I agree that ‘The Little Foxes’ was one of Bette’s finest performances. Though Tallulah Bankhead brilliantly created the role of Regina on stage, Bette brought it to life on the screen. Perhaps Ms. Bankhead should have been given the 1941 role in the picture, I can’t imagine the film without Davis’ interpretation of the character. We had two great actresses identified with the same role. Bette inhabited Regina with the same force and gravitas she did in most of her pictures. I would have voted for her over Fontaine for the best actress award, though Joan gave an excellent portrayal of the beleaguered Lina in ‘Suspicion’. This was the year of ‘Citizen Kane’ and ‘How Green Was My Valley’ which walked off with 5 Oscars including best picture. 1941 was a great year for movies, with Bette at her prime. ‘The Little Foxes’ will always stand among her best ever.
Bette Davis was a FILM actress and knew intuitively how to dominate the screen. The stairs are one of the main characters in Little Foxes and if you watch her going up stairs, comiing down the stairs or even with other people on the stairs etc. you will find filmic brilliance that was not just Wyler but something Bette knew instinctively.
Hard for me to imagine how any Regina could equal or exceed Bette’s. Especially given Tallulah’s wild personality and natural comedy chops...which could have informed Regina’s charming aspects, yes, but...having seen this wonderful video I am now all the more curious about Tallulah’s performance and how she expressed Regina’s more sinister aspects. Apparently very well, given the responses!
3:47 Bette did not let herself "be overshadowed" by Mary Astor. Mary said she was called by Bette ("Oh dear, I'm about to be fired!") - then the two rewrote Mary's part to expand it in size & import!
Yes, and Bette had no problem with giving Mary the showier role, giving her more to do and letting her steal the show - another way to say "be overshadowed"
Absolutely true and Mary Astor and Bette were best friends for life. Astor even had a small role in Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte and Bette told a young co-star - "watch her to see how it is done!" She was known for doing perfect first takes.
I DON'T remember her evil characters more! She was just great at everything she did. But she was a knockout in THE LITTLE FOXES & JEZEBEL & NOW VOYAGER & THE CORN IS GREEN. She was so good. Look at that face that really expresses contempt.
Bette Davis should have won the Oscar for The Little Foxes over Joan Fontaine in Suspicion in my opinion. Her performance in The Little Foxes was peak perfection of what made Bette Davis, Bette Davis when she was at her peak of popularity in the 1940’s.
I wholeheartedly agree. Her performance is stellar, pitch-perfect, never predictable, but honest. There is, too, a feminist lens you could apply. She was cheated out of her inheritance due to gender, though certainly she had a passion and greed for money and the status that accompanies it.
@davy209 Oh goodness, no; Bette is way too mannered and young for this role. Joan Fontaine deserved her Oscar as she gets all the facial expressions down right whereas Bette is stony faced even when her face should soften for her daughter. With Fontaine I feel just how edgy she is, her rising fear and apprehension, her uncertainty and doubts whereas with Bette I don't know what the hell she is feeling. Bette comes across as a Medusa, scary and rigid in that costume, which encases her.
Bette Davis is one of the greatest SCREEN actors of all time. Working with a great director she will give her head the exact tilt, raise her eyebrows ever so slightly whatever is needed. Bankhead was great on stage but never accomplished the fine subtleties of intimate camera work.
As a character, Regina is just as corrupt as her brothers. Perhaps moreso. Lillian Hellmann makes it clear in the prequel Another Part of the Forest. She was a force to be reckoned with, marrying Horace for money, position and freedom from big brother. Davis is captivatingly evil in her portrayal: just as capable of strangling her beautiful virtuous daughter as she was in withholding her suffering husband's medication.
Talulah Bankhead had limited talent to "play" anything.. Regina was written as an unconventional southern woman.. i.e. Talulah.. she was playing herself and learned lines and blocking.. that's all..
I agree that ‘The Little Foxes’ was one of Bette’s finest performances. Though Tallulah Bankhead brilliantly created the role of Regina on stage, Bette brought it to life on the screen. Perhaps Ms. Bankhead should have been given the 1941 role in the picture, I can’t imagine the film without Davis’ interpretation of the character. We had two great actresses identified with the same role. Bette inhabited Regina with the same force and gravitas she did in most of her pictures. I would have voted for her over Fontaine for the best actress award, though Joan gave an excellent portrayal of the beleaguered Lina in ‘Suspicion’.
This was the year of ‘Citizen Kane’ and ‘How Green Was My Valley’ which walked off with 5 Oscars including best picture. 1941 was a great year for movies, with Bette at her prime. ‘The Little Foxes’ will always stand among her best ever.
I've watched this old movie so many times I've lost count. LOVE IT.
Her watching her husband having that heart attack gives me chills every time. I adore Bette Davis, my favorite actress of all times
Bette Davis was a FILM actress and knew intuitively how to dominate the screen. The stairs are one of the main characters in Little Foxes and if you watch her going up stairs, comiing down the stairs or even with other people on the stairs etc. you will find filmic brilliance that was not just Wyler but something Bette knew instinctively.
Hard for me to imagine how any Regina could equal or exceed Bette’s. Especially given Tallulah’s wild personality and natural comedy chops...which could have informed Regina’s charming aspects, yes, but...having seen this wonderful video I am now all the more curious about Tallulah’s performance and how she expressed Regina’s more sinister aspects. Apparently very well, given the responses!
3:47 Bette did not let herself "be overshadowed" by Mary Astor. Mary said she was called by Bette ("Oh dear, I'm about to be fired!") - then the two rewrote Mary's part to expand it in size & import!
Yes, and Bette had no problem with giving Mary the showier role, giving her more to do and letting her steal the show - another way to say "be overshadowed"
Absolutely true and Mary Astor and Bette were best friends for life. Astor even had a small role in Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte and Bette told a young co-star - "watch her to see how it is done!" She was known for doing perfect first takes.
I DON'T remember her evil characters more! She was just great at everything she did. But she was a knockout in THE LITTLE FOXES & JEZEBEL & NOW VOYAGER & THE CORN IS GREEN. She was so good. Look at that face that really expresses contempt.
See her in “In this our life” you will never forget her villains lol
She deserved an Oscar Nomination for The Corn is Green
Bette Davis should have won the Oscar for The Little Foxes over Joan Fontaine in Suspicion in my opinion. Her performance in The Little Foxes was peak perfection of what made Bette Davis, Bette Davis when she was at her peak of popularity in the 1940’s.
I wholeheartedly agree. Her performance is stellar, pitch-perfect, never predictable, but honest. There is, too, a feminist lens you could apply. She was cheated out of her inheritance due to gender, though certainly she had a passion and greed for money and the status that accompanies it.
I agree... Joan was just playing another 'mousey type' as in Rebecca.
@davy209 Oh goodness, no; Bette is way too mannered and young for this role. Joan Fontaine deserved her Oscar as she gets all the facial expressions down right whereas Bette is stony faced even when her face should soften for her daughter. With Fontaine I feel just how edgy she is, her rising fear and apprehension, her uncertainty and doubts whereas with Bette I don't know what the hell she is feeling. Bette comes across as a Medusa, scary and rigid in that costume, which encases her.
Bette Davis is one of the greatest SCREEN actors of all time. Working with a great director she will give her head the exact tilt, raise her eyebrows ever so slightly whatever is needed. Bankhead was great on stage but never accomplished the fine subtleties of intimate camera work.
Wow, so many videos in just a few days! Love it
As a character, Regina is just as corrupt as her brothers. Perhaps moreso. Lillian Hellmann makes it clear in the prequel Another Part of the Forest. She was a force to be reckoned with, marrying Horace for money, position and freedom from big brother. Davis is captivatingly evil in her portrayal: just as capable of strangling her beautiful virtuous daughter as she was in withholding her suffering husband's medication.
" Tip top , yes Sir tip top ". Amazing . Thank you
Thank you so much!
I’d love to see your opinion of the Best Supporting Actress nominations of that year.
Now Voyager love
I love The Bride Came C.O.D
I yhink you should have mentioned bd's make-up in this film. it totally transformed her.
Talulah Bankhead had limited talent to "play" anything.. Regina was written as an unconventional southern woman.. i.e. Talulah.. she was playing herself and learned lines and blocking.. that's all..
@jondano8249 Nonsense.
Disagree. Dynamic performance.