Did anyone see Bette Davis on Broadway? - Page 2

[green waver]

Posted: 2/25/17 at 9:19am

Jordan Catalano said: "After Eight's grand daughter was in Bette Davis' 3rd grade school play with her so he saw that a couple of times. According to historical archives, he absolutely hated it."

Funny, Jordan. Maybe you and After Eight could remake Whatever Happened To Baby Jane!

[Roland von Berlin]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 6:09am

I, too, saw Davis in The Night of the Iguana. As I remember it, Davis didn't have that much to work with, while Leighton's role really took off (in a subtle and magical way, albeit) in Act Two. All the wonderful Tennessee Williams poetry is written for the Leighton and O'Neal characters. Even the old Nonno is more interesting than Davis' part.

I can see that Ava Gardner, through sheer life-loving charisma, got more out of Davis' role in the film version. Also, it may have been rewritten to give her more to do. Doesn't she have a sexy swimming scene with Richard Burton?

I don't think the play was appreciated sufficiently when it was new, because there were so many interesting plays and musicals going up then. But in the end, whatever her part was like, Bette Davis did create a storm, as she always did. Difficult, but worth it.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 12:43pm

Thanks for the wonderful Opera News article link CarolineOrChange21 as well as your post and pictures from MISS MOFFIT. Much appreciated.

[stillastar]

Posted: 3/28/17 at 2:31pm

Not on Broadway but she spoke at Boston University in the 70s. I was shocked to find that this dynamic, powerful, whirlwind of a performer stood a mere 5 feet tall. What did not surprise me and what did mesmerize was the degree of her intelligence, her natural wit, her ferocity. She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand and it was all unscripted peppered with memorable impromptu responses. She talked about her childhood, her movies, her stage work, her personal life. A salty, sassy, savvy gal. No one ever was like Bette, no one ever will be.