Bette Davis talks about Gladys Cooper & Claude Raines

[Discoboy504]

I could listen to her talk for hours and hours, I wish there were 50 more parts to this interview......these stories are incredible to hear...I have watched her movies since I was a kid. She was an awesome talent and what a strong woman.

[pasttensedraw]

I absolutely love her. She is fascinating.

[misticjoe]

So, this is the birth of that quote, "should be larger than life". Amazing!

[caleb6868]

I just finished watching a interview with Joan Crawford , and now Bette Davis. They are both saying the same thing very prophetic really. Too bad 40 years later we did'nt listen.

[BarnabasFrid]

Pshaw... he's MY gorgeous Claude Rains!!!

[jhecht424]

Bette was from an era when her and her colleagues worked at their craft, when acting was an art. If she was still with us today, I just know she'd be appalled at the number of overpaid script readers who call themselves actors and who could care less if they give a good performance for their audience or not.

[russiawlove33]

She really said a mouthful. You can't find talent like Claude Rains or Gladys Cooper (or Bette Davis, for that matter) anymore. Nobody today has anything on Bette Davis.

[castalia60able]

What is amazing Gladys was one of those character actress but her performance was so

strong you think she was the lead actress - that is how good she was.. Also any character actresses or actor are no longer as big as Gladys or Claude Rains they make others in the lead STAND OUT!

[SheWritesSheActs]

Btw: 16 Nov 1971 was the interview date (per GCooper death date and BDavis citation of it's having been "last night").

[daimdar]

I wonder if when Bette was discussing Cooper she turned her mind to the fact that now today we say the same thing about her and her generation.

[waynebrasler]

A person whose like we shall never see her like again. She was a diligent learner, a total professional with the highest standards, full of fear but also fearless, aggressive, smart enough to be submissive at the right time and always looking for her next challenge. One of the few stars who wasn't a disappointment off screen but every bit as colorful, as interesting, as intelligent and as challenging

as in film roles.

[waynebrasler]

A person who like we shall never see her like again. She was a diligent learner, a total professional with the highest standards, full of fear but also fearless, aggressive, smart enough to be submissive at the right time and always looking for her next challenge. One of the few stars who wasn't a disappointment off screen but every bit as colorful, as interesting, as intelligent and as challenging

as in film roles.

[DCFunBud]

Let's face facts, the twentieth-century is dead.  A tumultuous century to be sure, but the artists were incomparable.

[Ernestjoya]

Have adored her my whole life. You can't help but stare at her

[Ernestjoya]

TRUE! Besides Meryl Streep, who do we have?

[gabbis]

@Ernestjoya Lindsay Lohan...?

[GooglFascists]

Never was crazy about Dick Cavett but he could do interviews with stars

and make it like a cozy evening at home. Amazing lady, Ms Davis!

[swanstep]

Goodness, she's awesome.

[55kudu]

Her beautiful remarks about Gladys Cooper, Claude Rains, Walter Huston and Richard Harris are so eloquent and classy. That's the real Bette Davis. Iconic is too small a word for her. She's so damn funny too! They were all such amazing actors.

[55kudu]

Her beautiful remarks about Gladys Cooper, Claude Rains, Walter Huston and Richard Harris are so eloquent and classy. That's the real Bette Davis. Iconic is too small a word for her. She's so damn funny too!

[TimothyTew]

I never realized that she was so much bigger than her stardom.

[IamKesyerSoze]

I love this interview. She's hilarious.

[cheeriosinabowl]

Now, why can't more women be like Bette Davis?

[myrnaloysboy]

Lovely to hear those thoughts about Gladys Cooper

[hjb103055]

@myrnaloysboy Have you ever seen Gladys Cooper when she was young? Type in Gladys Cooper Photos and check her out on the internet.

[myrnaloysboy]

@hjb103055 yes i have she was knock out!

[tami32961]

amen @AdArmand

[ummjw]

Great woman, but my god she's rude, let the man get a word in!

[inbetweentics]

@ummjw

lol, she's not being rude at all - she's a talk show host's DREAM - that's the point of an interview - to get the guest to do all the talking and let the audience discover the true person they are

today guests are coddled into giving up information about themselves - they're so insular and need nursing like babies - they could learn well from these old broads of yesteryear..

[ummjw]

@inbetweentics While I think that's true, everyone seems to be too petrified to speak honestly about themselves for fear of unfavourable coverage in a tabloid, I still think the host seems slightly irritated some of the times she talks right over him and randomly goes off topic.

But as I say, I like her, but I still think she's being rude. 

[inbetweentics]

@ummjw

you didn't get to know dick cavett thru this one segment - many of us grew up or were already grown up watching his show and i can tell you, this man is not at ALL irritated by bette - he was wetting himself i'm sure of it, just being in her presence, and delighted beyond words to let her be BETTE - 30yrs from now you'll understand

as for fear of fear of tabloids - that's a cop out and simply untrue about actors and actresses today - they simply have no character ON or OFF screen

[lclarke51]

I am 77 and just feel like taking a shower after listening to Mr. Cavetts hardly veiled snarkily deflective interjections. Somehow i feel that Mr. Cavett incarnates Woody Allen "avant la lettre." Remember, Mr, Cavett, the more modest Medieval caution about "midgets sitting on the shoulders of Giants."

[toucheturtle300]

Isn't she just magnificent? Such a character and so forthright and emphatic. She knew everything anyone ever needed to know about acting and drama and played the lot to the hilt. There will never be another Bette Davis...and that is for sure!

[carrotjuse]

It's such a pleasure to watch this. She was simply the greatest actress in American film. Her body of work is legendary.

[sabvilla]

There will not be anymore Bette Davis ever.

[paintedbird]

Such an amazing and wonderful person!

[NFitalianGuy]

"Now, Voyager" I just bought on DVD and it was an amazing Movie and Bette Davis was astounding in the film. "All About Eve" has to be my favorite Bette Davis, movie. I have found Bette to be better than Katharine Hepburn. Bette was more interesting to watch on screen and off during inteviewslike this. Hepburn was a great dramatic actress but way too stern and serious whenever she was interviewed. But these legends were true to themselves and to their publice very upfront and unique.

[pianosydney]

Yes its true that no-one is larger than life, but you are in danger of being labelled with some "disorder" and given hideous psychiatric drugs if you show any real personality. Society has been watered down and dumbed down. Hopefully we are starting to wake up to the fact and tomorrow's world will again be one for individuals instead of clones.

[NFitalianGuy]

I laughed one time when I heard some one call Lindsey Lohan a Legend.. I almost spit out my pepsi when one of the entertainment shows mentioned her. If people today think that any celebrity working in hollywood today, are of legendary status, then we are in for trouble in the entertainment field. No one is larger than life any more. Today, They all look alike and not one person has that Unique quality about them that makes them special.

[danielbalter]

She talks so loudly and interupts him-ouch!

[bannon1000]

One of the best people to come out of the US. She was the epitome of class,intelligence,charisma and wisdom. You just look and listen in awe of her intellect and forward thinking views. A brilliant actress professional,perceptive and she was the very essence of class.....As an actress she was as good as it gets.....Of all the people past & present she is one i would of loved to of met....Just brilliance in every way....brilliance.

[antinotis]

Nobody in the audience knew who Gladys Cooper was apparently.

[KURISUCHRIS99]

@antinotis

she was a supporting actress thats why

[clementjb]

@KURISUCHRIS99 Gladys Cooper was a supporting actress in Hollywood but was huge on the London stage in the 20s and early 30s.

[Jaydublus]

What a wonderful tribute to Gladys Cooper and Claude Rains and Bette was correct..when they died..when SHE died...there's nobody to replace them.

[chilvari]

"We're never going to have that same kind of person anymore" that is so true! Each era is different from the next, and what's unique about this era, what makes this era, Bette Davis's era, special, is that every actor, every performer, had their own distinctive style, and every performance they gave and every production they starred in or were featured in, was classy and tastefully done. And they spent grueling hours perfecting it.

[Chuckscott]

I've watched this interview a number of times and I find it more fascinating than the time before. I could listen to actors of this caliper for hours and hours talking about the movie industry. Claude Rains and Gladys Cooper...WOW!!!

[toothbrush55]

How right she was, about herself as well, when she said "we're not going to have that same kind of person anymore." It's so true, there'll never be people like Bette Davis again.

[LoveRabby]

Such a strong, empowering woman. She is exactly right when she speaks at 1:22. Hollywood is so full of plastic hearts and plastic bodies, now.

[JubalCalif]

@LoveRabby

I second that emotion !!! Well said & well put !!!

[hallauthor]

I love that Miss D and Calude Rains were friends. They were both so brilliant apart and together. Also appreciate her candor here about actors being moody. So honest...whether or not you feel yesterday was better than today, it is inarguable that today's age of sound bites and tighly controlled press appearances have eliminated this level of honesty and introspection.

[jandtsmom]

Isn't it amazing how she instinctivly knew, when speaking of Gladys Cooper's death, she said were not going to have people like that anymore. How true, and how sad. I don't watch any movies past 1950. The so called 'actors' of today are all no talent's, their all the same, nothing about any of them make's them special, unique and amazingly talented. Their all cookie cutter copies.

[sandracBG]

This interview took place November 18, 1971.

[poshmum]

Smart tough and  great much missed

[marcuslaughton]

the grand dame of film. a woman of a keen intelligence , wonderful wit and extraordinary talent. i miss her so much but she has left behind a wonderful legacy for posterity, she shows all these lame duck actors today how it is done.

[planthi80]

what as lady!

[mcqueen12345667]

it was very sad that she had no idea she would be dead 20 years later.

[dustinerney]

To mcqueen12345667:

What a queer thing to say! Who could possibly know when their time is up? You or I could be dead today, tomorrow or in 20 years, personally I'd prefer the 20 years.

[castalia60able]

Bette Davis has always been my favorite actress because she was bigger than life and loved her acting craft.. She said we should all look as if we are working at our craft instead of sailing through with no regards. She said this is from her prospective but I truly believe that is very very true.

[tadge72]

well she was no spring chicken when she did this! i miss bette!

[britelite2657]

This interview took place on the 18th november 1971 i know this because she said gladys cooper died last night.

[Ferdie1985]

2:35 You can't get that kind of a woman anywhere in the world today, again. I Love Bette!

[valmblackwood]

They don't make 'em like her anymore.What a Lady.

[NFitalianGuy]

I can watch Bette davis all day long doing interview after interview. She talked more than the host and you find yourself not minding at all that she is dominating the interview. :)

[mrbronte100]

True, but you could also tell that she was someone who didn't listen, as B.D. pointed out in her book.

[scriptum60]

@ NFitalianGuy

Amen! The problem with today's interviews (with the exception of Charlie Rose I think), the problem today is the host/hostess, even the news media, they become the star. No thank you! Let the guest speak, I say. This is why I go to the oldies but goodies. And I even think Cavett here talked a bit too much for my taste; I prefer hearing the guest, Betty, in this case. I heart her to pieces. :D

[NFitalianGuy]

Barbara Walters has to be the dullest interviewer. I watched her interview Bette Davis, Judy Garland Johnny Carson etc. She has the same tone the same ridiculous questions nothing exciting about her approach when talking to her guests. I find her to be a crashing Boor. Cavett does interrupt too much. I watched his interview with Lucille Ball and it was dull. she didn't want to be there &his questions were dull. I watch him because of the Legends he had on his show. Jack paar Johnny Carson A-1

[scriptum60]

Gah! Don't get me started on Baw-Baw Waw-Waw, as Gilda Radner called her.  LOL I'm not as familiar with Parr as with Carson but I'll google (or youtube) for Parr interviews. Thanks for the reminder. :D

[bannon1000]

This LEGEND had wit,magnetism and wisdom and was and remains even today a rare breed.Her work ethic and straight forward way is en-trancing.When you watch her films she is the creme da le creme of acting and as a person with her intelligence and presence SHE IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS...."LEGEND" that is what Bette was and all these years later still remains xxxx

[umxoxo17]

she never let any of her interviewers get one word out.

[rc8675309]

who wants to listen to an interviewer when she is on the screen? :)

[LexiixoxRoxx]

Lol, that's true but it certainley is delighting to hear her talk :)

[bannon1000]

Having worked her way to the top of her feild she has earned the right to SPEAK.And people want to listen to her,i think Meryl Streep summed it up perfectly she said Bette Davis was "...The jewel in the crown of acting" and she was.She has on her grave stone "She did it the hard way" and SHE DID!!!!

[Spicedforlife]

A woman of class, wit and endless acting talent. How telling that talks about all those whom we will never see the like of again. Well Miss Davis, we shall never see the like of you! A star in the sky.

[thejeanienyc]

Heartwarming comments on Gladys Cooper!!!!

[shealways]

shes great but i bet she was hard work

[tuxguys]

Strangely, I hit on this clip looking for something about Claude Rains because I was so taken with his performance, with Ms. Davis, in a film I am watching on TMC as I write this, "Deception" (ain't post-digital technology grand!), and this is what came up. I loved this interview with Cavett, but I think Ms. Davis is wrong: "Deception," is a terrific, and surprisingly adult-themed, movie, Rains is a revelation, and it is, as far as I know, the only film noir about classical music. RAINS RULES.

[ervogan]

dont forget Humoresque with Joan Crawford and John Garfield..that is techinically a Noir drama

[tuxguys]

Next time I see it, I'll watch it with that perspective in mind... I always thought of "Humoresque" as the musical version of "Body and Soul," but I'll watch that way and see if I agree.

[bannon1000]

I agree with vjonso i think they have hit thenail on the head.There are very few true SUPERSTARS TODAY.I think they are far too controlled and pe-occupied with their brand.The likes of Bette were dubbed "difficult" but she was just STRAIGHT TO THE POINT,she had her own mind and REAL talent.The stars of her era are largely of a different class of most of today's actor's.I mean Paris hilton is'nt a star,she's a cheap saleable brand and has the good fortune of daddy's money behind her.

[browngal1709]

I saw her movies....I will say Bette Davis was too good to be true.

[KikiRoxXx]

Amazing.<3.You.Bette.Davis.xxx­

[vjohnso1]

I think the problem is that actors and hollywood aren't honest anymore. They want to be products and brands instead of story tellers. And studios want to put the least amount of money and effort and gain the most amount of money so it affects the quality of the films.

[berkeleybenje]

I couldn't agree with you more.

[mikeycam1990]

just go in and do it snap snap god i love her so funny lol.

[k8nairne]

5:21 - that moment gets me every time I see this interview, and her comments on whether actors are happy people. So incredibly truthful and moving. I adore this woman.

[AdArmand]

We live in dark times my friends. When vapid non-talents like Miley Cyrus are considered 'superstars'. We must not abandon our cultural heritage!

[Scarletthelps]

I know!!!! I feel so much the same way! I just don't understand it! Paris Hilton why do people love her? There is no reason to want to be her, or love what she does....SHE DOES NOTHING!!

[backto1960]

@AdArmand Vapid indeed.

[CraftyWizard23]

@AdArmand Amen to that ! I mean can you imagine what it's gonna be like when Meryl Streep dies?

No one can or will EVER fill her shoes, and I really haven't seen a WOW performance in a long time.

It's worrying...

[hcvang]

@AdArmand You did that 30-40 years ago, when you allowed corporations to take over everything with no public revolt.

Corporations took over the film studios 30-40 years ago, that's why movies have been so full of shit, with the od exception that ofcourse was only made after much fighting and stress to raise the money - even Star Wars couldnt get made anywhere until an executive with a brain came across it.

Corporations... film studios dont exist anymore. =(((

[Tiffanynicolina]

This interview was taped on November 18, 1971. MIss Davis was living in Westport , Connecticut.

[rexthebarker]

What a beautiful tribute to her costars. I have to agree with Bette about Now, Voyager - Charlotte definately ended up with Claude Rains at the end :)

[dedrawilliams]

r.i.p Gladys Cooper

[uncoverbrother]

she's right about certain genrations of people dying and a type of human character dying along with it. it's a very interesting statement.

[cristoforoantonio]

there is never going to be anyone like her again !!

[sfatlarge]

Nobody talks about it, but Bette Davis used absolutely PERFECT grammar, both in her interviews and in her movies. She insisted I think, that the language be flawless. She used contractions which were perfect for the moment -- in Now Voyager, she even said things like "Mayn't I taker camping.... Who would have kept such beautiful language in a character part but Bette Davis? Her grammar and use of the English Language were just about perfect!

[1401JSC]

"Never didn't she know her lines" is an example of this grammatical perfection?

[antod11]

She is wonderful and generous and gracious and hugely touching speaking about Gladys Cooper.

[zzzzz87]

what show is this?

[wisdaniel]

I believe it was called The Dick Cavette show. I was a young kid and kind of remember it.

[randallangela1]

Gladys Cooper came from Lewisham in London. Just found that out incase anyone wanted to know!

[AdArmand]

Bette Davis is genuinely affectionate and moving the way she announces Gladys Cooper's death. A very touching moment.

[ohworldgirl]

That was a juicy bit of info - Bette Davis' interpretation of Now Voyager. I never thought what she said.

[BethBetteJulie]

Bette thought Marlon Brando was wonderful. You musn't really know much about the classics.

[sisalrug]

Why bother watching these clips if you seem determined not to learn something from them. She thought Bogart and Brando were brilliant, and unless she brought a deck of tarot cards it isn't likely she could anticipate and assess young actors she hadn't heard of yet. Sigh.

[ccinnervisions]

This interview happened 37 years ago today!

[isysslovestheoldies]

Bob hope its not just the same thing lolz, she was so mean :)

[Integrity79]

They don't make 'em like her anymore! :(

[JTPolo101]

How right she was.

Those wonderful old stars are pretty much all gone, and there is no one left to even come close to replacing them.

[mkbr2007]

Such a smart and talented woman she was.

[yardleyaloe]

News from America...Paul Harvey News via radio: A new Bette Davis postage stamp is available for sale. WOW!

[lilchuy01]

even though the studio system sucked for the stars of the studios and how it was ran,still that era made the greatest films and stars once it died it kind of disappeared

[bchfront]

Al Hirschfeld, the celebrated catoonist, put it best. He once said, "I like actors who SLAM doors, not close them!" Where are the Claude Raines' and the Charles Laughtons' now? Audiences wouldn't probably accept their "syle" of acting today, and the movies we have suffer for that loss! My grandfateher worked with Ms. Davis alot at Warners' ("Hollywood Canteen") She had a reputation at the studio for being "difficult",but my late aunt got to know her later-on, said she was quite charming. R.J.

[maxielover1]

Bette often said Claude Rains was the sexiest man she ever knew.

[ohworldgirl]

Wow - he did seem like a bit of a sweetheart - I suspect but also charming as she said.

[1warnerguy]

Yes, Bette Davis was always madly in love with Claude Rains.

[DavidWhatsHisName]

When the studio system died, the quality level of films went downhill. Now, if you're a producer with an idea for a film, you've gotta gamble on whether you can find a competent scriptwriter, decent director, locations that are workable, plus a few million bucks to throw at a superstar. In the old days, got an idea? Bingo -- there was an assembly line of craftsmen, all highly trained and working constantly, at your disposal. The sheer volume of work kept everyone at the top of his or her form.

[foxolita]

how profetic for miss davis to say that when these beautiful people are gone, it will be a new world. maybe not even thinking about here own demise. how true that was.now, about my favorite actress, is very hard. i suppose, it would be meryl streep, and i like sandra bullock, who is not in the same catagory, but yet a brilliant young woman, as she is not only an actress, but also a director. then of course, multi-talented cher. still, it's not the same world. she was unfortunately correct.

[jonnj1975]

Everything in the entertainment industry (and many others) has gotten cheap and easy. There just isn't any art in it anymore. It's mass-produced, overly polished, predictable, formulaic and dull lol.

[pepsibookcat]

It's so good to know she appreciated how wonderful Claude Rains was.

It's poignant to watch this and hear her talk about "as these people go... it's going to be a new world..." So sad thinking that we've lost her now, too. *sniffle*

[thatdrattedcat]

Oh! I love her ending for Now, Voyager! Perfect. Lovely Claude Rains.

[Noisypies]

Gladys Cooper's steely performance is the more commanding for standing up beautifully against the talented and scene-dominating Miss D. Also:re Claude Rains:he and Cooper verbally walloped one another. ("Are we getting into botany, Doctor, Are we flowers?" "Twaddle!") {You've to see it to get it}.

[anhacus]

I think the acting and actor's today have been homogenized. We don't have many real characters and faces like the old days. Careers are not cultivated. We also don't have good stories. It's all shoot em'up and rip em' up with special effects. How long can that last? It also reveals something sad about society, I think.

[rickram1961]

Bette Davis is the greatest actress of her time.

[zuebee]

Love her boots!

[inbetweentics]

my favorite actress and favorite variety show - thank you for posting. But Bette's right - you are not going to have these type of actors anymore. Look at it today - they lack the substance these classy and timeless personalities had.

[calihartley2010]

@inbetweentics true. good acting stopped after 1965 according to me. Even though some of the golden era hollywood people did remain acting in the 70s, it was not as good as the golden age of hollywood. Actors now are totally talentless, crass and disgusting. They are not better than whores in a cat house with their filthy language and morals.

[sketchy2]

the interviewer has to ask very short questions to get anything in. :)

[Ulysses61]

Bette Davis in real life was in love with Claude Rains, called him the sexiest man she ever knew. She was not in love with Paul Henreid, so she SHOULD have ended up with Dr. Jaquith!

[littlequeen64]

I agree,sometimes you want movies larger than life.

[xlovemerylx]

aghhhh marry the doctor!?? are you kidding me? i want jerryyyyy..the doctor doesnt make the story..dammit i want charlotte to be tinas mom!

[Ulysses61]

She should have had an affair with Claude Rains in real life!

[filmaddict818]

claude rains doesnt have an e on the end.

[MrMadge4]

i love her. my fav classic movie star!!

[rickram1961]

Hollywood sure doesn't have actresses like Bette Davis anymore. I can't name no movies of Bette Davis I don't like!

[bjnevin]

She's right about there not being any stars who can compare to the shining originals...

[fernie1981]

she won't let dick get a word in edge-wise, loooove it!

[PiecesOfRainbow7]

haha i know, she's like, "Hello, this is MY time thank you, you anted me to talk, so honey, I'm gonna TALK!"

Too cool, love her.

[fernie1981]

ooooh, I love that she said that he was too weak for her!!!

[sophiam1234]

shes right bout there wont be anymore like them.