Just watched it last week.
It was a bitchy star turn for Bette. She did 'Marked Woman' after settling with Warner Bros. outside court. It's a long story, but it had something to do with breach of contract, and Bette tried to fight the studio. She may have lost the case, but it was most daring of her to challenge the system.
I watched it yesterday and I thought it was a great movie!Quite realistic!
shareBette Davis was such a risk taker. One of the greatest actresses of all time. I watched on the special features section of the DVD film historians explaining that it was quite daring for a female star of a movie to get roughed up. He was talking about the scene where one of her pimp's henchmen beat her up and scar her face. Apparently the movie was taken from the real life 1936 Lucy Luciano trial.
shareThat was pretty bold of Bette, wasn't it? And that scene is grueling. The fact that the action takes place off camera makes it even more effective because your imagination takes hold.
shareIt would've come to a real shock seeing it if not for imdb - her roughed up pic is the poster for the movie here. Is this the first studio movie where woman gets a beating with graphic consequences?
shareExcellent question about the portrayal of the beating. Maybe someone with more expertise than I can answer it?
shareWhat I've heard is that Bette, annoyed by the minimal bandaging and boo-boos they'd put on her, went out at lunch break, to her own doctor.
She described the injuries the character was supposed to have suffered, and had him bandage her accordingly. I guess she added the bruises and scars, with his advice about what they'd look like.
The description, in a bio of Bette, is here:
http://books.google.com/books?id=IVF8dddede8C&pg=PA102&dq=bette+davis+marked+woman+bruises&hl=en&sa=X&ei=9C2vUaG8CuH-4AOn-IHQDA&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=bette%20davis%20marked%20woman%20bruises&f=false
Thanks for the details and the link, Practicepiano! It's no surprise that Bette consulted a doctor because the injuries here look authentic. Injuries generally look pretty fake in films, with obvious makeup and bandages where they would not appear. I'm glad Ms. Davis knew the value of realism.
You have great taste in films! I remember you on the "I Never Sang for My Father" board.
Aw, thanks!
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