This woman was a force of nature and fearless! The bodacious star knew her worth and could outsmart, outact and entertain like no one else. With a career spanning over 50 years Bette was tough as nails and was no one to trifle with! A screen legend in American cinema!!
She was over all a woman who knew how to make herself enemies in a very natural way. Not an admiring aspect of her character and not as clever as thought of.
I thought she was quite lovely, especially in Now Voyager... That said, giving the Actor beauty only has zero to do with talent ability, nor does it make the character believable... Davis was brilliant in everything she did, and her looks in each role was perfect!!! ❤❤❤❤
The young women of today who think they are breaking ground clearly never grew up watching Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn and Lauren Bacall. Those women were legends, proving the power of women, in a man’s world. They didn’t Twitter on about the patriarchy, they just broke it.
And that's bs by tarring everyone under one brush and the mentality of now can do no right but back then can do no wrong is as regressive as u can get psychologically
@@Aivottaja no, not all.. but it was expected. Yet they were tough cookies and greatly talented, and back then, the public didn’t know. Harvey Weinstein were a dime a dozen, as were hopeful little starlets. And if they didn’t comply, then they didn’t get roles and they were pressured, defamed and scared out of the industry by powerful men in suits. Epstein, Weinstein and Reump have proven that.
Bette Davis was the greatest actress ever. How many other actresses would shave their hair for a role as she done playing Elizabeth Of Essex? She certainly deserved more Oscars like for Now Voyager and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, All about Eve. She done what it took to make you believe that character.
I agree. There was also, Of Human Bondage, The Little Foxes, Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? The Letter, The Great Lie and Marked Woman. Bette Davis brought emotional realism to her roles, she was fearless in wanting to portray the good and bad sides of characters. I feel she would have received more awards, if she hadn't have been so passionate in standing up for what she thought was right, and not letting the studio heads dominate her.
@@creativeliberdade Yes I also agree. I hadn't forgotten about those movies but you could go on and on. Absolutely loved her in Of Human Bondage "I used to wipe your kisses off, wipe them off" . Not to mention her 2 Oscar winning awards, even in Jezebel she was ahead of her time. You're right she paved the way for the contract player by walking out and sticking to her guns. Actors after her have a lot to thank her for.
As a child living in Westport,Connecticut Ms Davis was a friend of my parents,she also attended the same church & would help make Xmas decorations for the charity fairs. She was always sweet to us children, but,could rub adults the wrong way. I knew who she was,because from age 7 onwards I was obsessed with movies. My mother had many friends in the business, especially in England, London being our homepage,so I would see her there as she got older & was amazingly feisty. I would have been 9/10 when I first saw "Now Voyager"& I saw the cigarette scene, it was very different times then & my father would often ask me to light a cigarette. The next time she came for drinks she very kindly let me run the scene with her,though I obviously gave the other cigarette to another of my parents friends.
Thank you for sharing your fascinating story! I am somewhat envious because I would’ve loved to have met someone like Bette when I was a child. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know who she was, but I was a huge old movie fan. I grew up with my grandparents in the 1970s and they introduced me to all of the golden age of Hollywood stars and their movies. I was in college when she passed away and I hosted a memorial for her that was very well attended and a memorable celebration of her remarkable life! (Now Voyager is one of my favorite Bette Davis movies and I never get tired of watching it OR the cigarette scene)!
Thank you for sharing your sweet and interesting story. Westport was a place I was blessed to spend some wonderful times romping around in my younger days.
My all time favorite movie is “The Petrified Forest.” Such a phenomenal movie starring Leslie Howard❤, Bette (gorgeous at about 20 yrs old!) and Humphrey Bogart ( reprising his Broadway role fantastically!) What a Golden movie! Oh! I almost forgot her stellar performances in “The Little Foxes” and “Dark Victory”!
I'm 63. I remember begging to stay up late so that I could watch "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" on TV with my parents. I was about 8 years old. I was so scared after that, for weeks, I could barely sleep at night and was afraid to be in any room alone. BRAVA, BETTE!!! 🧡🧡
@@maymalone1505 I second this. Overall the film was a bit slow, but THE MONOLOGUE! She was a silver screen SAVAGE! Wasn't she known as the Hollywood Dragon? You don't F*CK with Bette Davis...
Hush Hush is one of my favorite Bette movies, but I am surprised that no mention was made regarding the fued with Joan. I live not far from the plantation where the movie was filmed. In fact my very good friends were the caretakers there so I got an inside scoop on all the wonderful back story.
@@lllowkee6533 lol 😂 me thinks that is just a story about her accent...she spoke the way she did not from her smoking 🚬 overdrive but from her "New England" background...and the fact she had, when little, to shout in theatres to be heard! 😁 Or... that at least is what she told us...🥰 I saw her at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon and it always seemed possible, she was quite petite in real life and the theatres were so large...puff puff on another ciggie! 😉
Her voice later in life was gruff and raspy. I have a an acquaintance in my hometown who sounds like a man’s now from smoking since 15. . Davis was a good actress but none of them had any morals. I can see why the big studios needed to keep their sorted lives hidden and pay off reporters! @@raymondmartin318
Margot Merrill, the adopted and abandoned daughter of Bette Davis, died on May 5, 2022 at the age of 71. Very sad that Bette rejected her when the birth injury was discovered. Perhaps Bette was as much a "Mommie Dearest" as her legendary rival, Joan Crawford. Maybe even worse. Alcoholism is a rotten disease, especially when it affects kids. RIP Margot Merrill.
Oh,I am so sorry to know that,and I pray for her and her stepbrother.Perhaps,Ms.Davis thought she could not take care of her daughter as well as people who are trained to do so? Mr.Merrill could have possibly done so,or perhaps,it was a"joint decision" by both of them.
@@NancySanders-om4ic Gary Merrill was also severely impaired by alcoholism. One drunk parent is bad. 2 drunk parents, worse. I just don't think either person knew what they were doing when they chose to adopt. They could BUY a child but couldn't raise her. Very sad.
When Davis adopted Margo she accepted responsibility to raise her. If she felt she couldn’t raise her due to her birth injury, the least she could have done is financially provide for her care.
A Hollywood legend which. Have always admired Betty Davis as well as other few other Hollywood greats which will not be seen again. These ladies and men were rare gems in the Hollywood.
Your video is very good but you made one glaring error. Bette Davis arrived in Pasadena by train, not at an airport. Train travel was the preferred mode of transportation during the 1930's, when Davis arrived in Hollywood. Air travel was still new, riskier, and more expensive than other forms of travel.
I suspect that Margo was given a trust fund for her care and Davis was probably told to institutionalize her because that's what doctors told parents to do. And back then people thought that drs were goods that they knew best and would only tell a patient something in their best interest. That was before the whole get a second opinion thing started. And drs still resent that
I believe, to have a disabled child was also a kind of embarrassment and people could very easy disappear in institutions. I had an uncle, who was locked all his life in such a institution, and the family would only whisper, when they spoke about him.
@@ekanang7550 So true! In my state there was a huge asylum ( now closed,) and families could put any family member in there for such outrageous reasons. Many were in there for life. How horrible!
I lean toward the trust fund too , after all you'd want to know that your very vulnerable child would be taken care of if you suddenly passed or if your finances took a downturn . Also if anyone contested the will it wouldn't affect the trust fund .
Yes Bette Davis had a real good heart. It was the Time, that she gave her away. But she always took care and she was never ashamed of her. We don’t really know, what the problem of this child was. But it’s much better, to be with other children. Then all alone, with one caretaker. ❤❤❤
Her interview with Dick Cavett was legendary. He told her she couldn't smoke while the camera was on and she said, so what, what are you going to do, send me home. Cavett got her an ashtray. I heard the reason Bette Davis didn't like Joan Crawford was because Crawford started her career in porn. My favorite movie was Jezebel
BD's book did indeed break Bette's heart. She felt totally betrayed, and most of what was written was not true any way. Bette went through a lot to get where she did. We all remember her and know her face and we all know the song. I will never forget watching her last interview before she passed. Acerbic and quick witted as ever. I have a hell of a lot of respect for Bette Davis. She wasn't going to just lie down or roll over and take it. She knew what she wanted and did what she had to. Her acting was beyond superb, and she was among the best, and still is. Bette was incredibly intelligent woman. I think one of my most favourite films that she starred in was: The Little Foxes. Her acting as the matriarch, Regina, was amazing. It gives me chills, in fact. And actually, BD and Bette did try to repair their relationship, though I am not sure if it was very successful. They were somewhat estranged in latter years, but they certainly did talk before Bette passed.
I own both Bette's auto & BD's book. They remained estranged & never made amends after BD's book release in '85. BD stated in an '89 interview with Connie Chung that yes she's her mother & a legend but it isn't a loss because they haven't had a relationship in 5 yrs.
@@sandradee1579 Thanks for the correction. I appreciate that. I thought they had spoken on the phone at least, but apparently not. Thanks again and have a great day.
I admire Bette Davis as an actress but I don’t blame Howard Hughes for not paying off Bette’s husband. Why should he pay for her repeated infidelity? It says something about her as a person for dumping Howard for refusing her. It also says something about Bette and Joan hating each other when they were both cut from the same cloth.
My fav Film of hers is "All about Eve". In the 80s their was a band called "All about Eve" and had a beautiful song, I think its called "I sit by the Harbour".
Joan Crawford's daughter, Christina, wrote a book about how bad she was treated by Joan Crawford; which, I believe was true. I read B. D.'s book about Bette Davis and it sounded so pitiful. It didn't sound like she was mistreated at all by Bette Davis. She wanted the money, because Christina's book was well received.
Both daughters suffered but Christina was truly abused. Crawford was a sick woman but I think she knew what she was capable of and still put her daughter in danger. Ugh
@@Skyenchantment8 I believe it was on the best seller list. I read it, & believed her. The hatred and vitriol she endured was shameful. I saw her on a talk show, and some members of the the audience were livid and called her an ingrate. Worshipping actors is a sad pastime...
@@dawnadriana1764 Hollywood is a cesspool, and most actors and actresses are horrible influences for anyone that wants a stable family. I know how my parents were fans of movies and they were both alcoholics, good-looking, and charming until the next morning when it's time to make breakfast for the kids, and send them off to school.
You poor thing 😞 Beauty is rarely deeper than the skin... I hope you have managed to rise above it all somehow, and have carved out a better, happier life for yourself...be kind to you, it's allowed, it's in the rules! 🤗@@sycamoreknox9419
Bette Davis has been my very favorite actress since I was little!! No other actor could come close to the talent she possessed!! She was a STAR amongst stars. And still is!!⭐️🏆
@@merrittmontgomery7695. Also, Margo did live with the couple until it became apparent that her mental issues (retardation) made it impossible for them to care for her.
Gary Merrill (Margo’s adopted father) left money in a trust for Margo. Margo wasn’t “excluded” in Davis’ will . It was just that arrangements had already been made for her care by Merrill.
Please keep things without constant flash backs and flash forwards. One of the worst things an audience can hear is "but more about that subject later..."
Let me just say this: She would not wear makeup in the scene from "Of Human Bondage" so that she looked as if she were dying. It was the first time that it happened. And when she was older and feeling insecure she did the same thing in "All about Eve". She may have been egotistical but she respected the characters of her craft. If I could be to a movie star I would only have wanted to be Betty Davis or work at a Dairy Queen for the rest of my life. I have never found the opportunity to say "ME? I DISGUST YOU?" But refuse to die until I can.
I've read a couple biographies of Ms. Davis and CLEARLY, she was a woman far ahead of her time in a time when MOST women only knew how to get what they wanted by spreading their "charms". From the get-go I never like Crawford. She felt icky. I got the sense that every role I'd seen her is wasn't her acting - it was who she really was.
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were the best actresses of their time. Unfortunately they were also HUMAN. With insecurities. Mistakes and regrets. When we say “Meryl Streep is the Bette Davis of our time “. even Meryl is completely flattered!!! Make a date with both of them and watch their early films. no one can touch them. They are Fabulous
That was absolutely fascinating!! One of my favorite movies is Whatever happened tp Baby Jane. Also loved Voyager Now and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte BD Hyman is a Christian minister. She's very good at explaining things in the Bible. She took a lot of flack for writing the Book as did Joan Crawford's daughter Christina. But there's evidence thar Christina is actually the Narscissts..... there's an interesting video on YT. BD had said that Betty practiced Hollywood Witchcraft to attract roles. Who knows? We weren't there.
If looks could kill, Beyte Davis would have. The way she looks at Crawford in What Ever Happened To Baby Jane & in Now, Voyager when her cigarette is being lit.
I love Bette Davis movies and I love her. She stood up to the studio system and to the men in Hollywood. She was a rock solid bitch and I admire her for that.
George Arliss saw her in a movie and lobbied to have her cast in the movie you mentioned. She proved her star value in Of Human Bondage. Again, you got it all wrong,
I can understand leaving B.D. out of the will , but I imagine the other daughter was already provided for through some sort of trust , at least I hope so .
Bette Davis took a train to Hollywood,not a train she told the story herself at least a hundred times on TV,as for the "feud" total bull Baby Jane was filmed in four weeks,no time for games , Joan Crawford was responsible for bringing Baby Jane to the screen.
Why would she leave anything to Margot, as she says in her biography that all her expenses were covered, she was very protective of her she did not want her to be hunted down and put in the spotlight. I suspect there was a trust fund arrangement but she did not leave Margot with nothing. Why would she leave anything to B.D after what she did and Michael her brother refutes a lot of it I suspect the book came out of jealousy towards her sibling to get back at her mother. We have a situation in our family like this but I am not going to write a tell-all-book to spite anyone. When BD wrote the book it was a time when it was very fashionable and profitable to do so. She had to write something sensationalist as Bette already had released an auto biography. I will put the book titles on here they I well worth reading I don’t have them here with me at the moment I also have a brilliant book that individually goes through her entire filmography with photos and comments of the time.
I'll give Barbara (BD) Davis credit where it's due. Her book was published while Bette was still alive, giving her mother the chance to refute it and disinherit her. I wouldn't be surprised if Bette had already established a trust fund for Margot.
I don't think Kim Carnes was thinking about anyone with overactive thyroid disorder when she sang the song. The song is about a woman with seductive eyes and Bette had them for sure.
I'm almost 6-0, and I would have dearly loved to sit down with this actress for a few stolen quiet hours and talk with Bette. As for Ms Joan Crawford, who knows, maybe I could have invited the 2 to make peace, not war. I'm sure the studios loved the free publicity. I'm very sorry that the relationship with their children couldn't have cared better 😢💔
I'm only assuming but I'm guessing the reason she left Margot out of the will is because she has the mindset of a child and is incapable of caring for herself?? 😅... The assistant or the girl's brother probably had a private agreement with Bette to cover her continued care. IDK why people think it's odd that she respect her kids' privacy and keeps details private lol. Our son's both have lifelong disabilities and other people are their trustees in our will (because of that exact reason, they don't have the capacity to sign for themselves or manage funds. Not because we've abandoned them completely 😭)
Problem is with the advent of UA-cam, so many of these videos use salacious gossip, and rumours that are so far out there. B.Ds book was not endorsed by her brother it hurt her very deeply. Gary Merrill was an abusive alcoholic. She said she had to keep working to support her family. What puzzles me was where all her money went in later life. The Old Maid is one of my favourite films I used to watch it with my mum we love Bette Davis. Bette’s slap to Miriam’s face in ‘Old Aquaintance’ says it all. Arthur Farnsworth was the love of her life so she says in her book and she was devastated. There is nothing suspicious about his death just because you have a temper that does not make you a murderer, when such a tragedy strikes. A lot of this is baseless tittle tattle not worthy of such an amazing actress. She was willing to take on roles, that the top glamour actresses of the day would not go near. Of Human Bondage shows her at her ugliest in a role, but is also testament to her talent. I have read her books and others on her life. The biggest problem with a lot of these videos is they are based on Internet research and there is so many truths have got distorted or the narrative has been completely changed.
@@mspupcat53 I was in school in the days before internet research. When we had to go to the library to write about people in history. At times there's discrepancies in books and articles. Human authors, researcher and Narrators make mistakes.
I lost any respect for her when she left a child, she chose, in an institution for things so out of the kid's control. Treated worse than a dog and left with nothing to carry her life out comfortably. ZERO respect for someone so wicked.
To me the bottom line is that the more famous and rich people become, the more their personalities manifest their natural flaws. So far, only three actors stand out, to me, as being well grounded, decent people. Ronald Reagan, Debbie Reynolds and Shirley Temple. And I'm not sure about Ronald Reagan.
Ive never been a fan of Bette Davis. But after hearing about how she mistreated her children, I don't want to ever see her in a film again. Childhood wounds are lifetime wounds.
YT you can put as many black only adverts on here as you like but I and I know many of my friends, just turn the volume down and the screen so the adverts are not seen or heard. Well done you for getting many to ignore such adverts. I for one am white and proud and no amount of your brainwashing adverts will ever change that. Have a nice day and I hope your advertisers are glad that they are totally wasting their money.
Miss Davis's acting was far and away the best of the best. She's my all-time favorite, but I can't understand why many people considered her unattractive. She wasn't a beauty in the classic sense, but she was nonetheless beautiful in an unconventional sort of way. Her eyes were amazing! 👀
Bette was an AMAZING Actor and I love any picture she is in, but that said, she was one of the worst excuses for a human being and a mother I have seen in a long time. I have read every book written about her, including BD's book, I believe every word of it. Just because she was an incredible actor does not make her a good human.
So, I went ALL THE WAY thru this to hear what happened to her first husband (as you advertised) and you NEVER included that! Unprofessional Factinate! Well, not sure how you call her a beautiful woman. She was not more than attractive on her best day. BUT, she was an amazing actress! Shocked that Wyler was the love of her life, tho.
I think Bette looked lovely as a blond when she was younger. But when she was older the hairstyles that she had were awful. So severe and unflattering.
Joan Crawford was a great actress, but Bette Davis was the greatest actress of her time. Neither woman was beautiful, but both women were skilled enough to act beautiful. There were many good, even great actresses with pretty faces, but many actresses had other skills beneath the surface of their skin.
What a horrible self involved human. Your talent is your gift to share. You don't create that gift. It is your's to nurture and generously give. You didn't create that fire within you. Be grateful. Pass it on. Mentor. At every opportunity.
This woman was a force of nature and fearless! The bodacious star knew her worth and could outsmart, outact and entertain like no one else. With a career spanning over 50 years Bette was tough as nails and was no one to trifle with! A screen legend in American cinema!!
She was over all a woman who knew how to make herself enemies in a very natural way. Not an admiring aspect of her character and not as clever as thought of.
I thought she was quite lovely, especially in Now Voyager...
That said, giving the Actor beauty only has zero to do with talent ability, nor does it make the character believable...
Davis was brilliant in everything she did, and her looks in each role was perfect!!! ❤❤❤❤
The young women of today who think they are breaking ground clearly never grew up watching Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn and Lauren Bacall. Those women were legends, proving the power of women, in a man’s world. They didn’t Twitter on about the patriarchy, they just broke it.
❤😂Bravo yes they where more sophisticated and emancipated, than today. 😂😂😂
And that's bs by tarring everyone under one brush and the mentality of now can do no right but back then can do no wrong is as regressive as u can get psychologically
Didn't all of them hop around on different wealthy men all their lives?
Hopping on different wealthy men is stunning and brave? Okay.
@@Aivottaja no, not all.. but it was expected. Yet they were tough cookies and greatly talented, and back then, the public didn’t know. Harvey Weinstein were a dime a dozen, as were hopeful little starlets. And if they didn’t comply, then they didn’t get roles and they were pressured, defamed and scared out of the industry by powerful men in suits. Epstein, Weinstein and Reump have proven that.
She was one of the greatest actress that ever lived her life was not easy
Compared to 99. 999% of humanity who came before her, Bette’s life was fabulously EASY and GLAMOROUS. Only an idiot could think otherwise.
She also didn’t make her children’s life easy!
Bette Davis was the greatest actress ever. How many other actresses would shave their hair for a role as she done playing Elizabeth Of Essex? She certainly deserved more Oscars like for Now Voyager and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, All about Eve. She done what it took to make you believe that character.
I agree. There was also, Of Human Bondage, The Little Foxes, Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? The Letter, The Great Lie and Marked Woman. Bette Davis brought emotional realism to her roles, she was fearless in wanting to portray the good and bad sides of characters. I feel she would have received more awards, if she hadn't have been so passionate in standing up for what she thought was right, and not letting the studio heads dominate her.
@@creativeliberdade Yes I also agree. I hadn't forgotten about those movies but you could go on and on. Absolutely loved her in Of Human Bondage "I used to wipe your kisses off, wipe them off" . Not to mention her 2 Oscar winning awards, even in Jezebel she was ahead of her time. You're right she paved the way for the contract player by walking out and sticking to her guns. Actors after her have a lot to thank her for.
It was Elizabeth and Essex, a good film . 😄
My late mother told me about Bette Davis when I was a teen. Her old black & white movies showed that Mom was right, she was a great character actress.
As a child living in Westport,Connecticut Ms Davis was a friend of my parents,she also attended the same church & would help make Xmas decorations for the charity fairs. She was always sweet to us children, but,could rub adults the wrong way. I knew who she was,because from age 7 onwards I was obsessed with movies. My mother had many friends in the business, especially in England, London being our homepage,so I would see her there as she got older & was amazingly feisty. I would have been 9/10 when I first saw "Now Voyager"& I saw the cigarette scene, it was very different times then & my father would often ask me to light a cigarette. The next time she came for drinks she very kindly let me run the scene with her,though I obviously gave the other cigarette to another of my parents friends.
So how old r u
Thank you for sharing your fascinating story! I am somewhat envious because I would’ve loved to have met someone like Bette when I was a child. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know who she was, but I was a huge old movie fan. I grew up with my grandparents in the 1970s and they introduced me to all of the golden age of Hollywood stars and their movies. I was in college when she passed away and I hosted a memorial for her that was very well attended and a memorable celebration of her remarkable life! (Now Voyager is one of my favorite Bette Davis movies and I never get tired of watching it OR the cigarette scene)!
This may not be a politically correct thing to say, but nobody could smoke a cigarette like Bette Davis. 🚬
Thank you for sharing your sweet and interesting story. Westport was a place I was blessed to spend some wonderful times romping around in my younger days.
My all time favorite movie is “The Petrified Forest.” Such a phenomenal movie starring Leslie Howard❤, Bette (gorgeous at about 20 yrs old!) and Humphrey Bogart ( reprising his Broadway role fantastically!) What a Golden movie!
Oh! I almost forgot her stellar performances in “The Little Foxes” and “Dark Victory”!
I'm 63. I remember begging to stay up late so that I could watch "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte" on TV with my parents. I was about 8 years old. I was so scared after that, for weeks, I could barely sleep at night and was afraid to be in any room alone. BRAVA, BETTE!!! 🧡🧡
That is one of my favorites by her. I can recite the table scene with her and Olivia de Havilland word for word😂😂❤
through it all bette davis was a true hollywood legend and the best actress of her age. no one rivaled her, not then, not now. rip
My mom used to speak highly of her acting skills, but I didn't see it...until I saw Dark Victory...now I consider her one of the greatest.
You should watch: the little foxes,and also whatever happened to baby Jane? And "Now, Voyeur!
Oh my gawd!!! Ms Davis!
The Letter
The Little Foxes
The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Great Lie
Now Voyager
Petrified Forest
All About Eve
Of human bandage was brilliant for both actors😊
@@maymalone1505 I second this. Overall the film was a bit slow, but THE MONOLOGUE! She was a silver screen SAVAGE! Wasn't she known as the Hollywood Dragon? You don't F*CK with Bette Davis...
I love dark victory; it’s one her best performances
Many people forget Bette's beautiful portrayal of a teacher willing to sacrifice so much for her students in "The Corn Is Green."
Loved watching bette with my dad the last one we watched before he died was hush hush sweet Charlotte 💛
Thanks for sharing this with us!
That movie scared the wits out of me as a small child. Even the first notes of the song terrified me!
It was a great movie!
Hush Hush is one of my favorite Bette movies, but I am surprised that no mention was made regarding the fued with Joan. I live not far from the plantation where the movie was filmed. In fact my very good friends were the caretakers there so I got an inside scoop on all the wonderful back story.
@@bambihernandez4387 Oh, my gosh!! That’s amazing! Please tell us all about the mansion!!!
She took on the studio and took them to court but folded to her husband's commands to abort her pregnancies? She lost both times. Very sad.
The greatest star of them all ...nobody even comes close to that fire, magic and voice. Fantastic.
Her VOICE came from smoking 4 packs of cigarettes a day.
…….How her lungs kept her alive so long is amazing. ?
@@lllowkee6533 lol 😂 me thinks that is just a story about her accent...she spoke the way she did not from her smoking 🚬 overdrive but from her "New England" background...and the fact she had, when little, to shout in theatres to be heard! 😁
Or... that at least is what she told us...🥰 I saw her at the Ashcroft Theatre in Croydon and it always seemed possible, she was quite petite in real life and the theatres were so large...puff puff on another ciggie! 😉
Her voice later in life was gruff and raspy. I have a an acquaintance in my hometown
who sounds like a man’s now from smoking since 15. .
Davis was a good actress but none of them had any morals. I can see why the big studios needed to keep their sorted lives hidden and pay off reporters!
@@raymondmartin318
And Noone ever will! Bette could convey a thousand words with just a look!
If looks could kill she would. The way she looks at Crawford in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane & in Now Voyager when her cigarette is lit. @RebeLeigh
Margot Merrill, the adopted and abandoned daughter of Bette Davis, died on May 5, 2022 at the age of 71. Very sad that Bette rejected her when the birth injury was discovered. Perhaps Bette was as much a "Mommie Dearest" as her legendary rival, Joan Crawford. Maybe even worse. Alcoholism is a rotten disease, especially when it affects kids. RIP Margot Merrill.
Oh,I am so sorry to know that,and I pray for her and her stepbrother.Perhaps,Ms.Davis thought she could not take care of her daughter as well as people who are trained to do so? Mr.Merrill could have possibly done so,or perhaps,it was a"joint decision" by both of them.
@@NancySanders-om4ic Gary Merrill was also severely impaired by alcoholism. One drunk parent is bad. 2 drunk parents, worse. I just don't think either person knew what they were doing when they chose to adopt. They could BUY a child but couldn't raise her. Very sad.
When Davis adopted Margo she accepted responsibility to raise her. If she felt she couldn’t raise her due to her birth injury, the least she could have done is financially provide for her care.
A Hollywood legend which. Have always admired Betty Davis as well as other few other Hollywood greats which will not be seen again. These ladies and men were rare gems in the Hollywood.
Your video is very good but you made one glaring error. Bette Davis arrived in Pasadena by train, not at an airport. Train travel was the preferred mode of transportation during the 1930's, when Davis arrived in Hollywood. Air travel was still new, riskier, and more expensive than other forms of travel.
Also she went to England by ship not plane. Precious few people could cross the ocean by plane at the time.
I didn't think it was that big of a deal.
If she's not accurate about that what else is she not accurate about@@ceilconstante640
Does it really matter?
Get a life! 🤣🤣🤣
I suspect that Margo was given a trust fund for her care and Davis was probably told to institutionalize her because that's what doctors told parents to do. And back then people thought that drs were goods that they knew best and would only tell a patient something in their best interest. That was before the whole get a second opinion thing started. And drs still resent that
I believe, to have a disabled child was also a kind of embarrassment and people could very easy disappear in institutions. I had an uncle, who was locked all his life in such a institution, and the family would only whisper, when they spoke about him.
@@ekanang7550 So true! In my state there was a huge asylum ( now closed,) and families could put any family member in there for such outrageous reasons. Many were in there for life. How horrible!
I lean toward the trust fund too , after all you'd want to know that your very vulnerable child would be taken care of if you suddenly passed or if your finances took a downturn . Also if anyone contested the will it wouldn't affect the trust fund .
Davis was not “tight lipped” about Margo later in in life. She talked about her in all three of her books and on several talk shows.
Yes Bette Davis had a real good heart. It was the Time, that she gave her away. But she always took care and she was never ashamed of her. We don’t really know, what the problem of this child was. But it’s much better, to be with other children. Then all alone, with one caretaker. ❤❤❤
Her interview with Dick Cavett was legendary. He told her she couldn't smoke while the camera was on and she said, so what, what are you going to do, send me home. Cavett got her an ashtray. I heard the reason Bette Davis didn't like Joan Crawford was because Crawford started her career in porn. My favorite movie was Jezebel
Yes, the whole Dick Cavett interview is worth watching!
Cavett got her an ash tray,, bahaha!👍
The reason she resented Crawford was that she had one of the greatest faces the movies have ever seen.
BD's book did indeed break Bette's heart. She felt totally betrayed, and most of what was written was not true any way. Bette went through a lot to get where she did. We all remember her and know her face and we all know the song. I will never forget watching her last interview before she passed. Acerbic and quick witted as ever. I have a hell of a lot of respect for Bette Davis. She wasn't going to just lie down or roll over and take it. She knew what she wanted and did what she had to. Her acting was beyond superb, and she was among the best, and still is. Bette was incredibly intelligent woman. I think one of my most favourite films that she starred in was: The Little Foxes. Her acting as the matriarch, Regina, was amazing. It gives me chills, in fact. And actually, BD and Bette did try to repair their relationship, though I am not sure if it was very successful. They were somewhat estranged in latter years, but they certainly did talk before Bette passed.
I own both Bette's auto & BD's book. They remained estranged & never made amends after BD's book release in '85. BD stated in an '89 interview with Connie Chung that yes she's her mother & a legend but it isn't a loss because they haven't had a relationship in 5 yrs.
@@sandradee1579 Thanks for the correction. I appreciate that. I thought they had spoken on the phone at least, but apparently not. Thanks again and have a great day.
I admire Bette Davis as an actress but I don’t blame Howard Hughes for not paying off Bette’s husband. Why should he pay for her repeated infidelity? It says something about her as a person for dumping Howard for refusing her. It also says something about Bette and Joan hating each other when they were both cut from the same cloth.
My first thought at that tale was Amber Heard and Elon Musk. She did the same thing asking Elon to pay off a pledge she made.
Thing is, they didn’t hate each other. That’s a myth. They weren’t close but they got along well enough to work together.
Great video. I only knew of her because of the popular 'Bette Davis Eyes' song.
Was nice to learn about the actual actress.
If you haven't seen any of her movies, check them out. She's such a great actress.
Glad you enjoyed it
My fav Film of hers is "All about Eve".
In the 80s their was a band called "All about Eve" and had a beautiful song, I think its called "I sit by the Harbour".
Joan Crawford's daughter, Christina, wrote a book about how bad she was treated by Joan Crawford; which, I believe was true. I read B. D.'s book about Bette Davis and it sounded so pitiful. It didn't sound like she was mistreated at all by Bette Davis. She wanted the money, because Christina's book was well received.
Both daughters suffered but Christina was truly abused. Crawford was a sick woman but I think she knew what she was capable of and still put her daughter in danger. Ugh
@@Skyenchantment8 I believe it was on the best seller list. I read it, & believed her. The hatred and vitriol she endured was shameful. I saw her on a talk show, and some members of the the audience were livid and called her an ingrate. Worshipping actors is a sad pastime...
@@dawnadriana1764 Hollywood is a cesspool, and most actors and actresses are horrible influences for anyone that wants a stable family. I know how my parents were fans of movies and they were both alcoholics, good-looking, and charming until the next morning when it's time to make breakfast for the kids, and send them off to school.
You poor thing 😞
Beauty is rarely deeper than the skin...
I hope you have managed to rise above it all somehow, and have carved out a better, happier life for yourself...be kind to you, it's allowed, it's in the rules! 🤗@@sycamoreknox9419
❤❤❤
Bette Davis has been my very favorite actress since I was little!! No other actor could come close to the talent she possessed!! She was a STAR amongst stars. And still is!!⭐️🏆
Omg. She went through way too much.
Margot, Davis's daughter, died May 5 2022
Bette only had one daughter Barbara Davis Sherry called B.D. Margot was Gary Merrill’s daughter that never lived with Bette.
@@merrittmontgomery7695 Whatever, Margot died May 5 2022. Most sources say she was Davis's adopted child.
@@merrittmontgomery7695. Bette and Gary Merrill adopted Margo and a boy, Michael.
@@merrittmontgomery7695. Also, Margo did live with the couple until it became apparent that her mental issues (retardation) made it impossible for them to care for her.
Gary Merrill (Margo’s adopted father) left money in a trust for Margo. Margo wasn’t “excluded” in Davis’ will . It was just that arrangements had already been made for her care by Merrill.
Please keep things without constant flash backs and flash forwards.
One of the worst things an audience can hear is "but more about that subject later..."
Let me just say this: She would not wear makeup in the scene from "Of Human Bondage" so that she looked as if she were dying. It was the first time that it happened. And when she was older and feeling insecure she did the same thing in "All about Eve". She may have been egotistical but she respected the characters of her craft. If I could be to a movie star I would only have wanted to be Betty Davis or work at a Dairy Queen for the rest of my life. I have never found the opportunity to say "ME? I DISGUST YOU?" But refuse to die until I can.
Bette stated that she wished that her daughter BD had at least waited until she, Bette, was dead before publishing that infamous book about her.
I've read a couple biographies of Ms. Davis and CLEARLY, she was a woman far ahead of her time in a time when MOST women only knew how to get what they wanted by spreading their "charms". From the get-go I never like Crawford. She felt icky. I got the sense that every role I'd seen her is wasn't her acting - it was who she really was.
Boy, are you wrong.
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were the best actresses of their time. Unfortunately they were also HUMAN. With insecurities. Mistakes and regrets. When we say “Meryl Streep is the Bette Davis of our time “. even Meryl is completely flattered!!! Make a date with both of them and watch their early films. no one can touch them. They are Fabulous
Sounds like a miserable life to me.
That was absolutely fascinating!! One of my favorite movies is Whatever happened tp Baby Jane. Also loved Voyager Now and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte BD Hyman is a Christian minister. She's very good at explaining things in the Bible. She took a lot of flack for writing the Book as did Joan Crawford's daughter Christina. But there's evidence thar Christina is actually the Narscissts..... there's an interesting video on YT.
BD had said that Betty practiced Hollywood Witchcraft to attract roles. Who knows? We weren't there.
I'll have to watch Voyager Now. I've only heard about it.
Now Voyager.
Now Voyager
It's a real shame when people who have so much have no grace.
Did you know that Bette and Lucille Ball studied at the same acting academy in NY at the same time?
If looks could kill, Beyte Davis would have. The way she looks at Crawford in What Ever Happened To Baby Jane & in Now, Voyager when her cigarette is being lit.
BD was my late Mum’s acting idol, she absolutely loved her.
When i was a kid ...im 60 now my mom and i used to watch her movies and Joan Crawford..etc those stars. 2:40
She was probably shown to be the most jealous of Miriam Hopkins and her years later interviews proves this point.
Bette Davis is still, my favorite Star. Followed by Gena Rowling. Ah and Susanne Sharanden.
I love Bette Davis movies and I love her. She stood up to the studio system and to the men in Hollywood. She was a rock solid bitch and I admire her for that.
What a refreshing change. No stupid robotic voice. 💚Have an award
Subtitles! "BETTE", not Betty.
The subtitles are automatically generated and go by what they "hear" calm down.
One of my two favorite actresses of ALL time... the other? Katherine Hepburn.
She is a great actress, but I wouldn't call her beautiful, she needed half a ton of makeup to make her look that good.
That broad had nerves and balls of steel. My all time favorite.
George Arliss saw her in a movie and lobbied to have her cast in the movie you mentioned. She proved her star value in Of Human Bondage. Again, you got it all wrong,
I Love Betty Davis !!!!!!
Thank you🌹
I can understand leaving B.D. out of the will , but I imagine the other daughter was already provided for through some sort of trust , at least I hope so .
Bette Davis took a train to Hollywood,not a train she told the story herself at least a hundred times on TV,as for the "feud" total bull Baby Jane was filmed in four weeks,no time for games , Joan Crawford was responsible for bringing Baby Jane to the screen.
Humor in the Court, your Honor, I object. LOL
Ugh Hollywood. In human bondage indeed.
She was always one of my fav actresses. To learn about her abandonment of her disabled daughter, changes my opinion.
Why would she leave anything to Margot, as she says in her biography that all her expenses were covered, she was very protective of her she did not want her to be hunted down and put in the spotlight. I suspect there was a trust fund arrangement but she did not leave Margot with nothing.
Why would she leave anything to B.D after what she did and Michael her brother refutes a lot of it I suspect the book came out of jealousy towards her sibling to get back at her mother.
We have a situation in our family like this but I am not going to write a tell-all-book to spite anyone.
When BD wrote the book it was a time when it was very fashionable and profitable to do so.
She had to write something sensationalist as Bette already had released an auto biography.
I will put the book titles on here they I well worth reading I don’t have them here with me at the moment I also have a brilliant book that individually goes through her entire filmography with photos and comments of the time.
I'll give Barbara (BD) Davis credit where it's due. Her book was published while Bette was still alive, giving her mother the chance to refute it and disinherit her. I wouldn't be surprised if Bette had already established a trust fund for Margot.
I love Bette Davis as an actor ❤
I also admire Joan Crawford!
Both she and Joan were esteemed actors, but both were also 304’s. Great examples for todays only fans
wow, susan sarandon, looks so like her
No she doesn't not at all. Susan Sarandon is a pig
That was the first thing I said when I saw her in the show.
People who have an overactive thyroid disorder which characteristically manifests by having large protruding eyes are said to have Bette Davis Eyes.
I don't think Kim Carnes was thinking about anyone with overactive thyroid disorder when she sang the song. The song is about a woman with seductive eyes and Bette had them for sure.
I don't know if what you say is true, but it did get a chuckle out of me.🤣
@@sycamoreknox9419 Yes it is true. Term is informally used in the medical community. There was also a song about her eyes too!
@@Curlyblonde Additionally Peter lorre. Marty Feldman, and Steve Buscemi have these Bette Davis eyes as well.🤔
@@sycamoreknox9419 Add Drew Barrymore as well.
It sounds like she wasn’t a very nice human. I’d love to read a biography on her.
It was rumored she pushed him down, and he hit his head on the cement curve!
She was not very attractive, inside or out, which was confirmed by the executive who was supposed to pick her up. Lol
Bette had a fight with her 2nd husband (he was cheating on her)she threw a heavy object at him and it hit him on the head
Subtitles say 'adelic' instead of idyllic. Didn't think they could use made up words.
I'm almost 6-0, and I would have dearly loved to sit down with this actress for a few stolen quiet hours and talk with Bette.
As for Ms Joan Crawford, who knows, maybe I could have invited the 2 to make peace, not war.
I'm sure the studios loved the free publicity.
I'm very sorry that the relationship with their children couldn't have cared better 😢💔
❤Thank you❤
Bette Davis was the BEST 🎥
I'm only assuming but I'm guessing the reason she left Margot out of the will is because she has the mindset of a child and is incapable of caring for herself?? 😅... The assistant or the girl's brother probably had a private agreement with Bette to cover her continued care. IDK why people think it's odd that she respect her kids' privacy and keeps details private lol. Our son's both have lifelong disabilities and other people are their trustees in our will (because of that exact reason, they don't have the capacity to sign for themselves or manage funds. Not because we've abandoned them completely 😭)
Very interesting video.
One can only hope michael and the pa looked after margo, she would not have been able to use the money her self.
Kim Carnes BETTE DAVIS EYE'S.
She was and still is a legend
Actually she arrived via train NOT by air. There are so many discrepancies in this post, that it’s laughable. Check your facts before posting.
I'm going to need more than train/plane to not watch. I mean, it's Bette Davis!
A very small thing to make a big about. Many Biographies have conflicting facts.
@@ceilconstante640 How one arrives is not a small thing. This is how history gets rewritten inaccurately, Seilcontstente640?
Problem is with the advent of UA-cam, so many of these videos use salacious gossip, and rumours that are so far out there. B.Ds book was not endorsed by her brother it hurt her very deeply. Gary Merrill was an abusive alcoholic. She said she had to keep working to support her family.
What puzzles me was where all her money went in later life. The Old Maid is one of my favourite films I used to watch it with my mum we love Bette Davis.
Bette’s slap to Miriam’s face in ‘Old Aquaintance’ says it all.
Arthur Farnsworth was the love of her life so she says in her book and she was devastated. There is nothing suspicious about his death just because you have a temper that does not make you a murderer, when such a tragedy strikes.
A lot of this is baseless tittle tattle not worthy of such an amazing actress. She was willing to take on roles, that the top glamour actresses of the day would not go near. Of Human Bondage shows her at her ugliest in a role, but is also testament to her talent. I have read her books and others on her life.
The biggest problem with a lot of these videos is they are based on Internet research and there is so many truths have got distorted or the narrative has been completely changed.
@@mspupcat53 I was in school in the days before internet research. When we had to go to the library to write about people in history. At times there's discrepancies in books and articles. Human authors, researcher and Narrators make mistakes.
I have no idea how the actresses could do their acting under such nasty criticism from outside her life.
Confident and charming? If you look at her interactions with Joan Crawford charming is not a word I'd have used
I lost any respect for her when she left a child, she chose, in an institution for things so out of the kid's control. Treated worse than a dog and left with nothing to carry her life out comfortably. ZERO respect for someone so wicked.
To me the bottom line is that the more famous and rich people become, the more their personalities manifest their natural flaws. So far, only three actors stand out, to me, as being well grounded, decent people. Ronald Reagan, Debbie Reynolds and Shirley Temple. And I'm not sure about Ronald Reagan.
No, Reagan was as corrupt as they come.
Nope on Reagan.
No people just gossip more about them when they become famous
Not Reagan
@@bsota8513 you don't gossip?
Howard Hughes got around all over Hollywood. He was as bad as the rest of the women that slept all over.
Ive never been a fan of Bette Davis. But after hearing about how she mistreated her children, I don't want to ever see her in a film again. Childhood wounds are lifetime wounds.
YT you can put as many black only adverts on here as you like but I and I know many of my friends, just turn the volume down and the screen so the adverts are not seen or heard. Well done you for getting many to ignore such adverts. I for one am white and proud and no amount of your brainwashing adverts will ever change that. Have a nice day and I hope your advertisers are glad that they are totally wasting their money.
Love your content but it takes so long to get to the point.
Miss Davis's acting was far and away the best of the best. She's my all-time favorite, but I can't understand why many people considered her unattractive. She wasn't a beauty in the classic sense, but she was nonetheless beautiful in an unconventional sort of way. Her eyes were amazing! 👀
She was one of those women that was attractive in their 20s and 30s, but like alot of women, she didn't age well!
Not at the AIRPORT! At a TRAIN STATION. Sloppy research.
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane is a great movie. You can tell Bette enjoyed abusing Joan, lol.
How can Bette Davis beautiful? Her face had a sneer on it even when she smiled.
Bette was an AMAZING Actor and I love any picture she is in, but that said, she was one of the worst excuses for a human being and a mother I have seen in a long time.
I have read every book written about her, including BD's book, I believe every word of it. Just because she was an incredible actor does not make her a good human.
I liked her movies
Sad old cow. Bitterness is a horrible trait but in her case probably caused by a number of unresolved traumas, she was a hard woman in a hard world.
So, I went ALL THE WAY thru this to hear what happened to her first husband (as you advertised) and you NEVER included that! Unprofessional Factinate! Well, not sure how you call her a beautiful woman. She was not more than attractive on her best day. BUT, she was an amazing actress! Shocked that Wyler was the love of her life, tho.
I think Bette looked lovely as a blond when she was younger. But when she was older the hairstyles that she had were awful. So severe and unflattering.
Technically she was stood up
Joan Crawford was a great actress, but Bette Davis was the greatest actress of her time. Neither woman was beautiful, but both women were skilled enough to act beautiful. There were many good, even great actresses with pretty faces, but many actresses had other skills beneath the surface of their skin.
Seems her and Joan were a lot alike and that probably contributed to their long standing feud.
Why did they do an autopsy? He died under doctors care
What a horrible self involved human. Your talent is your gift to share. You don't create that gift. It is your's to nurture and generously give. You didn't create that fire within you. Be grateful. Pass it on. Mentor. At every opportunity.
You took too long getting to the point. I looked up his cause of death.
My gran had betty Davies eyes x