Best Actress 1950, Part 3: Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis

[@brettdarling1178]

This was probably the best 2+ hours I’ve spent with you! I love the take, and how you say, “What can I say that hasn’t already been said before?” It’s easy for someone to say they love a performance and just as easy for another to say you are jumping on a bandwagon. Sometimes the “hype” isn’t hype. It’s actually true, and you can’t deny something great. The fact that you give nuance and meaning to why these performances have stood the test of time is truly remarkable. It was well worth the wait, and even more exciting, because this series isn’t yet finished! Can’t wait to see the rest!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for your kind words and for watching the entire thing! 🙂

[@davidfairbrother4292]

Totally agree 💯%✅✅✅

[@madelinetrail3584]

⁹⁹⁹【【[,​@@davidfairbrother4292

[@adrielayson749]

Best two hours I've spent! It really feels like a documentary. The way how you include the history of the Actresses, the filmmaking process, and the personal drama of it all. You and Be Kind Rewind are my two favorite movie KZbinrs when I wanna watch something related to Hollywood.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thank you so much for this lovely comment!

[@XavierBonapart]

Yep!

[@raymondmedel1879]

Some of your best editing and research, this is one video I’ve been waiting a long long time for

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much!

[@slc2466]

Wow, you tackled the peak regarding Best Actress nominees! Can't wait to watch this!

[@darrylreilly3915]

This is a PLEASURE. It is two and half joyous hours of impeccably edited inventive vintage footage flawlessly matched with erudite voice over commentary. Instead of two separate episodes, we get rich interconnected dual portraits of these great actresses who those created iconic roles. This installment is a testament to its creator’s brilliance.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thank you so much for these very nice words! 😊

[@CrissyRed]

You never say too much Fritz, I would watch a seven hour video you do any time. The insightfulness the knowledge and research is really commendable and I enjoy every single minute.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much! 😀

[@barrylangford3276]

Agreed 100%!

[@fatovamingus]

Let's not forget Thelma Ritter as Margo's Assistant / maid in ALL ABOUT EVE. She delivered those lines great especially when talking about Eve's story: " yeah everything but the Bloodhounds snapping at her rear end"

[@lenawalters1866]

Honestly the absolute *drama* of the Warner and Bette relationship is worthy of a full documentary or a TV series or something because there's so much there.

[@kenny808kine8]

Another Bette Davis Fued, this one centering on the court case while she was in England making movies....and the lead up to it. 😊

[@darylchin53]

Bravo! A truly magisterial "deep-dive" into the context of two of the most iconic performances in the history of cinema: Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, and Bette Davis as Margo Channing. You prove (again) that video-essays can be just as valid a form of criticism as anything else.

[@jiananlee5482]

My goodness finally someone made a proper documentary about these two legends! Thank you so much ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for taking the time to watch! :)

[@khongmaithikhog5624]

​@@FritzandtheOscars😮 do Reese vs Felicity Huffman Oscar

[@thomasalbert6687]

Clever to pair the two. Most surprising for me was how much I grew to like Swanson as a person from this piece.

[@arnesahlen2704]

I've viewed twice and will do so again one day. Fritz, your research and presentation are splendid; and the Bette quotes in between the pix of Jack Warner and her are an absolute scream! 😃😆🤣

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Aww, thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@JakeEpstine]

Fritz, this is your best ever. I didn't know much about Swanson and thought I knew lots about Davis. You have given me a new perspective on both. The editing, clips, interviews and newspaper clippings are spot on. Keep on keeping on!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@leonardmirone8215]

Fascinating documentary of two iconic females who gave us so much. I learned so much about both ladies. I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Swanson in NYC not long before her death, in a bakery on the upper East Side. She was reserved but gracious. You knew you were in the company of a true legend. Having seen both performances, I probably would have voted for Bette, but would’ve not been at all upset if Swanson beat her. Ironically, neither took home the award. ‘Eve’ was the better picture, in my opinion, and ultimately took home the Best Picture Oscar. Thank you for these fascinating profiles. 😊

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for watching and how fascinating that you got to meet her!

[@p_nk7279]

Respectfully, if one feels Gloria Swanson was ‘over the top’ one misses the point. Norma Desmond is over the top, and Swanson displayed that in her portrayal. Bette Davis’ performance seems more natural and contemporary because the character is not stuck in time or the past, as Desmond is.

[@mckenna8663]

My late mother was named after Gloria Swanson. I've known this fact all my life. But more recently, I've realized that I don't know much about Gloria Swanson. I don't know what my grandmother would have loved so much, as to name her daughter after her. So, I'm now in search of videos that will teach me about the actress.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for sharing this story! I hope you can get some information about her in this video

[@akrenwinkle]

Have you considered reading a book?

[@andyvanm1]

@@akrenwinkle lol

[@malipasta1]

Your videos are SUPERB. Thank you for your hard work.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for watching and your nice words! 😊

[@anthonyanderson2405]

An absolutely magnificent piece of Hollywood history, thank you so very much!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for watching!

[@pophector]

Thank you so much for this in depth, concise, and comprehensive video! This was the video I was looking forward to the most covering this race. I do think this was a year vote splitting made a huge difference affecting the outcome of the victor in this race. I do think Gloria Swanson & Bette Davis would have made absolute all timers in the history of Best Actress. Though I think Gloria would have had a more prosperous career in the 1950s had she deservingly won and Bette would have won for her actual best performance to win the Oscar. The fact that she won for Dangerous and Jezebel over Of Human Bondage, Dark Victory, The Little Foxes, The Letter, All About Eve, or Baby Jane is still baffling. Great video, Fritz! I hope you do a double video on Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl & Katharine Hepburn in The Lion In Winter one year.

[@voyaristika5673]

Your work is heartfelt and it shows! Miss Swanson was really just a child when she started her career (age 14? 16?) and her legendary status is well earned. What a unique person, such a 'trooper' and positive thinker in terms of her career and life philosophy. Bette Davis was the quintessential career woman who had determination I can't begin to imagine. As they say, "They don't make 'em like that anymore." Thank you for these videos!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thank you for watching!

[@BillyLapTop]

Excellent documentary! Thank you for the time and effort you put into creating this piece of Hollywood history.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@johnjones5424]

Stanwyck is arguably the best actress of the golden era, but she lacked the neuroses imo that Davis had that made her Margo perfect. Colbert is an interesting choice, but it would have been a complete differently movie. Thanks for the marvelous video.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for your comment! Mankiewicz later said that Colbert would also have been perfect but that her Margo would have been very different, more elgant and classy

[@arnesahlen2704]

1:45:54 Bette's All About Eve hair: I fully agree with you! I think she should have kept that look for at least a decade. Splendid study, Fritz, of these stars and their evolving film productions. 👏 👏

[@andyvanm1]

She has the same hair style in the movie "Another Mans Poison " with her husband Gary Merrill

[@susanb2015]

They cut older women's (over 30) hair in ugly shorter styles in the 50s. The 40s had longer softer hairstyles.

[@Lake1920]

“Fasten your seat belts and get ready for your close ups!” Brilliant beginning to another fabulous video covering two deservedly acclaimed artists and two of my favorite films! Thank you.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

@@Lake1920 thank you!!! 😀

[@jaburadvocacia261]

my God, what a FANTASTIC video!!!!!!! epic!!! I’m SO glad I’ve found this wonderful channel!!!!🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@richardbocanegra5945]

Thank you for your thorough and insightful review of two of my favorite films. I especially enjoyed the spotlight on Gloria Swanson, who created one of the most memorable and extraordinary characters of Norma Desmond. When I moved to Los Angeles I lived a few blocks away from Paramount studios on Rossmore and always thought of Norma’s studio return when I passed the entrance gates. Also, I was @ the opening of “Sunset Boulevard “ which premiered in Century City (Schubert Theater) with Glen Close. I loved it, but nothing comes close to the original film .. and I especially love William Holden. I appreciate how well balanced, intelligent and “mogul-like” the great Gloria Swanson was. Wonderful review/documentary, thank you🎉❤

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thank you! ❤️

[@Slater-Poli]

These videos are amazing

[@sanfordpress8943]

Fascinating. Thank you Fritz

[@dionnegonsalves8188]

Thank you for this informative Vid... I'm enjoying it so much. 😊 💐

[@eddiecruz6393]

I adore all of your content!!!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much!

[@paulniles8286]

A well-researched and thoroughly enjoyable analysis of two iconic performances. Even now, some 74 years later it's a difficult choice to which of these two outstanding performances should have won best actress.

[@barrylangford3276]

l have always found it puzzling that Gloria Swanson wasn't high on Wilder's list of potential stars from day one. It's not as if there were that many huge silent movie actresses to choose from: Pickford and Negri were obvious possibilities, though Negri's heavy accent probably ruled her out pretty quickly, and Clara Bow's fear of sound movies was, l am sure, known within the industry. It isn't only with hindsight that I say Gloria should have been on anybody's top five casting ideas for Norma. That aside, THANK YOU Fritz for yet another superb and engrossing video. Not a minute too long... in fact l wish it had been longer!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much 🥰

[@Lgevirtz]

Wow, what a comprehensive compilation! You've really outdone yourself this time! Bravo!!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much

[@mcbear2543]

Absolutely stunning! Your analysis of both actresses and both roles was one of the best I’ve ever seen/heard. Your channel (meaning you) is a blessing and precious gift to all of us out here in dark. Thank you ❤️😌

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Ooh, thanks so much for your very kind words 😊

[@issakelly8071]

Your best video yet

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks!

[@andreiiliepopescu6393]

Wunderschön, Fritz. Ich habe dein Video verschiedene Mal angesehen. :-) Vielen Dank für diesen Video-essay über diesen legendären Schauspielerinnen.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Gerne! 😊freut mich sehr, dass es dir gefällt

[@richardscanlan3419]

Have both these films,and they are absolute masterpieces.Throw in " The Men' with Marlon Brando in the same yr. The quality of movies in the Golden Age was extremely high.

[@j.d.youtube6557]

I love your content. ❤

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much 🥰

[@derrionbrown3923]

2 1/2 hours????? Thank you Fritz🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@FritzandtheOscars]

It's excessive, I know, but I already shortened it down 🤣

[@derrionbrown3923]

@@FritzandtheOscars you’re the Martin Scorsese of KZbin 🎥📹📽️🎞️

[@FritzandtheOscars]

haha, I sometimes feel like David Lean! :)

[@derrionbrown3923]

@@FritzandtheOscarsyou should do a podcast version of these. Might be nice to listen to.

[@oscarman42]

Have you read the book "Oscar Wars"? It contains a really interesting chapter on the 1950 Best Actress race.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Not yet but I have a feeling I've read everything else there is 😀

[@oscarman42]

@@FritzandtheOscars I haven't finished your video yet, but so far it looks like you could have written the book!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

haha, thanks! :) @@oscarman42

[@khongmaithikhog5624]

​@@oscarman42you top anyone 😮 horny

[@andrewwilton5017]

fabulous video, what incredibly beautiful eyes gloria swanson had! they could have had their own song just like bette's

[@cryan4041]

Your videos are labors of love, thoroughly researched, and beautifully presented. As a classic film fan and lover of history, I am truly appreciative of your work.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for your kind words 🙏

[@davidfairbrother4292]

Extremely well presented! 💯%. I've been a fan of Davis & Swanson & others ( Crawford & Stanwyck ect )for 40 yrs..You've shown/ said info i never knew! Very grateful! Great research! 👍💙✅✅✅😄

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for watching

[@radragaus]

Thanks!!!!!! It is a great video!!!!! Thanks Very Much from Buenos Aires, Argentina

[@ShawnQuinlan]

GREAT JOB!! I really enjoyed this. Thank you!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnjones5424]

One other comment: Beyond the Forest holds up better than Davis gives it credit for. Certainly better than the deadly dull "Winter Meeting" which I would never watch again.

[@lenawalters1866]

Wild that Cosmo used to publish short stories like "wizdom of eve"

[@issakelly8071]

I hope someday you get around to 1983 Oscars. Your review of Meryl and Jessica was my favorite on your blog. In fact, it's interesting reading your blog and watching these videos and see how your opinions have and haven't changed.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for remembering my blog! :)

[@tedwatson9929]

great documentary!

[@loritracy1385]

Thank you. Subscribed 😊

[@call2872]

You did exceedingly well for videos about Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce and Patricia Neal in Hud. However, this video is definitely up there as well. It was unfortunate that Gloria Swanson did not win the award. She was phenomenal in Sunset Boulevard. Love that film.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks a lot but I actually did not make a video about Mildred Pierce yet 😊

[@dionnegonsalves8188]

The dress 👗 & hairstyle on Bette Davis in ALL About Eve, was everything! 💯 💐

[@BrianJosephMorgan]

This is an extraordinary achievement, worthy of the two great actresses-although I must confess my partiality for Gloria Swanson. Bravo!

[@Pdjohnners]

Absolutely brilliant! Thoroughly enjoyed watching. It's a pity Miss Swanson and Miss Davis didn't get to share the Oscar a la Hepburn/Streisand. On balance, personally I think Swanson deserved it more. That said, I also think it maybe mattered slightly less to her and her life was possibly much happier than Davis's.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for watching and your comment!

[@graphiquejack]

Neither won the award, but both of these films are in the pantheon of great films that will probably still be watched for decades to come. They didn't need the award, in the end, but I am sure they both would have appreciated it.

[@fanorama1]

Wow! What an in-depth and informative presentation. My vote goes for Swanson. I can Watch SB over and over again. But Davis was also so deserving.

[@DavidN369]

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks for watching!

[@victoriachase9550]

Bravo for this in depth analysis of these two icons. I will always say Gloria Swanson should have won best actress for Sunset Blvd

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thank you for watching

[@classiclife7204]

Very strong amateur documentary; among the best I've seen on KZbin, and that's not hyperbole. Perfectly laid out: a general bio of each actor, the famous roles themselves, and the aftermath, which includes the shocking Oscar win. Certainly "Sunset Blvd" didn't do as well as it should have in general, and you can see why, given Louis B. Meyer's reaction. A lot of old men like him at that time. "How can they bite the hand that feeds" blah de blah, yeah, "feeds" is more like "dragging remuneration out, kicking and screaming". You know, just like now! I confess to a general preference for "Sunset": it's more modern and to our taste, despite the surface obsession with the past. "Eve" is about "The Theatre", which must've seemed old-fashioned even for 1950, outside of Method-y Off-Off-Broadway circles. (And "Eve" isn't about Method Acting theater.) Something happens at the beginning of the third act in "Eve", when Davis does that "your job is to be a woman" speech (🙄), that just rubs me the wrong way. It's a speech only a man (or a Mankiewicz) could write, and, from what we know of Margot, is something she would NEVER say. What follows up to the end is a general disappearance of Margot. The third act involves itself with Anne Baxter and George Sanders (and to a tiresome degree, Celeste Holm and whoever plays Holm's husband). It's why I think Swanson deserved the Oscar: Norma is the larger part. Back to "Sunset": I disagree that Norma needs a "quiet" or "weepy" moment. NO. It's such a relief to be free of cheap sentiment. Another reason, btw, that I prefer "Sunset". Even Sanders gets sentimental at one point, sternly lecturing Baxter about "our country's heroes". Yeah, Addison, all right, sheesh. I'm being hyper nitpicky though: I love "Eve" too. But one has to have a preference, and "Sunset" is mine.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much for your comment!

[@neildickson5394]

Both parts were incredible, and both actresses created stand alone legendary characters. But, Gloria Swanson deserved the Oscar. Her characterization eclipsed her own personage. Bette Davis went on to Baby Jane and other parts. Besides, Judy Holliday was not in any way the actresses Davis and Swanson were, and I'm a Holliday fan. It was pretty catty to single Marilyn Monroe out as having some unknown issues during "All About Eve". Her part was small in that early film, and aside from the Director chasing her, I've never heard of any problems or issues.

[@p_nk7279]

Very solid. I probably regard Sunset Boulevard higher, and as more ‘classic’ as it just resonates more with me. And the male role is way better - William Holden kills it. I saw Glenn Close do it on Broadway, the later revival, she was superb.

[@Thesavageeye]

thought Bette extraordinary in All About Eve but Norma was unreal in Sunset Boulevard sorry I go with Swanson although Bette is my favorite actress. I thought Bette should’ve won for The Little Foxes, wonderful wonderful wonderful‼️✨‼️✨

[@WGARVA]

First rate presentation! Meticulous and insightful.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

Thanks so much!

[@ZeCabreira]

Gloria and Bette both have the same Transatlantic accent.

[@aDogNamedHandsome]

“Gloria Swanson. The second woman to make a million dollars in Hollywood. And the first one to spend it.”

[@かなめつつい]

Bette Davis in "All about Eve" and Gloria Swanson in "Sunset Boulevard" AND JOAN CROWFORD IN JONNY GUITAR

[@CrissyRed]

Yay!!!

[@prometheustree-m9w]

Davis and Swanson were both Sun in Aries/Scorpio Rising (different Moon signs). So was Crawford. So was Chaplin.

[@andreiiliepopescu6393]

Which do you think, Fritz, would be the top three years for the best line-ups for Best Actress? 1950 is definitely one.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

1962 is my favorite. And then I would add 1950 and then there are many I like...maybe 1983

[@MariaFernanda-dr7pv]

Make video talking abut Joan Crawford Pleaseeee

[@FritzandtheOscars]

I have this one so far where I talk about both of their nominated performances in 1952 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGnHi4mfiMqbnbMsi=H37vNc5wY5y90QcH

[@FritzandtheOscars]

And I talk about them both here as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2rLm4Zro65_rtksi=phPgIDZS47CuJB3l

[@arnesahlen2704]

2:07:15 >> I'm shocked by such rude questions rudely raised! 😡😡 With Gloria's #1 woe as she herself said, scripts received after Boulevard all same-same roles, how could she show range?

[@arnesahlen2704]

1:08:10 Good heavens! I checked Gloria's lost $800,000 Queen Kelly investment against a 2025 equivalent: c.$14,000,000! 😵‍💫😬😢

[@lenwelch2195]

These two performances are often cited for the argument against an Oscar race between artist being unfair to the artist. BothBette and Gloria’s performance. It’s unfair for such fine artists to be in a race for the best when more than one artist deserved to win.Judy holiday won and can you imagine how disappointed Gloria ad Bette were?

[@lenwelch2195]

I’m surprised that Gloria didn’t get many toes after this. I know. Gloria had a take it r eave it attitude but se was a remarkable actress

[@WilAdams]

I should like to add to this observation that one of the clear reasons for Miss Davis's career not skyrocketing after the 1940s was the same reason that people like Orson Scott Card, Robert McCammon for example the people have not gotten the 'genre' to fit them in. For Bette, in the late 30s and 40s she played in 'women's pictures', where she was type cast, and thus successful, but each time she moved away from those roles she failed. Now look at authors like Stephen King, or Orson Scott Card. King was pigeon holed as a genre author indeed if you read the cover of the original release of the SCI-FI novel Tommyknockers. It proclaims it to be a HORROR story, because until then King had achieved his greatest success in the Horror Genre. Card on the other hand is an author just as talented (if not more) as King BUT while his greatest successes have been of the SCI-FI genre he--like Bette--PUSHED the envelope writing stories like the novella "Lost Boys' (not the vampire film) which is as scary as anything King has produced but it was not as successful as his Ender Wiggins' series, or any of his other SCI-FI themed work. Card was not dissuaded by the failure of Lost Boys to connect as well as his SCI-FI works did, instead he produced a couple of Fantasy stories (Middle Woman is a great one0 and other horror stories (Freeway Games and Deep Breathing Exercises) as well as keeping his SCI-FI fans happy with stories like King's Meat and the MASTERPIECE Unaccompanied Sonata. With Bette she kept using the Card model. This hurt her career since she--unlike King--rejected the genre label.

[@Joe-j5t]

APPLAUSE!!!

[@dicedchickenbig7789]

I still think Gloria Swanson is the best

[@kathleenmckenzie6261]

The AI generated subtitles are atrocious.

[@singstreetcar5881]

I use to think norma Desmond was a real actress. I didn't know it was a character

[@jamesm654]

Good lord Bette Davis, you get zero gratitude when you retire from ANY profession.

[@LollyLolly-d7l]

Swanson should have won that Oscar

[@nicolettapasquini6614]

Entra brave mitiche bette Davis anche la diva ha una parte di attrice al tramonto vicino ha Natalie wood che interpreta la figlia in Eva contro Eva brava in Margot dove non vuole invecchiare

[@jamesa.romano8500]

I'm not sure if this even makes sense, but I'd rate Gloria slightly above Bette if only because Margot Channing was very much an extension of Bette's own self and persona to the point where it could be considered meta, while Gloria was nothing like Norma Desmond in real life and created this bizarre character from whole cloth - a creation that has been referenced and parodied and imitated so much that it has displaced the original. I do think All About Eve is the superior film although I think Sunset Boulevard is more accessible. I watched Sunset as a kid and enjoyed it immensely even if some of the more adult elements went over my head. Watching All About Eve at the same age I had a hard time getting into it, and only now can appreciate it fully where I can comprehend the complex dialogue and intricacies in the storyline.

[@kendn01]

Sorry, but I get tired of this nonsense that Davis spins about being a victim in her marriages. Davis was anything but blameless, and she egged her husbands on mercilessly.

[@tiffanywitherspoon8722]

👏👏👏😊👏👏👏😊👏👏