Bette Davis Speaks Her Mind | Carson Tonight Show

Original Airdate: May 22nd, 1986
#thetonightshow #johnnycarson #bettedavis
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[@markbirchette8740]

There'll never be an actress of Bette Davis's caliber again. At the age of 59, I remember watching Carson till the day he retired, and when TV was actually entertaining.

[@thebluedragon1532]

0:00 agreed!! Today's TV is terrible!

[@donnapowers7815]

So true

[@nibsvkh]

@@thebluedragon1532 You need to look a bit harder than TLC…there is A LOT of excellent television!

[@nibsvkh]

Really…it’s a reflection of your intellect and interests to say TV is not entertaining in 2024.

[@markbirchette8740]

@@nibsvkh Exactly so, we are smat enough to know it's utterly 💩 today, unlike you.

[@johnperrigo6474]

Johnny did a great job with this interview. It wasn't so much an interview but a listening session.

[@frankcheers7529]

She was sharp as a tack in attire and wit here. The Joan Rivers quip was amazing.

[@maudeboggins9834]

Definitely one does not interrupt Bette Davis.

[@lauralei6963]

I could listen to Bette all day🌟

[@twistoffate4791]

Same. She's mesmerizing!

[@ogtme]

Love that Massachusetts accent!

[@meijer78]

The Queen of Hollywood and the King of Late Night. RIP to both.

[@joancarucci8290]

She is still in 2024. The greatest actress of all time , I watch her movies over and over again.

[@smiley9872]

me too!

[@juliacarothershughes]

🌟yes

[@michelletocco4827]

AMEN! THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!!!!

[@jeannevitiello1558]

❤ 2024

[@threeballedtomcat9380]

The world lost a wonderful lady when Ms.Davis left us......And we lost the KING of Late Night when Carson passed, God knows we have lost a lot a great people. Thanks for the upload, this is really a great moment in time.

[@absoluteacw]

Yes, wonderfully entertaining. An actress such as Bette who'd achieved and had earned the right to be revered.

[@eshaibraheem4218]

1:31 ​@@absoluteacw

[@absoluteacw]

What are we looking for?

[@nickmunoz7523]

In 2024, Ten days after uploading this show, 380K people have watched it already, it is absolutely amazing. Bette Davis we love you!

[@pmafterdark]

Miss these days of such great entertainment. Bette was a legend.

[@StacyMoore241]

I love her!!! And she spoke her mind too!! 😁

[@cashmeremonroe7715]

She reminds me of my elders back in the day. Honest and brilliant all while being gracious.

[@hypolyxa7207]

A NEW Bette Davis interview??!?!?!?! Yes, please! Absolutely nothing but eternal love for Bette and the true stars of Golden Hollywood.

[@calisongbird]

This is from 1986… not exactly new. She died in 1989.

[@RyanHLee-nc7hg]

I am so glad to see that her cadence and intellect were still just as formidable as ever even after her stroke. She exemplified the term “formidable.”

[@Garsons-oq4lh]

No intelligence here at 14:05. Joan did not hold on to the Oscar for 1 year. It was 1 month and it was because she had scheduled commitments to attend too. Joan traveled from the west coast all the way to the east to present the Oscar to Bancroft.

[@danielroque8504]

Hollywood dont exist as it once was~

[@annemontanaro3795]

Bette Davis, a true star.

[@AGNETHAFALTSK0G]

Why does a woman with a hoarse voice sing something about Bette Davies eyes??

[@Allendale-pz5im]

🌟✨⭐

[@lornadryden5650]

To see Ed and Johnny give a standing ovation was beautiful

[@StacyMoore241]

Oh man!! I love this interview on Johnny Carson! She’s a hoot!!

[@sk8rboy5434]

She’s got Bette Davis eyes. And she is sharp as a tack.

[@Garsons-oq4lh]

She's an idiot and sore loser. She states Joan Crawford told people not to vote for her (who were these people?) and that she held on to the Oscar for one year. Neither is true.

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Just watching her come out on stage makes me smile. She was an amazing pro - so smart, and classy through and through. She played every role as if heaven and earth depended on it. They do not make them like Bette Davis anymore.

[@robertgastreich9846]

A Hollywood Legend Actress Bette Davis. Obe of the greatest star in Hollywood. I loved this woman and her movies. She is funny, and the kindesss. I still miss her. I try to watch all of her movies when I can.

[@user-tt2jk3yq4g]

Too bad kids of today will never know if her and the amazing actress she was!! I love you, Miss Bette Davis❤

[@frankcheers7529]

They will.

[@danicegewiss862]

When I was in high school, Kim Carnes sang Bette Davis eyes. As I result, I watched a few of her movies and researched who she was. If my generation can do that, Gen Y and Z can, too.

[@rustynailmendlesohn8710]

What a wonderful visit with an icon. TY for this trip back to a different time. 😊❤👍

[@katiebernier4797]

Do you know the title of the music the band plays as she enters? It’s lovely.

[@ryanellis4474]

What a legendary lady What an amazing exchange Johnny is the best of all time

[@AndreinaGarban]

OMG!!!!! She really defines what a STAR IS!!!!! What a wonderful interview. I could listen to her for hours: Wit, funny, regal, wise, brutally honest, entertaining, and AWESOME!

[@Allendale-pz5im]

⭐

[@Allendale-pz5im]

⭐

[@pAusten]

Two of my favorite people. I love Johnny's laugh and Bette's humor.

[@somejackball]

she's a gem! my parents actually used to hang out with her and Joan Crawford, and my mom and Joan used to send holiday cards back n forth. and sometimes postcards. so, how is this so? my parents used have a Pepsi franchise and they all met at one of the big Pepsi conventions, and dinner. lot of movie stars back then invested in companies like Pepsi Cola, and were actually board members. Joan and my mom really hit it off apparently. i remember my mom had a special drawer in her bedroom with all of Joan's Holiday cards and letters. wish i still had those! there was pictures too, but were sadly lost ☮

[@kelb6073]

That's pretty awesome!

[@PsulOrtiz]

A 5 foot tall, 98 pound powerhouse of guts, determination and sheer perseverance! With a huge dose of prepartion and hardwork, plus some luck, and grace, for added, good measure!

[@ctheflower7818]

ah... The Golden Actors & Actresses... wish we could bring them all back ♥️👍♥️ I would love to listen to them & all their priceless stories of their lives 😎👍😎

[@StacyMoore241]

It’s not the same anymore is it. Not the same quality anymore.

[@stephaniesometimess]

Me too! Miss them so much 😢

[@sebastianmineo1313]

​@StacyMoore241 there's zero humility in the entertainers of today.

[@StacyMoore241]

@@sebastianmineo1313 How well have I noticed! And dignity or morals. I know that there was some back during the golden era that lacked it but you didn’t have it shoved in your face and they expect you to go along with it now. Not me

[@jacquelinecassidy8682]

No “work” and stunningly beautiful even to the end; intelligent, sharp, witty. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. God bless your little soul sweet girl.

[@michaelstacey8303]

Lol! Yes they do

[@Allendale-pz5im]

Name ONE!😅​@@michaelstacey8303

[@UncleDuTheWatchman]

No work even after a stroke and still beautiful! Her Beauty radiates from WITHIN.

[@lucy0537]

Love these two soo much. RIP to both of them.

[@jacksak]

I'm glad I saw this, because before hearing her I thought she was a stuck-up Hollywood snob. I was so wrong and now see her as a great, personable and fun lady.

[@Allendale-pz5im]

You have much to learn.✌️💖

[@suzannemostafavifar1686]

Amazing actress, she changed the movie business, I,proved it greatly. Wonderful actress.

[@UncleDuTheWatchman]

Agreed! (I think your autocorrect changed "improved" to "I.proved" ✊🏾)

[@user-pj1zj6eu2f]

Absolutely priceless! I watch the Johnny Carson reruns on "antennae tv" . No one could ever match him! He was the greatest.

[@dalilap4743]

That was very sweet that she gave designer #NolanMiller his flowers.

[@deeliciousplum]

She is wonderful! To be that playful and undeniably present while in the late Winter of my years would be a joy! 🌸🥰

[@MelissaNoble-dl2gb]

❤️ this woman!!! She was a great actress....all you newbies should study her work...n follow her form of dress! She is CLASS N TALENT

[@Nevernowaynope]

She was such a wee bitty thing, bless her heart. What a badass

[@Liz-re3ek]

It’s so wonderful to hear her laugh!! My idol from childhood, Queen Bette!! 💜💜💜

[@mollyquinn1823]

RIP Johnny & Bette you were the real stars of entertainment. Miss you so much.

[@cashmeremonroe7715]

Gone are these days, cigarettes and all😂 Love love love it!

[@JazTrance]

She was so charming. I just love these interviews with the very best of Hollywood. I'm so glad I lived in the same epoch as so many of these true stars.

[@AnnMargretFan]

Love, love, LOVE Bette Davis! In 1977, while going to college at UCSB, I had the amazing opportunity to attend "An Evening With Bette Davis" at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. It was such a thrill and she was on fire with stories, jokes, laughter and fun times. Many of the Montecito celebrities of the time were in the audience that night as well... Jane Russell, Tab Hunter, Fannie Flagg, Dame Judith Anderson, Burl Ives, etc. She called them out from the stage and chatted with them. Such a wonderful night!

[@rrbbb1180]

Having watched this interview back in 1986, and having watched it again now, almost 40 years later, it's still as entertaining as it was then. You never get tired of watching the greats.

[@laurafloyd6554]

Thanks for bringing back old memories

[@Les445]

My favorite actress and Jimmy Cagney is my favorite actor.

[@susanb2015]

Same here

[@michaelreece2966]

I’ve never seen his interview. It’s truly the best interview I’ve ever seen her do. She’s marvelous. My mother actually DID swing a cat through the neighbors window.

[@maggieb369]

She was always so gracious about crediting her designers.

[@StephanieMT]

beautiful dress and that she called out the designer awesome

[@robbryant52]

Now this is a legend

[@chijavier1869]

It’s a very beautiful gown and fitted Bette Davis to perfection.❤️

[@MeMeDaVinci]

The dress is beautiful! And, it has pockets!!!

[@justmyopinion2]

Love them both! Gone are the days of being authentic.

[@waynejohnson1304]

Bette Davis is my 6th cousin. My grandparents knew her when they lived in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire where Bette had a Summer home.

[@Rob_Kates]

Johnny's show was the last program where you could see the giants of the golden age of Hollywood, such as Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart, Liz Taylor, etc.

[@ocean1233]

THIS INTERVIEW...Is the BEST I've seen of Betty Davis 🎉 what a pleasure.

[@vec875]

I love her. Terrific interview.

[@snowman9977]

She was a spitfire that night. Love her always.

[@404goldie7]

You can tell she's an Aries.....confident, high-standards, tremendous energy, charismatic, honest, unapologetic.

[@BLTKellys]

You forgot narcissistic and competitive.

[@TheMomseloc]

My best friend of 45+ years passed away. Watching this video, Ms Davis reminded me so much for my dear friend. And then I saw your comment! My friend was also an Aries. Thank you. P.S. Ignore the sad, little trollski.

[@404goldie7]

@@TheMomseloc Wishing you comfort, certain people we are very lucky to have as friends, and we miss them so.

[@rover5788]

@@BLTKellys Agreed! She was not an easy person to deal with.

[@StacyMoore241]

She had a great sense of humor ❤

[@ChillSensesASMR]

Wow what a great interview, I could listen to her all day. 22 minutes too, you don't get that anymore. Cuz there's no one interesting enough now.

[@RS-km4rm]

That subtle mention of Joan and Johnny’s face and the “almost” reaction, I wonder what Ms Davis’s angle was! She’s a treasure!

[@holdyourhats]

She was quite simply...marvelous!!!

[@rma3_3_3]

❤Those Bette Davis Eyes!❤

[@doylejodi7502]

An original Diva. Lovely!

[@sharonpayne8912]

What a character she was! Loved her ❤❤❤

[@timothymeehan181]

“Old Pro”….”Grand Dame”……mesmerizing diva…..they broke the mold with Bette…❤️🎭

[@shaneencalade4988]

So sharp and so damn funny. She truly was one of a kind.

[@cleroyster2610]

That was great. Changed my whole attitude about Bette. Loved it.

[@edithpiwowarski4704]

One of my favorite actresses,, love all of her movers.. you can tell she lives alone because she is a talker…😀

[@jaybanks1947]

Best actress ever

[@juliahelland6488]

Love all the iconic actresses and actors! Lived Bette Davis! 💯❣️

[@Twentythousandlps]

Davis had several strokes in 1983 and worked hard to come back to where she was in this 1986 interview.

[@matthewtheriaque4413]

She was in a class all her own ❤

[@JazTrance]

Look how dressed up they all are! So classy. Not like today where they show up in jeans and sneakers.

[@KayBarsotti]

Real actors and actresses in the day...wish we still hadem🙂

[@neilmcdonald9164]

Watch the original "what's my line?" for even more dressing like that...🎩

[@aprillesantola8057]

Who remembers when you could smoke on TV?

[@jamesmaass8929]

Not to mention the grocery store and hospital.

[@karenfryberger4260]

@@jamesmaass8929 And airplanes. In 1946, Good Housekeeping launched the slogan "More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette" - which ran until 1952. And I remember seeing "9 out of 10 doctors recommend Camel cigarettes" as well. My mother used to joke that the reason ashtrays had sand in them was to "make the Camels feel at home."

[@jamesmaass8929]

@@karenfryberger4260 All 100% true

[@richardkronberg4925]

I have my ashtray on my tv.

[@loisjohnson7272]

Absolutely a wonderful lady to just sit down and listen to her talk about her life experiences ❤, wish I could have met her in person ❤

[@jillkjv3816]

When did she ever not speak her mind? 😂

[@dineenhilliard8378]

When I was 13 years old, I started smoking cigarettes because I saw Bette Davis smoke her cigarette, take a drink of her cocktail and then exhale the smoke. I couldn't believe that was possible. I watched all her movies. ❤❤

[@maryreynolds5310]

Miss you all!

[@markrichards6863]

Bette was very sharp. She was so smart to take control of her brand. I can not imagine anyone else in any roll she ever played. She claimed her rightful place at the top of the heap. You know she had to be tough to stay at the top. She was box office gold.

[@Mcwriter1Serrano-kj1so]

I think this will be my favorite Bette Davis video. She was great to watch and she made me laugh, I had no idea she was such a fun person. I love her delicate laugh and smile. She was beautiful, she looked so elegant in her red dress n shoes. Thank you Bette Davis for sharing with us your beauty n talent. 🎀 You will never be forgotten 💝💐⭐️🥂🏆🎬🕯️👠🚬🚬

[@user-br3ou2cs9o]

She worked hard to get it right for whatever character role she was to play. She wouldn't do a half-a** job. It was show up on time, because time was money for the Studios, Corporations, Investors and projected budgets etc., know your lines, get it in as few takes as possible and have the best product to release. And she did finish the book titled: THIS 'N THAT. I don't know if she appeared on Johnny's Show or any other for the book.

[@Les445]

I would love to read that book.

[@anonymous203020]

What a woman. They don’t make em like that anymore!

[@therealnancycarol]

Like no other, one of the greats. No one else need apply. 💕💕💕

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

In her "Golden Years". Ms. Davis was thought of as being a bit kooky. The wonderful late Jane Hooks played her a number of times on SNL. in this way. She may be a bit Mature but she is as sharp as a tack. Just like the wonderful Ms. Betty White was!

[@AllAmericanJock]

The Yankee Diva in a stupendously glamorous red gown! Wow. Superb actress, untouchable avant garde artistry. Carson (like Cavett, who Davis mentions here) knew how to interview a legend; today's hyper, interruptuve interviewers should take notes. I could listen to Carson and Davis chat all day. Wonder why this was hidden in the vaults till now. What a treat. Few signs of that debilitating early-80s stroke in this interview. Bette was so energetic, commanding and gregarious here that I almost wondered if she'd had a B12 shot just before coming onstage 😂 Davis says at the 12:17 mark that Dark Victory (1939), All About Eve (1950), and Baby Jane (1962) are the three films she shouse won Oscars for. I'd vote for Of Human Bondage (1934), The Little Foxes (1941), and Jane. Vivien Leigh deserved her 1939 win for GWTW. 1950 was a tough competition with five classic performances, but Gloria Swanson deserved it that year, for Sunset Blvd. Carson is a gracious pro in this clip, as always. The Queen of Hollywood, the King of Late Night. This was 1986; she left us just three years later. We still miss her so. Johnny and Ed too. Class and talent unmatched. May they all R.I.P.

[@Bippy55]

What an amazing interview. Inspirational really. Thanks for this video!

[@GoldenCelebs]

If Johnny Carson loves you, then Americans will love you too !!!

[@RoomscapeLondon]

Amazing Bette Davis, so witty, sharp & talented…so different from most today starlest who are full of themselves and VERY boring. She had real class.

[@asteverino8569]

I love Bette very much.

[@lisaboswell7696]

Loved every second of this,l am a huge Betty fan

[@user-ng6fd8vs4g]

Lovely to see her relaxed and enjoying herself. I think it was the dress. 💃🏼

[@richardkronberg4925]

Agree I was just thinking the same.

[@Steve-vf7se]

There's a song of her. Bettie Davis eyes, very good. I think it's great

[@RicardoM-nc7qu]

What a wonderful segment/interview? Bette a treasure indeed.

[@PsulOrtiz]

She has such a tiny laugh! Wasn't expecting that! But what a gorgeous gown she had on!!!

[@billysolhurok5542]

"Of Human Bondage",her greatest film

[@Les445]

Now Voyager also

[@oevilone]

Thank you for this upload! 2 class acts!!

[@nibsvkh]

Bette with Dick Cavett…now that was the best of her interviews!

[@rebeccawagner4167]

I love Bette Davis, she's a glamorous actress and she is what true Hollywood was and her acting ability is simply flawless and amazing 🎉🎉. She's an actress that could do any kind of role and play the hell out of it. They don't have actresses like that anymore 🎉🎉

[@grant1088]

Better Davis tells it like it is the one and only . 7:05

[@eddiek6660]

Wow she was the QUEEN and so much fun and so open. Hilarious. I love her. ❤(TV was so intellectual and real back then!)

[@absoluteacw]

I've never watched this clip until now. I thought is this going to be slightly embarrassing but oh no. Bette is utterly charming, witty and so interesting and can be self deprecating at times! I do like how she casually takes her cigarette case and lights a cigarette. It isn't to shock or to make a scene, it is part of her personality, one doesn't notice after a few seconds. Love the story about Joan and the Oscar and the story about Bettes alimoney payments. Bette was strictly a one off. Brilliant.