I love old black and white films and have an admiration for actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. I've read about their feud. Although Joan had feuds with quite a few actresses. I wonder though. Who really was the bigger talent? Bette has won more awards and had a longer lasting career but I always thought Joan acted more real; meaning she didn't overact. Then again, Bette got better as she got older and Joan appeared to have worsened. Was it the scripts? Damn this is tough.

Bette Davis was the better actress, but who was the crazier bitch?

CRAZIER BITCH? ANOTHER TOUGH ONE.

Honestly, they were both kind of crazy and for different reasons. Joan had a difficult upbringing and unhealthy relationships. Bette never felt quite pretty and also had unhealthy relationships. Both these chicks were married quite a few times (4 each) and didn't get along with their kids. Maybe that's why they were such good actresses? All that stress, unresolved hostility and insecurity funnled into their work.

DesireeNevermind said:

In other words they let the Crazy bring home the paper.

Did I say paper? I don't say that. Who says that?

johnart said:

Child abuser Joan Crawford was psycho, never mind crazy.

TonyVanDam said:

I think the daugher had issues too and I haven't heard anything from the other 3 or 4 kids she adopted to be sure she was a child abuser. However, it's important to remember that Joan was also abused as a child sexually and otherwise, and depending on which story you believe, her mother was selling Joan sexually to pay the rent.

As for the acting, Bette was easily the better actress but Joan was definitely compelling in her own way. Love them BOTH!

They were both great actresses, but I liked Joan Crawford better.

Bette Davis-The Letter(1940):

Bette Davis

I saw this biopic once about this very thing? Bette Davis was apparently a child star who eventually fell on hard times while Joan was wheelchair bound for some reason. They were living together at the time. God they were horrible to each other but especially Bette to Joan. True story.

I wouldn't characterize one or the other as "better" for the simple reason that they were very different types. Joan started off in silent films and was one of the few stars who were able to make the transition to "talkies." That, in itself, speaks to the breadth of her talent. Look at her performances in Grand Hotel, Possessed and Rain to see her at her best.

Bette Davis had the better career of the two, but whether that bespeaks a greater talent is debatable. She was one of the greats, that's for sure - from her earliest films. (The earliest Davis film I've seen is Waterloo Bridge from 1931.) Of Human Bondage (1934) and The Petrified Forest (1936) were probably the two films that made her a star. (She starred opposite Leslie Howard in both.)

I think an argument could be made that Crawford's mental issues and alcoholism shortened her career. But both she and Davis ended up in TV and B-movies late in their careers, so who's to say?

My favorite Bette Davis film (All About Eve)
and she was bad ass in (Whatever Happened to BabyJane)

My favorite Joan Crawford film (Mildred Pierce),
I also love her small but powerful performance in (The Women).

They don't make actresses like this anymore. All these perpetrating heffers winning Oscars for any ole shit!

DesireeNevermind said:

I saw a hilarious Crawford movie Johnny Guitar a few weeks ago where she was a gun-toting saloon owner. Mercedes McCambridge (she was Rock's sister in Giant) was in it too and them two hussies went toe to toe. I think Joan shot her.

Bette Davis - no question IMO. I've seen all her movies and she was one of the best actresses ever!