Bette Davis

The Birth of Bette Davis

Mar 10, 1908

Born Ruth Elizabeth Davis was born on April 5th 1908. She grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts. She had been given the nickname Betty when she was young. she was the eldest child of Harlow Morrell and Ruth Augusta, her younger sister being Barabra Harriet. She lived in Somerville with her until 1921 when Bette and her sister to a boarding school in Lanesborough.

Ugh... Schooling, Oh! And a husband

Mar 10, 1925

Bette went to Cushing Academy a boarding school, where she met her future husband Harmon O. Nelson. She auditioned into the Manhattan Civic Repertory, but was rejected. After graduating Cushing Academy, she went to John Murray Anderson’s Dramatic School.

New York, New York

Mar 10, 1927

When Bette was thirteen she moved out to New York with her mother and sister. Her mother was a portrait photographer at the time. While in New York, Bette became interested in acting after seeing Rudolph Valentine in "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", and Mary Pickford in "Little Lord Fauntleroy". There she changed the spelling of her name to Bette after the novel "La Cousin Bette".

And she didn't break a leg... literally

Mar 10, 1929

In 1929, Bette made her Broadway debut. She auditioned for George Cukors theater company, and though he wasn’t very impressed he gave her a part anyways. She played the part of chorus girl in the play Broadway. After that she was later chosen to play Hedwig in the performance "The Wild Duck", a role that an actor she looked up to had once played. But it wasn’t until she played in "Broken Dishes" in 1929, and "Solid South", when she really made her debut.

Welcome to Hollywoodland, everyones an a**

Mar 10, 1930

In 1930, Bette moved out to Hollywood for a screen test for universal. When she had arrived, she was surprised that no one from the studios had come to greet her. Later, she learned that there was an employee who came to greet her, only he left because he did not see anyone who looked like an actress. it didn't get much better when she failed her first two screen test, the director telling her showing her breast woudln't get her the part and almost loosing her job with universal.

Don't loose hope Bette! It get worst...

Mar 10, 1931

In1931,cinematographer Karl Freund told her she had, “lovely eyes” then suggesting she would be goo in the film Bad Sister. In 1931, she got her first debut in film. Sadly it was no a success but it did not end her acting contact with Universal. She starred in six more movies, universal renewing her contact once in that time. Two movies even being with different studios, like Columbia pictures for "The Menace". But by the end of having so successful pictures Universal ended her contact.

Bette finally caught a break

Mar 10, 1932

Just when she was about to leave for New York, when the actor George Arliss Chose Bette for the lead female role in Warner Brothers pictures The Man Who Played God in 1932. From there she got her shot in Hollywood. People begun to compare her with Constance Bennett and Olive Borden, along with calling her “Beautiful, and she bubbles with charm.” Form there she got a five-year contract with Warner Bros.

Bette Becomes a Hit

Mar 10, 1934

She only went up from there. Becoming a hit when she was lent out to RKO studios for the film “Of Human Bondage” in 1934, critics calling her a hit.

Bet Bette looks like an actress now

Mar 10, 1935

Later in 1935 playing a role in “Dangerous”, led her to be nominated for Best Actress Oscar; becoming Warner Brothers first actress to win the coveted award.

When and doubt go to england

Mar 10, 1938

When not being given the best roles, she got into a conflict with Warner Brothers. Where she was sued for going to England to look for better roles. Lucikly on her return she got a new contract with better roles. One being “Jezebel” in 1938 earning her her second Oscar. Along with being nominated for the next five years in a row.

Now, Bette

Mar 10, 1942

By 1942, Bette was known as the highest paid woman in America. Being the star in "Now, Voyager", one of her most iconic roles.

Bette goes Beyond

Mar 10, 1949

In 1949, Bette filmed "Beyond theForest" the last film she ever made with Warner brother studio.

All about Bette

Mar 10, 1950

Though she was still in films in the forty’s she was becoming less successful. But in the 1950 she made a comeback in the movie “All About Eve” though she had a view role in the fifties after that her career came to a standstill. Leaving her to even put a job wanted ad in the paper.

Marriage, at first you don't succeed try, try again

Mar 10, 1960

Jane had four husbands through her lifetime and several affairs, stating she always put the job first. Along with having one child with her second husband and two adopted children with her fourth husband Gary Merrill; Whom she divorced in 1960. She even starred in a film "Payment on Demand" Which was about divorce.

What Ever Happened to Bette?

Mar 10, 1962

In 1962, Bette came back to the big screen with “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”. After that she had small rolls on television shows. Along with starting her second career as a horror maven.

Bette makes history

Mar 10, 1977

n 1977, Bette was honored with the American Film Institute’s lifetime achievement awards. With a total of more then 100 films, Bette changed the way Hollywood viewed actresses. Also being the first woman to be president of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Blind Bette

Mar 10, 1987

In 1987, she played a blind woman in “The Whales of August” being her second last flim. Which brought her back into the Hollywood screen when her health was beginning to fail her.

Bye Bette

Oct 6, 1989

Despite her failing health, she acted until her death. Bette died on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81.