Customer Reviews

Bette Davis Signature Collection

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Had to search multiple sites to figure out what is on this new DVD. It has 2 of Bette's full length films, "Of Human Bondage" and "Hell's House".

ST. CLAIR's Signature Series are single DVDs that offer 2 or 3 films the featured artist appeared in. All of these movies are public domain status. Sometimes, the "star" is a supporting player or even has a minor uncredited role (as in the ROBERT MITCHUM SIGNATURE COLLECTION). Such is the case here also, where Miss Davis is 2nd and 4th billed.

SYNOPSES--

OF HUMAN BONDAGE-- Struggling artist with a physical infirmity enrolls in medical school. He meets and falls in love with an unschooled waitress, which severely complicates his life. She abandons him for others on two different occasions, returning only when she's in trouble. Based on the Somerset Maugham story.

HELL'S HOUSE-- Made at the tail end of Prohibition, it's the story of a youngster who idolizes a bootlegger. He refuses to testify against his friend and is sent to reform school, where he meets a boy with a severe heart condition. Bette has little to do in this one. Written and directed by Howard Higgin.

THE BARBARA STANWYCK SIGNATURE COLLECTION contains "Meet John Doe," "The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers" and "Lady of Burlesque."

Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film research website.

(5.9) Hell's House (1932) - Pat O'Brien/Junior Durkin/Frank Coghlan Jr./Bette Davis/Emma Dunn/Charley Grapewin

(7.3) Of Human Bondage (1934) - Leslie Howard/Bette Davis/Frances Dee/Kay Johnson/Reginald Denny/Alan Hale

Bette Davis is my favorite actress so usually I'm biased about buying her movies. However, I do not recommend watching her movies that were made before Jezebel, including Of Human Bondage and Hell's House. She was still a wonderful actress in that early period, but if you want to see a good movie with good quality and plot line, go get her later works:

Now, Voyager; Deception; The Letter; Dark Victory; All This and Heaven Too; Watch on the Rhine; All About Eve; The Nanny; Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte; or the all out crazy Bette movie-Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

Bette Davis ,is one from the bigest star , she is not my favorite , but I respect her acting