Monthly Archives: October 2011
Bette Davis Does it with Dignity
Bette Davis (1908 – 1989)
We celebrate TCM‘s showing of DARK VICTORY with a quick & sassy tribute to Bette Davis…Empress of the Silver Screen. Betty considered her role in DARK VICTORY her favorite.
Who doesn’t like a good Bette Davis movie, quote or anecdote? “From the moment I was six I felt sexy. And let me tell you it was hell, sheer hell, waiting to do something about it.” Bette Davis. There are so many delicious tidbits about BD that I won’t even try to cover the scope of her career, her audacity, her bigger-than-life persona!
In an uber-abridged nutshell, she was born as Ruth Elizabeth Davis in Lowell, Massachusetts. Her father was a patent attorney and her mother was a portrait photographer. Her mother was the one that encouraged Bette to become an actress. Davis started out as a stage actress but moved quickly into a film career. After a rocky start with Universal Studios she was snagged by Warner Bros., which brought her much success. But it did not take long for BD to become the staunch character she is known for…she challenged the male dominant film industry on all sides and with almost everyone, winning the reputation of being difficult. So I’m thinking, when she was not hirable as an actress, she went for endorsements…found this jewel:
She was judicious, she was relentless, she was charming and she IS incomparable! Some still attempt to find a comparison like Susan Hayward, often called the “Bargain Basement Bette Davis”; or Joan Crawford (she is rolling in her grave on that one) or perhaps even Glenda Jackson, but there really was no one like her or ever will be…ever, ever, ever! Not many stars who are alive, even, have websites dedicated to them, but Bette does: www.bettedavis.com
Can’t you hear her screaming: “But cha are Blanche, ya are in that chair”!
Thanks to Ms. Davis for the fabulous movies you have given us! You will be studied for decades and centuries to come.
VIDEO EXTRAS:
AND THERE WAS A SONG!
The only Bette Davis line made famous by another star. The original “What a Dump”:
She played the QUEEN that she is…thanks for this video Steve Hayes “Tired Old Queen of the Movies” (love how well he inpersonates BD). Follow him on Twitter: @SteveHayesTOQ
She’s Got Bette Davis Eyes
TAKE THE POLL Blanche!
Real Housewives of New Jersey Reunion, Part 1- ‘Non Capisco!’
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY -- Season:3 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jacqueline Laurita, Teresa Giudice, Caroline Manzo, Kathy Wakile, Melissa Gorga -- Photo by: Tommy Garcia/Bravo
We Will Never Tire of Madame Kahn
If you love Mel Brooks, then you love Madeline Kahn and can probably throw out some her unforgettable movie quotes immediately, like:
“Hello, handsome, is that a ten-gallon hat or are you just enjoying the show?”
“Flames, on the side of my face, breathing-breath- heaving breaths.”
“Hurry up, Doctor. This baby gots to go winky tinky!”
“Taffeta, darling.”
“Ah, but the servant waits, while the *master* baits!”
And I am sure you can name the movies these quotes came from, above, because she is JUST that memorable!
And GAWD could she sing. What a set of pipes, no wonder Broadway snatched her up for “On the 20th Century” which Kristin Chenoweth will be playing her role in the upcoming revival…great match. And did you know Madeline sang “Glitter & Be Gay” from CANDIDE…so maybe Kristin is our answer to our modern Ms. Kahn. Listen to this amazing version of “G & G” – I had NO IDEA:
I wanted to be Madeline Kahn and would practice “I’m Tired” in front of my mirror for hours when I was kid! I thought this was the single best song on the planet.
My friend, Stephen Cole, in the Broadway industry, responded to a Facebook post I wrote about Madeline Kahn’s Birthday. He worked with her on two different occasions. He posted the following:
“I do remember one phone call. I can see myself in my kitchen talking to her. She said, “I don’t want to sing anything funny this year.” I said, “Anything you sing will be funny.” I let her do a ballad…What Makes Me Love Him from Apple Tree…She broke the place up. She sang Bewitched from Pal Joey. Everyone screamed. She was brilliant. She was very dear and sweet and just had no idea how fucking funny she was.” – Stephen Cole
She was taken way to early, but her legacy lives on. In Central Park there is a bench erected by her husband and her brother, dedicated in her memory. What a class act.
Sound bites of some of Ms. Kahn’s famous movie lines:
http://www.hark.com/collections/ftmcngmcrd-madeline-kahn
BIG RICH TEXAS-Recap, ‘Season FInale’…They Are Just Getting Started!
I know…I know..It has been awhile! Now, here we are: The Season Finale of BIG RICH TEXAS!!! I can truly say..It was Big. And, apparently…very Rich!
BIG RICH TEXAS -- Pictured: (l-r) Bon Blossman, Kalyn Niccole Braun, Leslie Birkland, Maddie Poe, Melissa Poe, Connie Dieb, Grace Dieb, Whitney Whatley -- Photo by: Kwaku Alston/The Style Network
We all knew there was a MAJOR feud, between Pam (‘Badass Boss Blonde) and Bonnie (‘Dr. Hottie’), but, NOW, that feud seems to include Leslie. It was clear a few weeks ago, that BBB wanted more details on the finances of Leslie (Beauty Queen/BQ). Not believing for one minute that BQ is a rich as she says she is, BBB started to do a little digging, and even asked Cute Connie to investigate her own cousin! Cute Connie agreed, so she must have been equally as curious about Leslie. We will have to wait until next season to find out what, if anything, Connie found on Leslie. But, what Connie DID find out, is that Leslie went on a date with Connie’s ex-husband, John. He also served as Leslie’s realtor. I called ‘FOUL’ on that weeks ago, but I don’t get involved in family business…
Whitney and Bonnie
On too the ’Joanie and Chachi’ (For you kids out there, ask your folks about ‘Happy Days’) of the show- Whitney and Tyler. Brace yourselves, folks. I think this love story has come to an end. Tyler decided to return to his home in Washington. Without Whitney. That made mom, Dr. Hottie very happy. Bonnie without Whitney is like a sundae without the cherry! And, honestly, Whit may need a little more ‘Gangsta’ in her guy. But, that is just my opinion. However, I am not sure that we have seen the last of Sweet Tyler.
But, we did see plenty of Melissa! Doing her thing, and reviving her modeling career. We were left wondering if Melissa will leave for a three week modeling gig. It is very hard for her to be away from her 15 year old, Maddie, but I am sure that Maddie will be just fine. She is every mother’s dream!
Maddie Poe and Nicole Barrett at Bonnie Blossman's Finale Party
Now the DRAMA: As I mentioned earlier, Pam (BBB) has been digging into Leslie’s financial business. While attending Leslie’s housewarming party (By the way, that house is too dang BIG), Melissa stumbled on some interesting information: Leslie LEASED THE HOUSE!!! Uhhh…O.K…I guess, that’s bad, right? Well, according to Melissa, since Leslie told her she BOUGHT the house, Missy felt like it was valid to ‘BUST HER A**!’ So, who does Missy go tell? PAM, of course!
Melissa (to me at Bonnie’s Finale party): ‘Don’t lie to my F–king face!’ I will try to remember that, Missy.
- Nicole and Melissa Poe at Bonnie’s Season Finale Party
Nicole Barrett
