The animosity between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford dates back to the 1930s and lasted for over four decades, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood lore.
Bette Davis was driven by a deep desire to become a celebrated actress, but her unconventional looks posed a challenge. Her pivotal moment came in 1933 when she was poised to star in "Ex-Lady." However, her spotlight was swiftly dimmed by Joan Crawford, who, on the very day of Davis's film announcement, declared her divorce from her first husband.
Given Crawford's established status in the industry, the limelight shifted firmly in her direction. This incident was the catalyst for Bette's simmering resentment towards Joan, which intensified when Crawford married actor Franchot Tone. The reason behind this newfound rivalry? Bette was romantically involved with Tone, who was also her co-star in "Dangerous."
The tensions between Davis and Crawford were palpable, with their animosity growing whenever their paths crossed. In a bid to end the feud, Joan, who had joined Warner Bros. in 1943, attempted to extend an olive branch through gifts and gestures, but all overtures were rebuffed by Bette.
One factor fueling Bette Davis's disdain for Joan Crawford was the numerous rumors surrounding Crawford's love life. Crawford's romantic relationships, both with men and women, sparked gossip and speculation, and Bette believed that Crawford's motives were driven by romantic intentions.
A pivotal moment arrived in 1952 when Bette Davis starred in "Bitter Tears," portraying an actress in decline. Rumors suggested that the character was based on Joan Crawford, with whom the writers had been friends until a sudden fallout. As a result, it was rumored that the film served as a sort of revenge against Crawford, and upon learning this, Bette eagerly joined the project.
However, the rivalry reached its zenith when both actresses agreed to work together in the 1962 film "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" The film's behind-the-scenes stories became legendary, eclipsing the on-screen drama. Even though they desired to collaborate, their mutual disdain quickly resurfaced. For instance, Joan Crawford's husband was the president of Pepsi, so Bette Davis demanded a Coke machine in her dressing room.
The rivalry's apex occurred during a scene where the sisters they portrayed engaged in a physical confrontation. Bette took the opportunity to deliver a particularly forceful blow to Joan, resulting in the latter needing stitches. Joan retaliated by adding stones to her pockets during a scene where Bette had to drag her, exacerbating the physical strain on her co-star, who suffered from back problems.
The rivalry's culmination came after filming concluded when "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" became a major success. Bette Davis was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars and was the favorite to win. In a stunning turn of events, she lost to Anne Bancroft, who was unable to attend the awards ceremony. Joan Crawford, in an unexpected twist, rose from her seat and accepted the award on Bancroft's behalf, leaving Davis in shock and outrage.
Despite the public knowledge of their mutual animosity, it was a surprise when it was announced that they would collaborate once again in "Cálmate, dulce Carlota," a film intended as a sequel to "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" with the same actresses in different roles. Nevertheless, just ten days into filming, Crawford resigned, as their incompatibility became untenable, leading to her replacement by Olivia de Havilland.
The Davis-Crawford feud continued to captivate the public for several more years. Tragically, in 1977, Joan Crawford succumbed to pancreatic cancer. While this did not deeply sadden Bette Davis, she still offered her condolences to her enduring rival. Despite the critiques and conflicts that marked their relationship, they had one thing in common: both faced harsh criticism from their daughters, who penned books characterizing them as terrible mothers.
