* As this series of Oscars Leading Ladies continues, we begin to notice an overarching
set of qualities that these unique yet iconic women have. Strong looks equaled their strong
personas. Not only did Bette Davis stand out with her unconventional looks but also
her strong willed attitude. She did not settle for second best and never took any mediocrity.*
After taking on acting classes and hitting Broadway, Bette was recruited from the stage
to the screen during Hollywood’s revamping of film productions in the early 1930’s.
Universal Studios did not know what to do with the 22 year old, so they cast her in a
few minor roles. In a sea of alluring blondes, Bette stood out but felt like the odd one out.
She knew that her acting had to be top notch. In 1932 Warner Brothers contracted Davis. She
starred in Of Human Bondage in 1934 for RKO. When that movie came out,
it put Davis on the map. The following year, at the 1935 Academy Awards she was nominated for the
Best Actress Award already! She lost to Claudette Colbert. It was a big deal that Davis did not win
because her performance was deemed by many, even Norma Shearer who had a won four years earlier,
as the best. The problem was that Hollywood executives were going around telling people not to
vote for Davis. That year the awards had a write in ballot voting technique. It was used only that
time. This loss infuriated Davis, but nonetheless she moved on. She had to prove herself more.
But it seemed that it was not Davis’s time yet. Because, she literally won the Oscar
for best actress the following year in 1936. For her performance in Dangerous.
(MORE) (CONT'D)
Apparently Davis didn’t want to even attend the ceremony. But was forced
to by Jack Warner of Warner Brothers. Her first ever Oscar was considered a consolation prize for
her snub the year before. Her act of rebellion triggered executives even though she was great
on screen. The studios resisted to cast Davis in more major roles after Dangerous. She kept getting
pigeonholed. This moment really was the last straw for Davis with Hollywood and its manipulations.
* This whole diva act did not fly. So she fled to England while still on contract with Warner
Bros in 1937 Once Warner Bros found out the breach of contract, they took Davis
to court. They sued her and terminated the contract. Funnily enough, this feud did not
last long and Davis miraculously got offered a new contract, a salary raise and starring roles
in a bunch of fabulous films. This milestone finally made Bette Davis, a household name. *
Another turning point in her career was of course her second Oscar win in 1939 for her
leading role in Jezebel. This time she accepted the award. This film definitely pushed the
envelope of gender norms and female liberation. Two years later, Davis, now a truly admired
and business savvy woman, became the first ever president of the academy of motion pictures and
sciences. Davis was switching up the status quo in Hollywood. She knew that being under contract
with Warner Brother would provide security, a safety net, really in terms of money and career.
The eccentric actress kept making headlines with her dramatic and
intense films and ultimately in the entirety of her career was nominated for 10 Oscars.
(MORE) 2.
(CONT'D) The list of honors goes on for
Bette Davis and she goes down in history as a cinematic idol. Davis’s career was a rollercoaster
ride full of ups and downs. It is clear just how passionate she was about the film industry
and acting. She went through great lengths to sustain her career. The 1930’s and 1940s were most
productive for Davis. A lineup of more box office hits like Dark Victory, Elizabeth the first and
The Letter to name few cemented Davis as a star. After ending her contract with Warner Brothers,
Davis, in 1950, made more cinematic successes like All about eve and the virgin queen. Every
single thing she starred in made big waves. * After a lifetime of successful, award winning
motion pictures, Davis eventually received the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award.
She was the first woman ever to get it. And many more distinctions like an Emmy and the
Kennedy Honor. It sounds outrageous just how much this woman had achieved in her lifetime.
Her work was her life. She retired only a year before her death. Bette Davis tireless and self
disciplined work ethic and her exceptional acting puts her down in history as a very powerful woman
in cinematic history.* 3.