“Bette Davis, we love you.” – Madonna

BETTE DAVIS TTM AUTOGRAPHS

I’ve got over a dozen Bette Davis autographs (including a handwritten note), at least 20 books about her, almost all her movies and of course several autographs of her co-stars AND daughter.  Because of my long-time admiration, this entry will turn into a multi-star essay with all of Bette’s satellite stars and a lot more pix of Bette Davis memorabilia and autographs.  For now, I’ll do just the tip and tease with a few from my collection that I received from her in 1979 and the early 80’s.  

The envelope behind the Jezebel photo is the envelope she sent to me in response to my first fan letter to her in 1979.  She included a latter-day picture inscribed fully to me.  Can you imagine just writing to ANY celebrity today and asking them to send you a signed autograph – and they would do it FOR FREE, pay the postage AND include their own photo?!?!  It sure would be a rarity.

You’ll also see the note from her in response to “My dad says I shouldn’t bother wasting my time writing to you, because she will never respond.”  Well, dad was wrong.  (P.S. She’s referring to “Bette Davis Eyes” where she says “think the song is great”)

Here’s my shitty Cher imitation of “Bette Davis Eyes” singing along with part of my Bette Davis collection

BETTE DAVIS EYES

Since Bette answers my question about the song in her note, I thought I should give a nod to “Bette Davis Eyes” itself!  Of course, the hit record by Kim Carnes is a classic – and the original rendition by Jackie DeShannon is nice.  But the remakes!?!?!  There are sooooo many!  From the uninspired Gwyneth Paltrow karaoke version on “Duets” (meriting an Australian import CD single) to unknown group “Cover Up”, JoJo Siwa (ummm), even Taylor Swift (on “Speak Now World Tour – Live”) and so many hyper-kinetic gay “let’s do a bump and dance” versions.  It’s mind boggling.   Personally, I like this intriguing brief Italo-disco vocal by Sonia Davis sounding like an accented Bonnie Tyler

For those who weren't born (who aren't reading this anyway) here's the video which was on massive rotation in the first year of MTV's launch. Kim got lucky that not only was the song catchy, but the video helped catapult it into number one for 2 weeks ... and then BACK again for 7 weeks after a brief #1 interruption by "Stars on 45" (yes, I do have their autograph). One of the first validations that VISUAL impact could make a song a hit.

KIM CARNES AUTOGRAPH

When I first heard "Bette Davis Eyes", I was immediately hooked. As were so many others. Kim Carnes biggest hit of her career spent 9 weeks at #1 on Billboard, reached #1 in 10 other countries and was top 10 in nearly every other music market. The song also won Grammy's for Record and Song of the Year. As you can see from Bette's note to me, she loved the song herself. The autograph that you see her is from a photo shoot that Kim requested of Bette. Here's a copy of the letter (NOT in my posession - found on Pinterest).

JACKIE DESHANNON AUTOGRAPH

Jackie DeShannon has always been one of my favorites; even as a little boy with “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” – and then later finding the video of “When You Walk in the Room”.  Gorgeous, fun, talented – and she wrote Bette Davis Eyes.  What’s not to love?  I had to buy an autograph, and it took a while to hunt down a nicely signed, authentic version with her full vintage signature.  But it was worth it.  Now check this cutie out – watch the dance moves, the high-pony and the direct camera eye-contact - LOVE!

ANNE BAXTER AUTOGRAPHS

Let’s kick off the satellite of Bette Davis connections with Anne Baxter.  The conniving “Eve Harrington” was delicious in “All About Eve”.  So much so that she was nominated for Best Actress in the movie as was Bette Davis.  1950 was a banner year for Best Actress and Bette was a front-running contender along with Gloria Swanson in “Sunset Boulevard”. Poor Eleanor Parker in “Caged” didn’t have a chance.  Judy Holliday walked away with the prize!

P.S.  Anne plays a fantastic, rich older woman with a serious drinking problem in “The Late Liz” (1971) – It’s overlooked and some of it is so campy.  Her wigs steal some scenes! Here's a link to the whole movie, but just for shits and giggles you can randomly click through on every few minutes and find each scene that contains Anne to be a nugget of camp gold!

The two 5x7 photos shown here signed in green (one with the original studio envelope from Twentieth Century Fox) are studio secretarials.  The red 10x8 is a downright bad attempt at her authentic signature. Luckily, I found that a collection I bought of index cards for less than $3 each included an AUTHENTIC Anne Baxter. YAY!!!

I’ll pick up later with more “All About Eve” cast members.  But let me move on to some other Bette classics. 

NOW VOYAGER 

The famous makeover movie where Bette Davis goes from drab spinster to suddenly alluring, after having a nervous breakdown.  Often noted for the scene where Paul Henreid lights two cigarettes and then gives one to Bette.  Here are some of the cast autographs. 

BONITA GRANVILLE AUTOGRAPH 

“Voyager” was a showcase for Bonita playing a little bitch with biting dialogue.  “What’s this? A hangover?  I believe it is.  Aunt Charlotte’s got the shakes”.  She steals this scene. 

I have a vintage 5x7 pre-print autograph of Bonita that the studios would send and I’ve matched it up here with an authentic signed index card ($30).  This is a great example of where you can see the star’s autograph (pre-print) compared to and matching her authentic signature.  Beautiful penmanship.   

“Tea?!?! I’m heading for cocktails later” (she says in the film).   

I bet you are.  With Veda Pierce 

P.S.  She married producer Jack Wrather and they made oodles of money from producing “Lassie” (see the pic of her with Jon Provost), “The Lone Ranger” and much more.  After her death, her estate sold for $150 million to Disney.  LOADED!!! 

ILKA CHASE AUTOGRAPH 

When I found that I had a signed autograph album page of Ilka Chase in my collection, I had to look her up – ah yes – her Wiki photo is from “Now Voyager”.  And she’s in the scene above.  She played Bonita hy   z’s mother.  Her role is rather benign in the film, and I don’t find her particularly compelling.  But it’s interesting to note that she was married to Louis Calhern (for 1 year).  Ilka was his first of 4 marriages before Natalie Schafer (#3).  Otherwise, I got no scoop on Ilka.  The $12 autograph has good provenance though since it came from the James (Jimmie) Carroll estate who was a wardrobe dresser (notably for Tyrone Power for years) in both Broadway and Hollywood. 

GLADYS COOPER AUTOGRAPH 

Not only does Bette’s character have an insufferable niece in “Now Voyager”, but she also has a bitter, domineering, and mean mother - also shown in the scene above.  Gladys Coooper was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for this shrewish role (and two others).  She played a great mean old lady, for sure.  But her career is long and storied.  Seven decades in the theater, movies and TV.  You can tell how long she’s been around by this vintage (stained) 7x9 when the “mean old lady” was a young theater actress - $21 in a collection of vintage autographs that I bought in 2021.  

PAUL HENREID AUTOGRAPH 

On to the cigarette scene … here’s the famous clip. 

The thing about Bette Davis and Paul Henreid is interesting.  They had magical chemistry and made cinematic history in “Now Voyager”.  He wrote in his biography that she was “a delight to work with” and they got along “famously”.  But less than 4 years later, while filming “Deception”, Bette’s assertiveness, biting wit, studied professionalism and ascending star iced out the milder (meek?) personality of Henreid and his fading career. They barely spoke to each other when not onscreen.  And so, it goes from hot to cold with “Mother Goddam”  

P.S.  The only reason I know this movie is because it was in the infamous “slap tape” (no slap though) of movie clips that my friend Jimmy showed me on Beta – Charlotte’s meltdown and the stepping off the plane after her makeover were my introduction. RIP Jimmy Kent.  I miss you every day. 

LITTLE FOXES 

Have you ever withheld medicine that could save the life of somebody dying right in front of you?  Bette Davis has.  Master class in acting.  Starting at about 1:51 in this clip – all of her acting is with her eyes.  I mean, come on, there’s a song named after those eyes.  Watch how cold she could be without any theatrics or contrivances except her eyes. 

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HERBERT MARSHALL AUTOGRAPH 

For a guy with an amputated leg, Herbert Marshall sure got around.  I never loved him as an actor, but he’s solid and he played (both on-and-off screen) with the best of the leading ladies.  Never received an Academy Award nomination.  Hmm. Personally, I enjoyed his death scene in “Little Foxes”.  Free Regina Giddens! And P.S. at least he wasn’t a grabby lech like Fredrich “#MeToo” March. 

The 5x7 preprint sent out by the studio is a nice shot.  But I’m glad that I was able to purchase the vintage cut in a collection for $5.60 ea. 

TERESA WRIGHT AUTOGRAPH 

No “Little Fox” Oscar nominations for Herbert Marshall.  But Teresa Wright got a nod for Best Supporting Actress, and it was her FIRST film!  And then she WON Best Supporting Actress the next year in “Mrs. Miniver”.  My apologies to whomever cares or even knows who she is, but I’ve had pieces of toast that were more interesting than Teresa Wright.  I think her best role was in “Shadow of a Doubt”.   In general, she was a pleasant polly and seems like she was a sweet woman IRL.  Maybe that’s why the female stars were so kind to her.  Threat free zone.  The autographed 4x6 card was signed 1983 and I bought it in a collection of $15 cards. 

DAN DURYEA AUTOGRAPH 

“The Little Foxes” was also the first film for Dan Duryea (well, with a billed credit) and TBH, I don’t remember much of him in THIS film.  But I do know that Dan Duryea has always been interesting to watch onscreen.  A bit like Richard Widmark in that menacing, dark way – he always made you look.  I thought he was absolutely great in the film noirs “Too Late for Tears” with Lizabeth Scott and “Scarlet Street with Joan Bennet 

I believe the two vintage 5x7’s that you see here were authentically signed by Duryea and not a studio secretary.  Together I paid less than $5; I love it when people sell massive collections and don’t know what’s in them! 

I’mma give Duryea several thumbs up simply for this great montage of him slapping folks around!