For no reason at all lets celebrate Bette Davis, one of the shiniest stars ever to grace the silver screen. Our love for her knows no bounds. Who else can make a movie about wearing a red dress instead of a virginal white one as riveting as did Jezebel (1938)? Can you imagine loving movies, actresses and movies about actresses without also loving Bette in All About Eve (1950)...
But today let's take a moment to appreciate Davis in Dark Victory (1939). She’s Judith “Judy” Traherne, a young socialite party girl who loves to smoke, drink, ride horses and fast cars. Of course she gets sick but is also cured of her “evil” ways with the love of a good man (George Brent). Then she finds that her illness is terminal and we watch her as she marches - literally - to a glorious death. I love this performance because Davis gets to do so much acting. From party girl to reformed happy woman in love to dying on screen, it shows a lot of Davis’ magnificent talent.
Let's watch her in this scene where she learns that she’s dying. Pay attention to her eyes…
Wonderful.
Have you seen Dark Victory which we've obsessed over here before? If it were ever remade who would you cast?