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Feud - Bette and Joan

50 replies

PinkBuffalo · 17/12/2017 13:26

Can't find a thread, so I wondered if anyone watched this?
I thought it was fab, and everyone involved must have worked incredibly hard to make it up to this standard.
Looking forward to the next instalment!

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morningtoncrescent62 · 17/12/2017 14:34

Yes, I watched the first instalment last night, but not the second - I'd watched the whole of Strictly and there's only so much TV I can take in one sitting! I agree, it's very well done - the feud is portrayed as simmering tension and a kind of fencing match where they both know how to (and want to) hurt each other, but not too much because they also suffer from the same wounds inflicted by an ageist misogynist culture. I think that comes across very well, and it's not overplayed at all.

I don't actually know much about either of their lives - most of what I 'know' about JC comes from Mommie Dearest which at best is contentious, but I kept finding myself thinking about it, as most of it would only have taken place a decade before Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. I'll watch the second part tonight.

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PinkBuffalo · 17/12/2017 16:27

Ooh yes, I completely agree with you. I also didn't know much about their lives (tbh, that would be the case for stars of the 30s) but I do like the way they're covering various parts. I'm also a huge fan of Mr. Molina! He's amazing in everything. And very impressed with Sysan Sarandon! In fact, I'm impressed by everyone!

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PinkBuffalo · 17/12/2017 16:29

And they have got the film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane on next weekend, so I'm looking forward to that too!
There's some great telly on over this Christmas.

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Lokisglowstickofdestiny · 17/12/2017 16:32

Just watched the first 3 episodes, it's very good, I've never watched "Whatever happened to Baby Jane" so shall watch out for it.

morningtoncrescent62 · 17/12/2017 16:37

And they have got the film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane on next weekend, so I'm looking forward to that too!

Oh, great! I was thinking I'd have to order it, now I don't have to Grin

I agree about Susan Sarandon. Though I guess if you're an actress that must be the dream of a role to play.

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PinkBuffalo · 17/12/2017 16:44

It's on bbc2 after Feud next Saturday! (Very late for me but haven't got work as its Xmas)

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TheweewitchRoz · 17/12/2017 20:20

I'm enjoying it too - very sad to see that even these strong amazing women were subject to such a mysoginistic culture that deliberately drove them to hate each other.

For those that haven't seen Whatever happened to baby Jane - it's a fab movie but very disturbing! (Perfect for Christmas really!!)

phlebasconsidered · 17/12/2017 20:46

I adore Bette Davies. Just such a huge attitude and determination and range. She wasn't acceptably beautiful but was hugely attractive and she really fought for her studio rights and against doing contractually shit parts. She did some mad films and some contractually bad films but she's always compelling. Scarlett o hara would have been a darn sight better with her.

SpottyGecko · 17/12/2017 21:43

I watched the first two last night and the 3rd tonight. Thoroughly enjoying it.

First watched WHTBJ when I was about 13 with my mum. Very disturbing. Remember the rat on the platter 🤢 glad it's on again next weekend - haven't seen it for 20odd years.

augustusglupe · 17/12/2017 22:00

Yes, I watched and loved it! Susan Sarandon got Bette spot on I thought. Jessica Lange as Joan fascinates me. WHTBJ is on at the weekend

EachandEveryone · 17/12/2017 22:14

Its fantastic isnt it? Although werent they 20 odd years younger than SS and JL at the time? Im not going to binge watch it i want to try and watch it thr old fashioned way.

VeraGrant · 18/12/2017 05:08

Loved every minute of the first two episodes and was thrilled to see all eps are on iPlayer!

I was obsessed with both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford when i was younger - and devoured the famous book, ‘The Divine Feud’ by Shaun Considine, when I was 17, as well as the films and biographies of both women.

They both had fascinating lives, and it was such a shame they detested each other.

I love both actresses in this new programme - Susan Sarandon looks v eerily like Bette Davis, but for me she isn’t quite arch enough in her portrayal.,

NanTheWiser · 18/12/2017 12:39

I loved this! I'm old enough to have seen WHTBJ when it was released, would have been about 15 at the time, and horror films were very popular back in the sixties. It was very disturbing as Spotty said. Although I knew about the animosity between Bette and Joan, I didn't know much about the back-story, so I'm really enjoying finding out about what went on behind the scenes. Loving all the costumes, and interiors, it really was the last of a wonderful era of Hollywood glamour. I must remember to record the film, it will be interesting to watch again.

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PinkBuffalo · 18/12/2017 20:17

I'm glad everyone seems to be enjoying it as much as I did. I'll be watching Baby Jane for the first time this Saturday (I've seen parodies, but not the real thing)

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Andylion · 18/12/2017 20:31

Susan Sarandon looks v eerily like Bette Davis, but for me she isn’t quite arch enough in her portrayal.

I've watched the first two episodes and I agree with this. I think SS needs to enunciate more crisply. In comparison to Davis, she almost slurs. Only when compared to Davis, though. If she weren't portraying Davis, I wouldn't think this. But she would be in danger of parody if she tried too hard.

EsmesBees · 18/12/2017 21:48

I really enjoyed this series. So sad what these incredibly talented women had to go through. The character of Pauline, the director's 'right hand woman' has stayed with me. It was such an uneven playing field and so little space for women to break free of their pre-determined roles

Rustie · 19/12/2017 09:22

Great podcast on the subject: www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/2016/9/3/six-degrees-of-joan-crawford-bette-davis-and-what-ever-happened-to-baby-jane

Well worth a listen if you're interested.

Hisnamesblaine · 19/12/2017 10:41

Binge watching as we speak

buggerthebotox · 19/12/2017 11:32

Me too! Really good, and not at all overdone imho. Alfred Molina's great! One of our best actors surely? Anyone remember him in Letter to Brezhnev? shows age.

EachandEveryone · 19/12/2017 13:13

Yes it has a touch of Mad Me to it. Lovely seeing Sally Draper in it. I have high hopes for her.

buggerthebotox · 19/12/2017 14:21

And that's Catherine Z-J as Olivia de Havilland!?

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 19/12/2017 17:17

Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce is also on earlier in the day next Saturday.

Slartybartfast · 19/12/2017 21:31

Another one watching, high hopes

FelixCited · 19/12/2017 23:06

Watched it & loved it.
Does anyone remember the French SAunders spoof? So good. It’s on YouTube

SinglePringle · 19/12/2017 23:26

I love it! All in it are amazing (especially the leads, obviously) but I also love the portrayal of Hedda Hoppa. The hats! And the art direction is sublime. As a kid, I hoovered the biographies of Old Hollywood stars and Bette Davies’ house in this series is exactly as it should be: looks like Laurel Canyon and dark, American ‘arts and craft’ equivalent. You can almost hear the coyotes howling in the hills!