bette davis and miriam hopkins

B ette Davis and Miriam Hopkins made two films together, The OLD Maid 1938 and Old Acquaintance 1943 both movies were very successful. I will look at Old Aquaintance because it probable is the best and in one particular scene the animosity of the ladies is there for all to see,

The movie focuses on two life long friends. When the movie commences it is in the 1920’s and Bette Davis is a well known author but not particularly in the money department. She visit her friend Millie, Miriam Hopkins and her husband in her home town.

After a misunderstanding where Millie spits the dummy because Kit (Bette Davis)gets a rousing reception on her arrival by the local college girls. Kit goes to Millie’s home and meets Millie’s husband Preston, Millie comes home and storms off to her room still angry with Kit. The argument is smoothed over and Millie tells Kit she has written a book and ask her to read it. The book becomes an instant success and Millie becomes a ver prolific and rich author. Also she has a child Deidre.

The very beautiful Miriam Hopkins

The film fast forwards 8 years and Millie is a very successful but lets say a trifle in different to her husband and now 8 year old daughter. Kit has assumed the role of a de-facto mother. Preston announces his love for Kit and she rejects his advances. He subsequently leaves Millie and starts a new life.

The legendary Bette David she was also very hot.

Forward to 1942 and the war has started and the friends become more estranged and Deidre now a grown woman. There is a climatic scene near the end of the film where the two ladies become physical. There are also couple of twist enjoy the movie.

Miriam and Bette didn’t get along apparently rivalry got the bettered of the two women. They are even pictured with boxing gloves on facing each other. Whether or not this was studio nonsense who knows.

Miriam was married four times and had many lovers . In the pre-code era of Hollywood earlier 1930s she was a rather risqué actress appearing in a partially nude seen in the original Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde movie. Her fame started to slide in the 1950’s she did some television but slipped into a quiet life as the intellectual that she was. She had a very sold family life and had a very deep love for her son, who she called the most important man in her life. Michael was career Air Force officer serving in Korea and Vietnam. Miriam died at the age of 69 in 1972.

Bette was of course a legend and is often quoted as one of the greatest actresses. She had a long career. But her family life was not settled her daughter writing a book stating that she was a violent alcoholic and a terrible mother. Bette denied these claims and disinherited her daughter and her grandchildren. She died in 1989 at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.

A remake of Old Acquaintance was made in 1981 with Jacqueline Bissell and Candice Bergen. The movie Rich and Famous was terrible and I would not advise any to watch it. Bette and Miriam would be spinning in their graves with this rubbish.