I've been watching a lot of old black and white movies lately. And I'm trying to decide which actress is the best: Joan Crawford or Bette Davis? I think Davis was awesome in Of Human Bondage. Plus I liked her a lot in The Petrified Forest. But there's something about Crawford that I find so completely haunting and intelligent. Even in a bad movie (like Female on the Beach) she always manages to give a stunning performance. And now I'm about to watch Sudden Fear! So do you think one is more talented than the other? Also, the great Leslie Howard appeared in two of the Davis flicks I enjoyed most: The Petrified Forest and Of Human Bondage. However, I first discovered him in Pygmalion, and never forgot that aristocratic face or charming voice. I think he is one of the all time great actors, yet not many people I mention him to have ever even heard of him. Am I the only one to appreciate Leslie Howard's oddly appealing charm? Peace, PD
Actresses of that time have a style and air about them that makes them special. Whether or not you are into old movies, they were different to the way actresses are today. You can't compare, today's actresses perform not act. A lot of it's bullshit. Did you see Mommy Dearest? Holy crap and that was just the flick
I've always liked Davis better. If you liked those 2 movies try these out. All About Eve - Davis Mildred Pierce - Crawford Hope you enjoy them
A side by side comparison is possible with "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962). Off hand, I think Bette Davis would take Joan Crawford in acting. In a knife fight, Joan over Bette. Joan had longer arms, meaning a longer reach. Also Bette appeared a little stockier, hence a little slower. Another interesting question would be who was the better actress: Bette Davis or Katherine Hepburn?
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is such a great movie...I love that one. I'm not so sure about a knife fight though. Joan probably would have won,with the knife. But what about a bareknuckle street fight? I think Bette's stockier build would be a plus...more power behind her punches.
I think your right about the bareknuckle street brawl between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. We almost had a chance finding out during the filming of "Baby Jane". Seems neither wanted to be upstaged by the other by arriving first on stage from their dressing room. The end result was neither would leave their trailer. The director solved this problem by standing next to their trailers and yelling "Fire!". It worked. A tougher question, would who would win in a knifefight or bareknuckle brawl: Katherine Hepburn or Joan Crawford. Both have the same build and reach. I would have to give both bouts to Joan Crawford. While both are physically equal, I believe Joan came from a less prosperous upbringing than Katherine. Probably survive many knife fights and street brawls before moving on to Hollywood. As far as acting goes, my favorite Katherine Hepburn movies are "A Lion in Winter" and "African Queen". "Lion" is a amazing film for not only the acting of the cast and story but who was in it, Timothy Dalton, Peter O'Toole, Anthony Hopkins. Great Cast.
Yeah, I read something about the strange way Leslie Howard died. Totally weird way to go. Did anybody ever find out what really happened? I do think Crawford eventually became a very good actress. Bette Davis is fun to watch. But except for some very early flicks, she tends to take things a bit too far. That might work on the stage, but it's not nearly as good in the movies. Peace, PD
I saw the movie (now considered a camp classic), and read the book. It has since been proven that almost everything said about Crawford in the book (written by her vindictive adopted daughter) is a lie. All of Joan's other adopted children have said that Christina (the bitter author) was jealous of her famous mother's talent, and resented her for not helping her to further her own acting career. She was more the soap opera type, yet wanted to be a big movie star like her mother. But she lacked talent and good looks, so she did the next best thing: She wrote a trashy book about how she was this poor little victim, and what a terrible monster Joan Crawford was in real life. It's all pure fiction. And made a ton of money for Christina. Sadly, many people still believe every word in the book is true. When the actual victim of the story is Joan Crawford. Peace, PD
Actually, Bette Davis was the more caustic of the two. Crawford hated confrontation, and tried to get along with everybody. Davis was totally rude to Crawford during the "Baby Jane" filming, and even went so far as to make several bitchy remarks in print about Joan. So I think Davis would win any kind of fight. I mean, remember how she kicked the shit out of Joan in "Baby Jane"? I think that was a lot more than mere acting on her part. LOL. She really did not like Crawford. Peace, PD
I think you're right,about Joan being able to overcome Katherine. Katherine didn't strike me as a fighter. She seemed more graceful,more dignified. Not that Joan and Bette weren't,but they definitely seemed more catty..more likely to stop at nothing to get what they wanted.
That's sort of funny...to think the acting in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane was more than just acting. It's a great movie,very believable..so I wouldn't be too surprised if there were real hateful emotions fueling the scenes. I will admit though,the story of Mommy Dearest does play a huge part in my image of Joan Crawford. I didn't know any of it had been proven a lie..that's interesting.
WHAT!?!?! Greta Garbo mops the floor with those two. Look at Garbo and Crawford in 'The Grand Hotel'. Crawford has twice as many scenes, but it's the mysterious ancient soul of Garbo that transfixes the entire film. Garbo in 'Camile'. Can you even imagine Davis trying to be Camile? What a joke! Garbo in Nanotchka; could you even imagine Davis or Crawford as a hardline bolshevick cadre and making it hilarious? NO WAY! But it's Greta Garbo in the great Eugene O'Neil's story 'Anna Christie' that shows the inigma of Garbo. It's no coincedence that Garbo is considered the greatest actress that Hollywood has ever produced. Even Norma Shearer, who Crawford hated with a passion, is a more powerful pressence on screen than either Crawford or Davis. So is Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, Ingrid Bergman, Jean Harlow, Mae West, ext. ext. ext. And Barbara Stanwyck as well. Ever seen her in 'Baby Face'. POWERFUL! But if I had to pick between Crawford and Davis, I would pick Davis. Leslie Howard I just watched last night in the film 'Intermetzo' with Ingrid Bergman. He does have a certain something about him, but let's not forget, that in his career, he was given roles that other actors would have died for. Still, Leslie does give his Characters a certain poetic Lord Byron quality. Such as in the 'Petrified Forest'.
WHAT!?!?!?!?!? LOL. Actually, I finally got to see Joan in "Sudden Fear" (OUTSTANDING!! Get this one ASAP!), and I tend to consider her a more interesting actress than Davis, Garbo, and Norma Shearer (of all people!). With the right director, Crawford really could be quite amazing. In the same way that Marilyn Monroe could be quite awesome (or very bad) depending on the director. I think a large part of Garbo's appeal was her charming accent. It made her seem a lot more profound (and exotic) than she actually was. I'm glad you like Leslie Howard (sorta?). I hear he was just as good on the stage as he was in most of his films. I've liked him immensely in every flick of his I've seen. Except for "Gone With The Wind." His talent was totally wasted in that one. Peace, PD
(FYI) In the book "Hollywood Babylon" can be found spread shot photos of Joan Crawford circe 1930's along with lesbian poses with another woman. I'm talking full blown twat shots here kids! No kiddin'!
OK, I'll definitely check-out 'Sudden Fear', if I can find it on Netflix. So who was the right director in this Crawford film? I recomend Norma Shearer in 'The Divorcee' Remember, Norma Shearer was a bigger star than Crawford until the Sunday School sissies censored all powerful female roles with their Code in '34. After that, Women ceased being the biggest stars in Hollywood, and have been secondary to Male roles to this day. If you like the powerful social realism of the great Eugene O'Neil, then I strongly recommend his story 'Anna Christie' with Greta Garbo. Garbo's persona appears to be on the verge of disintegrating right before the camera. Like an ancient old soul waking-up and finding itself inhabiting the body of a young woman.
The book 'Hollywood Babylon' has been completely debunked by film historians. However, I don't know about the photos.
I don't know about that but I will say I de-bunked myself after seeing Joan Crawfords vertical gash! Nothing like jerking off to a 70 year old black and white photo!
