Harvey Brownstone Interviews Bette Davis’ assistant, Kathryn Sermak, Author, “Miss D and Me”
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth Interview with Kathryn Sermak, Author of "Miss D. and Me: Life with the Invincible Bette Davis"
Really enjoy your interview style and thoughtful questions. Yet another great episode, so interesting.
You have no idea how much I appreciate your feedback. I work nonstop preparing each interview, hoping to create something memorable for my viewers, and hoping each interview gets me one step closer to becoming the next Larry King. Feedback such as yours means the world to me. Thank you so much for your support of our show. I hope you will spread the word so we can keep growing.
Harvey I enjoyed your questions. They were insightful and not silly. Often in podcasts people ask really stupid questions but your questions were great. Thank you.
Thank you so much for appreciating the high quality of our show. That means the world to me. 🙏❤️
I really loved Miss D and Me. It was very insightful. As soon as I read it a few years ago I thought “this book needs to be a feature film” or even a Netflix type feature, or perhaps even a short series, based on the road trip and travels of the 2 women. It would’ve been fabulous and I don’t understand why it hasn’t been placed in development yet. It’s now Jan 1, 2024 and Covid was 2019/2020 so they’ve had plenty of time since to put it into development!
Ms Sermak is in discussions with several filmmakers to make 2 films based on her book: (1) a documentary; and (2) a feature film.
This was a great book, I read it when it came out and it really humanized Bette.
Yes I loved it too. Everyone needs a friend like Kathryn
Has Ms. Sermak been on the Today show to promote the book and documentary? That would be great
I don’t know. The book came out quite a while ago. And the documentary hasn’t been finished yet.
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Ok
To not know who Bette Davis was by 1979, how could it be?
Yup. Sad but true.
Bette was working far less frequently by then, so it makes sense.
Ms. Sermak's book was a wonderful read! I highly recommend it.
I hope you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for watching!
My cousin Dory Brenner who was also an actress said Bette Davis was her best friend. Bette Davis is my favorite dramatic actress of all time, mesmerizing!!
She’s my all time favorite as well. Having Kathryn as a dear friend is such a blessing in my life
This is my second time to watch this interview. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.
Miss D. was indeed one of my favourite actresses . There’ll never be another like her!
The only thing I took issue with was Kathryn’s assertion that Miss D. was the first to go on despite having had a stroke. She’s unfortunately not old enough to remember that Ellen Corby did that almost a decade earlier when she returned to acting on ‘The Waltons’ after having a massive stroke. And Ms. Corby never was the same again. Miss Davis, at least, was able to recuperate from the her stroke, for the most part.
You are correct. And before Ellen Corby there was Patricia Neal. But we can forgive dear Kathryn. Her adoration for and blind loyalty to her beloved Miss D makes her forget about anyone else!!😍
I love your interviews Harvey! I listen during the day while working from home (working from home can be very isolating) and this one is another sheer delight! So much fun to learn more about the great Bette Davis with Kathryn Sermak...thank you!
I love being there with you to keep you company! Thank you for your support of our show!
Great interview. Ms. Sermak herself comes across as a formidable woman in the best sense of the word. What an interesting life she's leading.
She is most definitely formidable. And a very dear friend. I absolutely adore her. Thanks for watching our show.
I appreciated that Kath was so devoted to Bette & respected her so much
Yes Kath was just like a daughter to Miss Davis. She absolutely adored her
I read a book by Charlotte Chandler on Crawford. In that book there is a chapter devoted to "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" - the movie that originally starred Davis and Crawford . In that chapter it describes a hideous atmosphere that Bette produced for Crawford while on the set that went on for weeks.
Crawford hid out in her trailer and refused to come out, petrified of Davis. As it turns out, Davis had managed to get Aldrich to align himself against Crawford ( which I thought was incredibly cowardly of him!) which made Crawford even more petrified. Eventually , Crawford went to the hospital for some illness of some kind, returned to work, suffered the same from Davis and Aldrich again, and then she returned to the hospital again and was eventually fired. I guess Davis got her pay-back that time for Crawford's shenanigans against Bette retro to the 1940's when they were both at Warner's. All Hollywood knew that La Crawford slept with all of her Director's (and co-stars) so Davis had a plan to spoil that one for Crawford as well. She knew that from the hospital, Joan would call Aldrich at his Hotel room with regards to her absence and the movie - so, Davis camped out at Aldrich's hotel room waiting for her to call! When Crawford did call, Bette Davis picked up the phone!!! 😄😄😎. You have to read that book.
The movie with those two together again would have made motion picture history but It was not to be. Davis blames Crawford for bowing out and saying that it would have made a million dollars more had she stuck it out but the truth is that it was Davis' fault that Crawford bailed on the movie.
Yes Davis made life miserable for Crawford on the set of Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte for the simple reason that Crawford campaigned against Davis to ensure that Davis would not win the Oscar for Baby Jane. Davis never forgave Crawford for that, and to be honest, I don’t blame her. And yes, I loved Chandler’s books about Crawford and Davis.
So the daughter deliberately went ahead with the book knowing that she was going through hell? And then she sold the farm that Bette purchased for her? Strange and ungrateful kid.
Well, publishing a hurtful book about your mother when she’s battling breast cancer and a stroke is most definitely not a nice thing to do. Poor Bette’s heart was broken. Thank God Kathryn was there for her.
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Yes,I thought it was really low of her daughter to write such a negative,hurtful book while her mother was so ill.I thought BD Hyman was a emotionally,unwell person.I think she was involved with some type of cult with her husband,who I think influenced BD in a negative way toward her mother.
Very exciting interview. Ms. Sermak is very loyal and I’m sure her other famous employer’s were honored to have her as their assistant.
@janicescott6569 very true. She’s worked for Berry Gordy, Buzz Aldrin and Suzanne de Passe among others. She’s extremely well respected.
Very positive interview ....😊..
Thank you so much for watching, and for your very kind comment.
Thank you for this interview.
There is a great video on youtube about BETTE DAVIS MEETING MAE WEST. Excellent!
Yes I’ve heard that conversation between Ms Davis and Ms West. I wonder whether they knew they were being recorded?
To Kathryn Sermak, I visited your father's Frame Shop many times during my visits to San Bernardino (I lived in Riverside) and always enjoyed seeing the many photographs in the Shop of Bette Davis. I was always saddened by how much the areas of San Bernardino had gone downhill over the years when anyone could easily see how very pleasant and charming the area had been in past years!
I remember always wishing Bette Davis would be sitting in the Shop when I visited there (as I was told by someone in the Shop she did), but such was never to be the case although the visits were always enjoyable despite the downhill trend of San Bernardino which continues on to this day. Very sad situation for a City which not so many years back was listed as an "All American City".
Ms Sermak does not read the comments on our UA-cam channel. You may wish to contact her through her book’s website.
Just thought she might.@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980
The ads on UA-cam are disgusting. Of course, I don't watch them, but an effing minute of nonsense -- ADBLOCK ADBLOCK ADBLOCK
UA-cam inserts those ads. We have no control over that.
What a great interview! Kathryn Sermak is very impressive. I read "Miss D & Me" when it first came out and LOVED it! It will make a wonderful movie. Get on it, Warner Bros.!
I sure hope it happens!
Very good interview with new questions asked by Harvey. Majority of Bette's interviews were the same repetitive questions by interviewers. Fans would be familiar with Kathryn in '85 upon the release of dau BD book. Only discrepancy I would note is Bette didn't have encouragement from both parents, they div when she was 7 y/o & father not in her life. Her mother Ruth was her supportive parent in her career. Personally, not as much. Bette financially supported mother & sister Barbara.
Thanks so much for watching. Please spread the word about our show!🙏❤️
She was a delightful guest, Harvey! I had seen her on a Netflix show, with a young man who is a psychic (I cant recall the young man name right now), it was wonderful, Bette came though & Miss Kathryn seemed very pleased!!
Im glad that Miss D now has her own coffee, Im wondering if its a strong blend...maybe not!
😉
Thank you, Harvey!
👍👍
Kathryn has become a very dear friend
I was always a Bettie Davis fan.To me she was a great actress and as she said even on her grave stone ( SHE DID IT THE HARD WAY) Never a truer word .👍💫.She took no crap from anyone and refused offers from films if she wasnt happy about the script good on her even if it was a signed contract she knew the consequences but it didnt bother her.Rest in peace Bettie GodBless you🙏🕊🕊🕊🕊🦋🦋🦋🦋❤❤❤❤🐬🐬🐬🐬AMEN.YOY MAY BE GONE BUT YOUR NOT FORGOTTEN.🙏🕊🦋🌹
Believe me I can relate. I’m doing it the hard way too. Finding success on UA-cam is brutal. And look what we’ve achieved in 3 years!!!
Very well done. Informative. 'All About Eve' is my favorite film also. It still holds the record as the most nominated film in Hollywood history with 14. It was tied with 'Titanic' almost 50 years later. I remember seeing an interview with Ms. Davis and Barbara Walters, near the end of her career. Ms. Walters asked (I'm paraphrasing) in the interview, can you leave us with something in 5 words or less to take us out? Bette took a puff on her cigarette in her inimitable fashion and said. I AM JUST TOO MUCH! Classic.
I remember that interview and that unforgettable comment! Thanks for bringing attention to it!
I loved seeing the Frederic Mitterrand interview with Bette Davis from the late 80s. Kathryn appeared on it with Miss D and translated the French for her during the interview. That interview was the best I’ve seen with Miss D. I lived in Paris as a young fashion house intern and I remember seeing the interview on Tv in Paris at the time…. Years later I recovered it on you tube!…. Frederic’s show “étoiles” was my favourite show ever about old stars ever made. He interviewed legends like Maria Callas or Yves Saint Laurent or Miss Davis on it… just superb…. It was so classy and well produced. He even had a pianist play the soundtracks to Miss D’s films throughout the show which really moved Miss D. Who would even do that nowadays? You could see she appreciated it and loved it.
So many interviews from the 60s and 70s then 80s with Miss D, the American or English interviewers asked really dumb and embarrassing questions. Frederic kept it classy, and fabulous. You could see she was very moved.
I know another interviewer whose show is “classy and well produced”.😜
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 yes, my own comments should be produced. I could easily produce so many shows I see on you tube. When I see how poorly many shows are made and how bad the hosts are, I realise people should be paying ME to advise them. I have a good eye and ear for how things should be presented, the content, as well as what guests to bring on and how to wrangle guests and keep guests and hosts on track. So many podcasts and presenters are just terrible these days. They go off track, ramble, stammer, curse, carry on and just bore audiences with irrelevant questions.
Luckily, our show is certainly not like those other shows you’re referring to. I’m amazed at how many podcasters contact me asking why I get big stars to come on our show when they can’t get them. I always respond by asking “Have you actually watched your show and compared it to ours???” There are a lot of dreadfully amateurish podcasters out there.
How nice a woman, that worked for bettie davis stood by her,her daughter said she had to write book while she was alive ,she could not hurt her when she was dead, what a asshole
Yes exactly. And believe me, the “abuse” her daughter referred to was nothing more than mild eccentricity. She made a mountain out of a mole hill.
I don’t just love Bette Davis - I want to be Bette Davis! 😜
There can only be one Bette Davis. But I want to be Dick Cavett
thank you for this interview and your poignant questions. Miss D is an inspiration to so many.
So happy you enjoyed this episode of our show
I have only just discovered your channel and already have several nights' worth of episodes bookmarked! I am particularly impressed by your evident pre-interview research and resulting incisive yet polite questioning (possibly due, in part, to your past career). I have subscribed and eagerly anticipate further episodes. With many thanks and best wishes from Oxford, UK. 🙂
I’m thrilled and extremely grateful that you found our show and that you subscribed. Thank you so much. I hope you will enjoy many more episodes of our show. We’ve released 400 shows so far!! Enjoy!
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Four hundred? I must settle down for a marathon viewing session (or fifty)!
How could she not have known Bette Davis?
She was a very young woman who wasn’t into old movies.
Love Bette Davis my favorite Actress
Mine too
Really Love your Channel and I Appreciate you making Videos of one of the Bes Actress Love you and Thank you Harvey you're the best
@JimSteele-ck5vu you have no idea how much your very kind comments mean to me. Thank you so very much for your love and support!!❤️❤️❤️
Wonderful interview on a most favourite of mine actress; the one and only Ms. Davis; thank you Bette for a lifetime of theatrical gifts.
Thank you so much for watching
Great interview thank you 😊
I’m so glad you enjoyed it
Nicely done
That’s very kind of you. Thank you so much!
Excellent, very interesting. What an interesting life she shared with Ms Davis.
I’m so happy you enjoyed this interview.
Kathryn ✨ went from working for a 👸 Princess to working for a Queen 👑
Great ✨ interview Harvey ❤ Thank You!
Then she got to be interviewed by a “Queen”!!! Hahahaha!! Thanks for watching!
Love this book and Bette Davis. Really enjoyed this interview.
I’m so happy you enjoyed our show. Please spread the word!
I can't wait to Sermak's book! and I pray the film will come to life soon.
Kathryn is working on the film right now!
Kathryn your a speacal woman i love your moxiie
Kathryn has become a very dear friend. Thank you so much for watching our show. Please spread the word!🙏❤️
Great interview!
I’m so very grateful that you enjoyed it
Wonderful
Thank you!
This interview is going to be another good one! I can't wait to hear it. (listening now).
Can’t wait to get your feedback. Fingers crossed!!
I'm pausing to add a story: The highest rated episode of Gunsmoke featured Miss D. (as well as Bruce Dern, and Tom Skerrit). The cast, especially Amanda Blake, was a little intimidated by the news that Miss D would be working with them. James Arness said in an interview that Miss D was warm and cordial, especially with Amanda....and she a was joy to work with.
@tomjones2348 thanks for sharing!
The daughter has another video on UA-cam where she says her mother practiced witchcraft . Crazy
I saw that. It’s very sad.
I believe her daughter.
Her daughter is exaggerating… tarot reading is not witchcraft.
I don’t believe her ungrateful daughter. Plus, even if Betty Davis did practice witchcraft, that’s her prerogative. Who cares… she was an outstanding, magnificent hardworking woman.
Admirable ❤!
@enjoythemoment6596 Exactly. Thank you.
This is just my opinion but I thought Joan Crawfords daughter was very credible but Betty Davis’ daughter seemed like a brat.
I agree.
Barbara wasn't lying. Her mother got worse over the years after her daughter got married, but she just has a sense of humor.
I find neither one of them credible
Thanks for sharing
Wasn't this on previously?
Yes. We’ve re-released it to include a commercial for the new Bette Davis coffee
FANTASTIC ❤
@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 Loved that - Kathryn gave the coffee folks my email contact so they could send me a bag, which they did. Can't bring myself to drink it though! Guess I could but just save the bag, of course!
@bkynbiker19 you will love the coffee. The Harvey Brownstone Talk Show Blend is even better!!!
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 I'm still awaiting my decaf blend.
Another biographer who talks more about themselves than the famous subject of their book. Nobody cares about the biographer!!! Fans care about knowing Bette Davis, not Kathryn.
I didn’t have to go to journalism school. I spent 40 years in a courtroom. The best place on earth to learn how to ask questions. My unique interviewing style has made our show #12 in the world and attracted many legendary stars. And yes, I conduct my interviews exactly the way I want. I’m grateful that over 5 million viewers watch our show every month
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980 I was responding to "Canyon...". Not you Harvey. You conducted yet another incredible interview which is why I subbed you a while back.🙂🙂🏆🏆🥇🥇
Oh thank you so much for the clarification. I feel much better now. I really appreciate your support of our show. Thank you. 🙏❤️
@@harveybrownstoneinterviews8980that is an unkind comment you asked great questions and she gave you great awnsers she could not have given you better awnsers she didn't make it about herself I am enjoying your videos but I feel now that like most people in showbiz you are slightly two faced and unkind
I am slightly 2 faced and unkind? Gee thanks.