Customer Reviews

The Bette Davis Collection, Vol. 2 (Jezebel / What Ever Happened to Baby Jane Two-Disc Special Edition / The Man Who Came to Dinner / Marked Woman / Old Acquaintance / Stardust: The Bette Davis Story)

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WB has already said that next year we will get Bette Davis Volume 3 with:

-All This and Heaven, Too
-Dangerous
-The Corn Is Green
-Watch on the Rhine
-In This Our Life

If you are not sure whether you like Bette Davis, rent THE BETTE DAVIS COLLECTION: VOLUME 2 and watch STARDUST: THE BETTE DAVIS STORY, which is a brand-new 90 minute documentary from Turner Classic Movies. It offers lovely film clips, insightful commentary from fans like Gena Rowlands and Ellen Burstyn, and just enough comments on Miss Davis' personal life to not be obtrusive. It is an excellent starting point for Volume 2, or Volume 1 for that matter.

DAVIS: VOL 2 is a strange collection that goes all the way from the gripping crime drama MARKED WOMAN (1937) to the Grand Guignol WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962). Along the way it includes one outright masterpiece (1938's JEZEBEL) and a Monty Woolley stage comedy (1942's THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER) that is totally out of place in this set, and a neglected Davis treasure (1943's OLD ACQUAINTANCE).

Where does one begin? THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER has Bette Davis top-billed as secretary to acid-tongued Monty Woolley, who is really the star here as Sheridan Whiteside. This brilliantly written (the Epstein brothers) and directed (William Keighley) comedy preserves Woolley's stage role and the Broadway hit. It is Christmas season in Ohio, when Whiteside slips on the icy front steps of ditzy Billie Burke's modest home. Laid up in a wheelchair for an indeterminate time, Whiteside turns Burke's house into his chaotic own (complete with penguins and an octopus in an aquarium!) and demands that her staff serve his every whim at all times. It is a masterpiece of a performance by Woolley, surrounded by a top supporting cast. It is a wonderful and hilarious comedy. But it is not in any way a Bette Davis vehicle. I might have chosen THE GREAT LIE (1941), with Oscar-winning Mary Astor instead.

Excluding STARDUST, we are left with four outstanding Davis movies that are all worth seeing, if not the masterpieces that are in VOLUME ONE. In chronological order, MARKED WOMAN is a chilling crime drama with Bette as one of several dance hall "hostesses" to mob boss Eduardo Ciannelli. Humphrey Bogart gets to play a D.A. this time and wants Davis to confess against Ciannelli, who carves up her face (fortunately in an off-screen room with horrendous crimes) when she does that. Modern Hollywood could take a lesson from this movie in terms of off-screen violence being much worse than on-screen. Since this film was made under the Hays censorship office, we know Ciannelli and his henchmen will go to prison at the end. But how and by whom? There are half a dozen "hostesses" along with Bette. MARKED WOMAN packs a wallop and really holds up well.

William Wyler's JEZEBEL is the true masterpiece of this boxed set. In 1850's New Orleans (sets and costumes are just flawless), Davis' Julie is a free-spirit who has everyone gasping when she goes to the all-white Olympus Ball in a red dress with fiance Pres (Henry Fonda in a skillfully unpleasant performance). He is disgraced and she soon has no fiance. One year later, Fonda is married...to Margaret Lindsay, who tries to be nice to Davis. Bette has contempt for both of them. Davis won a Best Actress Oscar for this complex performance, which many see as her Southern belle consolation for not being cast as Scarlett O'Hara in GONE WITH THE WIND, which went into filming only months later. Watch Davis' Julie and try to visualize her as Scarlett. Fay Bainter is superb and won Supporting Actress for JEZEBEL, which has been impeccably crafted by the always reliable Wyler. This movie is a meticuous treasure that ends flamboyantly, with New Orleans on fire with yellow fever in 1854. Though a gorgeously photographed B&W movie, one can actually visualize oranges and reds and yellows.

OLD ACQUAINTANCE, directed by Vincent Sherman (who does audio commentary with film scholar Boze Hadleigh), is a John van Druten stage drama . Van Druten scripted with Leonore Coffee. It is a neglected treat with Davis battling on- and off-screen with rival Miriam Hopkins. When Hopkins' Millie goes into temper tantrums, Davis' Kit underplays and smiles. They are well matched as novelists. Millie is the Danielle Steel of her age who writes a book a month, while Davis goes for well-crafted and slowly-written works of art. The two fight and make up and fight again over maybe twenty years in a very good movie about the power of friendship. Maybe they hated each other's guts off the set, but both Hopkins and Davis are superlative as Kit and Millie. The audio commentary here is a real treat. Trivia note: George Cukor did a 1981 remake of this, with Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen, called RICH AND FAMOUS. The 1943 original is way better.

With a second disk of juicy bonuses that include feature-length biographies of both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? may be the most popular movie in this collection. It certainly has Bette in a chilling field day performance that actually gave me nightmares after watching it in a night bedroom alone. The two actresses play opposite sisters, living in a 1962 Hollywood mansion. (The B&W interior set decoration is magnificent.) Davis is the grotesque Baby Jane, who torments crippled Crawford as Blanche; both sisters dream of a screen comeback. Did the actresses fight much on the set? Bette has said somewhere on this DVD set (maybe in STARDUST) that BABY JANE was a low-budget B&W movie shot in only three weeks so "there was no time for a feud. Maybe if the schedule were three months if would have happened, but not here." There is a twist ending and an unforgettable supporting performance by Victor Buono. The movie is as dark and frightening as they come and got Davis her TENTH Oscar nomination. That is what set off the feud--when Davis got nominated and not Crawford also. But it was after the movie was completed. BABY JANE is an unforgettable Hollywood Gothic masterpiece. Have fun with it!

Once again, the movies in huge 6-disk THE BETTE DAVIS COLLECTION: VOLUME 2 are MARKED WOMAN (1937), JEZEBEL (1939), THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1942), OLD ACQUAINTANCE (1943), WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962), and the magnificent new documentary STARDUST: THE BETTE DAVIS STORY (2006). It is quite an assortment; and it comes with a generous array of bonus cartoons, short subjects, and conversations with film scholars. I think the lady would approve To quote her in ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)--"Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night!"

I, like many other die-hard Bette Davis and classic movie buffs, have awaited this release mainly for the DVD debuts of, "The Man Who Came To Dinner" and "Old Acquaintance," both great Davis films. I was very pleased to see that the film "Jezebel," which was Davis' calling card for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Selznick's "Gone With The Wind" had undergone a beautiful job of remastering! The "2 disc Special Edition" of the ultimate pairing of legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford puts icing on the cake with "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" I wasn't too familiar with "Marked Woman," however, it's an interesting film and is a nice addition to the set. Also included is the 2005 documentary entitled, "Stardust; The Bette Davis Story," which shines some light on Davis' career -and some nice footage of her classic films.

"Marked Woman" (1937)
Mary Dwight (Bette Davis) works as a hostess at the Club Intime run by ruthless gangster Johnny Vanning (Eduardo Ciannelli). When one of her "clients" is murdered prosecutor David Graham (Humphrey Bogart) questions Mary but she won't cooperate and Vanning is acquitted. When Mary's sister Betty (Jane Bryan) is killed by one of Vanning's thugs she decides to spill the beans and is beaten into disfigurement. At her bedside all the witnesses agree to testify.

"Jezebel" (1938)
Set in antebellum New Orleans during the early 1850's, this film follows Julie Marsden (Bette Davis) through her quest for social redemption on her own terms. Julie is a beautiful and free spirited Southern belle who is sure of herself and controlling of her fiancé Preston Dillard, (Henry Fonda) a successful young banker. Julie's sensitive but domineering personality--she does not want so much to hurt as to assert her independence--forces a wedge between Preston and herself. To win him back, she plays North against South amid a deadly epidemic of yellow fever, which claims a surprising victim.

"The Man Who Came To Dinner" (1942)
Sheridan Whiteside, (Monty Woolley) an eccentric and acid-tongued radio lecturer, is disabled on the doorstep of a prominent Ohio family and must remain confined to the unwilling family's home for a few days. Discovering what he believes to be problems within the household, Sheridan ("Sherry") discovers his leg is fine. Bribing the doctor to declare him unfit to leave for a few weeks, Sherry hatches a plot to fix all of the household's problems, including his loyal secretary Maggie Cutler (Bette Davis) who has just discovered her true love Bert Jefferson (Richard Travis). Lots of fun here with great performances by the entire cast which also include Ann Sheridan, Billie Burke, and the wonderfully comic Jimmy Durante.

"Old Acquaintance" (1943)
Established serious author Kit Marlowe (Bette Davis) inspires hometown pal Millie Drake (Miriam Hopkins) who writes a trashy novel published with Kit's help. Millie's husband Preston (John Loder) leaves her. Ten years of trashy novels later Millie tries to reconcile, but Preston is marrying another. Millie accuses Kit of husband stealing. Later Kit learns of Millie's daughter Diedre's (Dolores Moran) affection for Rudd, (Gig Young) whom Kit was thinking of marrying. Kit blesses their union and makes up with Millie.

"What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" (1962) -2 disc Special Edition-
Two aging film actresses live as virtual recluses in an old Hollywood mansion. Jane Hudson, (Bette Davis) a successful child star, cares for her crippled sister Blanche, (Joan Crawford) whose career in later years eclipsed that of Jane. Now the two live together, their relationship affected by simmering subconscious thoughts of mutual envy, hate and revenge. Spiteful pranks and bitchy dialogue make this one a jewel in the "Crown of Camp!"

"Stardust: The Bette Davis Story" (2005) -documentary-
Covering the early and later parts of the legendary star's vast film career, "Stardust" captures the allure of Davis in her early films and goes on to show her courage and in-your-face attitude which mesmerized her fans and made her a box office draw even in her golden years. Some of the material can also be seen on Disc 2 of the `What Ever Happened To Baby Jane" DVD, however, there is enough in "Stardust" to make it a nice addition to the set, as well.

A rumored "Bette Davis Collection: Volume 3" is supposedly in the works and set for release this year, however, nothing official has been announced of the titles to be included or the date of release. Hopefully a box set entitled "The Joan Crawford Collection: Volume 2" will accompany Davis third box set release -there's a lot of Crawford classics still awaiting a DVD release, as well. But until then, enjoy this "Volume 2 collection of Davis classics, it will sit well next to your Volume 1 set of your Classic DVD Library.

This exquisite collection has three never on DVD before Davis films, plus re-done editions of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" and "Jezebel". Also included are a documentary on Davis, "Stardust" and a second disc (about the film) with "Baby Jane". They look great. "Marked Woman" and "Old Acquaintance" are the real treasures but "The Man Who Came to Dinner" is fun with a great cast. This is how a collection should be done and Warner Bros. has done a fine job. Hours and hours of enjoyment here. Well worth the investment and well worth the wait.

Im very glad to see a second volume of Bette Davis films. Im also glad they're re-releasing Jezebel and Baby Jane in a digitally restored and remastered format because as Ive mentioned in a previous review-without being digitally remastered youre essentially getting a vhs on a disc.I've heard there will be plenty of extras and I look forward to those-especially the documentry hosted by Jodie Foster,All About Bette,which I have'nt seen yet.Old Acquaitence-wow - never even available on vhs.Miriam Hopkins is one of the few actress' that could hold her own with Davis and their adveserial chemistry is great fun to watch. The Man Who Came To Dinner was ok but doesnt showcase Miss Davis very well.Her role is uninteresting and for once she seems overshadowed by her co-stars- especillay Ann Sheridan. However,as the selfish self destructive southern belle in Jezebel and the self destructive demented hag in Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?- Bette is at her most intense and vivid best at two different phases of her life and career.As for the Joan Crawford comparison-clearly Bette is the better actress. She has a far greater range than Joan and Bettes' films and performances are overall better recievd by the critical community. Bette could play any of Joans roles and play them well but the reverse is'nt true.Can you see Joan as Miss Moffat?Judith Traherne? Regina Giddens?Elizabeth The Queen?Charlotte Vale? As great as Joan was-she lacked the depth ,complexity and sheer acting ability to carry these diverse, multi-faceted roles off.

The only better thing than this video was Volume One. This is simply a brilliant collection of the works of Bette Davis. The variety of the films showcases the talent and versatility of this outstanding actress. Whether playing a gangster's moll (Marked Woman) or a southern belle (Jezebel) each film outdid the prior one. Even in her later years (Baby Jane) the talent of this woman is so evident. And to get a bonus of the recent HBO documantary of her life was even more rewarding. I cannot recommend this video collection enough.

I'm looking forward to this collection and also Vol. 3, but I hope the following will be on DVD soon: Beyond The Forest, The Catered Affair, and The Nanny, all very different movies in tone and subject matter and show how versatile Bette Davis really was. The Catered Affair is an excellent drama and one of my favorite movies...it also has some humor, provided by the very dry (or wet) Barry Fitzgerald. Debbie Reynolds could be one of the commentators since she played a major role (straight drama, not comedic at all).

I found out about this set in januarry i belive and did everything but mark the days on my calander untill it finnally hit the shelves. this is a great followup to the first collection wich is an abousute MUST HAVE for every Bette Davis Fan. the films are clean and crisp thancks to some restoration, and the special features are great and the topper os the 2-Disk Bay Jane DVD wich will Rock your world

If Bette Davis is not remembered as the best actress to come out of Hollywood in the Golden Era, she certainly was thought so at the time and this package easily demonstrates the range of her talent. This set, compared to Volume One, which contains obvious Davis hits, covers a wider period of her career from 1937 to 1962. Two favourite Davis films, "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and "Marked Woman" are included.

More detailed reviews of each of these films can be viewed under their individual titles so by way of a quick summary:

- "Marked Woman" is a sensational 1937 film about prostitutes who go to court to get their gangster pimp incriminated. This was the first film Davis made after she walked out of Warner Brothers and was sued for breach of contract. She lost and returned to the studio but with a new found respect. She gives an intense performance and the film is very exciting with a great downbeat ending.
- "Jezebel" is the 1938 film for which Davis won her second Oscar, a precursor to "Gone with the Wind" and directed superbly by William Wyler. The film is a soap opera about a willful Southern girl and would fall into trivia without Davis's subtle performance and Wyler's attention to detail.
- "The Man Who Came to Dinner" is an ensemble piece, an excellent version of the 1941 Kaufman and Hart Broadway Hit. Davis supports Monty Woolley, a character based on Alexander Woolcott, who hilariously dominates the film.
- "Old Acquaintance" from 1943 maybe the quintessential woman's picture with Davis starring with rival Miriam Hopkins. It is a picture which resonated with "woman's issues" in 1943 and was remade in the 80's as "Rich and Famous".
- "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" is the famous teaming with Joan Crawford in a baroque tragedy which has become a cult (and camp) classic. The film was shot on a small budget and in 3 weeks and it shows.

All of the prints are excellent and the extras make up hours of additional viewing which enhance the films immeasurably. The commentaries are good except the inevitable Davis/Joan Crawford material attached to Baby Jane in which 2 hysterical commentators wallow in this overrated rivalry. Best of all, the excellent documentary "Stardust: The Bette Davis Story" has been included. The Collection is great value.

The Bette Davis Collection was absolutely the best. I am a die hard Bette Davis fan even though most of her better movies were made before I was born. There never has been nor will there ever be anyone better than Bette and that is a shame.

The Stardust selection on davis was even better. I highly recommend this collection.