Provided you're taking the retrospective view, that old tag, 'The First Lady of the Screen' - after examining all the contenders - belongs decisively and firmly to Bette Davis. Speaking of her great years, when she was not only gilt-edged box offices, but in a variety of roles a wonder to the critics. Gene Ringgold has written that her films comprise an admirable record, one that may never be equalled by another film actress. When everything has been said against her - and much has been said - she remains unrivalled as a screen actress.

text by Stephen Bourne at BFI London L&G Film Festival

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This Filmgoer's Choice

:( = really bad

:| = ok

:) = good

:) :) :) = nearly perfect

:) :) :) :) =classic

* means image not by Roy Tan

+ means photo owned by Roy Tan for ebay

R means illustration by Roy Tan

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These are the films I have seen so far and would like to share with you.

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Cabin in the Cotton,1932 Warner Bros :)

+

a collector's still from the film.

Cabin in The Cotton,

directed by Michael Curtiz.

Cast : Bette Davis, Richard Barthelmess.

Released in 1932 Warner Brother Picture.

R

Fact ,Quote and Rumour

''Ah'd love to t'kiss yew, but ah jes washed mah hair'' said Davis, the sexually charged Southern belle.

After five consecutive pictures at Warner Davis, got her first good notices for Cabin in the Cotton.

That year Crawford was co-starred with Greta Garbo ( Crawford's idol ) in Grand Hotel.

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Jezebel, 1938 Warner Bros :) :)

+

Henry Fonda and Bette Davis in Jezebel.

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*

The Sisters, 1938 Warner Bros :)

+

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*

Dark Victory, 1939 Warners Bros :) :) :)

available at Tower Records ( London )

+

According to Ms Davis, this was one of her best

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*

Juarez,1939 Warner Bros :) :)

x

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The Old Maid, 1939 Warner Bros :) :)

+

+

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The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, 1939 Warner Bros :)

+

A rare photo collection from France.

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*

All this and Heaven Too, 1940 Warner Bros :)

available at Tower Records ( London )

x

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The Letter, 1940 Warner Bros :) :) :)

+

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The Great Lie, 1941 Warner Bros :) :)

+

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The Bride Came C.O.D., 1941 Warner Bros Warner Bros :(

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*

also in DVD

The Little Foxes, 1941 Samuel Goldwyn Warner Bros :) :) :)

available from Tower Records ( London )

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The Man Who Came To Dinner, 1942 Warner Bros :|

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In This Our Life, 1942 Warner Bros :) :)

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*

Now, Voyager, 1942 Warner Bros :) :) :)

The classic smoking scene

available at Tower Records ( London )

x

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Watch On The Rhine, 1943 Warner Bros :(

available from Tower Records ( London )

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Old Acquaintance, 1943 Warner Bros :) :)

+

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*

Mr. Skeffington, 1944 Warner Bros :) :) :)

Mr Skeffington, directed by Vincent Sherman.

Cast :Bette Davis (Mrs Skeffington), Claude Rains (Mr Skeffington)

released 1944 by Warner Bros. M301310 MGM/UA

R

Fact, Quote and Rumour

"A woman is beautiful only when she is loved."- Mr Skeffington.

Joan Crawford joined Warner Bros. that year, Two Queen Bees in one hive!

Crawford asked for the dressing room next to Davis.

Bette's husband Arthur Farnsworth rumored a drunk, fell, hit his head and died in Hollywood Boulevard.

''Five months of sheer hell'' said one CO-worker when working on the set of Mr.Skeffington.

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A Stolen Life, 1946 Warner Bros :) :)

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*

Deception, 1946 Warner Bros :)

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*

Winter Meeting, 1948 Warner Bros :)

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*

June Bride, 1948 Warner Bros :)

+

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Beyond the Forest, 1949 Warner Bros :) :)

Last film with Warner Bros. Her long contract had finally come to an end.

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click for continuation of Bette's film