Bette and Joan

by Shaun Considine

Book Overview

"Sizzling! They still make today's stars look like pups." Liz Smith, Columnist

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 052524770X
• ISBN13: 9780525247708
• Release Date: November 1989
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 451 Pages
• Weight: 1.98 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A 50+ Year Rivalry

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were two of the biggest stars of their time, and their time lasted several decades. Each appeared in important movies and were staples of the golden age of Hollywood. Both worked for Warner Brothers for a time, made one (and a half) film(s) together, and both ended their careers in a series of cheap horror flicks. Perhaps it is because of these similarities that they seemed to have a rivalry, although they often ignored or denied its existence. This book examines the careers of both women and the surprising parallels between them. Crawford was a poor, fast flapper whose hard work paid off and landed her at MGM, the star factory. Her entire demeanor was manufactured and she played the role of a star both on and off screen. She had a tendency to reach out to even the least prestigious people on the set, even if her gestures seemed forced at times. Davis on the other hand came from the stage. She felt superior to Crawford and other actors who grew up on the screen. She was difficult to get along with at times, but always had a sense of humor about herself and strove to be a good actress. Their personalities clashed intensely and culminated when they starred together in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? But the feud did not end there; it could only be ended in death. This book is well researched with an extensive bibliography. It is very well written. The chapters are divided into segments which makes for quick and easy reading. There are plenty of quotes by fellow actors, family members, and members of the press to provide a general outlook on the ladies and not just one point of view. Although not all of their films are discussed, the important ones are here. A worthwhile read for both seasoned fans of the ladies and the casual classic film viewer, author Shaun Considine will not disappoint.

What a coupla great broads

This is a really well-written book---two bio's in one, parallel chronologies expertly interwoven, and bountiful barbs. Hilarious as well as poignant, this one volume brought these true legends much more to life than any of their individual auto/biographies I've read. Through comparison and contrast---more often than not in their own oblique or direct words---Considine captures Bette and Joan from angles not, I think, so fully considered in other works. One comes to a better understanding of their personalities and how each both affected, and was affected by, their numerous characters as well as each other in their endless arguments over which was the "actor" and which the "star." Augumentatively orbiting each other for decades until their professional tangent in "Baby Jane", these two really did share much mutual respect and admiration, though seemingly less for the person and more for the performer. Virtually all of it, however, went unexpressed or unbelieved.One wonders what might have been had these two followed the last sentiments of Jane to Blanche: "you mean all this time we coulda been friends?" But think of the tangalizing tale of Hollywood oneupmanship we would have missed if they had.(note: there is no mention of Bette's death in this 1989 publication, which evidently preceeded it in October of the same year)

Fascinating! ...

I absolutely loved this book!... The amazing thing was, I expected to hate Joan Crawford and love Bette Davis, but my reaction to the book was the exact opposite. Bette comes off so cold and callous as to be downright inhuman. Joan, on the other hand, is fascinating, passionate, and utterly, utterly human. The funny thing is, it is obvious to me that the author shares my initial prejudice; clearly, he intends for us to love Bette and hate Joan, but even so, Joan comes off far more interesting and sympathetic.The person who comes off the worst is Joan's daughter Christina, author of "Mommie Dearest." She appears as nasty, vicious and a total brat, even as an adult. Again, the author clearly intends for us to side with Christina against Joan, but I empathized with Joan. For example, on page 275, the author tells us Joan employed "mental torture" on Christina. Yet his only three example are, Joan burned a pair of Tina's "tight toreador pants", made her do "messy housework" and, for her birthday, gave Christina a single earring, with the promise that she would receive the other earring at graduation if Christina got good marks. This is mental torture? It sounds like basic parenting to me. I wish more parents would burn their teenaged daughter's [ugly] clothes. It makes me think that all of "Mommie Dearest" is grossly exaggerated, written by a bitter, vengeful Christina who desperately wanted to tarnish her mother's image.The author tells us that Joan made many attempts to befriend Bette Davis, and was constantly repulsed in the most vulgar manner. Bette, though a far greater actress, seems a total bore in real life, unconcerned about her husband(s), her children, or anything except her own genius. She never passed up a chance to humiliate Joan. I'd much rather spend an evening with Joan.

Very Well Done

THis book examines the so-called fued between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. It follows the girls lives from childhood, to their acting careers, and to their battles with their grown children. It is extremely thorough Mr. Considine interviews numerous actors, families, and the lovers of both Davis and Crawford. If you are a Joan Crawford or Bette Davis fan, this is the book to get

Wonderfully trashy, campy, and fun....

This is a wonderfully trashy book that focuses on the careers and lives of the great Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. It's by far the best book on either of them. Great book for anyone with a good sense of camp who enjoys these great actresses!