tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067902550504189621.post2264306309232875540..comments2024-02-14T10:34:56.184+00:00Comments on Black and White: Cinema and Chocolate: Bette Davis, 1937Miguelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04531415630123832435noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067902550504189621.post-45011993474531098862009-11-29T01:47:54.281+00:002009-11-29T01:47:54.281+00:00I've long said one difference between Bette Da...I've long said one difference between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford is that while neither appeared in many comedies, Davis could do the genre and Crawford really couldn't; she was a solid dramatic deftness but lacked the deftness needed for comedy. Unfortunately, Davis was at Warners, a studio which after the Code was implemented lost its way with comedy (not that Jack Warner seemed to care; comedy wasn't going to help Warners become "respectable"). <br /><br />Had Davis and Crawford switched studios in the 1930s -- MGM wasn't Columbia or RKO where romantic comedy was concerned, but at least had a feel for the genre -- Davis might have come off better as a comedic actress.<br /><br />In October 1938, "Lux Radio Theater" did an adaptation of "That Certain Woman" with Carole Lombard and Basil Rathbone in the Davis and Fonda roles. Carole seems comfortable with the material, though it isn't much.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067902550504189621.post-52420310112867215342009-10-20T22:08:45.039+01:002009-10-20T22:08:45.039+01:00Thanks. I think this set of films shows the change...Thanks. I think this set of films shows the change in the studio's perception of her. "That Certain Woman" is very weak, but it has great production values - and in the second half she looks like she came out of "Dark Victory"Miguelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04531415630123832435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8067902550504189621.post-21795814989685262182009-10-19T02:17:16.140+01:002009-10-19T02:17:16.140+01:00Great post. Good comparisons between the different...Great post. Good comparisons between the different films Davis made in 1937, excellent concept. I actually like Bette during this "just before she hit it big" stage. As you said, it shows her range and the freshness and youth is still present. Good job.Ruperthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15526556689348727001noreply@blogger.com