In 1950, Bette starred as Margo Channing in the masterpiece "All About Eve". This film was nominated for a record twelve Academy Awards, winnning six, including Best Picture. It also stars Anne Baxter, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill, Hugh Marlowe, George Sanders, Thelma Ritter, and features a small part played by Marilyn Monroe. Bette was once again nominated for an Oscar, and so was her co-star, Anne Baxter. But both actresses lost to Judy Holliday. "All About Eve" was very significant to Bette. Not only was it a slap in the face to Warner Brothers, because of its enormous success, but Bette married her costar, Gary Merrill. It also features one of Bette's most famous lines: "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!" Once again, Bette Davis was a huge Hollywood star.
In 1953, Bette was nominated for her ninth Best Actress Academy Award for "The Star". She played Margaret Elliot, a Hollywood has-been who can't get a grip on reality. Bette shaved her head for 1955's "The Virgin Queen". She once again played Queen Elizabeth I, but minus Errol Flynn this time!
In 1962, Bette starred as Jane Hudson in the psychotic horror-thriller, "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?". It also starred Joan Crawford, who played Jane's handicapped sister, Blanche, who is confined to a wheelchair after a mysterious accident. The two sisters hate each other, which must have been fun for Bette and Joan. It's rumored that the actresses had a real-life battle with each other, which began when they were both starlets in the 1930's. Bette was nominated for her tenth and final Best Actress Oscar for this film.
In 1964, Bette made "Dead Ringer", a great film directed by Paul Henreid. It also stars Peter Lawford and Karl Malden. Bette once again plays twins, but not for long. One twin murders the other, and then poses as the dead sister. It's really good, and I recommend it! Later that year, Bette starred in "Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte", with Joseph Cotten, Olivia de Havilland, and Agnes Moorehead. Bette plays Charlotte Hollis, a sort of Lizzie Borden, who is shunned for a gruesome murder committed 40 years before.
In 1978, Bette starred as Mrs. Van Schuyler in the Agatha Christie mystery, "Death On the Nile", co-starring Peter Ustinov, David Niven, Mia Farrow, Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, and George Kennedy. This is a great movie, and Bette sparkles as the fiesty and wealthy widow. In the 1980's, Bette starred in some TV productions, including "Hotel" and "Little Gloria...Happy at Last". Bette made her last film "Wicked Stepmother" in 1989, even after a stroke had imparied her. Bette Davis died of breast cancer on October 6th, 1989, at the age of 81. She was perhaps the finest Hollywood actress ever.
Links to other sites on the Web
Elizabeth's Paul Henreid Page
Elizabeth's Joseph Cotten Page
Elizabeth's Anne Baxter Page
Elizabeth's Olivia de Havilland Page
Note from the Author
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