated the writer Julius Epstein, who was also called upon to rewrite scenes at her whim. Julius J Epstein (born August 22, 1909, New York City New York; died December 30, 2000, Los Angeles California) Davis later explained her actions with the observation, "when I was most unhappy I lashed out rather than whined". Some reviewers criticized Davis for the excess of her performance; James Agee wrote that she "demonstrates the horrors of egocentricity on a marathonic scale",^[37] but despite the mixed reviews, she received another Academy Award nomination. James Rufus Agee (November 27 1909 &ndash May 16 1955 was an American Novelist, Journalist, Poet

Professional setbacks

Davis married an artist, William Grant Sherry, who also, when necessary, worked as a masseur, in 1945. William Grant Sherry (born April 13, 1914) is a painter and Artist. She had been drawn to him because he claimed that he had never heard of her and was therefore not intimidated by her. ^[38]

Davis refused the title role in Mildred Pierce,^[39] a role for which Joan Crawford ultimately won an Academy Award, and instead made The Corn Is Green (1945). Mildred Pierce ( 1945) is a Warner Bros Feature film starring Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, Jack Carson, Zachary Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The Corn Is Green is a 1945 Drama film starring Bette Davis as a schoolteacher determined to bring education to a Welsh Coal mining Davis played a dowdy English teacher, who saves a young Welsh miner from a life in the coal pits, by offering him education. The film was well received by critics but did not find a substantial audience. A Stolen Life (1946) received poor reviews, but was one of her biggest box-office successes. A Stolen Life is a 1946 Drama film, directed by Curtis Bernhardt. It was followed by Deception (1946), the first of her films to lose money. This article is about the 1946 version of the film For the 2008 film starring Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor see Deception (2008 film. ^[40]

Possessed (1947) had been tailor-made for Davis^[41] and was to have been her next project after Deception (1946). Deception (also called beguilement or subterfuge) is the act of convincing another to believe Information that is not true or not the whole truth as in However, she was pregnant and went on maternity leave. Joan Crawford played her role in Possessed and was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress. Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture In 1947, Davis gave birth to a daughter, Barbara (known as B. B D Hyman (born Barbara Davis Sherry, aka BD Merill, May 1 1947 in Santa Ana California) is an American D. ) and later wrote in her memoir that she became absorbed in motherhood and considered ending her career. Her relationship with Sherry began to deteriorate and she continued making films, but her popularity with audiences was steadily declining. ^[42]

Among the film roles offered to Davis following her return to film making, was Rose Sayer in The African Queen. The African Queen is a Drama film directed by John Huston and produced by Sam Spiegel (billed as "S When informed that the film was to be made in Africa, Davis refused the part, telling Jack Warner, "If you can't shoot the picture in a boat on the back lot, then I'm not interested. " Katharine Hepburn played the role. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage ^[43] Davis was also offered a role in a film version of the Virginia Kellogg prison drama Women Without Men. Virginia Kellogg ( December 3, 1907 &ndash April 8, 1981) was a film writer whose scripts for White Heat (1949 and Originally intended to pair Davis with Joan Crawford, Davis made it clear that she would not appear in any "dyke movie", and the lead roles were played by Agnes Moorehead and Eleanor Parker when it was filmed as Caged (1950). Agnes Robertson Moorehead ( December 6 1900 – April 30 1974) was an American Actress. Eleanor Jean Parker (born June 26, 1922) is an American film and television actress Caged is a 1950 film tells the story of a teenage newlywed who is sent to prison for being an accessory to a robbery ^[44] She lobbied Jack Warner to make two films, Ethan Frome, and another which would be a biography of Mary Todd Lincoln, however Warner vetoed each proposal. Ethan Frome is a novel that was released in 1911 by the Pulitzer Prize -winning American author Edith Wharton. Mary Ann Todd Lincoln ( December 13, 1818 &ndash July 16, 1882) was the wife of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham

In 1948, Davis was cast in Winter Meeting, and although she was initially enthusiastic, she soon learnt that Warner had arranged for "softer" lighting to be used to disguise her age. Winter Meeting ( 1948) is a American Drama film directed by Bretaigne Windust. She recalled that she had seen the same lighting technique "on the sets of Ruth Chatterton and Kay Francis, and I knew what they meant". Ruth Chatterton ( December 24, 1893 - November 24, 1961) was a two-time Academy Award -nominated American actress Kay Francis (January 13 &ndashAugust 26) was an American stage and film actress ^[45] She began to regret accepting the role, and to add to her disappointment, she was not confident in the abilities of her leading man, Jim Davis. Marlin "Jim" Davis ( August 26 1909 – April 26 1981) was an American actor best known for his role as Jock Ewing She disagreed with amendments made to the script because of censorship restrictions and found that many of the aspects of the role that had initially appealed to her, were no longer to be included. The film was later described by Bosley Crowther as "interminable" and he noted that "of all the miserable dilemmas in which Miss Davis has been involved . Francis Bosley Crowther ( July 13, 1905 &ndash March 7, 1981) was a Film critic for The New York Times for . .  this one is probably the worst". It failed at the box office and the studio lost nearly one million dollars. ^[46]

Davis clashed with her co-star Robert Montgomery while making June Bride (1948), later describing him as "a male Miriam Hopkins. Robert Montgomery ( May 21, 1904 &ndash September 27, 1981) was an American actor and director June Bride is a 1948 American Comedy film directed by Bretaigne Windust. Ellen Miriam Hopkins ( October 18, 1902 – October 9, 1972) was an Oscar -nominated American actress . . an excellent actor, but addicted to scene-stealing". ^[47] The film marked her first comedy in several years, and earned her some positive reviews, but it was not particularly popular with audiences and returned only a small profit. Despite the lacklustre box office receipts from her more recent films, in 1949 she negotiated a four film contract with Warner Bros. which paid $10,285 per week, and made her the highest paid woman in the United States. ^[48]

Jack Warner refused to allow her script approval, and cast her in Beyond the Forest (1949). Beyond the Forest ( 1949) is a Warner Brothers Film noir directed by King Vidor, produced by Henry Blanke with Davis reportedly loathed the script, and begged Warner to recast the role, but he refused. After the film was completed, Warner released Davis from her contract, at her request. The reviews that followed were scathing; Dorothy Manners writing for the Los Angeles Examiner, described the film as "an unfortunate finale to her brilliant career". ^[49] Hedda Hopper wrote, "If Bette had deliberately set out to wreck her career, she could not have picked a more appropriate vehicle. Hedda Hopper ( May 2, 1885 – February 1, 1966) was an American actress and Gossip columnist, whose "^[50] The film contained the line, "What a dump!", which became closely associated with Davis after impersonators used it in their acts. In later years, Davis often used it as her opening line at speaking engagements.

Starting a freelance career

By 1949, Davis and Sherry were estranged and Hollywood columnists were writing that Davis's career was at an end. All About Eve is a Drama film, written and directed by Joseph L She filmed The Story of a Divorce (released in 1951 as Payment on Demand) but had received no other offers. Payment on Demand is a 1951 Drama film directed by Curtis Bernhardt. Shortly before filming was completed, the producer Darryl F. Zanuck offered her the role of the aging theatrical actress, Margo Channing, in All About Eve (1950). Darryl Francis Zanuck ( September 5, 1902 &ndash December 22, 1979) was an Academy Award -winning producer, Writer All About Eve is a Drama film, written and directed by Joseph L Claudette Colbert, for whom the part had been written, had severely injured her back, and although production had been halted for two months in the hope that she might recover, she was unable to continue. Claudette Colbert ( IPA: /koʊlˈbɛɹ/ ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) was a French -born American stage Davis read the script, described it as the best she had ever read, and accepted the role. Within days she joined the cast in San Francisco to begin filming. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city During production, she established what would become a life-long friendship with her costar, Anne Baxter, and a romantic relationship with her leading man, Gary Merrill, which led to marriage. Anne Baxter ( May 7 1923 &ndash December 12 1985) was an Academy Award -winning American actress Gary F Merrill ( August 2, 1915 &ndash March 5, 1990) was an American film and television Character actor whose credits included The film's director Joseph L. Mankiewicz later remarked, "Bette was letter perfect. Joseph Leo Mankiewicz ( February 11, 1909 – February 5, 1993) was an American Academy Award -winning director She was syllable-perfect. The director's dream: the prepared actress. "^[51]

Critics responded positively to Davis's performance and several of her lines became well-known, particularly, "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night. " She was again nominated for an Academy Award and critics such as Gene Ringgold described her Margo as her "all-time best performance". ^[52] Pauline Kael wrote that much of Mankiewicz's vision of "the theater" was "nonsense" but commended Davis, writing "[the film is] saved by one performance that is the real thing: Bette Davis is at her most instinctive and assured. Pauline Kael (June 19 1919 &ndash September 3 2001 was an American Film critic who wrote for The New Yorker magazine from 1968 to 1991 Her actress – vain, scared, a woman who goes too far in her reactions and emotions – makes the whole thing come alive. "^[53]

Davis won a "Best Actress" award from the Cannes Film Festival, and the New York Film Critics Circle Award. The Best Actress Award ( French: Prix d'interprétation féminine) is an award presented at the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice, New York Film Critics Circle Awards are given annually to honor excellence in cinema worldwide by an organization of film reviewers from New York City -based publications She also received the San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award as "Best Actress", having been named by them as the "Worst Actress" of 1949 for Beyond the Forest. San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards are given annually to honor fine achievements in filmmaking by an organisation of film reviewers from San Francisco-based publications During this time she was invited to leave her handprints in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Grauman's Chinese Theatre is a movie theatre located at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.

On July 3, 1950 Davis's divorce from William Sherry was finalized, and on July 28 she married Gary Merrill. Events 324 - Battle of Adrianople Constantine I defeats Licinius, who flees to Byzantium. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. With Sherry's consent, Merrill adopted B. D. , Davis's daughter with Sherry, and in 1950, Davis and Merrill adopted a baby girl they named Margot. The family traveled to England, where Davis and Merrill starred in a murder-mystery film, Another Man's Poison. Another Man's Poison is a 1951 British Drama film directed by Irving Rapper. When it received lukewarm reviews and failed at the box office, Hollywood columnists wrote that Davis's comeback had petered out, and an Academy Award nomination for The Star (1952) did not halt her decline.

Davis and Merrill adopted a baby boy, Michael, in 1952, and Davis appeared in a Broadway revue, Two's Company. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical Entertainment that combines Music, dance and sketches. Two's Company was a musical revue with principal sketches by Charles Sherman and Peter DeVries, principal lyrics by Ogden Nash and She was uncomfortable working outside of her area of expertise; she had never been a musical performer and her limited theater experience had been more than 20 years earlier. She was also severely ill and was operated on for osteomyelitis of the jaw. Osteomyelitis is an Infection of Bone or Bone marrow, usually caused by Pyogenic Bacteria or Mycobacteria. Margot was diagnosed as severely brain damaged due to an injury sustained during or shortly after her birth, and was eventually placed in an institution. Davis and Merrill began arguing frequently, with B. D. later recalling episodes of alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Alcohol abuse, as described in the DSM-IV, is a psychiatric diagnosis describing the use of Alcoholic beverages despite negative consequences Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or spousal abuse) occurs when a family member partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate ^[54]

Few of Davis's films of the 1950s were successful and many of her performances were condemned by critics. The Hollywood Reporter wrote of mannerisms "that you'd expect to find in a nightclub impersonation of [Davis]", while the London critic, Richard Winninger, wrote, "Miss Davis, with more say than most stars as to what films she makes, seems to have lapsed into egoism. The criterion for her choice of film would appear to be that nothing must compete with the full display of each facet of the Davis art. Only bad films are good enough for her. "^[55] As her career declined, her marriage continued to deteriorate until she filed for divorce in 1960. The following year, her mother died.

Renewed success

In 1962, Davis opened in the Broadway production The Night of the Iguana to mostly mediocre reviews, and left the production after four months due to "chronic illness". Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located The Night of the Iguana is a Stageplay written by American author Tennessee Williams. She then joined Glenn Ford and Ann-Margret for the Frank Capra film A Pocketful of Miracles (a remake of Capra's 1933 Lady for a Day), based on a story by Damon Runyon. Gwyllyn Samuel Newton "Glenn" Ford ( May 1, 1916 &ndash August 30, 2006) was a Canadian -born American Ann-Margret (born April 28 1941 is a Swedish -born American actress singer Frank Russell Capra ( May 18, 1897 &ndash September 3, 1991) was an Academy Award winning Italian-American Film Pocketful of Miracles is a 1961 film that was the last to be directed by Frank Capra. Lady for a Day is a 1933 film which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Damon Runyon ( 4 October 1884 – 10 December 1946) was a newspaperman and writer She accepted her next role, in the Grand Guignol horror film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? after reading the script and believing it could appeal to the same audience that had recently made Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) a success. The Grand Guignol ( pronounced giɲɔl was a theatre ( Le Théâtre du Grand-Guignol) in the Pigalle area of Paris (at 20 bis rue Horror films are Movies that strive to elicit Fear, Horror and terror responses from viewers What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American Drama film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich. Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (13 Psycho is a suspense / Horror film directed by auteur Alfred Hitchcock, from the Screenplay by Joseph She negotiated a deal that would pay her 10 percent of the worldwide gross profits, in addition to her salary. The film became one of the year's biggest successes. ^[56]

Davis and Joan Crawford played two aging sisters, former actresses forced by circumstance to share a decaying Hollywood mansion. Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture The director, Robert Aldrich, explained that Davis and Crawford were each aware of how important the film was to their respective careers and commented, "It's proper to say that they really detested each other, but they behaved absolutely perfectly. Robert Aldrich (August 9 1918 – December 5 1983 was an American Film director, writer and producer, notable for such films as Kiss Me Deadly "^[57] After filming was completed, their public comments against each other allowed the tension to develop into a lifelong feud, and when Davis was nominated for an Academy Award, Crawford campaigned against her. Davis also received her only BAFTA Award nomination for this performance. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA is a British charity that hosts annual awards shows for film television television craft video games and forms of animation

Daughter B. D. Hyman also played a small role in the film, and when she and Davis visited the Cannes Film Festival to promote it, she met Jeremy Hyman, an executive for Seven Arts Productions. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice, Seven Arts Productions was founded in 1957 by Ray Stark and Eliot Hyman. After a short courtship, she married Hyman at the age of 16, with Davis's permission.

Davis sustained her comeback over the course of several years. Dead Ringer (1964) was a crime drama in which she played twin sisters and Where Love Has Gone (1964) was a romantic drama based on a Harold Robbins novel. Dead Ringer, also known as Who is Buried in my Grave? is a 1964 Thriller film made by Warner Bros Where Love Has Gone is a 1964 film drama made by Embassy Pictures, Joseph E Harold Robbins ( May 21, 1916 &ndash October 14, 1997) was an American Author. Davis played the mother of Susan Hayward but filming was hampered by heated arguments between Davis and Hayward. Susan Hayward ( June 30, 1917 &ndash March 14, 1975) was an Academy Award -winning American Actress. ^[58] Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964) was Robert Aldrich's follow-up to What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, in which he planned to reunite Davis and Crawford, but when Crawford withdrew allegedly due to illness soon after filming began, she was replaced by Olivia de Havilland. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (also known as What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?) is a 1964 American Horror film Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award -winning actress. The film was a considerable success and brought renewed attention to its veteran cast, which also included Joseph Cotten, Mary Astor and Agnes Moorehead. Joseph Cheshire Cotten ( May 15, 1905 – February 6, 1994) was an American Actor of stage and Film Mary Astor ( May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was an Academy Award -winning American Actress. Agnes Robertson Moorehead ( December 6 1900 – April 30 1974) was an American Actress.

By the end of the decade, Davis had also appeared in the British films The Nanny (1965), The Anniversary (1968), and Connecting Rooms (1970), but her career again stalled. The Nanny was a 1965 Suspense film directed by Seth Holt and starring Bette Davis as a devoted Nanny caring for a ten-year-old This article is about a 1968 film For other uses see The Anniversary. Connecting Rooms is a 1970 British Drama film written and directed by Franklin Gollings

Late career

In the early 1970s, Davis was invited to appear in New York, in a stage presentation, Great Ladies of the American Cinema. Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award -winning English-American actress Over five successive nights, a different female star discussed her career and answered questions from the audience; Myrna Loy, Rosalind Russell, Lana Turner and Joan Crawford were the other participants. Myrna Loy ( August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American Motion picture Actress. Rosalind Russell ( June 4, 1907 – November 28, 1976) was an award-winning American Actress of stage and Lana Turner ( February 8, 1921 &ndash June 29, 1995) was an Academy Award -nominated American Film Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture Davis was well received and was invited to tour Australia with the similarly themed, Bette Davis in Person and on Film, and its success allowed her to take the production to the United Kingdom. ^[59]

In 1972, she played the lead role in two television films that were each intended as a pilot for an upcoming series for NBC, Madame Sin with Robert Wagner, and The Judge and Jake Wyler, with Joan Van Ark, but in each case, NBC decided against producing a series. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Madame Sin is a 1972 Television movie directed by David Greene Robert John Wagner (born February 10, 1930) is a Golden Globe - nominated prolific American Film and Television The Judge and Jake Wyler is a American Television movie directed by David Lowell Rich. Joan Van Ark (born June 16, 1943) is an American Actress, most notable for her role as Valene Ewing on the hit TV series Dallas and In the U. S. , she appeared in the stage production, Miss Moffat, a musical adaptation of The Corn is Green, but after the show was panned by the Philadelphia critics during its pre-Broadway run, she cited a back injury and abandoned the show, which closed immediately. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə She played supporting roles in Burnt Offerings (1976) and The Disappearance of Aimee (1976), but she clashed with Karen Black and Faye Dunaway, respectively the stars of the two productions, because she felt that neither extended her an appropriate degree of respect, and that their behavior on the film sets was unprofessional. Burnt Offerings is a 1976 horror film based on the 1973 novel of the same name by Robert Marasco. The Disappearance of Aimee is a 1976 telemovie drama It was directed by Anthony Harvey for Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions. Karen Black (born July 1, 1939) is an American actress, Screenwriter, Singer and Songwriter. Dorothy Faye Dunaway (born January 14, 1941) known as Faye Dunaway, is an American actress. ^[60]

In 1977, Davis became the first woman to receive the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 The AFI Life Achievement Award (not to be confused with the Honorary Academy Award) was established by the Board of Directors of the American Film Institute on The televised event included comments from several of Davis's colleagues including William Wyler who joked that given the chance Davis would still like to refilm a scene from The Letter to which Davis nodded. William Wyler ( July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a four-time Academy Award -winning motion picture director Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda, Natalie Wood and Olivia de Havilland were among the actors who paid tribute, with de Havilland commenting that Davis "got the roles I always wanted". Jane Fonda (born December 21 1937 is an American Academy Award winning Actress, Writer, political activist, former Fashion Henry Jaynes Fonda ( May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American Academy Award -winning Film and Natalie Wood, born Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko, also billed as Natasha Gurdin ( July 20, 1938, San Francisco, California Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award -winning actress. ^[61]

Following the telecast she found herself in demand again, often having to choose between several offers. She accepted roles in the television miniseries The Dark Secret of Harvest Home (1978) and the film Death on the Nile (1978). The Dark Secret of Harvest Home is a 1978 Television Miniseries thriller, produced by Universal TV. Death on the Nile is a 1978 film based on the Agatha Christie Mystery novel of the same title, directed by John Guillermin For the rest of her career the bulk of her work was for television. She won an Emmy Award for Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter (1979) with Gena Rowlands, and was nominated for her performances in White Mama (1980) and Little Gloria... Happy at Last (1982). Strangers The Story of a Mother and Daughter is a 1979 Television film Drama directed by Milton Katselas. Gena Rowlands (born June 19 1930) is a two-time Academy Award -nominated four-time Emmy Award -and two-time Golden Globe Award White Mama is a 1980 Television film Drama directed by Jackie Cooper. Little Gloria Happy at Last is a 1982 Television miniseries directed by Waris Hussein. She also played supporting roles in two Disney films, Return from Witch Mountain (1978) and The Watcher in the Woods (1980). Walt Disney Pictures refers to several different entities associated with The Walt Disney Company: Walt Disney Pictures, the film banner was established Return from Witch Mountain ( 1978) is the sequel to Escape to Witch Mountain ( 1975) The Watcher in the Woods is a 1980 Thriller film from Disney.

Davis's name became well-known to a younger audience when Kim Carnes's song "Bette Davis Eyes" became a worldwide hit and the best-selling record of 1981 in the U. Kim Carnes (born July 20, 1945 in Pasadena California) is a Grammy Award -winning American Singer-songwriter. " Bette Davis Eyes " is the name of a popular Song, best known for being performed by Kim Carnes. S. , where it stayed at number one on the music charts for more than two months. Davis's grandson was impressed that she was the subject of a hit song and Davis considered it a compliment, writing to both Carnes and the songwriters, and accepting the gift of gold and platinum records from Carnes, and hanging them on her wall. ^[62]

She continued acting for television, appearing in Family Reunion (1981) opposite her grandson J. Ashley Hyman, A Piano for Mrs. Cimino (1982) and Right of Way (1983) with James Stewart. A Piano for Mrs Cimino is a 1982 American Television movie produced and directed by George Schaefer. Right of Way is a 1983 Television film Drama directed by George Schaefer. James Maitland Stewart (20 May 1908 – 2 July 1997 popularly known as Jimmy Stewart, was an American Film and stage Actor

Illness, conflict and death

In 1983, after filming the pilot episode for the television series Hotel, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Hotel was based on the book of the same name by Arthur Hailey, which was also adapted into a 1967 movie, aired as a weekly Prime-time Breast cancer is a Cancer that starts in the cells of the Breast in women and men In Medicine, mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both Breasts partially or completely Within two weeks of her surgery she suffered four strokes which caused paralysis in the right side of her face and in her left arm, and left her with slurred speech. A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain Paralysed redirects here For other uses see xx Paralysed (disambiguation Paralysis is the complete loss of Muscle function She commenced a lengthy period of physical therapy and, aided by her personal assistant, Kathryn Sermak, gained partial recovery from the paralysis.

During this time, her relationship with her daughter, B. D. Hyman, deteriorated when Hyman became a born-again Christian and attempted to persuade Davis to follow suit. B D Hyman (born Barbara Davis Sherry, aka BD Merill, May 1 1947 in Santa Ana California) is an American With her health stable, she traveled to England to film the Agatha Christie mystery Murder with Mirrors (1985). Agatha Mary Clarissa Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller; 15 September 1890 &ndash 12 January 1976 commonly known as Agatha Christie, was an English Murder with Mirrors is a 1985 TV movie based on the Dame Agatha Christie mystery Novel, They Do It with Mirrors. Upon her return, she learned that Hyman had published a memoir, My Mother's Keeper, in which she chronicled a difficult mother-daughter relationship and depicted scenes of Davis's overbearing and drunken behavior. My Mother's Keeper is a 1985 book by B D Hyman, daughter of legendary film star Bette Davis, which recounts her view of their mother/daughter

Several of Davis's friends commented that Hyman's depictions of events were not accurate; one said, "so much of the book is out of context". Mike Wallace rebroadcast a 60 Minutes interview he had filmed with Hyman a few years earlier in which she commended Davis on her skills as a mother, and said that she had adopted many of Davis's principles in raising her own children. Mike Wallace (born Myron Leon Wallace on May 9, 1918) is an American journalist. Not to be confused with the BBC news magazine program Sixty Minutes (TV series. Critics of Hyman noted that Davis had financially supported the Hyman family for several years and had recently saved them from losing their house. Despite the acrimony of their divorce years earlier, Gary Merrill also defended Davis. Interviewed by CNN, Merrill said that Hyman was motivated by "cruelty and greed". Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner Davis's adopted son, Michael Merrill, ended contact with Hyman and refused to speak to her again, as did Davis, who also disinherited her. ^[63]

In her second memoir, This 'N That (1987), Davis wrote, "I am still recovering from the fact that a child of mine would write about me behind my back, to say nothing about the kind of book it is. This 'N That is a Memoir written by the Actress Bette Davis and Michael Herskovitz first published in 1987 I will never recover as completely from B. D. 's book as I have from the stroke. Both were shattering experiences. " Her memoir concluded with a letter to her daughter, in which she addressed her several times as "Hyman", and described her actions as "a glaring lack of loyalty and thanks for the very privileged life I feel you have been given". She concluded with a reference to the title of Hyman's book, "If it refers to money, if my memory serves me right, I've been your keeper all these many years. I am continuing to do so, as my name has made your book about me a success. "^[64]

Davis appeared in the television film As Summers Die (1986) and Lindsay Anderson's The Whales of August (1987), in which she played the blind sister of Lillian Gish. As Summers Die is a 1986 Television movie Drama directed by Jean-Claude Tramont. Lindsay Gordon Anderson ( April 17 1923 — August 30 1994) was an Indian born English Feature film, Theatre The Whales of August is a 1987 film starring Bette Davis and Lillian Gish as elderly sisters Lillian Diana Gish ( October 14 1893 – February 27 1993) was an American stage screen and television actress whose The film earned good reviews, with one critic writing, "Bette crawls across the screen like a testy old hornet on a windowpane, snarling, staggering, twitching – a symphony of misfired synapses. "^[65] Her last performance was the title role in Larry Cohen's Wicked Stepmother (1989). For the bridge player see Larry Cohen (bridge player. Larry Cohen (born Lawrence G Wicked Stepmother is a 1989 American Comedy film written produced and directed by Larry Cohen. By this time her health was failing, and after disagreements with Cohen she walked off the set. The script was rewritten to place more emphasis on Barbara Carrera's character, and the reworked version was released after Davis's death. Barbara Carrera (born December 31 1945) There is some uncertainty regarding her year of birth which some sources give as 1947 or 1951 but most list 1945

After abandoning Wicked Stepmother and with no further film offers, Davis appeared on several talk shows and was interviewed by Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Larry King and David Letterman, discussing her career but refusing to discuss her daughter. Wicked Stepmother is a 1989 American Comedy film written produced and directed by Larry Cohen. John William “Johnny” Carson ( October 23, 1925 &ndash January 23, 2005) was an American Television host and Joan Rivers (born Joan Alexandra Molinsky; June 8, 1933) is an American Comedian, Actress, Talk show Larry King (born November 19, 1933) is an American television/radio host David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American late-night Talk show host and Comedian and the host since 1993 Her appearances were popular; Lindsay Anderson observed that the public enjoyed seeing her behaving "so bitchy". He commented, "I always disliked that because she was encouraged to behave badly. And I'd always hear her described by that awful word, feisty. "^[66]

During 1988 and 1989, Davis was feted for her career achievements, receiving the Kennedy Center Honor, the Legion of Honor from France, the Campione d'Italia from Italy and the Film Society of Lincoln Center Lifetime Achievement Award. The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to artists in the performing arts Campione redirects here For the football song see Campione 2000 Campione d'Italia is an Italian Comune (municipality She collapsed during the American Cinema Awards in 1989 and later discovered that her cancer had returned. She recovered sufficiently to travel to Spain where she was honored at the Donostia-San Sebastián International Film Festival, but during her visit her health rapidly deteriorated. The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category Film festival which originated in 1953 and is held in the Spanish city of Too weak to make the long journey back to the U. S. , she travelled to France where she died on October 6, 1989, at the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine. Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Neuilly-sur-Seine (nœji syʀ sɛn in French) is a commune bordering the western limit of the city of Paris, France.

She was interred in Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, California, alongside her mother, Ruthie, and sister, Bobby. Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery is part of the Forest Lawn chain of Southern California cemeteries Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West On her tombstone is written: "She did it the hard way", an epitaph that she suggested in This 'N That and that had been suggested to her by Joseph L. An epitaph (in Greek, &mdash literally " on the gravestone " is a short text honoring a deceased person strictly speaking that inscribed on This 'N That is a Memoir written by the Actress Bette Davis and Michael Herskovitz first published in 1987 Mankiewicz shortly after they had filmed All About Eve. ^[67]

In 1997, the executors of her estate, Michael Merrill, her son, and Kathryn Sermak, her former assistant, established "The Bette Davis Foundation" which awards college scholarships to promising actors and actresses. An executor, in the broadest sense is one who carries something out (in other words one who is responsible for executing a task ^[34]

Comments and criticism

In 1964, Jack Warner spoke of the "magic quality that transformed this sometimes bland and not beautiful little girl into a great artist",^[67] and in a 1988 interview, Davis remarked that, unlike many of her contemporaries, she had forged a career without the benefit of beauty. ^[68] She admitted she was terrified during the making of her earliest films and that she became tough by necessity. "Until you're known in my profession as a monster, you are not a star", she said, "[but] I've never fought for anything in a treacherous way. I've never fought for anything but the good of the film. "^[69] During the making of All About Eve, Joseph L. Mankiewicz told her of the perception in Hollywood that she was difficult, and she explained that when the audience saw her on screen, they did not consider that her appearance was the result of numerous people working behind the scenes. If she was presented as "a horse's ass . . . forty feet wide, and thirty feet high", that is all the audience "would see or care about". ^[70]

While lauded for her achievements, Davis and her films were sometimes derided; Pauline Kael described Now, Voyager as a "shlock classic",^[71] and by the mid-1940s her sometimes mannered and histrionic performances had become the subject of caricature. Pauline Kael (June 19 1919 &ndash September 3 2001 was an American Film critic who wrote for The New Yorker magazine from 1968 to 1991 Now Voyager is a 1942 American Drama film directed by Irving Rapper. Reviewers such as Edwin Schallert for the Los Angeles Times praised Davis's performance in Mr. Skeffington (1944), while observing, "the mimics will have more fun than a box of monkeys imitating Miss Davis", and Dorothy Manners writing for the Los Angeles Examiner said of her performance in the poorly received Beyond the Forest, "no night club caricaturist has ever turned in such a cruel imitation of the Davis mannerisms as Bette turns on herself in this one". The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed Mr Skeffington is a 1944 Drama film which portrays a woman whose many love affairs cost her the love of her husband and her daughter Beyond the Forest ( 1949) is a Warner Brothers Film noir directed by King Vidor, produced by Henry Blanke with Time magazine noted that Davis was compulsively watchable even while criticizing her acting technique, summarizing her performance in Dead Ringer (1964) with the observation, "her acting, as always, isn't really acting: it's shameless showing off. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and But just try to look away!"^[72]

She attracted a gay following and was frequently imitated by female impersonators such as Charles Pierce. In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. A drag queen is a person usually a man who dresses (or "drags" in female clothes and make-up for special occasions and usually because they are performing and entertaining Charles Pierce ( July 14 1926 - May 31 1999) was one of the 20th century's foremost Female impersonators particularly noted for ^[73] Attempting to explain her popularity with gay audiences, the journalist Jim Emerson wrote, "Was she just a camp figurehead because her brittle, melodramatic style of acting hadn't aged well? Or was it that she was 'Larger Than Life,' a tough broad who had survived? Probably some of both. "^[68]

Her film choices were often unconventional; she sought roles as manipulators and killers in an era when actresses usually preferred to play sympathetic characters, and she excelled in them. She favored authenticity over glamour and was willing to change her own appearance if it suited the character. Claudette Colbert commented that Davis was the first actress to play roles older than herself, and therefore did not have to make the difficult transition to character parts as she aged. Claudette Colbert ( IPA: /koʊlˈbɛɹ/ ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) was a French -born American stage ^[69]

As she entered old age, Davis was acknowledged for her achievements. John Springer, who had arranged her speaking tours of the early 1970s, wrote that despite the accomplishments of many of her contemporaries, Davis was "the star of the thirties and into the forties", achieving notability for the variety of her characterizations and her ability to assert herself, even when her material was mediocre. ^[74] Individual performances continued to receive praise; in 1987, Bill Collins analyzed The Letter (1941), and described her performance as "a brilliant, subtle achievement", and wrote, "Bette Davis makes Leslie Crosbie one of the most extraordinary females in movies. William Roderick Collins OAM (known as Bill Collins (born December 4, 1934 in Sydney Australia) is an Australian Film critic "^[75] In a 2000 review for All About Eve, Roger Ebert noted, "Davis was a character, an icon with a grand style, so even her excesses are realistic. "^[76]

A few months before her death in 1989, Davis was one of several actors featured on the cover of Life. In a film retrospective that celebrated the films and stars of 1939, Life concluded that Davis was the most significant actress of her era, and highlighted Dark Victory as one of the most important films of the year. Dark Victory is a 1939 American Drama film directed by Edmund Goulding. ^[77] Her death made front-page news throughout the world as the "close of yet another chapter of the Golden Age of Hollywood". Angela Lansbury summed up the feeling of those of the Hollywood community who attended her memorial service, commenting after a sample from Davis's films were screened, that they had witnessed "an extraordinary legacy of acting in the twentieth century by a real master of the craft", that should provide "encouragement and illustration to future generations of aspiring actors". Angela Brigid Lansbury, CBE (born October 16, 1925) is an English Golden Globe Award and Tony Award winning Actress ^[78]

Davis was one of many Hollywood stars mentioned in Madonna's 1990 song "Vogue", with the line, "Bette Davis, we love you. Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16 1958 known as Madonna, is an American "Vogue" was the first single by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her soundtrack album I'm Breathless (Music from and Inspired by the "

In 1999, the American Film Institute published its list of the "AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars", which was the result of a film industry poll to determine the "50 Greatest American Screen Legends" in order to raise public awareness and appreciation of classic film. The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 Part of the AFI 100 Years series, AFI's 100 Years 100 Stars is a list of the top 50 stars of American cinema Of the 25 actresses listed, Davis was ranked at number two, behind Katharine Hepburn. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage ^[79]

The United States Postal Service will honor Davis with a commemorative postage stamp in 2008, marking the 100th anniversary of her birth. A commemorative stamp is a Postage stamp issued to honor or commemorate a place event or person This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of the United States of America (USA. ^[80]

Academy Awards and nominations

In 1962 Bette Davis became the first person to secure 10 Academy Award nominations for acting. Since then only four people have equalled or surpassed this figure, Meryl Streep (with 14 nominations and 2 wins), Katharine Hepburn (12 nominations and 4 wins), Jack Nicholson (12 nominations and 3 wins) and Laurence Olivier (10 nominations and 1 win). Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an award-winning American Actress who has worked in Theatre, Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals Laurence Kerr Olivier Baron ^[81]

Steven Spielberg purchased Davis's Oscars for Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938) when they were offered for auction for, respectively US$207,500 and US$578,000, and returned them to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Steven Allan Spielberg, KBE (Hon (born December 18 1946 is an American Film director, Screenwriter and producer. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( AMPAS) is a professional honorary organization ostensibly dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of Motion ^[82][83]

• 1962: Nominated for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
• 1952: Nominated for The Star
• 1950: Nominated for All About Eve
• 1944: Nominated for Mr. Skeffington
• 1942: Nominated for Now, Voyager
• 1941: Nominated for The Little Foxes
• 1940: Nominated for The Letter
• 1939: Nominated for Dark Victory
• 1938: Won for Jezebel
• 1935: Won for Dangerous
• 1934: Davis's performance in Of Human Bondage (1934) was widely acclaimed and when she was not nominated for an Academy Award, several influential people mounted a campaign to have her name included. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 American Drama film produced and directed by Robert Aldrich. The Star is a 1952 film which tells the story of a washed up actress who tries anything to restart her career even at the risk of alienating her husband and daughter All About Eve is a Drama film, written and directed by Joseph L Mr Skeffington is a 1944 Drama film which portrays a woman whose many love affairs cost her the love of her husband and her daughter Now Voyager is a 1942 American Drama film directed by Irving Rapper. The Little Foxes is a 1941 American Drama film directed by William Wyler. For the article about the 1927 play from which this film was adapted see The Letter. Dark Victory is a 1939 American Drama film directed by Edmund Goulding. Jezebel is an American Drama film released in 1938 and directed by William Wyler. Dangerous is a 1935 American Drama film directed by Alfred E Green. Of Human Bondage is a 1934 film the first film adaptation of the 1915 novel of the same name by the British author W The Academy relaxed its rules for that year only to allow for the consideration of any performer nominated in a write-in vote, therefore any performance of the year was technically eligible for consideration. Given the well-publicized hoopla, some sources still consider this as a nomination for Davis; however, the Academy does not officially record this as a nomination. ^[84]

Filmography

Further information: Bette Davis filmography

Notes

References

• Bret, David (2006). Joan Crawford: Hollywood Martyr. Carroll & Graf Publishers. ISBN 978-0786718689.  
• Carr, Larry (1979). More Fabulous Faces: The Evolution and Metamorphosis of Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Dolores del Rio, Carole Lombard and Myrna Loy. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage Dolores del Río ( August 3, 1905 &ndash April 11, 1983) was a Mexican Film actress. Carole Lombard ( October 6, 1908 – January 16, 1942) born Jane Alice Peters in Fort Wayne Indiana, was an Oscar-nominated Myrna Loy ( August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American Motion picture Actress. Doubleday and Company. ISBN 0-385-12819-3.  
• Chandler, Charlotte (2006). The Girl Who Walked Home Alone : Bette Davis, A Personal Biography. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7432-6208-8.  
• Collins, Bill (1987). Bill Collins Presents "The Golden Years of Hollywood". The MacMillan Company of Australia. ISBN 0-333-45069-8.  
• Considine, Shaun (2000). Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud. Backinprint. com. ISBN 978-0595120277.  
• Davis, Bette; Michael Herskowitz (1987). This 'N That. G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0-345-34453-7.  
• Guiles, Fred Lawrence (1995). Joan Crawford, The Last Word. Conrad Goulden Books. ISBN 1-85793-268-4.  
• Haver, Ronald (1980). David O. Selznick's Hollywood. Bonanza Books. ISBN 0-517-47665-7.  
• Kael, Pauline (1982). 5001 Nights at the Movies. Zenith Books. ISBN 0-09-933550-6.  
• Ringgold, Gene (1966). The Films of Bette Davis. Cadillac Publishing Co.  
• Shipman, David (1988). Movie Talk. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-03403-2.  
• Sikov, Ed (2007). Dark Victory: The Life of Bette Davis. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0805075488.  
• Spada, James (1993). More Than a Woman. Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0-316-90880-0.  
• Springer, John; Jack Hamilton (1978). They Had Faces Then. Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-0657-1.  
• Staggs, Sam (2000). All About "All About Eve". St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-27315-0.  
• Stine, Whitney; Bette Davis (1974). Mother Goddam: The Story of the Career of Bette Davis. W. H. Allen and Co. Plc. . ISBN 1-56980-157-6.  
• Wiley, Mason; Damien Bona (1987). Inside Oscar: The Unofficial History of the Academy Awards. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-34453-7.  

External links

• Bette Davis at the Internet Movie Database
• Bette Davis at the TCM Movie Database
• Bette Davis at the Internet Broadway Database
• Bette Davis official website
• Bette Davis at Find A Grave
• Bette Davis photographs and bibliography

Awards
Preceded by Claudette Colbert for It Happened One Night	Academy Award for Best Actress 1935 for Dangerous	Succeeded by Luise Rainer for The Great Ziegfeld
Preceded by Annabella for Veille D'arms	Volpi Cup for Best Actress – Venice Film Festival 1937 for Kid Galahad & Marked Woman	Succeeded by Norma Shearer for Marie Antoinette
Preceded by Luise Rainer for The Good Earth	Academy Award for Best Actress 1938 for Jezebel	Succeeded by Vivien Leigh for Gone with the Wind
Preceded by Olivia de Havilland for The Heiress	NYFCC Award for Best Actress 1950 for All About Eve	Succeeded by Vivien Leigh for A Streetcar Named Desire
Preceded by None	Best Actress Award – Cannes Film Festival 1951 for All About Eve	Succeeded by Lee Grant for Detective Story
Preceded by Samuel Goldwyn	Cecil B. DeMille Award 1974	Succeeded by Hal B. Wallis
Preceded by William Wyler	AFI Life Achievement Award 1976	Succeeded by Henry Fonda
Preceded by Meryl Streep for Holocaust	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or a Movie 1979 for Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter	Succeeded by Patty Duke for The Miracle Worker
Preceded by Vittorio Gassman	Donostia Award, San Sebastian International Film Festival 1989	Succeeded by Claudette Colbert

Persondata
NAME	Davis, Bette
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Davis, Ruth Elizabeth
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American actress of film, television and theater
DATE OF BIRTH	5 April 1908
PLACE OF BIRTH	Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
DATE OF DEATH	6 October 1989
PLACE OF DEATH	Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Turner Classic Movies ( TCM) is a cable television channel featuring commercial -free classic movies mostly from the Turner Entertainment and Warner The Internet Broadway Database ( IBDB) is an online Database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnel Find A Grave is a Website allowing its users to access maintain and expand an online Database of Burial records Claudette Colbert ( IPA: /koʊlˈbɛɹ/ ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) was a French -born American stage It Happened One Night is a 1934 screwball comedy directed by Frank Capra, in which a pampered Socialite ( Claudette Colbert Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to Dangerous is a 1935 American Drama film directed by Alfred E Green. Luise Rainer (born January 12, 1910) is a two-time Academy Award -winning German Film Actress. The Great Ziegfeld ( 1936) is a Musical film produced by MGM. Annabella (14 July 1909 &ndash 18 September 1996 was a French cinema actress who achieved her greatest success in French cinema, but who The Venice Film Festival is the oldest Film festival in the world Kid Galahad is a 1937 prizefighter film starring Edward G Robinson, Bette Davis, and Humphrey Bogart. Marked Woman is a Crime Melodrama Film released by Warner Brothers Studios in 1937. Edith Norma Shearer (August 10 1900 - June 12 1983 was an Academy Award&ndashwinning Canadian-American actress. Marie Antoinette is a 1938 Film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Luise Rainer (born January 12, 1910) is a two-time Academy Award -winning German Film Actress. The Good Earth ( 1937) is a film about Chinese farmers who struggle to survive Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to Jezebel is an American Drama film released in 1938 and directed by William Wyler. Vivien Leigh Lady Olivier (5 November 1913 &ndash 8 July 1967 was an English actress. Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American dramatic - romantic - War film adapted from Margaret Mitchell 's 1936 Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award -winning actress. The Heiress is a 1949 American Drama film directed by William Wyler. The New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress is one of the awards given by the New York Film Critics Circle to honor the finest achievements in filmmaking All About Eve is a Drama film, written and directed by Joseph L Vivien Leigh Lady Olivier (5 November 1913 &ndash 8 July 1967 was an English actress. A Streetcar Named Desire is a film adaptation of the play of the same name by Tennessee Williams. The Best Actress Award ( French: Prix d'interprétation féminine) is an award presented at the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice, All About Eve is a Drama film, written and directed by Joseph L Lee Grant (born October 31, 1927) is an American Academy Award -winning Golden Globe -nominated Theater, Film Detective Story ( 1951) is a Film noir which tells the story of one day in the lives of the various people who populate a police detective squad Samuel Goldwyn ( ca. July 1879 &ndash 31 January 1974) was an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award -winning producer The Cecil B DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in Motion pictures has been given annually since 1952 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at the Golden Hal B Wallis, CBE ( September 14, 1899 &ndash October 5, 1986) was an Academy Award -winning American William Wyler ( July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a four-time Academy Award -winning motion picture director The AFI Life Achievement Award (not to be confused with the Honorary Academy Award) was established by the Board of Directors of the American Film Institute on Henry Jaynes Fonda ( May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American Academy Award -winning Film and Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an award-winning American Actress who has worked in Theatre, Holocaust is an Emmy Award -winning television Miniseries broadcast in four parts in 1978 on the NBC television network This is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie. Strangers The Story of a Mother and Daughter is a 1979 Television film Drama directed by Milton Katselas. Anna Marie "Patty" Duke (born December 14, 1946) is an Academy Award - three-time Emmy Award - and two-time Golden Globe The Miracle Worker is a 1962 American Biographical film directed by Arthur Penn. Vittorio Gassman ( September 1, 1922 – June 29, 2000) popularly known as Il Mattatore, was an Italian Theatre The Donostia Award is an honorific award given every year to one two or three actors in the San Sebastian International Film Festival The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category Film festival which originated in 1953 and is held in the Spanish city of Claudette Colbert ( IPA: /koʊlˈbɛɹ/ ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) was a French -born American stage Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census the city had a total population of 105167 The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Neuilly-sur-Seine (nœji syʀ sɛn in French) is a commune bordering the western limit of the city of Paris, France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.

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