Bette Davis

The Letter
$19.98
From the opening gunshots to the final, shocking conclusion, `The Letter' is a stunning and provocative film that never lets the audience out of suspense. With beautifully crafted performances and a stunning script that plays with the audience in more ways than one, this film is one of the best from the 40's, and maybe even one of the best ever.

Draped in crisp black and white, `The Letter' opens with a bang, literally, as Bette Davis's character, Leslie, comes barreling out of her front door firing round after round at a man she would later claim attacked her. On a rubber plantation in Malaysia, Leslie and her husband Robert wait while Howard Joyce (Leslie's lawyer) develops a solid case of self-defense.

The only problem is that not even Howard is convinced of Leslie's innocence.

The film (running only about 95 minutes) runs at a nice pace, never losing steam or meandering at all, and yet it still manages to flesh out the characters very well. This is due to some amazing performances. Anyone who knows me knows that I worship Bette Davis and consider her, quite frankly, the greatest actress of all time. Her performance here is certainly one of her finest creations. With a slick control of her own sensuality, and her commanding presence (she is the true definition of a strong woman) Davis flows in and out of each scene with bravado and precision. Her emotional collapse towards the films end (when her big secret is revealed) is a stunning piece of work. She is not alone here though, for the entire cast really supports her. James Stephenson is beautifully conflicted as Howard Joyce, and Herbert Marshall (he reminds me of a young Russell Crowe, more for his features than his acting style) is beautifully restrained as Leslie's doting husband Robert. A true standout here is Gale Sondergaard, who just sizzles with barely a word as the deceased's scorned widow.

Her eyes are so piercing.

A true stunner of a film, `The Letter' is daring, sensuous and controversial (that final shot) and I love it for all those reasons.

Don't miss this film!

The Bette Davis Collection, Vol. 2 (Jezebel / What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? / The Man Who Came to Dinner / Old Acquaintance / Marked Woman / Stardust: The Bette Davis Story)
$59.98

I am happy with this set of Davis classics. Her very early career and campier films don't interest me as much as having good meat and potatoes BD Classics. It seems everyone has their favorites which Warners keeps missing, so here are mine:

The Corn is Green (so much better than Hepburn)
Catered Affair (what a great film with young Debbie Reynolds)
Beyond the Forest (Camp, yes, but great camp!)
A Stolen Life (2 Bettes for the price of one)
The Virgin Queen (gaudy color and this is the one she shaved her head to do!)
June Bride (sexist ending, I wonder why Bette did it?)

Now if only someone would light a fire under Warners to get these sets out in a timely fashion. By the by, I would have added the Bride Came COD, another personal favorite, but it is available as a single.

The Bette Davis Collection, Vol. 3 (The Old Maid / All This, And Heaven Too / The Great Lie / In This Our Life / Watch on the Rhine / Deception)
$59.98
I own every Bette film that I can get my hands on and this set has many of my favs in it. My fav of this collection is "In this our life", I love "The Old Maid" and "The Great Lie" too. If it only had these 3 movies in it it would still be worth the cost of the set. However the other 3 films are all worthwhile too. I cannot wait until Vol4 comes out! Dont miss this collection if you can at all help it!

Dark Victory (Restored and Remastered Edition)
$19.98
Loved it!! Excellent movie with lots of great actors. Loved Betty Davis Performance!! Millie