Bette Davis--Stanley Siegel Show, Complete Interview, 1977

Bette Davis spends an hour with the controversial Stanley Siegel in this rare one-hour show from 1977.

[@dubbelhenke854]

Whatever you think of Bette Davis as an actor or as a private person, you've got to admit that she is very smart, funny and NEVER boring. 🌹

[@BlytheWorld1972]

As i sit here in 2022 i am still in awe of this amazing Smart ballsy woman what a class act.

[@meboneme1]

THIS, boys and girls, IS A STAR! LEGENDARY!

[@TheKelbelle69]

She did the best interviews! Miss this talented, witty and intelligent woman!

[@blondegirl132]

Bette Davis was (and still is) my favorite actress. I was a little girl watching her movies like Baby Jane and she just captured me. Such true talent.

[@belyndawilson6715]

My grandmother sister went to high school with bettie davis.that would be cool.

[@anneroselli161]

I love Bettis Davis and she lives on forever in our hearts forever love always anne

[@meritofapproval]

"We come to you for your wisdom"...but won't let you actually answer a question or complete your thought. 😳

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

"If you're still friends, Why not stay married?" -Bette Davis I LOVE it, & I quite agree! : )

[@robm1303]

Hahahaha he tried to hard to dig dirt about Crawford but Miss Bette Davis so brilliantly and eloquently made him fall back right into every hole he dug! 🤣🤣🤣

[@lynnsalberg5647]

Such a lady !

[@JosephRGrych]

That was classy.

[@terryhefty]

Yep she responded brilliantly ❤️

[@RoderBrent]

I was thinking the very same thing. I think they all try to do that but it never works.

[@texan903]

Crawford and Davis were never at any true odds with one another. It was largely hype from the publicity departments at the studios. If there was a feud, it was between Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford. Even then, it was one-sided as Shearer had no real issue with Crawford, whose insecurities led to major jealousies and imagined rivalries.

[@dyrd7963]

The respect and empathy she shows Joan, speaks volumes on Bette's intelligence and soul.

[@dagny8336]

This is a wonderful interview and Bette Davis as usual is the consummate professional - class all the way. Notice she did not say one disparaging word about Joan Crawford. Class.

[@mysticoversoul]

There really wasn't any such ongoing feud between them. It was drummed up by the press and hyped up for the public consumption.

[@SandySaunders9142]

Not true. Crawford made the mistake of making a pass at Bette Davis. Miss Davis was not amused. However, Bette was well brought up and had the good manners to not disparage Crawford in interviews or in public.

[@EastSide-qc5oy]

@@SandySaunders9142 Where did you read that little bit of gossip?

[@Garsons-oq4lh]

​@@SandySaunders9142 That pass story is rubbish tabloid garbage.

[@latinguy772]

Classy, intelligent woman! I love how she does not take the bait bashing another woman that allegedly had been not really nice to her in the past. Her body language is self assured and her voice does not break! That’s incredible!

[@SkyePhoenix]

She looks great!!!

[@lorabor8967]

Back then, older women dressed classy. Today's older hellywood ladies, I think it's in their contract to do, flop the boobs out, trashy look.

[@jtrain5615]

This interview was not long after Joan died so there was a level of respect. But Bette had plenty of words about Joan at other times.

[@marsnr1]

@@jtrain5615 Look up Davis opinion on Faye Dunaway.

[@georgekokkinos443]

Great to see this 1977 interview. I think Stanley was a good interviewer - personable, friendly and interested in his interviewee. Bette gladly answered some questions that I think may not have been frequently asked during these PR exercises. Bette obviously enjoyed being there. Thanks for bringing this interview to light in 2021.

[@itsnoahonfire]

He didn't like her diplomatic answer about Joan and tried to put words in her mouth and Bette wasn't having it. She was right Joan wasn't the only one who became a recluse as they aged. Bette was a class act she had a chance to drag Joan and she chose not to.

[@lesafowers8142]

Isn't she just to die for? What a woman. What a legend. Bette Davis 🖤🖤🖤

[@ColleenDaumen2]

Simply Sensational ❤

[@orchidlilly7518]

She's to live for more fully.

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

One of the things that I admire the most about Bette Davis is that she had true class. Here she had an opportunity to speak badly about Joan Crawford and she cleverly let it pass. She'd previously hinted at her dislike of Joan Crawford, but never fully divulged her dislike until much later. The fact that Miss Crawford had only recently died at the time of this interview, clearly has her even more resolute not to stir the shit that "this guy" obviously expected. She later took some well-deserved jabs at Joan, but only quite a bit later after the dust had settled. Even so, she always gave Crawford credit for her talent, beauty, and professionalism...as well as how hard won her fight to the top had been given her squalid & humble beginnings. While it's true that Bette Davis could be more than a little difficult and beyond straightforward throughout her life, she overall exhibited great dignity and exemplified gracious manners. ...Class and good breeding will ALWAYS out.

[@garywarmee4367]

Your last few assessment sentences on Bette really hit the mark. "More than straightforward", but somehow with dignity and good manners. This makes her compelling.

[@mamadouaziza2536]

But she sure had a lot to say about Faye Dunaway.

[@valsainking]

The only reason she did not engage in disparaging Crawford here is because even she knew you don't speak ill of someone who's just died. However, Davis remained a deeply petty and vindictively vulgar woman vis a vis Crawford until the day she died in 1989. This is the same woman who continued to peddle the absurd conspiracy theory that the 1963 Best Actress Oscar should've been hers and no one else's by claiming until her dying day that the Oscar for WEHTBJ? had not been hers simply because of what she declared had been Crawford's sabotage campaign against her (See 1987 interviews by Barbara Walters and Bryant Gumbel). Honestly, the level of narcissistic, self-entitled delusion the woman allowed herself to be consumed by since the 1963 Oscars ceremony is truly frightening, especially with the benefit of hindsight, and stands as a vulgar insult to the stellar legacy of the amazing Anne Bancroft's groundbreaking performance in The Miracle Worker. Imagine, if you will, any current nearly 80-year-old high-profile Oscar winner claiming she should've won the Oscar 24 years prior while neglecting to give any credit or praise to the person who actually won the award. It would be unthinkable for anyone to display such a degree of crass, sophomoric pettiness towards a fellow actor nowadays. I personally admire the legendary Bette Davis for many reasons but, let's not kid ourselves: 'being classy' isn't exactly something she had an instinctive affinity for.

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

@@mamadouaziza2536 ...And rightfully so. 👍🏽💯

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

@@valsainking ...We'll agree to disagree. 👍🏽💯🤔

[@robertjackson5645]

Wonderful book out called "Miss D and Me" BY Kathryn Surmack, Bette's personal assistant in her later years. Great read. Honest about how tricky Miss D was, but when she was on your side, a total gem. Really cleans up the daughter mess too.

[@patriciabowman8822]

I agree! I am reading the book right now. Wonderful story of the the devotion that Ms. Sermak gave to Ms Davis. A wonderful insight into Bette Davis’ sterling character & gracious personality.

[@paulakpacente]

Loved this woman!

[@j.r.4531]

Mr. Siegel surely stands out to be one of the best interviews I've seen with the great Bette Davis, very candid and very conversational. Ms. Davis seemed to enjoy it as well.

[@jazzmanchgo]

"I only verbally throw things." Wow -- I can just imagine! Tangle with her in a battle of wits at your own risk.

[@andrewsharisky7259]

Thank you for posting this treasure, Alan.

[@fabioantoniodejesussantos4018]

A treasure indeed. Thank you!

[@SaxonC]

Bette Davis was a living legend and whenever she speaks her mind

[@garywarmee4367]

Some of know Bette Davis was a great dame, but we also kind of think of her as a complete hellion - the Bette from My Mother's Keeper, etc. Love her, but she's a little scary. Maybe so, but the older Bette Davis I see in all these old interviews is such a mench. She is so utterly pleasing and grounded. A solid joy to behold. When Bette speaks one is taken in. Everyone should have a Bette Davis in their life.

[@robertjackson5645]

Wonderful book out called "Miss D and Me" BY Kathryn Surmack, Bette's personal assistant in her later years. Great read. Honest about how tricky Miss D was, but when she was on your side, a total gem who you want in your corner. Really cleans up the daughter mess too.

[@garywarmee4367]

@@robertjackson5645 I did read that. Very interesting subject matter. Forgotten every detail but a companion book is going to showcase a lot of the private manusha that gives a more rounded picture of how someone lived...

[@Anonymous-fb1qu]

Took the words right out of my mouth...I always view her through the lens of being a “hellion” like you said. She was wild, upfront, unapologetic, strong-willed, and confident in all of her early works; she really stood out. Comparing that to this interview, she’s more refined, more laid back and is a bit classier. You can tell she’s slowed down a lot and is beginning to settle. Despite this though, you can still see the same old Bette is there underneath the surface, exuding confidence, being witty and sharp with the interviewer and not letting anything slip past her. I love her, she’s a real class act!

[@SkyePhoenix]

1977... Those were the days.

[@brookejanssen7251]

She's such a classy lady. ❤️❤️❤️

[@annetessari1004]

brilliant interview. she's a delight to listen to.

[@PaulFagundes]

Fascinating! So quick, honest, and engaging.

[@giorgiobaroni4903]

Well done, exhaustive, outspoken interview. Fully enjoyable.

[@Luzanne.]

Bette Davis is far more gracious than I would be on this interview…

[@Luzanne.]

My memory of the interview is not exacting, but I seem to recall continuously circling back to Joan Crawford after noting they were not friends and she would only be speculating. If I were an icon being interviewed, I would wonder why questions kept coming about a woman I hardly knew. Wherever I’d get prickly, Davis is the epitome of graciousness. I’m more of a Dietrich, whack a photographer in the head with my pocketbook at the airport, type gal.

[@mikecane]

Of course I had to click to watch this. Siegel interviewed like no one else. Bette Davis went with the flow. What a pro! Thanks much.

[@minavamp2811]

he really asked hard questions and want to divulge into personal life of her, which audience all wants to hear, and she's very honest and open about what is or isn't willing to share. she's as real and as professional one can be.

[@calebcostigan2561]

This is one of Bette’s best interviews. And that’s saying something. Check out more, folks. She’s always this candid. Almost.

[@EdwardCheek]

People loved to shove the Bette & Joan feud which was dreamt up by the studios and never really happened. Excellent interview.

[@SomeGuy-mg5jy]

You're right. There was no feud. Those flames were fanned by the studio and Hedda Hopper. And Ryan Murphy's Feud was entertaining but based on conjecture. They made a film together. The rest is rumor and gossip. They weren't friends but not enemies. Murphy's Feud continued to stir the pot.

[@Firespawnable]

I love Bette Davis! 😍 Thank you for posting this! ❤️❤️❤️

[@PaulWalsh6162]

Great interview that I'd not seen before. I could just listen to BD chat for hours. These later talk show appearances all offer something unique. As she mentions, it's work and she is really listening to what is being asked and therefore not giving the same answers. Many stars often repeat the same anecdotes and one liners that they'll know will get a laugh.

[@1dannaa]

love to have met her. great woman and actress.

[@badpuppy09]

wonderful interview

[@meganfortune1417]

i love her more than anything…she really loved what she did, such a good role model for young girls who want to get into acting

[@ziamarie]

I love how she always stays smoking in every interview lol reminds me of how my nonna was. Shes such an amazing woman. So glad we have these gems to watch still.

[@sxnico]

this has been my favorite interview with Miss Davis and i love them all!!!

[@snarkyenigma9219]

I could sit and watch her all day long. Actually, I guess I have. Thx YT!

[@citizen1163]

Great interview! Thanks for sharing.

[@patrickhamilton6207]

This is an unusually good interview with her. She’s relaxed, and seems to be actually enjoying herself. He asks great questions with great follow ups. She’s in great form here.

[@wmennisny]

So I'll just call myself this one time "another queen who loves Bette Davis" especially based on the comments I've read below! WOW what a great interview that I've never seen before! Don't know where you found it but amazing that you posted it, thanks so much!

[@RCSFN]

Maybe the best interview Bette Davis ever gave

[@bbrown333]

He keeps trying to phish for JC mess and she's not biting. I love it! Also, I love that wig!

[@torquey2]

Right!!?? She was too wise and that wig yes!!

[@AMEER-114-]

What is jc mess?

[@torquey2]

@@AMEER-114- drama between Bette and Joan Crawford

[@waynebell6835]

She borrowed the wig from me

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...It's ashamed that even the better wigs of the time weren't better still. Completely off topic celebrity wise, Diahann Carroll wore some stunning wigs during her later years. 👍💯🤗

[@lewisedwards4058]

If Hollywood would’ve given them a chance, Bette and Joan could’ve both given Oscar worthy performances again after Baby Jane.

[@lethaldream50]

can't believe this has so few views, fascinating interview

[@JosephRGrych]

Excellent! Thanks for the wonderful upload!

[@Gregory721]

Great interview. Bette Davis was sharp, thoughtful, and down to earth. I’ll be watching some of her films now, for sure. Stanley Siegel was an excellent interviewer, asking thoughtful questions and certainly showing interest in Ms. Davis’s responses. I wish I could see “The Stanley Siegel Show” on one of the streaming channels. His show was surely unlike any other on tv at the time. For now, I guess these grainy KZbin videos will have to do. Many thanks to this KZbin channel for uploading this video.

[@3idraven714]

Perfect defense of a "interveiwer" out for a sound bite. She skirted every trap he layed.

[@bernietinirau8160]

Fascinating interview! Bette Davis is very open & relaxed here, the interviewer was pretty good too. Thank you for sharing. Love your channel by the way.

[@jasonws1972]

Love, love, loved it!!

[@direfranchement]

She was the best and the most honest of the great stars.

[@studentxy100]

Brillian Actress and straight talker and a Favorite actress

[@rabrab3]

Best Bette Davis interview ever.

[@jasbegs1258]

One of the top interviews with BD

[@MrYonexguy63]

Fantastic interview

[@Spiderman7Bob7]

I have never seen this one before and I enjoyed it very, very much. The only reason I may not like it is because I miss a great star like BETTE DAVIS.. They don't make them like her anymore.

[@bobbymoore9224]

Everyone of these interviewers seem to be more interested in finding out bad things to say between Davis and Crawford than their careers. A bunch off Hedda Hoppers at heart.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

Who amongst them is playing the role of Louella Parsons then?

[@SrAJones-ns7sx]

Thx for posting this is my favorite interview so far of Lady Bette. From the gut tasteful answers... Especially about Joan....

[@bbrown333]

"We're going up and down the Nile...to commit murders" ahahahah

[@kirstymartin471]

I thought I miss heard that, had to replay it. It went right over his head too. He seems a stuttering mess 😂

[@minavamp2811]

this a a fantastic interview. with hard questions asked and with cooperation from bette davis. she really had a good insight with reagan and she's right.

[@neildaly2635]

She was the best of her time. She also must have been comfortable she didn’t light up until 9:16 into the interview.

[@MadameX81284]

She is a true legend and star! Today we have total trash! I wish films were still like this and studios still ruled Hollywood!

[@robertkahan3826]

So great. Thx.

[@clc7763]

I'm so glad I watched this! I would have loved to have known her personally, love her acting too

[@piustwelfth]

At the end of the interview, they discuss politics. Bette Davis was a strong Democrat, but she saw something in Ronald Reagan who had lost a very close Republican primary battle to Pres. Ford. When the interviewer implies Reagan's career is over, Bette makes a very prescient comment: 46:10.

[@CheironKoan]

That's a really interesting moment, isn't it? And happily she does repeat her famous comment from the times when he was beginning his political career referring to him as "Little Ronnie Reagan"!

[@rivaridge7211]

Great comment Pius! Many thought Ronald Reagan was "finished" (at age 65) after his unsuccessful 1976 presidential run, but three years after this (1977) interview he absolutely crushed a sitting President (Jimmy Carter) in a land-slide race. Many thought the same about Bette's career after her stroke in early 1984 - thinking that her career was over. It wasn't - there would be more films and a number of appearances with Johnny Carson (whom she loved) among many other talk show "visits."

[@piustwelfth]

@@rivaridge7211 After the GOP convention in 1976, I wrote a letter to Gov. Reagan urging him not to give up but run again in four years. He sent a personal reply that he signed himself. Of course, I still have the letter along with tons of memorabilia from his 1976-1984 political campaigns.

[@rivaridge7211]

@@piustwelfth Hello Pius, what a great story! Ronald Reagan was known to not only personally respond to letters from the public, but many lucky individuals received entire hand-written replies from the California Governor and future President. In 1976, had the Republicans nominated Ronald Reagan (instead of President Gerald Ford - a nice man to be sure!) I believe he would have beaten Jimmy Carter - four years before he eventually would.

[@daddy2299]

Thank you for this. Love Bette

[@BoBo-ti6jh]

People should read the Davis biography by Barbara Leaming.

[@edglebennett6312]

I will thanks for sharing the info.

[@exaudi33]

Hands down the best Bette Davis interview I've ever seen, up to and including Dick Cavett. I remember Stanley Seiglel but forgot what a fine interviewer he was.

[@minavamp2811]

he is better than cavett, he has a way with davis that allows her to talk freely. they feed off from each other. he asked more tough questions than cavett. i feel more tension in a good way between davis and seigel and i do with davis and cavett.

[@rafaelmoraes556]

Great interview.Thanks!

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

What a great interview!

[@sometrade]

I thought I’d seen most of her old interviews but this was ‘new’ to me, so thanks for posting! Interviewer a bit of a jerk yeah but on the other hand he did bond well with her and she seemed to enjoy some different questions for a change! Fabulous.

[@alegnalowe3679]

This lady has utterly stolen my heart!

[@katiebiega3600]

Bette Davis is the Best!

[@alegnalowe3679]

I love her attitude and just really the person she was.Her never give up and growing as a person is fantastic.

[@KathyJeanActress]

Thank you, Alan Eichler.

[@myahollandia3552]

Absolutely love her !!!!

[@BLTKellys]

I think she preferred men to women. She always seems warmer with male interviewers and less wary.

[@sandrashevey8252]

Well done!

[@samthunders3611]

LOVE YOU BETTE DAVIS !

[@Justme77400]

The greatest Bette Davis line ever is, "My dear. I was hiding behind screens before you were born."

[@dayzemae9015]

“Buckle up your seat belt; it’s going to be a bumpy ride!”

[@funnyfiveminutes]

Very astute lady

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...Extremely. : )

[@sandrashevey8252]

This is true. A good interviewer gets a good interview. A few exceptions but as a general rule it is true.

[@rosu5726]

She's awesome!

[@bowtieguy377]

Miss Davis's comments at the very end about Ronald Reagan are very revealing. One of the keys to his lifetime of success was always being underestimated. Whether it was in Hollywood for many years or in Washington DC in his later life, he was aware of it, didn't let it bother him and just kept moving forward.

[@manuelhung7571]

Bette was a beauty herself back in her day. Preferred her to Joan Crawford who is alleged to have been more beautiful. Ms Davis had intelligence, character and confidence too, all 3 of which are very alluring in addition to her beauty. Ms Davis was the finest female actress of her generation and was never afraid to be dressed down for a role, that in and of itself takes great confidence and a certain level of groundedness that was rare in Hollywood then & now. A true Giant of Hollywood, Stage & Screen never surpassed or replicated to this day.

[@MrQbenDanny]

HAHA!!! Bette Davis looking smitten with Stanley Siegel, at her best tolerating behavior. Surprised she left out Bogart was "Duke Mantee", in the great "Petrified Forest", Starring Leslie Howard with her, which Warners brought from the stage Broadway production, Howard insisted Bogart recreate the role on film. She left out her affair with Franchot Tone during "Dangerous", whose wife at the time was Joan Crawford. Lol!! The great Spanish director LUIS BUÑUEL said of Davis: "Bette Davis is the greatest film actress in history." Agreed.

[@aeichler]

At least she admitted to falling in love with her co-stars (she should have included directors), but would only name Gary Merrill.

[@MrQbenDanny]

@@aeichler So true. Vincent SHERMAN, Wyler, and George Brent!!! Such a "Busy little bee buzzing around making honey!... She was FANTASTIC in "The Bride Came C.O.D.", very alluring with a GAME Cagney.

[@MarthaMansbridge]

Grateful as I am to finally see some new "bette Davis' footage - who is this horrible interviewer? Shocking. I find myself so distracted by thoughts of 'what the hell is Bette thinking right now' I can't actually pay attention to what she's saying.

[@jordoncarnegie1206]

Right?!?! He's awful! Keeps interrupting. I kept waiting for her to bite into him in true Bette fashion " are you going to let me FINISH!?" Haha

[@domiro8156]

I agree..... He is a very irritating character....

[@evanturner203]

Me too.

[@jaxcaulfield7071]

She would have screened him before the interview, she obviously felt comfortable

[@anneroselli161]

I start and end each day with my dad's amazing voice rip daddy and mommy your adoring daughter anne 0x 0x ox

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

I like her staid yet tasteful ensemble worn during this segment. Two-piece outfits rather flattered her figure. 👍💯🤗

[@mireyarodriguez4490]

I love Betty Davis

[@rosu5726]

She's wonderful

[@dafinker3443]

She Bette is and will be the GREATEST 🙏🏻👏🙏🏻👏🙏🏻

[@jv-ep2tc]

Siegel is a legend. If you lived in the NY area during this time, you know he was ahead of his time.

[@christhomas5761]

" 40 is the beginning of the end " direct quote by Bette Davis !

[@blazee3895]

I love her❤️

[@brkitdwn]

I like this interview

[@willec7105]

This is probably her best and most real interview and I think it's due to Mr. Siegel's relaxed naturalness which evokes the same from Bette.