BETTE DAVIS: Ageless Nice Girl with Attitude

While everyone always talked about ‘Bette Davis eyes’, I could pick her out on a crowded street by her famous strut. Davis never glided into a room, she led with her shoulders and left none in doubt as to who owned that room. When she showed anger her eyes shot firebolts. And she could cut out a line with edges sharp enough to slice through iron. Her roles were often strong, bold and intimidating. That was Bette Davis.

Monty Woolley, Bette Davis and Ann Sheridan in “The Man Who Came to Dinner”

While I have admired and enjoyed Bette in all of her films I think my personal favorite has to be The Man Who Came to Dinner with Monty Woolley. The movie is on my must-watch list every holiday, but I so enjoy watching Bette and Monty bounce off of each other that I tend to watch it even when it’s not Christmas. Watching her with Jimmy Durante and Ann Sheridan just adds to the magic.

On August 14th TCM will honor Davis with thirteen of her films including Jezebel, Dark Victory, Dangerous, Now, Voyager and The Letter, all for which she garnered Academy nominations. She won the Oscar for her performances in Dangerous and Jezebel. The Man Who Came to Dinner finishes off the evening, much to my delight. Some of Davis’ very early work is also included.

Set your DVRs and plan your TV pleasure with a day with Bette Davis.

6:00 AM Parachute Jumper (1933)
7:30 AM The Girl from 10th Avenue (1935)
9:00 AM Dangerous (1935)
10:30 AM The Petrified Forest (1936)
12:00 PM Jezebel (1938)
2:00 PM The Letter (1940)
3:45 PM Now, Voyager (1942)
5:45 PM Watch on the Rhine (1943)
7:45 PM Carson on TCM: Bette Davis (2013)
8:00 PM Ex-Lady (1933)
9:15 PM Dark Victory (1939)
11:15 PM The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
1:15 AM The Dick Cavett Show: Bette Davis (1971)
2:30 AM Payment on Demand (1951)
4:15 AM The Nanny (1965)