Screenland (Nov 1950-Oct 1951)

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To the contrary, in her wise way she recognized the infallibility of a' theory she has always tried to put into practice. "I rarely comment on gossip or rumors concerning myself," Bette once told us. "If a thing is true, people won't believe you anyway, no matter how you try to explain. If it isn't, eventually the truth will be found out and not only do you gain back what you seemed to have lost, but ofttimes something additional as well!" And so — through her own philosophy and good sense, by accepting that which ordinarily would have relegated the average actress to oblivion, Bette Davis remains unconquered. A truism if ever there was one, of course — Bette is NO average actress. An average actress, or even an average person, for example, never would have jeopardized her health as Bette did on her birthday last April. On this particular day, from screaming dialogue over loud machinery noises in "Story Of A Divorce," she broke a blood vessel in her throat. And with typical Davis humor she recalls: "For me, NOT to be able to talk was the greatest 'role' I've ever played!" Because her adored sister Barbara had planned a party for her at the end of this exhausting studio day, Bette drove all the way to Laguna Beach. In a gay little Mexican restaurant that had been taken over for the evening, she went from table to table carrying a pad and pencil! Some forty odd friends were present and there wasn't a "name" in the group. Bette scribbled endless messages until smoke practically poured out of her pencil! Suddenly, her lovely mother stood up and made a brief speech. "I just want to say," she announced, "that at this moment 42 years ago — Bette was born!" When this story reached the unbelieving ears of certain aging actresses, they were so shocked they immediately called in their psychiatrists! They probably were further flabbergasted when Bette agreed to have her little daughter BeeDee (Barbara) appear in "Story Of A Divorce." She had two worthy reasons. The first one was purely for sentiment's sake, because in later years the film would make a memorable keepsake. According to Bette: "I'm not one of those mothers who believes in hiding things from her child. I wanted Bee-Dee to know about my work, to understand what I meant when I said I had to go to the studio. Then she wouldn't wonder why other little girls' mothers were at home during the daytime, when hers wasn't. When I'm working, I always try to arrange for Bee-Dee to visit the set on Saturday." While she was making "All About Eve" Bette divorced William Grant Sherry ( whp has since married their baby's former nursemaid) and met Gary Merrill. The first time she played a scene with the former New York stage ac or, Bette turned to Director Joe Mankiewicz and said: "This man is a . fine actor. If he's handled right, he can become a very important star." By the time the picture was finished, Gary, who had been close to it before he came to Hollywood, was divorced too. In keeping with her personal policy, Bette never discussed their romance, publicly or otherwise. During the pernicious period when front pages chronicled those Davis-Sherry stories, nothing could influence her to make a statement. It was Hollywood's general impression that she hung on to the point where her health and professional future were endangered. Of course, no one actually knows anything about it. Bette became Mrs. Gary Merrill in what the newspapers called a "quickie" ceremony that took place in Juarez, Mexico. Unlike a few honeymoons we might mention, theirs neither began nor ended in the Mocambo! At Prouts Neck in Maine, where candid cameramen are conspicuous by their absence, Bette and Gary actually accomplished -a way of living that most people in Hollywood just talk about. At this writing plans for the future are uncertain. Gary has a picture to make in Germany. Bette may accompany him and accept one of those innumerable' European offers. Then again she may make her next picture in Hollywood where every studio is after her. Of one thing she is sure. Now that she's discovered all over again that properly prepared scripts can be shot in thirtythree days without argument, it's the only way she'll do them. A perfect example of the esteem held for Bette, is Barry Sullivan's reaction to working opposite her in "Story Of A Divorce." Because of his great admiration for the Davis talents, Barry literally devoted years to wishing he could make a picture with her. When Robert Young, who was originally announced, stepped out of his role, Barry stepped in. Later he learned that Bette, who had seen him do a play with Eve Arden at the little Las Palmas Theatre in Hollywood, had personally called MGM and asked if there was a chance of borrowing him. The picture loomed like a reward to Barry for all those early days of struggle. There was only one fly in the lovely ointment. "Working with you is the greatest thing that ever happened to me," Barry told Bette one day on the set. "It makes up for some of those smelleroos I had to do, only now I think — I hate you!" 70