The role of Margo Channing from All About
Eve, was originally intended for
another aging star, Claudette Colbert. Colbert injured her back
while riding a horse, just prior to shooting and had to back out.
Joseph L. Mankeweiz turned to Bette, and gave her the role of her
career.
All About Eve won the Best Picture
that year, and for Davis, it marked a terrific comeback, with a role
better than any she had done previously. As bitchy Margo Channing,
the faded actress who is challenged by a young upstart, Davis had just the
type of role that she could sink her teeth into. It seemed certain
that Davis would pull off a major coupe, as with such a hot role, she
seemed destined to be the first actress to win three Best Actress Oscars.
Unfortunately, Davis found herself
in one of the tightest Oscar races ever. Her competition included
another living legend, Gloria Swanson, in the role of her career, as Norma
Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Davis was also competing with her
co-star, Anne Baxter. The ultimate winner, and the actress who kept Bette
from making it three, was Judy Davis, for Born Yesterday.
Bette trudged on throughout the
50's, starring in respectable, and no so respectable fair. She
earned another nomination for her role in The Star, about an aging actress
who wants an Oscar, but she was a dark horse for that one.
Finally, in 1962, at the age of
fifty four, it looked as though Bette was going to get one last chance at
the glory, in the role of Jane Hudson, in the thriller, Whatever Happened
to Baby Jane? Bette was paired with her old enemy, Joan Crawford,
who was also going through her share ups and downs. The two played
sisters in macabre tale of murder, betrayal, and abuse.
Bette threw herself into her role,
and was eventually nominated for the big prize. However, what goes
around comes around. Back in 1935, she took Franchot Tone away from
Joan, As far as Davis was concerned, it was now Joan's turn to get
even. She claimed that Joan was urging voters not to vote for
her.
The accusations by Bette are not
founded, and it seems unlikely, as Joan had a lot to gain from Davis
actually winning. She, like Bette, was sharing in the profits.
More box office meant more money. Joan did have the last laugh, however,
as she phoned all of the other nominees, and offered to accept on their
behalf if they didn't win.
Much to Bette's surprise, Anne
Bancroft won for The Miracle Worker. As Bette stood backstage when
she suddenly noticed Joan pass by and head for the stage to accept on
Anne's behalf. Bette was in a state of shock.
"This is the last amount of
emotion I will give the Academy Awards," she stated bitterly.
"I really don't care anymore. Quite honestly I hope I'm never
nominated again."
Davis' was never nominated for
another award. She continued make several appearances on Oscar
telecasts throughout the years, and it was her last that somehow became an
unfitting end to a bumpy career.
In 1987, at 79 years old, and just
after having suffered a stroke, Davis presented the award for Best Actor
to Paul Newman. She fumbled her presentation, unable to keep up with
the teleprompter. She was hastily cut off from announcing the
nominees, and instructed to simply open the envelope. She did so and
Robert Wise came up to the podium to accept on Newman's behalf.
Then, in traditional Davis defiance, the great lady fought back. She
interrupted Wise, with a determination to finish her presentation her way.
And she did!
See Bette have her final say at
the 1986 Academy Awards HERE!
