Five essential movies with Bette Davis was one of the most important and talented actresses of the golden age of Hollywood and, even, of later years. There were many roles that she embodied with great ease and character and there were also many recognitions that she received from her, such as her ten Oscar nominations, among which she managed to win two of them. The muse of many directors, the passion of many actors, and the dream of many moviegoers, there are so many films with Bette Davis that are worth it that it is not very easy to choose.
The petrified forest (Archie Mayo, 1936)
The first of the films with Bette Davis that we recommend is not one of the most remembered today, but that does not mean that we should not recognize it. With Leslie Howard and Humphrey Bogart who still hadn't covered the credits or the posters, but who were beginning to become relevant here.
Jezebel (William Wyler, 1938)
This is indeed one of the most famous films with Bette Davis. It is a true Hollywood classic because it was directed by William Wyler, and because Henry Fonda also appears. But, as far as we are concerned here, it is one of the most relevant Bette Davis films because it brought her her second and last Oscar for Best Actress, after the first one achieved by Dangerous (Dangerous. Alfred E. Green, 1935).
Bitter Victory (Edmund Goulding, 1939)
Another typical melodrama of the most classic Hollywood is in which Bette Davis is accompanied on screen by the then well-known heartthrob George Brent and in which you can also see Humphrey Bogart and a then not so well-known Ronald Reagan. Great job by our beloved actress, who received her second Academy Award nomination here.
The Letter (William Wyler, 1940)
New collaboration with Wyler and new Oscar nomination. On this occasion, she did not manage to win the statuette, but she did win the recognition of many critics and the public. A very interesting film noir and crime plot that, in reality, was a remake of a movie from the twenties that is now quite forgotten. One of the best movies with Bette Davis among those that are not the most famous.
The Wolf (William Wyler, 1941)
Here we come to a title that can be considered absolutely top in the filmography of Bette Davis. Again, Wyler was at the controls and, again, another unfinished nomination. But we must admit that this is one of the Bette Davis films in which she commands all the attention and shows that she is one of the best actresses of her generation, if not the best of hers.
