If you've been following my series on the best actress of each decade, that rumbling sound that's been growing in the distance is the sound of Bette Davis fans wondering how on earth I could have left their hero out. Bette Davis certainly was a finalist in the 30s and 40s, though I feel her work in the 50s peaked with All About Eve as the decade opened. I've always felt there was a certain element of the creepy about Bette Davis even in her early days when she could get away with being cast as the sexy young thing in movies like Of Human Bondage and The Petrified Forest. On the other hand, I've never bought the idea that Bette Davis is one of those actresses you either love or hate. At her best she was almost on par with Barbara Stanwyck. At her worst she could dip down to the level of Katherine Hepburn. (Just in case you misunderstand me, let me clarify: I think Katherine Hepburn is the most overrated actress of all time.)
Getting back to the creepy quality of Bette Davis, I just think that there was something about her-maybe her infamous eyes-that destined her for the work she would turn in during the 1960s. While Elizabeth Taylor turned from a sex symbol into a bona fide actress during the 60s, and while the decade witnessed the birth of new superstars from Anne Bancroft to Faye Dunaway, when one looks back upon the actress who really defines a decade only slightly better for actresses than the 1950s it is Bette Davis.
Getting back to the creepy quality of Bette Davis, I just think that there was something about her-maybe her infamous eyes-that destined her for the work she would turn in during the 1960s. While Elizabeth Taylor turned from a sex symbol into a bona fide actress during the 60s, and while the decade witnessed the birth of new superstars from Anne Bancroft to Faye Dunaway, when one looks back upon the actress who really defines a decade only slightly better for actresses than the 1950s it is Bette Davis.
RELATED CONTENT
Comments
Stephen Thompson
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/20/2009
Davis the best actress of the 6os? You must be kidding! At this point she was caricatural and with lots of mannerism. Seriously, anobody who did not saw Hepburn masterpiece Long day, cant pretend that is was not great. To compare that to the grotesque whatever happen to.....is insane. Its like saying fast food is better than good food cause millions of people eat that! Sorry but numbers dont stand in front of quality. Hepburn is the best not only in the 60s where she gets 2 oscars, and made quality movies, but she is Hollywood royalty.
J.S.
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/23/2009
(cont)and the way they honed their skills. Bette Davis might seem to be more energetic, but Katherine Hepburn was more subtle, and if you listen to Bette Davis, and Katherine Hepburn tell their lives stories, you will understand that they had very different up bringings. So both drew from a different experience, and as they say, life immitates art. I would say that both ladies
{Her Highness, Mary Queen of Scotts (Katherine Hepburn) and Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elisabeth (Bette Davis)} are movie queens in their own rights, and that neither should be set in contrast to the other, for it would be like compairing two stars against a film made heaven.
J.S.
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/23/2009
Katherine Hepburn Isn't over ratted, she is every bit the match for Bette Davis. Katherine Hepburns parts stemed from playing: Mary queen of Scotts to Elanore of Aquataine, from a Hop head, to an Oriental woman of the 1930's, from a frantic aunt who is loosing her mind, to a endearing old woman who opposites Henry Fonda, from a Little Woman, to a rich lepord chassing heiress. On a Holiday with Cary Grant, or in Philidelphia with Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart, she was terrific. She was brilliant in "Stage door". And I don't know anyone who doesn't want to fall in love again when she is with Spencer Tracy. Her tears in Guess whose coming to dinner, are more genuine than most. I love Bette Davis. All about Eve, Little Foxes,
Now Voyager, Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, Where The Corn is Green, are just a few of my very favorite movies. But; Bette Davis, and Katherine Hepburn are two equals in my book. Not because of their similarities in acting, but by their differences, and the way they honed
It's good to see someone else thinks Katherine Hepburn was over-rated. I found her neither glamorous nor talented. For me Bette Davis with her big eyes and grab your attention acting was a much better actress. I found confusion within your article however, did you like her or no. As I prefer horror films and comedies and as many of Bette Davis's films now have a cult following in the horror genre I would much prefer watching one of her films over Katherine Hepburn's any day. I also have a rather morbid sense of humor and find many of Bette Davis's films comical. Her movies rate a plus plus from me.
Comments 1 - 4 (of 4)
NOW SHOWING
A-List Actresses
A-List Actors
|
|