Bette Davis films... why are they never shown

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Former Member

This is something I've wondered for a long time... her films were on tv all the time when I was growing up ( I'm a 70's child ). But honestly, I can't remember a single film of hers being put on a mainstream channel in the past 10 years... she was THE sublime actress... but her films have disappeared off the tv. Why?
Your film education isn't complete without a Bette Davis film i.m.o.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

stupidcupidMember

My Mums favourite actress was Bette davis.
I always thought that the reason she isn't so featureded is becaiuse of her penchant for over dramatism.
Modern tv goes over the top for that however, so it does make one wonder!

2/5/114:20 PM

Former Member

She was a fantastic actress.

I loved All about Eve and Now Voyager.

2/5/114:21 PM

Former Member

Interesting Stupidcupid... could her overdramatising be the reason?
Now to think of it.... other absentees are Marlon Brando, James Dean and Mongomery Clift... raw emotional acting seems to be dismissed?

2/5/114:23 PM

Former Member

Issy... Now Voyager

now thats a film. How brilliant was Bette in that?

2/5/114:25 PM

CariadMember

Isn't it a general prohibition on these older films though?

Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn ... now those were ladies with attitude.

I saw Rich Hall's The Dirthy South and made me realise how many great films we don't see. I don't ever recall Cat On A Hot Tin Roof or Rebel Without A Clause on telly....

2/5/114:27 PM

stupidcupidMember

Not to mention Joan Crawford.
Mommie dearest!
Yikes!

2/5/114:28 PM

Former Member

The untold want, by life and and land ne'er granted, now voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find ( Walt Whitman )

I wonder how many modern films are inspired by and based on a verse of poetry?

2/5/114:34 PM

Former Member

Reference:

Issy... Now Voyager now thats a film. How brilliant was Bette in that?

The thing is Bette was ahead of her time - she loved playing these strong fiesty women who did not fit into the normal "betty homemaker/starlett mould that so many women in the heyday of Hollywood took.

Jezebel was an amazing film as well.

2/5/114:34 PM

Former Member

Issy ....Jezebel ... thank you for reminding me! That was an amazing film. Its strange, feminism has gone backwards... Bette was bad through and through in that, yet you still respected and loved her. No modern Holywood film would ever write a full blooded woman's part like that, sadly

2/5/114:41 PM

Former Member

Reference:

No modern Holywood film would ever write a full blooded woman's part like that, sadl

And if they did they would have a young starlet playing her....its all about looks nowadays IMO

2/5/114:43 PM

Former Member

Think The Killing of Sister George was on somewhere quite recently - if that's a Bett film

2/5/114:43 PM

Former Member

Issy, exactly... hence the career of Keira Knightley... alll cheekbones and no real expression.

2/5/114:48 PM

Blizz'ardMember 10 years

2/5/114:50 PM

Former Member

Reference:

Think The Killing of Sister George was on somewhere quite recently - if that's a Bett film

Don't think it was Velvet

2/5/114:50 PM

Former Member

I was a big fan of Jayne Mansfield. She had her knockers but I liked her.

2/5/114:50 PM

Former Member

Reference:

Issy, exactly... hence the career of Keira Knightley... alll cheekbones and no real expression.

Not a huge fan of Keira I'm afraid.
BUT Helena Bonham Carter - now there is a woman

2/5/114:51 PM

Former Member

Blizz'ard that was so funny

"just checking...squashy legs"
You can't beat Bette at her eye rolling best, though...

2/5/114:54 PM

Former Member

Issy, I never rated H.B.C. until I saw her in Wings of the Dove.
Also her portrayal of Enid Blyton, was amazing!

2/5/114:58 PM

Former Member

Reference:

Issy, I never rated H.B.C. until I saw her in Wings of the Dove. Also her portrayal of Enid Blyton, was amazing!

I can't wait to see her in the King's Speech.

2/5/115:00 PM

Former Member

Me too Issy... and she's nommed for an oscar too for it, isn't she?
She'd be one of the more deserving British winners

2/5/115:05 PM

Garage JoeMember

Whatever happened to baby Jane is a film I also get mixed up with the killing of sister George. The former is Davis and Crawford. I think the latter is York and Reid.

2/5/115:14 PM

Former Member

There was a bit of lesbianism in the Killing of SIister George, no? Sometimes strong female film characters get confused with that?
Nah, Bette was tough, took no nonsense from men... was dominant, but straight.

2/5/115:23 PM

longcatMember

Have you been looking in my head? I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. I love Bette and she is never on

We seem to have the same crap films on a permanent loop and the old classics are just not shown. My idea of a good morning is an old black and white film with Bette.

2/6/1112:55 AM

El LoroMember VIP10 yearsModerator

I'm fairly certain that Film 4 show Bette Davis films from time to time. I think they had All About Eve on recently.

2/6/111:18 AM

Former Member

I love Bette Davis, havent seen her films lately, except All About Eve. My favourite was The Letter

2/6/113:44 AM

kattymieowwMember 10 years

Love Bette Davis films."Whatever happened to Baby Jane" was a terrific film.These days films are all about the effects rather than the characters

2/6/113:50 AM

Former Member

Granted... All About Eve is shown fairly regularly... but thats it... and she's past her best in that. Bette is not the romantic lead in that, anything but ( though it is a great performance ).

2/6/114:42 AM

Former Member

longcat

Member

Today at 8:55

Have you been looking in my head? I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. I love Bette and she is never on

We seem to have the same crap films on a permanent loop and the old classics are just not shown. My idea of a good morning is an old black and white film with Bette.

lol longcat, thank you... glad its not just me

2/6/114:46 AM

ScottyMember 10 years

Bette is probably my most favourite actress of all time.

Not only was she a great actress but she was feisty, strong willed and opinionated. She stood up to the Hollywood moguls (brave in those days) about the parts she was offered and refused to play ( mainly sexy subservient women) and they listened...eventually. Breaking ground for the era.

2/6/115:37 AM

Former Member

Not a Bette film but a real winner on today (GOLD) is 'Kind Hearts and Coronets'. If you haven't seen it then give it a go. It's brilliant

2/6/115:41 AM

Former Member

Anyone see Bette Davis in 'The Anniversary'? A brilliant black comedy

*message to self - 'try to avoid using the word 'Brilliant' in every sentence'*

2/6/115:45 AM

Former Member

Cracking film is Kind Hearts and Coronets... heartless... black comedy. If you have Gold ( I wish I did )...make a date for it

2/6/115:45 AM

Former Member

Scotty

Member

Today at 1:37

NoBette is probably my most favourite actress of all time.

t only was she a great actress but she was feisty, strong willed and opinionated. She stood up to the Hollywood moguls (brave in those days) about the parts she was offered and refused to play ( mainly sexy subservient women) and they listened...eventually. Breaking ground for the era.

Hi Scotty... yep she was ballsy off screen too... whata girl!

2/6/115:47 AM

ScottyMember 10 years

Oh, and I Ioved the way she walked. Such confidence in her stride.

2/6/115:49 AM

Former Member

Yes her stride was something, Scotty

Bette Davis... look in the dictionary... you'll find her under "style".

2/6/115:52 AM

ScottyMember 10 years

Reference:

Hi Scotty... yep she was ballsy off screen too... whata girl!

Hi Zazz.. you bet!

She was seemingly difficult to work with. I can see that but it was all about standards with Bette. She didn`t suffer fools gladly.

2/6/116:02 AM

ScottyMember 10 years

Reference: rosie

Yes her stride was something, Scotty Bette Davis... look in the dictionary... you'll find her under "style".

Absolutely rosie

2/6/116:17 AM

SezitMember

Rosie. I am rubbish at this quoting thing. But Bette Davies is my all time favourite old Hollywood actress too. The little foxes which is a great film was Warner brothers studio answer to MGMs Gone With The WInd.
Helena Bonham Carter is a great actress, she played stepmother in the Nigel Slater biography Toast. She was fantastic in that.

2/6/117:31 AM

CroctacusMember

Whenever 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?' is shown on any of the sky channels (which it is quite often) it always comes up on the info as 'Whatever happened to Jane?'

Very confusing.

2/6/117:38 AM

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