The Bette Davis Collection, Vol. 2 (1962)

Loved I was able to purchase this collection! Thanks so much. Yvette Lewis

I love Bette Davis, when I was a little girl my mother and I use to watch All About Eve, every time it came on TV. I'm a african American Women, who fell in love with Bette Davis as a little girl. When I got older and really start to understand what thoses films were all about, I even enjoyed them more. I have a collection of Bette Davis films. I just wish they would release more of the films on DVD. I know everyone would love to see All This And Heaven TOO..wonderful film. There are so much more of her films, heres another one called Dead Ringer..excellent movie, this one is available on DVD. Also, Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte is available too! February 23, 2008

great product!

Bought this as a gift for my mother, she loves Bette Davis. She was excited when she received it and loved that all her favorite movies where all together in one! Great Item!!!! December 26, 2007

Great collection!

This is one of my favorite and most watched collections. 'Jezebel', 'Marked Woman', and 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane' are some of my all-time favorite films and have been superbly redone with EXCELLENT special features. Also, 'Stardust: The Bette Davis Story' is a truly well made documentary on her life and brings a tear to my eye everytime I watch it. The narrations, pictures, and all information given are very well sorted. EVERY Bette Davis fan should own this boxed-set. I'm a little disappointed that they did not include 'Of Human Bondage', 'Dangerous', or 'All this and Heaven Too' in this set. Maybe they will in the next collection? I hope so. December 21, 2007

Excellent Collection of Bette Davis Classics- It's Volume 2 Darling!

I, like many other die-hard Bette Davis and classic movie buffs, have awaited this release mainly for the DVD debuts of, "The Man Who Came To Dinner" and "Old Acquaintance," both great Davis films. I was very pleased to see that the film "Jezebel," which was Davis' calling card for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Selznick's "Gone With The Wind" had undergone a beautiful job of remastering! The "2 disc Special Edition" of the ultimate pairing of legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford puts icing on the cake with "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" I wasn't too familiar with "Marked Woman," however, it's an interesting film and is a nice addition to the set. Also included is the 2005 documentary entitled, "Stardust; The Bette Davis Story," which shines some light on Davis' career -and some nice footage of her classic films.

"Marked Woman" (1937)
Mary Dwight (Bette Davis) works as a hostess at the Club Intime run by ruthless gangster Johnny Vanning (Eduardo Ciannelli). When one of her "clients" is murdered prosecutor David Graham (Humphrey Bogart) questions Mary but she won't cooperate and Vanning is acquitted. When Mary's sister Betty (Jane Bryan) is killed by one of Vanning's thugs she decides to spill the beans and is beaten into disfigurement. At her bedside all the witnesses agree to testify.

"Jezebel" (1938)
Set in antebellum New Orleans during the early 1850's, this film follows Julie Marsden (Bette Davis) through her quest for social redemption on her own terms. Julie is a beautiful and free spirited Southern belle who is sure of herself and controlling of her fiancé Preston Dillard, (Henry Fonda) a successful young banker. Julie's sensitive but domineering personality--she does not want so much to hurt as to assert her independence--forces a wedge between Preston and herself. To win him back, she plays North against South amid a deadly epidemic of yellow fever, which claims a surprising victim.

"The Man Who Came To Dinner" (1942)
Sheridan Whiteside, (Monty Woolley) an eccentric and acid-tongued radio lecturer, is disabled on the doorstep of a prominent Ohio family and must remain confined to the unwilling family's home for a few days. Discovering what he believes to be problems within the household, Sheridan ("Sherry") discovers his leg is fine. Bribing the doctor to declare him unfit to leave for a few weeks, Sherry hatches a plot to fix all of the household's problems, including his loyal secretary Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis) who has just discovered her true love Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis). Lots of fun here with great performances by the entire cast which also include Ann Sheridan, Billie Burke, and the wonderfully comic Jimmy Durante.

"Old Acquaintance" (1943)
Established serious author Kit Marlowe (Bette Davis) inspires hometown pal Millie Drake (Miriam Hopkins) who writes a trashy novel published with Kit's help. Millie's husband Preston (John Loder) leaves her. Ten years of trashy novels later Millie tries to reconcile, but Preston is marrying another. Millie accuses Kit of husband stealing. Later Kit learns of Millie's daughter Diedre's (Dolores Moran) affection for Rudd, (Gig Young) whom Kit was thinking of marrying. Kit blesses their union and makes up with Millie.

"What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" (1962) -2 disc Special Edition-
Two aging film actresses live as virtual recluses in an old Hollywood mansion. Jane Hudson, (Bette Davis) a successful child star, cares for her crippled sister Blanche, (Joan Crawford) whose career in later years eclipsed that of Jane. Now the two live together, their relationship affected by simmering subconscious thoughts of mutual envy, hate and revenge. Spiteful pranks and bitchy dialogue make this one a jewel in the "Crown of Camp!"

"Stardust: The Bette Davis Story" (2005) -documentary-
Covering the early and later parts of the legendary star's vast film career, "Stardust" captures the allure of Davis in her early films and goes on to show her courage and in-your-face attitude which mesmerized her fans and made her a box office draw even in her golden years. Some of the material can also be seen on Disc 2 of the `What Ever Happened To Baby Jane" DVD, however, there is enough in "Stardust" to make it a nice addition to the set, as well.

A rumored "Bette Davis Collection: Volume 3" is supposedly in the works and set for release this year, however, nothing official has been announced of the titles to be included or the date of release. Hopefully a box set entitled "The Joan Crawford Collection: Volume 2" will accompany Davis third box set release -there's a lot of Crawford classics still awaiting a DVD release, as well. But until then, enjoy this "Volume 2 collection of Davis classics, it will sit well next to your Volume 1 set of your Classic DVD Library.



April 25, 2007

Volume 3

Volumes 1 & 2 are fine. Some suggestions for Volume 3:
-"Beyond the Forest" (camp noir classic with immortal line: "What a dump!" All those viewers who've only heard the line parodied in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" could hear the original source! King Vidor's direction is full of mood and evocative of German expressionism.)
-"Dangerous" (Davis' fresh, dynamic performance in this film resulted in her first Oscar for Best Actress. Isn't that enough reason to release it? Far better than her performance in "The Star")
- "The Little Foxes" special edition (this film is one of the greatest filmizations of a stage play & deserves a special edition. The current DVD release doesn't have a single extra on it! A shame! A 2-disc DVD is called for!
- "The Old Maid" (far better than "Old Acquaintance", this is one of the best soap opera tearjerker period piece women's films. Davis gives one of her most sensitive, vulnerable performances and ages quite realistically in this film.)
- "In This Our Life" (another camp classic with Davis playing a bad girl to the hilt. John Huston's direction is colorful.)
- "Juarez" (although Davis has a small part, the film is historically interesting and as the Mexican Empress Carlota, Davis gives a vivid portrait of a woman going mad.) April 6, 2007

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