One of the most iconic feuds in the history of Hollywood, the conflict between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford was so prolonged that the origins were nearly forgotten by many.
The reasons behind the intense rivalry between these two leading ladies of Hollywood are finally revealed as we delve into the tumultuous relationship between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.
The feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford spanned over fifty years, fueled by a mix of romantic entanglements, fierce competition for coveted roles, and prestigious awards within the industry.
Rumors suggest that the root of the discord stemmed from their shared affection for the charming actor Franchot Tone.
While Bette developed feelings for him during the filming of ‘Dangerous’ in 1935, Joan also found herself drawn to his allure.
In an audacious move, Joan allegedly welcomed Franchot into her home for dinner while completely unclothed in her solarium, a bold gesture that ignited further animosity between the two actresses.
Despite Joan and Franchot’s eventual marriage and subsequent divorce, the animosity between Bette and Joan only intensified over the years.
Bette once quipped about Joan’s romantic exploits, claiming she had been involved with every male star at MGM except for Lassie, while Joan retaliated by commenting on Bette’s perpetually unhappy appearance.
Their professional rivalry heightened when Joan signed with Warner Brothers in 1943, placing them in direct competition for coveted roles and escalating their bitter relationship to new heights.
The pinnacle of their feud came in 1962 when they co-starred in the renowned film ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’
During filming, tensions reached a breaking point as petty actions ensued, such as Bette demanding a Coca-Cola vending machine in her dressing room to spite Joan, who was married to the CEO of Pepsi at the time.
In a vindictive act, Joan filled her pockets with rocks to make it arduous for Bette to drag her across the floor in certain scenes, adding a layer of genuine hostility to their on-screen performances.
While the film garnered critical acclaim, propelling Bette to an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, their personal vendetta continued behind the scenes, with Joan publicly supporting Bette’s nomination while privately expressing disdain for the accolades.
In a dramatic turn of events, Joan orchestrated a campaign against Bette during the Oscars, urging voters not to support her and even offering to collect the award on behalf of absent nominees.
Ultimately, Anne Bancroft clinched the Best Actress award, leaving both Bette and Joan embroiled in a tumultuous aftermath that solidified their legendary feud in Hollywood history.
The captivating drama series ‘Feud: Bette and Joan,’ created by Ryan Murphy, Jaffe Cohen, and Michael Zam, offers an intimate portrayal of the tumultuous relationship between these two iconic actresses and will grace the screens of BBC Two starting December 16, 2017.
Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, lauded the series for its exceptional performances and riveting depiction of a pivotal moment in cinematic history, promising viewers an enthralling narrative of ambition, rivalry, and betrayal.
