Bette Davis
Bette Davis (1908–1989) was an American film actress known for playing strong-willed, often unsympathetic women.
Her intense eyes and clipped delivery became trademarks.
She won two Academy Awards and remained a Hollywood icon for decades.
The Kim Carnes song "Bette Davis Eyes" (1981) uses her name to evoke striking, captivating eyes.
Fixed, intent look
- stareProlonged fixed gaze
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- intenseExtreme in degree
captivating · memorable · signature · sultry · smoldering · screen presence
American film industry center
- Golden AgeLegendary period of perfection
- studio systemVertically integrated film production
- Warner BrosMajor film studio
- OscarAcademy's golden award
Academy Award · filmography · leading lady · starlet · silver screen · mogul · producer · director
Widely recognized, enduring
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- influentialHaving considerable effect
timeless · distinctive · powerhouse · feminist · independent · outspoken · survivor · diva
Strikingly expressive or sudden
- intenseExtreme in degree
- emotiveArousing strong feelings
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
powerful · compelling · passionate · mannered · cigarette · clipped speech · grande dame · scene-stealing
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- Katharine Hepburn
- Olivia de Havilland
- Humphrey Bogart
Classic backstage drama
gaze
Fixed, intent look
- stareProlonged fixed gaze
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
intense · captivating · memorable · signature · sultry · smoldering · screen presence
Hollywood
American film industry center
- Golden AgeLegendary period of perfection
- studio systemVertically integrated film production
- Warner BrosMajor film studio
Oscar · Academy Award · filmography · leading lady · starlet · silver screen · mogul · producer · director · casting
iconic
Widely recognized, enduring
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
influential · timeless · distinctive · powerhouse · feminist · independent · outspoken · survivor · diva · star
dramatic
Strikingly expressive or sudden
- intenseExtreme in degree
- emotiveArousing strong feelings
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
expressive · powerful · compelling · passionate · mannered · cigarette · clipped speech · grande dame · scene-stealing · transformation
Joan Crawford
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- Errol FlynnSwashbuckling 1930s-40s leading man
Katharine Hepburn · Olivia de Havilland · Humphrey Bogart · Henry Fonda
All About Eve
Classic backstage drama
- Screen LegendsHumphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn
- Stage NamesLady Gaga, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Cher
- Women in Filmactress, film star, movie star, leading lady, supporting actress
- 1930sNew Deal, Hitler, Nazi Germany, Great Depression, appeasement
- 1940s CinemaCasablanca, Citizen Kane, The Maltese Falcon, Rebecca, Mildred Pierce
- Elizabeth I filmsMary Queen of Scots, Shakespeare in Love, Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench
Bette DavisDoris Day
Donna Reed · Debbie Reynolds · Grace Kelly · Audrey Hepburn · Mary Pickford
Bette DavisJoan Crawford
Bette DavisMarilyn Monroe
Rita Hayworth · Lana Turner · Hedy Lamarr · Ava Gardner · Veronica Lake