BETTE DAVIS IN HER FIRST GREAT SCENE! 1931

robertjeffrey.blogspot.com
The First Lady of the American Screen began her film career unspectacularly in the same 1931 motion picture melodrama that would also be the first movie for fellow Broadway actor and future co-legend at Warner Bros., Humphrey Bogart. The film was called The Bad Sister, and Davis would later refer to it in one of her autobiographies as a wicked thing. Despite co-starring Sidney Fox, Conrad Nagel, and Slim Summerville, The Bad Sister would otherwise be an inconsequential early talkie if it did not feature two of the four signature stars of Warner Bros.-working under what would be an abbreviated contract at a rival studio. Despite its primary significance being as a historical document, it does contain one truly fine sequence, which I have excerpted here. Perhaps this manifestation of unrequited love at its most painful was the scene that prompted legendary gossip columnist Hedda Hopper to take notice of Bette one year before her first film at Warner Bros.
Happy Valentines Day 2010 & VIVA LA BETTE!

[@psychaddict17]

This is a clip from “The Bad Sister” (1931). The full movie has recently been restored and uploaded to KZbin!

[@esausjudeannephew6317]

At the end of the scene when she finally decides to burn every feeling and thought she's had and put into that diary is one of the most quietly tragic things I've ever seen in my life. It actually draws tears for me to look at

[@SCJ7812]

Bette was such a great actress, literally felt her brokenness in this scene.

[@Eurafrican]

A poignant scene, beautifully and effectively acted. Thank you so much for reminding me about this :)

[@BigBadassR]

Look at those big beautiful eyes! Somebody could make a song about them.

[@foodandtravelmom2241]

Big R They did make a song about her eyes😊

[@skylite5329]

Yes, I love the song. She reminds me so of my sister. She had Bette Davis eyes. She passed away 3 yrs., ago. My baby sister. I can't look at Bette Davis w/o thinking of her. They could pass for twins, really. Kim Carnes, I believe is the one who came out with the song: (She's God Bette Davis Eyes).

[@s.e.landeros280]

😂🤣👍

[@karolinesmith6119]

Big R good one :)

[@skylite5329]

@@catslove3884 Excuse me, I didn't use the word: god!!

[@jamesjspero]

She was so young and beautiful. She was made up so plain almost resembling something to that of Popeye's Olive oil. None the less, this was the start of one of the best actresses to ever grace the silver screen in my opinion. One of my favorites!!!

[@davidbrown552]

"Made up so plain" is a total emotional and physical "turn on" for some people. Love to live in that world.

[@skylite5329]

Yes, she is really my favorite actor of all time.

[@vintageman91]

Yes, she really had a rather simple yet special look, thats the main season why i think that she was the most beautiful actress i have ever seen.

[@justshowmehow]

There is actually a song from the eighties about them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIGXqYugjJ5qodE

[@vintageman91]

@@justshowmehow From 1981 with Kim Carnes, heard it as a kid and listening to it now as well.

[@ambidextra_ambidextra]

she's just so extremely weird, and fascinating. And unique. the child is amazing also

[@sibaritajal6733]

Es rara en el buen sentido de la palabra

[@Sbaxter1989]

Awwww she's a baby !!

[@dgibson63]

She shows wonderful concentration at the fireplace, and she portrays Laura's sadness deeply and simply.

[@darrellrosenbluth9979]

David Gibson is

[@LorriePenfield]

About 60 years ago when i was a child , some friends talked me into going through the house of Bette Davis in New Hampshire. No one was home. So obviously, this was illegal. But we were children, and I don't remember if we were aware we were breaking the law. We did not take or damage anything. We were just fascinated with the house. I am now a physician about 70 years old, and I still admire her. I think so few can compare with her. I wish i had met her in person to tell her how great she was. And sorry for breaking into your house,even though we didn't break anything. Just naughty,curious children.

[@sharksport01]

This entire movie is on youtube without the bad sound.

[@mikeilamenk]

The best actress ever. I love you Bette Davis! ❤️

[@davidfairbrother4292]

She's the best- a real gem of an actress..

[@TotzkeMike]

Early on, she should have played Alice in "Alice in Wonderland": she looks like the Alice in the original illustrations by Sir John Tenniel.

[@scotnick59]

YES

[@edienandy]

Omg she really does tho

[@ACandRS]

She even said this herself in her first book!

[@TotzkeMike]

@@ACandRS ✔️✔️✔️

[@witchwemoon8538]

You can goggle and find a picture of a very young Olivia de Havilland as Alice. Another great actor and one of my favorites.

[@autoscape1963]

Hard to think of anyone truly better.....She was so great in "Now Voyager" and "Jezebel"

[@cosmedearmas9516]

The pain of unrequited love portrayed sensitively by Bette.

[@stevie68a]

Sound was still new here, and the footsteps on the stairs overpowers the actors speaking.

[@debfan74]

Today would be Bette's birthday! I love Miss Davis in all I have ever seen of hers!

[@DNAleguillou]

What day is that

[@richardmcleod5967]

Conrad Nagel was also good in any part he ever played. He was a very beloved member of the Hollywood of the 1930's.

[@taylordowning2533]

She is so pretty and I also enjoyed her in Waterloo Bridge, the 1931 version, where she played Douglass Montgomery's sister

[@rehpotsirhc21]

so young and so beautiful! I would love to see all of her early work but her movies are not easy to find

[@jonahr.1236]

You are right! So hard to find. I am trying to find "THE ANNIVERSARY" (1968) but i cannot find it anywhere. There's just a clip on youtube

[@Mary-1000]

@@jonahr.1236 Wow that must be some movie. I just found the dvd on amazon for 85.00 the Blue Ray is 65.00

[@jonahr.1236]

@@Mary-1000 $65??? Wtf. I don’t know if I want it THAT bad. Must it be THAT rare??

[@steffcdn1962]

As bad as this may seem in comparison to Bette's later work part of her appeal is the fact that she fought with such great tenacity to be given the chance to showcase her true talent truly railing against the hollywood idea of glamour and star quality and showing she earned everything she achieved ... an amazing woman on all fronts

[@NycCuban]

But, once she was given what she had always wanted, the ability to produce her own movies, she chose very mediocre roles

[@celesasheldon6931]

💯

[@paulj0557tonehead]

I think I would have left the theater after this film and gone straight to the reviews in the papers and magazines. Any critic that didn't see her awesome acting ability should have been fired. Okay, now I'm sounding like a Bette crusader, but it is rather interesting that even though I've spent my life ignoring trends and avoiding what the general public considers greatness to be the old general public must have had some sense because Davis, Crawford, and Stanwyck are my top 3 actresses.

[@saugusguy]

Hands down the greatest actress America ever had

[@michaelremillard2215]

I've got to stop peeling so many of those darn onions!

[@angelah5368]

Her older movies,such as; the nanny, babyJane was so eerie that seems only Betty Davis could play so well.

[@joracer1]

Heart breaking.

[@susietorres8600]

A bit shrill in Of Human Bondage, but amazing.

[@dianalee8967]

My 88 year-old mind just kicked in a little I think that is Cate Blanchett Meryl Streep I don't know if my computer spelling that right but you know they don't match to her but are great

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

Someone really needs to remaster the sound. We cannot allow these old films to be ignored because of technical things that are easily fixed.

[@fran_1978]

CUTE indeed! Thanks so much for posting this!

[@silviacaldelas186]

I love her so so much ! She's the best ! Most talented actress of all times... My heart just broken poor girl ! And the little boy who was !? I love that little boy he really stoled the scene !

[@carrietezeno1553]

Love Her The Greatest Actress Ever

[@mauricioexenberger6225]

Bad Sister is always remembered not for its cinematic qualities, but for being the first work of Bette Davis in the film. The future star of Warner fails to impress in the role of Laura Madson, good sister of fellow rookie Sidney Fox (Marianne Madison), the bad sister that gives its name to the film. Davis appears aloof , almost always silent and downcast, and without the vibrant energy to enshrine some years later as one of the greatest actresses of Hollywood. It is the opposite of Sidney Fox, much more at ease on the scene. Sidney, however , did not have a future as promising in the land of cinema. She ended her career after marriage, in 1934, and died early, with only 30 years. Male cast, only Humphrey Bogart, who plays the swindler Valentine Corliss, turned star. The boy David Durant (Hedrick Madison) is great - the best of the cast.

[@Eurafrican]

Very fascinating to learn all of this about Sidney Fox. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@veroniquedumont3205]

i simply love her💓🙏👏👏👏

[@sandraoss326]

TY for sharing

[@stonesinmyblood27]

The greatest actress ever was only 23 years old when she made this picture. ❤

[@brinsonopinion]

Wow. I've seen this movie listed on YT but never watched. I can just imagine the studio heads seeing this and saying "That girl's got something!"

[@michaelgiffey5108]

Hard to believe she was considered an ugly duckling at Universal, She had a luminosity that was hard to ignore in this film. My personal belief is she never looked lovelier than in Now, Voyager.

[@andrewthornhill7042]

Bette managed to slough off the waif look to reveal the steel beneath in her next few movies. Then she went from strength to strength. Imho, Davis rocked Margo!!

[@vintageman91]

I dont get that either. She had a rather special look but in a very beautiful way.

[@jessebacon817]

Bette Davis was plain until she glammed it up a bit and became a fiery force.

[@dayzeereyes128]

She seems awkward because the scene is supposed to be awkward; she’s beong rebuffed by the only man she loves.

[@dayzeereyes128]

Being*

[@loboestepario57]

she is the best actress of the u.s. forever saludos from chile

[@mark1968]

Wow, this is a hard film to find. Bette was so beautiful in this.

[@bengilbert7413]

Bette hated her performance in this movie. Her and her mother cried when they saw it.

[@sharondiaz137]

My beloved mom had Bette Davis eyes

[@MignonDunne]

Great scene. Thanks for finding this. It's the first (and last) time I've seen BD move in slo-mo. Great moment in cinema for the "Little Brown Wren".

[@XX-gy7ue]

she was so young and already very much Bette Davis !

[@tedwatson9929]

From the film "The Bad Sister" ... you can watch t on youtube.

[@kvernon1]

@nayita85 Hard to believe, but that definitely is her. I just read an autobiography of her life, and "Bad Sister" was her first movie. A photograph from the book proves it. She was born in 1908, so she would be 23 years old at this point. Her early roles did not give her much of a chance to showcase her talents, but she would win Oscars for "Dangerous" and "Jezebel" within 7 years of this debut.

[@darellgrant8753]

She should have at least 3 more Oscars

[@nicoleackerman205]

She should have won who On the human Bondage and Now Voyager.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

@@darellgrant8753 Do you really think her acting in Baby Jane was better than Anne Bancroft in The Miracle Worker?

[@darellgrant8753]

@@anti-ethniccleansing465 good question. U answer first

[@karenhill3970]

Superb........awe..

[@alwaysblake148]

The boy, David Durant, stole the picture with a truly great performance. The full movie is available on You Tube with much better sound.

[@OliviaAnciso]

Always Blake.....Totally agree with you! I'll never forget the scene when he takes off running after seeing a policeman standing on the front porch!

[@JW-do2wc]

Amazing how this was her movie screen debut.

[@ldaxxx1]

Bette appears a bit stiff and awkward in her scenes, but that is to be expected in an actor's first few roles. Even here, her talent shines through, giving promise of great things to come.

[@joracer1]

She played that scene perfectly shy hidden passion for the doctor, her somber defeated heartbroken shock, as her little brothers actions ripped her guts out, her restrained torment as her secret is exposed. Her soulless expression as she burns her soul. Powerful, to the point accurate and perfectly executed by a young lady that already had it. My heart breaks with hers in this scene when an actor can make a man cry from the screen he or she has done their job. It's a great movie you should watch it. Watch Bette in Now Voyager and just see if you can hold back your emotions. Imo Bette Davis is the corner stone of which the best of Hollywood was built.

[@Mary-1000]

@@joracer1 Yes. Now Voyager will make you cry. I've only just discovered it a few weeks back. Great movie!!!!

[@bobdownes162]

Surprised she got together what she did with having to react with that guy.

[@katalinabrigitte3395]

She went on to become the greatest ACTRESS in America.

[@stuartperry1047]

She stands out even more because she is paired with Conrad Nagel- one of the most wooden actors in the history of cinema. He was never able to shed his stagey- theatrical mannerisms. He is no match for the grande Bette.

[@larakikia1953]

she was and still a lovely actress

[@windstorm1000]

The little boy is a great actor. Very expressive and poignant. Who is he?

[@Steven-wb9hb]

David Durand (born 1920, died 1998). According to IMDB, he acted in films pretty steadily starting in 1925, and his last film was in 1944. After that, he worked behind the scenes in the film industry.

[@Diaredd59]

Ah, but the glimmers of future Bette were clear and apparent!

[@The-Scots-man]

Aww she looks beautiful.

[@johnlorenzen4633]

The child actor is an old soul. Fantastic. Was he in anything else?

[@paulbrien9902]

David Durand has 60 credits on imbd from 1925 to 1944. His career began at 5 years old in an Our Gang silent comedy short. He appeared alongside the Dead End Kids in Angels With Dirty Faces.

[@qrthrse1]

Can you put the whole movie on KZbin please? I'd like to watch the film.

[@sharonthomas865]

A Great Actress

[@davidcolumbia5792]

I can relate. Me and a coworker. I'm Bette's character.

[@helium73]

Sometimes all someone needs is a little help.

[@jamesrhines5379]

Thats my girl. She's my favorite. Since childhood I hunted her movies within TV Guide. She had swagger. Per Hiphop :"She's dat Be-itch". Her work ethic is kkrazy.😎

[@paulj0557tonehead]

@WarriorOfWriters You're right! I've seen them in at least 3 or 4 films off the top of my head. Another famous set are the ones from ' The Strange Love of Martha Ivers'. Then there was a wide set that went down to the left of the screen that I've seen a lot of. I've seen hundreds of films, but am horrible with titles- know all the stars though:)

[@44032]

This was not Humprhey Bogart's first movie. It was his fourth. per the IMDB he's made "Up the River", (also Spencer Tracy's first film") "A Devil with Women" and "Body and Soul" before this.

[@ron-waynehoekstra7007]

Huh , where have u been . They did in the 80s . Kim Carne : Bette Davis Eyes . Amazing song and Bette was tickled pink !

[@davidbrown552]

DAMN that girl was good looking! And good acting.

[@bojack40]

3:05 is where we start to see her promise

[@caroltenge5147]

Ive never seen that film...Would you post the name, and perhaps the full movie. Thank you,

[@lovingmayberry307]

carol tenge "Bad Sister"

[@lmadonna1794]

I love betty Davis, ladies had class and style kii

[@mehmetokay7073]

This is from Bad Sister?

[@creolelady182]

23 years old and her mother Ruthie made sure Bette got her break.

[@ronc1772]

creolelady182. ..she also spent a great deal of her money.

[@richardmcleod5967]

Miriam Hopkins would have played the part better. Miriam Hopkins was the favorite Actress of famed Director Ernst Lubitsch.

[@scotnick59]

i think the kid is played cutely by David Durand

[@lmadonna1794]

I love betty Davis, ladies had class and style

[@karenhill3970]

I think this scene was wonderful...she. Was never going to tell Him how she felt...i think he is Laura " her sister s beau not really Bad Sister. I think just a little self - centered. But movie ends GREAT as i recall...that little boy s face & acting in this scene!!! Awesome

[@mariotrance6379]

she was 23 or 24 yo here.. born 1907

[@WarriorOfWriters]

those famous stairs

[@titania145]

I saw this movie....was excellent and Bette was just 16 or something like that the kid was truly hateful 😠 A great actor himself. 👍

[@larrydirtybird]

How sad. What is the name of this movie?

[@oklahomorose]

larrydirtybird "Bad Sister"

[@jtridexter]

wow her first film and she was 23 years old in this film.. You should put the title of this film "The Bad Sister" (1931)

[@vivwalker5883]

jtridexter Bette Davis was an original, a one off. Considered to be plain , her huge,expressive eyes conveyed every human emotion. She was mesmerising and charismatic, a superb thespian.

[@dianalee8967]

She always thought she was ugly but she was beautiful and did you know well I guess you do know those big eyes were blue can you imagine that big eyes being blue that must have been something to look at I don't think she ever had any face work done like some of the others she was a true beauty and actress the best of all of them except now we have a few did almost match to her but not quiet Meryl Streep the one that was in The Aviator with DiCaprio I think it's Cate Blanchett my 88 year-old man just kicked in a little LOL

[@creolelady182]

what a career!

[@hairofbullets]

I don't care what anybody says. Bette Davis was not good looking. She was by far, however, the greatest actress that ever lived.

[@josieraimondi6763]

PLEASE -- WHICH MOVIE IS THIS? What is the title/

[@stmichl9433]

Bad Sister

[@MrQbenDanny]

MAGIC

[@davedvlaries7764]

I think Davis once called this her 'little brown wren' period

[@Whatt787]

She looks creepy here

[@matteodellagiovanna3128]

she's got "the look"!!!!!

[@gvbrandolini]

Bravi

[@raquelb731]

Most of her casual dresses looks like olive oils wardrobe lol

[@nameprivate4287]

this is a really great movie. I just find it creepy when they put lipstick on men in these older movies.His lips look black !

[@mythra7174]

He's wearing more make-up than she is. ;) (I think it was because of the lighting).

[@paddle_shift]

She was one of the best. So sad the Hayes code kicked in a couple years later. Another sad example of the affects of giving women the right to vote.

[@darellgrant8753]

So women shouldn't vote?

[@frogjumptonykey]

Oh, in another lifetime, perhaps - see ya then,honey...

[@lauriefields3523]

He didn't mean any harm, but it hurt her anyway. Little twerp.

[@cruzvaldes5922]

She was better than Garbo and everyone tbh

[@pianobillf]

Handsome boy.

[@rogerpropes7129]

That doesn't look like or sound like the Bette Davis I remember.

[@creolelady182]

whos that kid?

[@juan58102]

she is 18?

[@MrVidaeverdade]

Juan Salinas 22