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Original poster

Bette Davis - actress

21 replies

WildRosie · 08/02/2023 18:42

How is her first name pronounced? My Mum (and, I think, Michael Parkinson) say 'Bet'. But Jackie De Shannon and Kim Carnes say 'Betty'. Which is it ?

OP posts:
MummyDummyNow · 08/02/2023 18:44

I've always thought it was pronounced Bet. Actually, I'm not doubting myself... I don't know!

MummyDummyNow · 08/02/2023 18:44

Should have said I'm NOW doubting myself.

Benjispruce4 · 08/02/2023 18:45

She was known by both.

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bellac11 · 08/02/2023 18:45

I think there is a clip of a Joan Crawford interview swerving the question about whether they hate each other by saying 'oh my goodness she'd kill you if she heard you say ....'

But I cant remember if she says Bet or Betty!!

EmmaEmerald · 08/02/2023 18:46

Only ever think of it as "Betty" because of the song Bette Davis Eyes.

Armadunno · 08/02/2023 18:46

Bettie Davies eyes!

Alexa thinks she’s called Bettie rather than Bet.

JassyRadlett · 08/02/2023 18:47

She was a 'Betty', unlike eg Bette Midler.

watcherintherye · 08/02/2023 18:48

I always thought it was pronounced ‘Betty’, but ‘Bet’ for short.

Laiste · 08/02/2023 18:50

Aaaaaand there's tonight's ear worm ...

She's got Bette Davis eyyyyyyyes ~

JassyRadlett · 08/02/2023 18:51

I've just watched a lovely clip on YouTube of Johnny Carson interviewing her as a result of this thread - she had amazing presence!

(He said Betty, I thought I'd better check!)

tattychicken · 08/02/2023 18:52

Betty

DramaAlpaca · 08/02/2023 18:55

I'm sure it was pronounced Betty.

FKATondelayo · 08/02/2023 18:55

It's Betty.
Bette Midler's mum thought it was pronounced 'Bet' - hence the difference even though BM was named after her.

Her real name was Ruth Elizabeth Davis FYI

MichelleScarn · 08/02/2023 18:56

🎵she's precocious and she knows this...all the boys think she's a spy... she's got Bette Davis eyess🎵

Defo a 'Betty'
And definitely in my head now!

Original poster
WildRosie · 08/02/2023 18:57

Seems like it's Betty. I never considered Bette Midler. Thankyou!

OP posts:
EmmaEmerald · 08/02/2023 19:09

I wish they'd release the Kylie cover. Can't even find a decent audio one on YouTube.

LeavesOnTrees · 08/02/2023 19:11

In Madonna's vogue it's Betty

LaSolitudine · 08/02/2023 19:14

It's pronounced "Betty" in the song Vogue by Madonna.

Original poster
WildRosie · 08/02/2023 19:17

If anybody is now earwormed, I'm sorry. Have a listen to Jackie De Shannon's original recording of BDE. It's quite different to Kim Carnes', a bit New Orleansy.

The song could have been named after Barry or Dickie Davies.

OP posts:
EmmaEmerald · 08/02/2023 19:19

LaSolitudine · 08/02/2023 19:14

It's pronounced "Betty" in the song Vogue by Madonna.

Oh yeah! 🎤 Bette Davis, we love you.

I think I first saw her in Death on the Nile.

then, What Happened to Baby Jane.

I'd love to see the Watcher in the Woods.

BeaLola · 08/02/2023 19:37

I'm with Betty - sure I saw her interviewed once and that was what she answered too - amazing actress

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