Bette Davis | San Francisco, California Film Festival 1969

[@tristan90us]

Th best Bette Davis interview. Ever. I was there. We watched clips of her films for about five hours. Long sections of all of her best films. I was lucky to have been in the room. She was very funny. Just found this. Laughed out loud.

[@tristan90us]

This was before there were retrospectives. It happened because of Mr. Johnson's hard work and admiration.

[@RC-vv6nr]

Brilliant and that Davis wit is unmatched. RIP Bette!

[@rickythaxter6105]

Never heard this before. How fabulous is she... So honest, intelligent and funny.

[@dallyx66]

I saw Bette Davis interviewed live once, as well as taking Q's and A's from the audience, and she was extremely entertaining just as she is here.

[@anncoral]

Just love hearing her talking about her career such vitality and passion.

[@AlexandraRieloff]

Bold, brassy and honest. So refreshing.

[@roxxylala26]

Now, HERE you are witnessing an actor's actor. Truely, a pro who loved her craft to the fullest degree. Passion, humility, humor & intelligence rolled up in one. Ahead of her times. TRUELY AN ICON...LEGEND.

[@stellapatchouli6652]

Very successful ppl have an extra dosenof energy that the regular mortals don't have. Bette Davis was filled with extraordinary energy...never gave up...a fireball until the end. Thats how she achieved what she achieved.

[@akgypsy54]

So glad I happened upon this interview with the one and only Bette Davis!! I absolutely adore her! She speaks so eloquently; love her voice inflection and her laugh is contagious. Actresses pale in comparison nowadays to those of the Golden Years of Hollywood.

[@MarcAllenCramnella]

Brilliant. Wonderful. Beautiful. One of my favorite human beings and the greatest screen actress ever IMO.

[@toddbonin6926]

What a delightful interview!

[@Stevesimage]

Amazing woman...glad I got the chance to watch most of her movies...she put the A in acting!

[@sumthynserius9801]

I love Bette movies 😉 Steven Williams thanks for this post

[@MrStpendouslvforjo]

I am a die hard Joan Crawford fan.....but I have to say that I absolutely loved this interview.....and I think I love Bette Davis too!

[@marceloillanes175]

Love her! You can hear her voice even inside a tunnel!

[@kevinkirkens1280]

Thanks for sharing this. They sure don't make em' like Bette Davis anymore. She was a force to be reconed with and a hell of an actress, probably the greatest of all time.

[@robertjeffrey8865]

Thank you SO much for uploading this GEM!! I had never heard it before and adore her interaction with the audience: her accessibility and honesty is unprecedented and her sheer brilliance always takes my breath away!

[@johnconstantinemarinakiski8128]

I love how real she was. Plus her Yankee inflection, sounds kind of British. My favorite films of her are: Jezebel, Dark Victory, All About Eve, The Petrified Forest, In This Our Life, The Virgin Queen, The Star, Death On The Nile, Escape To Witch Mountain & Watcher In The Woods

[@faithmapstone9982]

Bette Davis + Olivia de Havilland = Pure Platium on Screen 🌟🌟

[@gymnastix]

This is just a great "performance." I think of every appearance by Bette Davis, with or without a script, as a performance, because I know she always put her best face forward whenever in public. But in truth. Miss Davis was a pretty frank person, such a switch from most of the alleged actresses and actors performing today. And, as I have watched Miss Davis interviewed several times (as well have read about seven or eight books about her, including three memoirs) in the video format, I don't mind at all this is just an audio presentation. In fact, it is kind of fun to imagine how Miss Davis might have been reacting visually to each of these questions as she spoke in this public appearance.

[@VladSicoe]

I just love listening to her interviews. She has some fascinating and interesting things to say. I think this is one of her best! Thanks for sharing.

[@PinkyPuff69]

Just love her. Always have.

[@robinlindqvist3020]

I love Joan but i love Bette to. I feel that if you like one of them you will love them both. Even tough they are different they are both Legends and strong women who lived their lifes according to their own rules.

[@johnconstantinemarinakiski8128]

She was an incredible Queen Elizabeth I in The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex & in The Virgin Queen

[@desmisc9911]

people use to speak in such clear intelligent sentences back then. No F Bombs every other word. what have we come to?

[@EranEdry]

Agreed! She is so deliciously articulate and well-spoken!

[@LaDivinaLover]

Hollywood stars are not indicative of normal people. And certainly not of the populous en mass. They quite literally were trained for hours and hours every week to speak in a made up “Trans-Atlantic” accent. Also have you seen some of the blooper reel’s with these Hollywood starlets from the 30s? Talk about F bombs...! 🙄😒🤨

[@citizen1163]

@@LaDivinaLover Not really. Most of those old Hollywood bloopers show the actors angry at themselves for fluffing their lines.

[@user-yn9os7uc1v]

do you really think that in modern society, at every formal function people are just yelling expletives? quiet old man

[@citizen1163]

@@user-yn9os7uc1v 'Quiet old man' ? RUDE! You don't have to be old to remember a time when you wouldn't hear the F Bomb dropped so casually on the streets. In fact, in UK, when we used to have police on the streets...about 20 years ago...anyone swearing in public might well be approached by a cop. Now cops only target those who protest against the Govt. Everyone else gets a free pass.

[@ronnieluv]

WOW! Thank you so much for posting this! It was a real delight to listen to this!!

[@Thesavageeye]

My favorite Bette movie is Jezebel. But I loved them all! Especially the Petrified Forest and Mr Sketfington!!!

[@baricala]

Thank you for this! Amazing interview.

[@johnathananderson4365]

Literally was looking for this audio for a cpl of years

[@troyleong7412]

Never seen or heard this.....thank you CCOC.....another great upload. Was wondering if you had Bette Davis @ Town Hall in New York City. It was a series that Joan did too? If you have it could you post it?

[@giavannira]

Thank you SOO much for posting this amazing interview!!! These woman are real legends!! Thankful great fans like you have Chanel's like this and post these great videos and interviews for people like me.. Even Thoe I'm in my 20s I respect and love the classic timeless legends and pay no attention to the people out today!! I don't identify with any of the so called stars of today.. I'd much rather see better davis or joan or marlene ne of these great legends on the cover of magazines rather then these no talentless "stars " of today... There are millions n million of stars but only a handful of true real legends and bette davis is def. in that handful of the legends !! Thank you so much for posting this!!! Xoxo

[@TheConcludingChapterofCrawford]

You're very welcome!

[@Samantha1970]

if you love Bette you should love Joan! I love them both! = )

[@toddh377]

Bette supported independent films...didn't know that.. She saw that the high cost of modern film production would lead to more independent films. She's talking about her career and putting it in context...therefore it is all about "Bette Davis"...and she had to have self confidence or the male studio system of the time would of crushed her.

[@jamessandy5873]

The question asked by the man at 22:30 is very misleading. "Miss Streisand" did NOT get paid $1 million for her first film. In actual fact, "Funny Girl" (1968) was part of a THREE-PICTURE deal for which she got $1 million.

[@ivorypenelope8444]

That's right. It was Liz Taylor who was the first to get a million dollars for Cleopatra.

[@debbiemullen2574]

Wonderful!

[@sunflower4morning]

For all you curious fellows out there: I did my best to write down all the questions (everything within parenthisis is totally inaudible). Enjoy! 2:20 Miss Davis, I would like to ask you one that's been puzzling me for years. In 1947, a book mentions that when you were up for the film "Of Human Bondage", though they didn't legally gave you the nomination [for the Oscar], they gave you a "special" one. What is this special prize? 3:24 I caught you doing a Bette Davis once! 3:28 Steve Allen show I believe it was. 3:33 -- Arthur Blake do Bette Davis? 4:27 (something about her favorite film) 5:26 What do you really think of Joan Crawford? 6:58 Why did you not get the role in "Gone With The Wind"? 8:34 Have you ever considered playing Eliza Gant in "Look Homeward, Angel"? 9:06 (ressemblance between Bette Davis and Margo Channing) 9:56 You made a film called "Dead Ringer"... 10:30 What is your next picture? 11:36 (Talking about getting another Oscar) 12:28 When did you discover that you really had to struggle and work hard to get good parts? 14:01 Have you ever thought of becoming a comedian? 14:52 The reason why I ask is because when I saw your films, I really can't tell if you're trying to be funny or not. 15:09 Miss Davis, have you thought of doing a Broadway play? 15:32 How many films have you made? 15:40 Can you name a favorite? You mentionned "Dark Victory", what's your all-time favorite? 16:47 Are there many actors and actresses that you would like to work with? 17:38 (a man mentions an actor's name) 18:02 Have you ever worked with Ronald Reagan? 18:34 Hollywood seems to have changed so much over the years, do you think that the concentration on film today takes away from the developement of personnalities in film? 19:29 Did you ever get a chance to choose and work with certain directors that you felt were better for you as an actress? 21:27 What do you think of the multi-million dollar productions of today in contrast to the budget that were given to your films? 22:10 When you did "Night Of The Iguana" on the stage, did you get to know Tennessee Williams very well? What were your impressions of him? 22:35 What do you think about Miss Streisand - or other high-salary actors and actresses - getting a million dollars for their first movie? 23:44 (the man mentions the contract system) 26:09 Would you have liked to do "Virginia Wolf"? 27:07 Would you have change the first page that refers to Bette Davis? 27:22 What is the name of the movie you're trying to think of? 27:54 What do you think of your movie with Sterling Hayden "The Star"? 28:42 You have a reputation for being a bitch on the set... 33:34 Bette, where do you live now and what do you do? 34:07 Did you have a favorite male lead? 34:33 What do you think about the trend toward nudity in theater today? 35:31 Why would you not strip in front of a camera? 35:59 Irving Rapper seems to be somewhat forgotten these days, could you tell us something about working with him? 36:33 Have you liked any of the new films that you've seen like "Midnight Cowboy", "Bonnie and Clyde", "The Graduate"...?

[@TheConcludingChapterofCrawford]

Thank you! Very nice of you to take the time to do this.

[@snarkyenigma9219]

BD was so articulate and intelligent, funny, down to Earth ... the same with Crawford and all the greats. I'm glad they lived long enough to experience and soak in the adulation.

[@stillstanding6031]

Very wise and prescient. Brava Miss Davis.

[@johnconstantinemarinakiski8128]

She was an Aries with Moon in Gemini with Scorpio Ascendant. Quite an incredible combo - Fire/Air/Water

[@scotnick59]

Explained her great versatility

[@sugarlove]

fantastic!

[@MerleOberon]

I wish we could hear the questions better...

[@sommy38]

love

[@elviswelling]

Can someone tell me if this is the Bette Davis Show she mention in her interviews in the 80s?

[@daltonbelflower7331]

No, this is apart of a series she did in 1969 with students at UCLA (I think that's the college). Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, and others gave similar interviews.

[@thekillcorporation6334]

Liked your video!

[@serpinastellaluna7781]

Love Bette Davis! I wonder though if she is telling the truth about Gone with the Wind. I had always heard, in several documentaries etc. about the film, that she did a screen test for it, along with many others, and wasn't considered right for the part. I even seem to remember seeing a clip of her screen test.

[@Seabasstien]

She's telling the truth as I understood it.

[@MrFalconford]

I suspect your right regarding independent films b d

[@JudgeJulieLit]

With all deference to Bette's judgment of actors, Errol Flynn (swashbuckling comic as Robin Hood and Captain Blood, tragic as John Barrymore) might have made a great Rhett Butler.

[@rheamangles1]

Elizabeth taylor was great in it but i wouldve loved to have seen her bette davis do it

[@t18amgr]

At least you would know when you stood with her some people you think are okay with you are back stabbers.

[@TheBee87bee]

Bette is right,Bad Sister was awful! They gave her the role of the weak ,mousy sister.

[@JenaHoneysnow1015227]

To say bless seems so shallow.

[@johnconstantinemarinakiski8128]

I love how real she was. Plus her Yankee inflection, sounds kind of British. My favorite films of her are: Jezebel, Dark Victory, All About Eve, The Petrified Forest, In This Our Life, The Virgin Queen, The Star, Death On The Nile, Escape To Witch Mountain & Watcher In The Woods