But while outside helping ann plant flower bulbs, she remarks that a storm must be brewing, as its getting dark. The screenplay by casey robinson was based on the 1934 play of the same title by george brewer and bertram bloch, starring tallulah bankhead. Then came the publication of a book by bettes daughter barbara hymanknown to friends as b. Dark victory was irishborn actress geraldine fitzgeralds first american film, after having appeared in films made in england, and on the broadway stage. Bette davis is a superb actress and dark victory is one of great films. In dark victory, judith traherne bette davis is an impetuous and headstrong heiress who lives life with furious energy. She had four of them, all of whom found her difficult, cantankerous, sniping, rude.
The book itself was a gift from the babys nursemaid, a mrs. The life of bette davis, also has its share of problems. The twentythree years old wealthy sportswoman judith traherne has painful headaches and doublevision, and the family doctor, dr. Dark victory the legendary hollywood star blazes a fiery trail in this enthralling portrait of a brilliant actress and the movies her talent elevated to greatnessin dark victory, noted film critic and biographer ed sikov paints the most detailed picture ever delivered of bette davis, the intelligent, opinionated, and unusual woman who wasin the words of a close friendone of the major. Parsons, convinces her to go with her best friend ann king to a consultation with a famous specialist.
He is the author of seven books, including on sunset boulevard. A young socialite is diagnosed with an inoperable brain. Dark victory 1939 humphrey bogart bette davis youtube. With bette davis, george brent, humphrey bogart, geraldine fitzgerald. The legendary hollywood star blazes a fiery trail in this enthralling portrait of a brilliant actress and the movies her talent elevated to greatness in dark victory, noted film critic and biographer ed sikov paints the most detailed picture ever delivered of bette davis. Frederick steele george brent, quite a bit stiffer than he was as a southern charmer in jezebel, also opposite davis. Ed sikov has taught at haverford college, colorado college, and columbia university. Bette davis daughter margot merrill lived mostly out of. In dark victory, the noted film critic and biographer ed sikov paints the most detailed picture ever delivered of this.
The life of bette davis reprint edition by ed sikov author visit amazons ed sikov page. Sep 30, 2008 in dark victory, noted film critic and biographer ed sikov paints the most detailed picture ever delivered of bette davis, the intelligent, opinionated, and unusual woman who wasin the words of a close friendone of the major events of the twentieth century. Tallulah bankhead originated the role of judith traherne in the broadway production, which ran for 51. In dark victory, noted film critic and biographer ed sikov paints the most detailed picture ever delivered of bette davis, the intelligent, opinionated, and unusual woman who was. Dark victory is a 1939 american drama film directed by edmund goulding, starring bette davis and featuring george brent, humphrey bogart, geraldine fitzgerald, ronald reagan, henry travers and cora witherspoon. Starring bette davis, george brent, humphrey bogart, geraldine fitzgerald, ronald reagan cinematography ernie haller art direction robert haas film editor william holmes original music max steiner written by casey robinson from a play by george emerson brewer jr. The official facebook page for dark victory ive crammed every minute so full of waste. Dark victory by edmund goulding bette davis, george brent. Nov 04, 2007 life was a bumpy ride for bette davis, a tempestuous star who played tempestuous characters. Drawing on new interviews with friends, directors, and admirers, as well as archival research and a fresh look at the films, this stylish, intimate biography depicts daviss personal as well as professional life in a way. If you love bette, as i do, because of her work on film, youll get a much better sense of how her performances came to be and also how the moviemaking.
The life of bette davis ebook, preface the legendary hollywood star blazes a fiery trail in this enthralling portrait of a brilliant actress and the movies her talent elevated to greatness. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. But then davis would up her game and deliver an extraordinary scene. In dark victory, bette davis judith traherne continually shifts between putting on a brave face and letting it slip. Dark victory is the story of bette daviss life as focused through her art. Cigarettes were to bette davis what a bottle of southern comfort was to janis joplin or a halfunbuttoned black. Bette davis dark morning 1959 the june allyson show duration. The plot centers on a series of murders involving gotham city police officers by a mysterious serial. The legendary hollywood star blazes a fiery trail in this enthralling portrait of a brilliant actress and the movies her talent elevated to.
Sikov spends twothirds of the book documenting the grueling production of most of the 52 films. Bette davis was a force of naturean idiosyncratic talent who nevertheless defined the words movie star for more than half a century and who created an extraordinary body of work filled with unforgettable performances. Bette davis books 11 books meet your next favorite book. Jan 16, 2010 bette davis gave a strongly emotional performance of heiress judith traherne in dark victory. Bette davis earned an oscar nomination for her role in the classic fourhanky tearjerker dark victory. Apr 01, 2020 bette davis, versatile, volatile american actress whose raw, unbridled intensity kept her at the top of her profession for 50 years. Judith traherne, the character bette davis plays in dark victory, might be the only major part in her repertoire that katharine hepburn or norma shearer might have played.
Frederick steele george brent for her headaches and dizzy spells, and he tells her she has a brain tumor. Drawing on new interviews with friends, directors, and admirers, as well as. Sep 12, 2017 then came the publication of a book by bettes daughter barbara hymanknown to friends as b. The last time i saw bette davis, she was in her dotage, the painful ravages of cancer and a paralyzing stroke cruelly evident. Bette davis, george brent, humphrey bogart, geraldine fitzgerald. She was known for such movies as of human bondage, jezebel, dark victory, the little foxes, all about eve, and whatever happened to baby jane. I thought tchaikovskys swan lake would render the tragic dimension of the characters destiny. But soon enough, dark victory returns to its characteristic register, and when judith decides to turn the tables on hubby frederick and keep her own secrets, the movie reprises its. Bette daviss assistant wants to set the record straight.
A lively long island socialite suffering from headaches and blurred vision, judith is diagnosed with a brain tumor by dr. A comprehensive biography of the actress who defied the hollywood moguls to. April 5, 1908 october 6, 1989 was an american actress of film, television and theater. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her performances in a range of film genres, from. Ed sikov a biography of bette davis, focusing on her acting career, drawing from interviews with friends, directors, and admirers, archival research, and a new look at her films to provide insights into her. For one thing, i once read a biography of bette davis when i was in high school and i loved it. A biography of peter sellers, and laughing hysterically. Read the full synopsis of dark victory, 1939, directed by edmund goulding, with bette davis, george brent, humphrey bogart, at turner classic movies.
Bette davis, a personal biography applause books by charlotte chandler. The legendary hollywood star blazes a fiery trail in this enthrall. In dark victory, noted film critic and biographer ed sikov paints the most detailed picture ever delivered of bette davis, the intelligent, opinionated, and unusual woman who wasin the words of a close friendone of the major events of the twentieth century. With his wise and wellinformed take on the production and accomplishments of such movie milestones as jezebel, all about eve, and now, voyager, as well as the turbulent life and complicated personality of the actress who made them, sikovs dark victory brings to life the twotime academy awardwinning actresss unmistakable screen style. The legendary hollywood star blazes a fiery trail in this enthralling portrait of a brilliant actress and the movies her talent elevated to greatness in dark victory, noted film critic and biographer ed sikov paints the most detailed picture ever delivered of bette davis, the intelligent, opinionated, and unusual woman who wasin the words of a close friendone of the major events of the. Pure soap business, and could have been handled more interestingly. But i will always rate whatever happened to baby jane with joan crawford. With a career spanning 60 years and 100 acting credits, she is regarded as one of the greatest actresses in hollywood history. Director vincent sherman said, to get joan to cry you had to tell her a sad story, said ed sikov, author of dark victory. Oct 01, 2007 when i came across this book, dark victory. Why bette davis and joan crawfords feud lasted a lifetime. Per biographer ed sikov, in his 2007 book dark victory. Bette davis gave a strongly emotional performance of heiress judith traherne in dark victory. This was the eighth, of eleven, onscreen teaming of bette davis and george brent.
The legendary film star bette davis was what might charitably be called a real piece of work. Ann instantly knows what is happening, and judy realizes it too. Dark victory is essential reading for anyone interested in bette davis, even though much has already been written about her. Bette davis a list of 36 titles created 06 apr 2019. Long before susan sarandon, julia roberts, debra winger and ali macgraw all died tragically young from an incurable disease in stepmom, steel magnolias, terms of endearment and love story respectively, bette davis did it. The life and times of billy wilder, 1999 steps into the ring with battlin bette of warner bros. I write more about her films than about, say, her marriages because i care about them a great deal more and because they define her legacy in a way a series of failed husbands cannot.
Nov 12, 2007 the legendary film star bette davis was what might charitably be called a real piece of work. The life of bette davis and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Particularly in the years surrounding dark victorys release in 1939, davis was the undisputed master of neurotic but formidable power, barreling her way through old southern mores in jezebel, following her imperial heart in. Life was a bumpy ride for bette davis, a tempestuous star who played tempestuous characters. The life of bette davis, i saw a way to update my knowledge of this great actress and i learned a lot. Drawing on new interviews with friends, directors, and admirers, as well as archival research and a fresh look at the films, this stylish, intimate biography depicts daviss personal as well as professional life in a way that is. Judith traherne bette davis is a very wealthy long island heiress whose life is a constant whirl of cocktails, parties, and wild living. Mar 26, 2015 bette davis dark morning 1959 the june allyson show duration. Bette davis, george brent, humphrey bogart, geraldine fitzgerald, ronald reagan. The life of bette davis, the film star said that margot at 8 years old was in all other ways, except for her size. A young socialite is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and must decide whether or not shell meet her final days with dignity.
1073 308 375 247 739 669 517 453 824 1133 573 1448 761 824 690 741 730 1009 1335 147 95 1357 519 96 273 638 859 1108 1167 627