Discovering Bette Davis

Part of the Series: Discovering Film

Known as the 'first lady of the screen' Bette Davis' is one of the Hollywood greats. Her striking presence, paved the way for future female leads. As her career developed Bette was desperate for a great film role, and unlike other starlets she didn't mind playing unsympathetic characters, the following year she was loaned out to RKO to appear in Of Human Bondage.

Life magazine declared that it was "probably the best performance ever recorded on the screen by a U.S. actress". The entire press and industry were astounded she was not even nominated for an Oscar. She was now being recognized as a gifted character actor, next appearing in Dangerous, the role which brought her first Oscar, The Petrified Forest (1936) and Jezebel (1938) followed for which she won her second Oscar.