MovieChat Forums > Life with Father (1947) Discussion > Bette Davis tested for Vinnie Day role!!

Bette Davis tested for Vinnie Day role!!

posted 19 years ago by joes119
11 replies | jump to latest

Hard to believe, but a letter from Michael Curtiz to Davis in the book Inside Warner Bros. (1935-1951) by Rudy Behlmer breaks the news to her that her test which he had presented for approval to the New York producers of the stage play was ridiculed by them as "too powerful, too dominating,too superior, and without any naivete, etc."

I've not seen everything Davis ever did, and don't intend to, but what's described above is very much like the only notes I've ever seen her pluck, on screen or off. As she's generally held in high regard talent-wise, is it fair to assume she hadn't much between the ears? Or did she think she was testing for Powell's part?

[–] X-Evolutionist 18 years ago

Thanks for the info!

X

www.X-Evolutionist.com
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[–] beamsamuel1 18 years ago

Thanks for sharing that. I've read every book on Davis and this has never been included. Of course, this isn't the kind of thing that Bette would want anyone to know.

[–] sorrowfulkitten 18 years ago

Bette Davis rocks my socks. Why would you never intend on seeing anything by her? She is one of the finest actresses of her time. Granted, she was far too strong a presence for the meeker character of Vinnie Day, I will give them that. Nothing to do with her talent nor her intelligence, however. Just wondering why you have such opposition for her? She was fabulous.
Ive seen many interviews with Bette Davis, and it never once indicated that she "hadnt much between the ears". Dont assume anything about her until you have at least seen her perform. (My recommendation would be "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane" for a starter) But, as I was saying, why the opposition? Just curious.

Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness?

[–] joes119 18 years ago

Oh, I've seen a lot of Davis, on screen and in numerous guest appearances on television. She's certainly talented but just not my cup of tea. What Curtiz described of her test for the Vinnie role implies either that she wasn't familiar with the part or that she thought the owners of the play would change its title to "Life With Mother". Either way, suspicion of cluelessness on her part seems justified.

[–] krp-7 17 years ago

Dude you need to see "All About Eve" if nothing more to get a look at a young -- and utterly divine --- Marilyn Monroe.

[–] Isaac5855 18 years ago

This doesn't surprise me at all...Davis is way too strong for the role of Vinnie and with little effort, the strength of her onscreen charisma would have overpowered everything else in the film, that would have been wrong. Powell's character is supposed to be the focus of the story and he wouldn't have been with Davis playing Vinnie.

[–] cshep79406 14 years ago

They mentioned yesterday on TCM that Bette Davis tested for the role. Although I love Bette Davis ("Now, Voyager" is one of my favorite movies), I can't imagine her (or anyone else) in the role.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] nycruise-1 12 years ago

Given the aura surrounding the play - as the longest-running play on Broadway - it should come as no surprise that Bette was considered for the role of "Vinnie."

What's more of a surprise is that Bette's nemesis - Joan Crawford, who was also under contract to WB at the time - wasn't considered as well!

Both of them would have torn up the scenery, in addition to William Powell. And in Joan's case, all four kids and the maids, too! ("I'm not mad at you Emma - I'm mad at the dirt!")

Poor choices for a female character that Irene herself described as "rattle-brained," but either would certainly have allowed for a much more dynamic movie!

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] butaneggbert 11 years ago

Oh, I don't think we can take this as evidence she "hadn't much between her ears"! She was smart as a whip. But like many people, a bit blind when it came to assessing her own limitations.

At the end of June Bride, when as a powerful, assertive magazine editor she's supposed to turn all simpering, googly-eyed, and demure concession to her man -- I didn't believe two second of it. Part of that was a weak script, but largely it was asking way too much of BD to look happy throwing her life away to be a stay-at-home wifey.

By contrast, look at her in Jezebel when she kneels to returning ex-boyfriend. She's sincere, but she's *challenging* him to accept her apology. Her voice is level and strong, an equal speaking to an equal. Completely believable, right up her alley.

So no - Davis could never have played Vinnie, but I can imagine her thinking it was within her range. She never seemed to grasp her limitations in comedy.