It's definately up there she plays such a bitch in this film. It's excellent, think i watched it back in 1990 when i was 7 and never forgot it and wanted to see more films with bette davis. Jezebel is also up there with bitch charchters and the letter.
shareOh yeah, Bette really plays the consummate bitch in this movie. ("So you're going to die? You're an old man! You've lived your life!") And you're totally correct that she plays a bitch in "The Letter." Although that bitch is subtle, much more calculating and controlled. (Perhaps Wyler had something to do with that...in any case, it's a masterpiece.) But I don't think Julie was a bitch in "Jezebel." She redeemed herself. Christ, walking through a swamp at night with all those creepy snakes would have redeemed Jane Hudson! I love Bette when she's bad.
shareI say more evil and selfish,than bitch.Many of her roles revealed a forceful,selfish,stop at nothing,to get her own way,sort of woman.One of her best roles was as the waitress in Of Human Bondage.Her acting in that movie was out of this world.....
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Its up there with the bad sister in A Stolen Life.
shareBette has played a lot of bitches, but none are more bitchy and just plain disgusting that in The Anniversary. Surprised it hasn't been mentioned already!
shareWhst about Davis in "The Little Foxes"? I still haven't seen thst one. However, I've that she's pure evil in that film.
I SO love Bette Davis. She's a 100 ct flawless diamond!
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I hope you've seen The Little Foxes by now. That movie, In This Our Life, and Mr Skeffington are her bitchiest best.
shareWell, she ain't exactly Maria Von Trapp in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane".
I slept with you and you're in love with my husband. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?
I don't know how she could have been bitchier.
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you re gonna need a bigger boat.
She was a real mean-queen in Mr Skeffington
shareAs Jeanine Basinger mentions on the DVD audio-commentary, Davis was not afraid of appearing unsympathetic on the screen. And it actually worked in her favor.
This is why she was unafraid to tackle Mildred Rogers in OF HUMAN BONDAGE, and Jane Hudson in WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?, roles no other actress was willing to come within a mile of.
"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."
Bette was simply superb in this. My favorite scene was probably when she goes to jail to visit the boy they're acussing, and then she tries subtly to convince him that he was the one who caused the accident. And then again, her last scene with the uncle. Wow!
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
"The Letter" is my vote for "best bitch." She was not exactly a nun in "Another Man's Poison."
shareYes, The Letter, her bitchiness was subtle, eh?
Swing away, Merrill....Merrill, swing away...share
Davis was truly remarkable for her willingness, and ability, to play "difficult" characters. I can't think of anyone who comes close in that regard. Part of why she is my second favorite actress all time.
I saw this film for hte first time last night, on TCM, and found myself saying yet again this is another find of a great film with Bette Davis giving a masterful, excellent performance.
Ftr I think her portrayal of the bad sister, Patricia, in A Stolen Life was her most bitchy role, but the one here was pretty close. ANd of course there was Jane Hudson.
(I agree Jezebel was NOT in the running for that accolade given the way it turns out.)
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Her ultimate bitch was as Rosa Moline in BEYOND THE FOREST. Again, she makes no attempt to win sympathy or admiration--she's ruthless in her obsession to reach Chicago to be with her beefy lover, and that includes murder and adultery--pretty heavy stuff for 1949 which is why the movie was condemned and then heavily censored. The version on VHS is still the censored version. Which is why Bette Davis hated the final product.
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