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Isn’t life…yummy?

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A young actor anxious to establish his heterosexual cred strolling to Stage 4 at Warner Brothers recently spied a young starlet, of similarly scrumptious attitude. Networks and producers and attorneys were consulted and the fortunate two exchanged numbers.

After some highly publicized outings to the Skybar, the Vanguard, and the (ever popular) Disney Land, a knee was bent and a promise made.

The happy couple moved into his perfectly adorable mid-century modern just above the Sunset Strip. The young TV actor snagged his first movie role and the young actress, after completing a conversion course in his religion, starred in the pilot episode of a highly touted sitcom. Break a leg, my darlings!



“He was everything I ever dreamed of in a man, so love and passion soon followed.” Bette Davis on William Wyler

Down to the wire corrections, remove quotes, italicize thought…and I’ll see you all on the flip side

Sometimes in Hollywood only a drink will do…

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I’m not advocating intemperance – but…

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“She was talking about stars using drugs at a bondage bar and unearthing a cadaver and making it sound as sunny as a picnic on the beach.” It’s in His Kiss by Vickie Lester

Now, Voyager – novel by Olive Higgins Prouty

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A blizzard was raging in New York, so she had read on the bulletin-board before she left the ship. It was difficult to visualize sheets of fine snow driving obliquely against facades, while sitting on an open terrace in the sun gazing at calla lilies in bloom bordered by freesia. It was difficult, too, to believe that the scene before her was reality. It was more like a drop curtain rolled down between herself and the dull drab facts of her life.

Now, this book isn’t as egregiously trite and cliché ridden as “The Bridges of Madison County” but it is a pot boiler – and the screen adaptation turns it into a thoroughly grand film experience – like Richard LaGravenese’s screenplay of “Bridges” – oh, and some powerhouse performances.

And, I have to admit when I rescued the volume from a pile of books that were being thrown away when I was twelve (see, I have it still) I was mesmerized. Later, when my dad had business in London, and I was there in school he got me a membership to the British Film Institute and it was the first movie from the 1940’s that I saw on a big screen.

Thus, my fascination. Screenplay by Casey Robinson.


A Valentine to all Script Supervisors

Bette Davis – Now, Voyager


Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland dine with chopsticks

Bette Davis – in fur

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Picture two willowy ladies of indeterminate age, although judging from their carefully dyed hair, and the fact they are wearing calf length mink coats we could probably safely say they were between the ages of 75 and 85. An age when you can unrepentantly rock any look you like. I saw them in Palm Springs exiting a restaurant over the holidays.

I have a mink coat. It lives in my closet. I have it professionally cleaned and packed every year and then it goes on to live its long life in storage. It was my mother’s. Look, I don’t wear it because I don’t think it ever gets cold enough in Southern California to wrap myself in pelts, but if I lived in Chicago I sure as hell would. I’m not a vegan, I wear leather shoes, hence…

My mother, who was born in Chicago, told me there was nothing on earth as warm as fur and when I went to college in the frigid North East she gave me the coat she wore in college, it was mouton lamb and blizzard worthy.

Where am I going with this? It seems I feel compelled to tell you why I associate fur coats with a feeling of security, family and warmth – and why I treasure a garment I’ll never wear.

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Gary Merrill, Barbara Sherry Davis, and Bette Davis – 1950

1950 all about eve premiere

Better Davis is accompanied to the premiere of “All About Eve” by her mother – 1950


Lady Psychopaths Welcome – NYTimes.com

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The idea that every portrait of a woman should be an ideal woman, meant to stand for all of womanhood, is an enemy of art — not to mention wickedly delicious Joan Crawford and Bette Davis movies. Art is meant to explore all the unattractive inner realities as well as to recommend glittering ideals. It is not meant to provide uplift or confirm people’s prior ideological assumptions. Art says “Think,” not “You’re right.”

via Lady Psychopaths Welcome – NYTimes.com.

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Reprise: Bette Davis, John Garfield, Marlene Dietrich, and the Hollywood Canteen

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Bette Davis and John Garfield decided something had to be done for the enlisted men who passed through Southern California…

They secured a building at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard and opened a USO club to be staffed by movies stars and entertainers. That’s Dezi Arnaz:

That’s co-founder Bette Davis preparing to slice a formidable cake:

John Garfield on the Canteen’s 1st birthday:

Bette reviewing photos with Bob Hope and Marlene Dietrich – I see John Ford, Clark Gable…

A separate post could be written about Marlene Dietrich’s war efforts, but for now, Dietrich serves coffee:

And dances with a French sailor:


Reprise: Thanksgiving at the Hollywood Canteen with Dinah Shore

The wry and wonderful Bette Davis has a unique perspective on Louella Parsons…

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Bette Davis putting on a game face at William Randolph Hearst’s birthday party, wedged between Hearst and his minion, Louella.

Hearst birthday Bette Davis Louella Parsons

Interviewed by Dick Cavett, Bette has few things to say about Miss Parsons.


“In solidarity for those who are fighting for justice right now.” John Legend

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I think  Ava DuVernay should have been nominated for her outstanding direction of Selma, and I think David Oyelowo should have been nominated for his transforming portrayal of Martin Luther King…but I’m not in the Academy. The strongest thing I can say in censure is that these omissions are puzzling. Or, maybe not so puzzling considering the makeup of the voting members of the Academy, and how movies are rolled out for award consideration. Remember, this is the organization that gave the golden statue to Ginger Rogers for Kitty Foyle in a year when Bette Davis was nominated for The Letter, Joan Fontaine was nominated for Rebecca, Katharine Hepburn was up for The Philadelphia Story, and Martha Scott for Our Town. Then, as now, the awards generate buzz about the industry. The Oscar broadcast funds the scholarships, archives, and all endeavors that the (non-profit) Academy undertakes to preserve, promote, and educate. So keep the conversation going, it’s all good for the movies.



A kiss on the hand might be quite continental but diamonds are a girl’s best friend – Grace Kelly and Cary Grant – happy 111th to the immortal Mr. Grant

1928 — Eva Le Gallienne as Peter Pan

IT’S LOVE I’M AFTER

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“It’s Love I’m After” – aren’t we all? (Note: Miss de Havilland will turn 99 on July 1st – Olivia de Havilland – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)

Bette Davis and Leslie Howard on set with director, Archie Mayo:

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Leslie Howard originally envisioned either Gertrude Lawrence or Ina Claire, both noted for their comedic stage performances, as his leading lady, although they had limited experience in films. Producer Hal B. Wallis had director Archie Mayo meet with Lawrence, who was interested in playing the role, but when Wallis and Howard screened the 1936 British film Men Are Not Gods, they agreed she did not photograph well.

The film began production without a leading lady. Then Wallis decided the screwball comedy would be a refreshing change-of-pace for Bette Davis, who had just completed the melodrama That Certain Woman. She initially declined the role of Joyce Arden, feeling the better female role was that of socialite Marcia West. She also resented being asked to accept second billing to Howard. Suffering from exhaustion, Davis went to Palm Springs to recuperate and finally agreed to appear in the film if Wallis would allow her some time for rest and relaxation. He insisted she report to work on March 28, 1937, and she replied, “Give me a week more . . . I must have a brief chance of being something more than a jittery old woman.” She also asked Wallis to replace cinematographer James Van Trees with Tony Gaudio, one of the few cameramen she trusted, and the producer agreed, although Van Tress received sole screen credit.

via It’s Love I’m After – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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Yankee Bette Davis on the art of the screen kiss…

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“Love’s a disease. But curable.” Rose Macaulay

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Bette Davis and George Brent in Dark Victory (1939)

 

 

 

 


Bette Davis, up to mischief, on the beach

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