Title: The True Story Behind ‘Feud: Bette and Joan’: The Iconic Feud Between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford
In 2017, FX released the hit series “Feud: Bette and Joan,” a drama that explored the tumultuous relationship between Hollywood legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The miniseries, starring Jessica Lange as Bette Davis and Susan Sarandon as Joan Crawford, was widely praised for its captivating performances, meticulous attention to detail, and gripping portrayal of the complex and often hostile relationship between the two actresses.
But how accurate is the depiction of this famous feud in the show? And what really happened during the tumultuous years in which Bette and Joan clashed? In this article, we’ll delve into the true story behind the “Feud: Bette and Joan” to separate fact from fiction and uncover the fascinating tale of these two Hollywood icons.
The Birth of a Rivalry
Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, both actresses of great talent and fame, had crossed paths in Hollywood several times before the events depicted in “Feud: Bette and Joan.” In the 1930s, Davis was already an established star, known for her versatility and range on screen. Crawford, on the other hand, had gained recognition for her fiery performances and striking beauty. While the two actresses co-starred in the 1932 film “Ladies They Talk About,” there was no evidence of a particularly close or close relationship.
The rivalry began to take shape in the late 1940s and early 1950s, when both women were nearing the peak of their careers. Davis was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in “All About Eve” (1950), while Crawford was vying for a similar honor for her work in “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962). These competing desires for recognition and success set the stage for a deep-seated tension between the two actresses, which would only intensify as time went on.
The Tensions Come to a Head
The central conflict between Davis and Crawford revolves around the 1962 film “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” directed by Robert Aldrich. Crawford was offered the role of Baby Jane Hudson, a mentally disturbed and sadistic actress who terrorizes her wheelchair-bound sister Blanche (played by Anne Bancroft), but she turned it down, reportedly due to the gruesome and demanding nature of the role. Davis, seeing an opportunity to take advantage of Crawford’s hesitation, landed the role and earned a nomination for Best Actress for her performance.
Crawford, feeling betrayed and hurt by Davis’s successful pursuit of the role, allegedly spread rumors that Davis was too old for the part and that she didn’t have the physical strength to carry the demands of the character. These negative whispers eventually made their way back to Davis, fueling her already simmering animosity towards Crawford.
Rivalry and Fallout
As the years went on, the tension between the two actresses continued to grow. Crawford, still struggling to come to terms with Davis’s success, felt as though she was constantly being overshadowed and eclipsed by her rival. Davis, on the other hand, saw Crawford’s envy and jealousy as a symptom of her own insecurities and inability to compete at the same level.
Their feud culminated in the infamous “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” press conference, where the two actresses publicly clashed in a dramatic and confrontational display of animosity. Crawford’s comments about Davis’s appearance and her struggles to cope with aging led Davis to lash out in kind, calling Crawford “the worst actress in Hollywood” and accusing her of being jealous of her talent and success.
The aftermath of the press conference saw a permanent rift between the two actresses, with neither side willing to reconcile or work together again. Davis, still proud of her Academy Award-nominated performance, went on to continue her illustrious career, earning another Best Actress nomination for her role in “The Whip Hand” (1951). Crawford, despite the turmoil, continued to appear in films and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s, though her career gradually slowed as the years went by.
Conclusion
While the events depicted in “Feud: Bette and Joan” were somewhat dramatized for television, the core of their rivalry is rooted in real-life tension and conflict between two incredibly talented actresses struggling for recognition and success. Their complicated and often painful relationship serves as a cautionary tale about the devastating consequences of unchecked ego, ambition, and insecurity, reminding us that even in the world of Hollywood glamour, the pursuit of excellence can come at a terrible cost.