Bette Davis Books

This is a well-written and exhaustively researched book about Bette Davis. The narrative of her complex life is always entertaining and is presented in chronological fashion. Her career serves as the backdrop for this analytical recounting of her colorful life. The focus, however, remains on Bette Davis, the woman, and her story is skillfully told.

The portrait of Ms. Davis that emerges from the pages of this book is a sympathetic one, despite the author's presentation of Ms. Davis as a flesh and blood woman with many issues. It is a biography that will keep the reader turning its pages, as it is so eminently readable. Moreover, the black and white photographs that are included in the book serve to augment the reader's enjoyment. Fans of Bette Davis, as well as those who appreciate well-written biographies and memoirs, will find much to like about this book.

Readable, detailed and persuasive, this serious biography of Bette Davis offers a balanced, engrossing account of her colorful life. The author clearly recounts her dogged rise to screen stardom, her stormy marriages, and her often contradictory actions and statements. Many of the murkier incidents in the actress's life (namely the mysterious death of her second husband) are closely examined. Davis' acting, and the relative worth and importance of her many films get short shrift, but as a standard biography of a film star, Spada's book is quite solid. It's probably best read in tandem with Davis' autobiography, "The Lonely Life", and the memoir "Mother Goddam" to which she contributed notes and addendum. A more entertaining account of Davis, with better analysis of her films, is Lawrence Quirk's fan-oriented "Faster Your Seatbelts: The Tempestuous Life Of Bette Davis." Now, that book is truly a joy to read!

I appreciated the intricate details Spada provided in the telling of Davis' life story. What I could have done without were the implications that Davis caused the death of her husband as well as the brain damage from which her adopted daughter suffered! Apparently no accidents even peripherally connected with Davis can occur without making her bear the burdon of the blame. Is this amateur sleuthing or sensationalism or just mean-spiritedness? Makes you wonder if BD Hyman had a hand in the writing of this book.

James Spada has written a thoroughly detailed, well-researched novel about the life of one of the movies' most enduring stars. He spares no punches to Bette Davis, but, at the same time, offers better understanding of her motives in many situations. The chapters dealing with the last four years of her life were enough to bring tears to my eyes, as I could just imagine this wonderful woman hurting so badly from the betrayal of daughter B.D. Bette's son Michael, however, proves to be a loyal, forgiving son to her. The last line really sums it up when it says something to the effect of.....and she would be happy to know that her fans miss and respect her despite the fact that she was less than a perfect human being. This is a GREAT biography!!!

Thanks for the book and sending it so fast. Great Service!!

The name of the movie is "A Stolen Life." It costars Glenn Ford & was the only movie Bette ever produced when Warner Bros. allowed her to set up her own production company, BD Inc.

I'd like more but you covered it all so WELL!!!You should put this back in print it would sell sell sell AGAIN!!! Can you help me? One thing I'm DYING to know is the name of the movie Betty Davis played in where she plays an identical twin, and her sister drowns in the lake while they are out boating together alone, and the evil twin takes the idenity of the nice twin. Thanks. Also I'll be reading MORE of your other books and Ilook forward to it.Thank You.

affron's text is insightful; the frame enlargements are helpful and supportive of the text.

the most interesting aspect of this book could be its only failing. by choosing to study gish's silent work, davis and bridging the two with garbo, who acted in both silent and sound film, there is not a clear reason why affron selected these three. nor is there a clear connection between the three. not to mention, davis' filmography was the most accessible, as well as the most diverse (yes, that can be argued but how many of gish's films actually survive to disprove what i'm saying?) and davis could warrant a book all her own.

so, if it is of interest, read closely and draw your own conclusion. i will be doing it again very soon.

Written before the age of video and DVD, where images can be frozen or the real time of movement altered, this book features over 750 frame enlargements from the films in which Lillian Gish, Greta Garbo and Bette Davis appeared. These enlargements dissect the craft of each star's acting style, by reproducing moments, often close-ups, in a frame by frame study, and also documents the evolution and refinement of technique. The chapters on Gish are less interesting to me (a matter of personal taste), but the ones on Garbo and Davis are priceless. The films Garbo made were notoriously inferior to what she brought to them. Nowhere is this more evident than in her silent period, though Affron gives us images from films lost or unavailable to us. An example is A Woman of Affairs and the sequence where she embraces a bouquet of flowers from her lover. Affron's images convey the series of expressions that range from relief, panic at the thought of losing the bouquet again, and hysteria. The enlargements capture the transitions, and the "organic and spontaneous nature of her epiphany". The text which accompanies the frames is often hyperbolic and unnecessary. Garbo's sound era is best represented and finalised by the enlargements from Camille, since Affron does not cover Conquest, Ninotchka or Two-Faced Woman. Affron's chapters on Davis cover her apprenticeship with Warner Bros, highlights the three films she made with William Wyler - Jezebel, The Letter and The Little Foxes - as exercises in control and focus, and culminates in her triumph in All About Eve. There is an argument that reducing film performance, particulary ones from a talkie, is diminishing the accomplishment of the performer. While this book could be used as an alternative to the films the frames are taken from, I prefer to use it as a supplement to the films, and an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and talent of these extraordinary actors

this book can't be trusted-- too many unattributed quotes. based on my having read so many other joan and bette biographies, however, it appears to tonally, if not factually accurate. in any event, it is great fun; it's the book that got me started on all those other bios in the first place.

If you're a fan of Bette and Joan, you'll surely get a kick out of Shaun Considine's "The Divine Feud". It's filled with hilarious anecdotes, catty quips and perfectly distills the lives of these two Hollywood legends.

Bette Davis would have liked to think she had absolutely nothing in common with Joan Crawford. The truth would have it otherwise. Both stars ruled their respective movie studios with an iron fist, had numerous husbands--and even boyfriends in common; and both had daughters who wrote poisonous hatchet jobs about their upbringings.

Davis considered herself the "Actress" and Crawford the "Movie Star". They only came together for one very memorable movie, "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", which has gone down in history as one of the milestones of camp cinema. This book explores their individual careers and personal lives with great detail but never seems laboured or dry. The witty, chatty narrative of Considine gives the book an enjoyable tone. To be fair, the author also points out the various flaws and failings in his subjects--proving that life is always in shades of gray.

"The Divine Feud" is bound to be a must-own volume for the devotees of Ms Crawford and Ms Davis.

Only mildly entertaining because so little of it rings true. The frequent quotes are often as not from the columns of Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper or from a gossip magazine called Motion Picture, yet they are treated as fact. There is little analysis of the artistry and ravishing beauty of Crawford and Davis' film work.The endless exchanges of witless, bitchy quips is, in the end, deadening and depressing.

Here's a treat for you: the inside scoop of two legendary divas who ruled the screens while despising one another, who nearly came to blows on the set of the classic Whatever Happened to Baby Jane movie, and whose love hate relationship was as famous as their tormented lives behind the glamour. Take Inside Edition's tabloid style and add a touch of Entertainment Tonight's interview vault and you get a pretty good idea what's in store for you. Sure, the novel doesn't break any literary ground, but what do you expect when its theme is the over-the-top antics of its two subjects.-----Martin Boucher

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.

This is one of the most comprehensive bios I have ever read. Very honest and ... like being in the room with Bette Davis. I was absolutely enchanted by it.

There is no need to buy any other book about Bette Davis but this one! It has it all---in her words as well as excerpts from others. Having read other books about this celebrated actress, this book won hands down as a must read. Trust me, you will be awed by this. It's simply a book that you cannot put down till you finish it.

I loved this intriguing biography of Bette Davis. Moser's elegant prose makes it a pleasure to read. She writes with great detail and really gets into Bette's psychology. Even as a true Bette fan, I gained a lot of insight by reading this book! What a complicated woman...

A shallow treatment of Bette Davis' career and a mean-spirited run down of her in her private life, via BD, Bette's universally despised daughter, who wrote a memoir of her mother so inaccurate . even the most solid of Bette's detractors hated it.

Many "facts" are lifted from BD's pages about her mother, and then Moser tries for analysis of certain films, by way of the Films Of Bette Davis. Not an original thought here at all..of course she never met Bette Davis , nor has she seen her films.

Get This N' That and The Lonely Life,by Miss Davis herself, and The "Interview" books..Mother Godamn, and I'd Kiss Ya..etc." for better information.

Moser has the nerve to cite BD's book as a souce that's not very good(she says), but irresitible..irresistable for copying and agreeing with all of it.Avoid this one.

A terrible book about a truly great artist and star.

Like all Baxt's entries in the famous people murder mysteries, this one is a true satire. In it we see the incomparable Miss Bette Davis as she takes up residence in England while waiting for her contract court case with Warner Brothers. She is staying in an archeologist's house and while there the archeologist is found dead in his own study. Bette is thrown in with her neighbour, none other than Agatha Christie the famous mystery writer to and they're trying to solve a murder. Before the book is done another death occurs, and the story rushes to its conclusion. The setting of the book only takes place over a 12-hour stretch and a lot happens in that time frame. Bette gets a taste of what a truly disfunctional family is like. The book was OK and there are lots of twists and turns, but I didn't find that it showed the true Bette. It missed somehow. She was a multi-faceted woman and a wonderful actress, but this book falls short a bit in its depiction of her true character. The mystery is fun though, and if read in the context of a satire is well worth it.

Bette Davis is having problems in Hollywood. Warner Brothers won't provide the juicy parts she needs to broaden her screen career, and she wants to renegotiate her contract. Also, her marriage seems to be on the rocks. So naturally, she decides to sail to England to get away from it all. On the ship she meets Nydia Tilson, a prominent medium. And since Bette is looking for a place to live while in London, Nydia suggests she rent the mansion of her former fiancé, the famous archaeologist, Virgil Wynn. Bette is more that willing to do so.

Unfortunately, it appears as if someone is slowly murdering Virgil, who realizes this but with stiff British upper lip sits around fading away while planning to leave on his next (and probably last) archaeological dig.

Bette moves in the day Virgil that moves out for journey to Egypt. She also meets her next door neighbor a certain Mrs. Mallowan, who just happens to be a writer with a passion for eating apples.

The next morning Bette wakes to discover Virgil's dead body. Informing her neighbor of the situation Agatha Mallowan responds, "My specialité. A body in the library!"

The rest of the novel unwinds in true Christie-style with loads of suspicious friends, relatives and hired help. (Unfortunately, there's no butler who could have done it.)

As in all of his celebrity mysteries, Baxt has again thoroughly researched both the history of the era and the lives of Bette Davis and Agatha Christie. This results in a very believable and enjoyable work. This one set on my book shelf for a couple of years before I got around to reading it. So you might have a hard time finding a copy of it. If you do, grab it because it is a fun read.

The thing I found most enjoyable was reading Bette Davis speaking - a strong and vibrant personality comes through and it is both enjoyable and interesting to read.

Also, in it she reveals some information such as names of affairs which she says that she didn't reveal in her own biography The Lonely Life. She discusses her thoughts on co-stars and loves and family, it's fascinating.

I happened upon this book quite by accident. While impatiently waiting for one of my libraries to have 'The Girl Who Walked Home Alone' (the new Bette Davis Bio) available, I found this book, and figured, what the heck, maybe this would hold me over till I could get the new one. Well, it was much better than I expected! It was Bette telling her own stories in her own words, to her good friend and author Whitney Stine.

Mr. Stine became a fan of Ms. Davis's when he was 8, and kept a scrapbook of the star all throughout her career. Well, in 1968, and in his thirties, he finally got the chance to meet her after she heard he was writing a Biography of her career, not her life (Mother Goddam - 1974). She was intrigued, and once the two met, they remained very close friends for almost 20 years.

What I enjoyed most about this book was it was conversations that Bette had had with Mr. Stine over their 20 year friendship. Bette herself explaining her favorite movies, people she did and didn't like working with, tidbits about her personal life, awards she'd won, and missed opportunities. It wasn't some author who never knew her personally making up things they thought had happened, or filling in blanks themselves.

Overall I was very pleased with this book...and am very glad I found it. Now that I've had my Bette Davis fill, I can be a little more patient while waiting for her new bio to become available!

"Bette Davis - A Celebration" was written by Alexander Walker, the film critic for the London 'Standard'. During his career, he interviewed Davis several times, getting under the Diva's skin.

He writes authoritatively about Davis' career: from her early days in stock companies to her super-stardom and decline. As a celebration of her career, the book charms.

But what makes this book an above-avarage bio is the hundreds upon hundreds of carefully chosen stills of her films from the extensive Kobal Collection.

As entertaining as it is hard to put down. A must for anybody who has a keen interest in Hollywood history.

A woman I know says she's seen "Now Voyager" 34 times. Practically everybody has seen "all About Eve" at least 10-12 times. Any insomniac can do 10 minutes on Bette Davis's fire-and-ice, or "Elizabeth and Essex." So there's been some call for a decent biography of the star.

Charles Higham, veteran Hollywood journalist, was among those who answered. (He also authored books on Marlene Dietrich, Katherine Hepburn, and Errol Flynn, the latter being quite controversial in its time, due to the allegations he made against Flynn. )However, his Davis book, while it unspools a much more dramatic offstage life than you might expect, is reasonably responsible in its treatment of his subject's juicy private existence: he makes no sensational allegations against her, and sticks pretty closely to known, or verifiable facts.

Bette Davis was born of sturdy New England stock, though her parents divorced. She wanted to be an actress from an early age, and was blessed--and burdened-- by an ambitious stage mother, Ruthie, who helped Davis achieve success (Bette supported her in luxury as soon as she was able.) In addition,she had to support an envious, emotionally troubled sister who frequently required expensive hospitalization.

She had affairs with famed director William Wyler, and multi-millionaire Howard Hughes, but she married four weak men whom she had to support. Her second husband died in mysterious, violent circumstances. Her fourth, actor Gary Merrill, took to drinking heavily; she had several widely publicized battles with him to keep him away from their adopted son. Then she adopted an infant girl who turned out to be mentally retarded: she had to keep her in pricey private care. And then there was the daughter who hurt Bette the most, towards the end of her life, publishing a "Mommie Dearest"-style attack on Ms Davis, similar to that published by Joan Crawfod's adopted daughter.

So Davis saw quite a bit of turmoil in her private life, and, as for her courageous highly-publicized public battles with Warner Brothers, her studio: well, they helped every actor who came after her.

Finally, it seems she suffered all her working life from peculiar accidents, bad luck, ill health, and the odd nervous breakdown. All of which suffering should prove as vicariously satisfactory to the interested reader as a good old Joan Crawford movie.

But first and last, of course, there is the work and that outlives Joan Crawford-- and Bette Davis.

This is an excellent well-written look at Bette Davis' life and career up to 1981 when it was published. Author Charles Higham is somewhat notorious for his more controversial biographies such as the one on Errol Flynn but this one on Davis has it's feet on the ground (although his allegations that Joan Crawford lusted after Davis were quite shocking to many back then and denied by some). It was also the first book on Davis that punctured her carefully constructed image as a serene grande dame of films off the screen and the first to write of her romances with Howard Hughes and William Wyler. Even with opening the door on some aspects of Davis' life, he is fairly respectful and seems to admire her courage and strength. Davis herself did not knock the book which should say something. Try to get a hardcover version with the gorgeous pop artwork dustjacket of Davis from her ALL ABOUT EVE era.