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| Davis with Baxter, Monroe and Sanders in All About Eve |
This documentary on the great film star is part of a British TV series entitled Discovering Film. This is a fair to moderate look at Davis, briefly recounting her origins, and discussing her roles in such films as Of Human Bondage, Dangerous, Now, Voyager, The Letter, All About Eve and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Author Sarah Gristwood offers some interesting comments on Davis, whereas photographer Curtice (sic) Taylor offers an unlikely anecdote and the mere observations of a typical fan boy. Other interviewees include Ian Nathan, editor of Empire -- who incorrectly pronounces Davis' first name as if she were Bette Midler -- and a London film critic, who is generally credible but also offers up some inaccuracies: Davis did not make "several" films with Joan Crawford (aside from Baby Jane there were just the few aborted scenes in Hush ... Hush Sweet Charlotte) and when the critic suggests that Margo Channing wasn't one of the "central" characters in the film you wonder if he's even seen All About Eve. Lots of clips, but this is hardly essential viewing for Davis fans or even anyone who wants to learn more about her.
Verdict: Bette deserves better. **.
I also saw this one recently and agree with you totally, Bill --a strange documentary full of easily-checked inaccuracies.
ReplyDeleteActually, I have yet to see a definitive Davis doc--there are a few good ones for contemporaries like Crawford, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth...even Shirley Temple, but Davis does deserve better than this, you're right!
-C
I still can't believe that there are still film enthusiasts who pronounce Davis' first name "Bet," instead of Bet-ee, LOL! I blame Bette Midler!
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