Bette Davis was an American actress who appeared in over 100 films throughout her career. As has been stated, he is an older guy who loses out on Bette Davis to a younger guy. She founded and was president of the Tailwaggers Club, a group dedicated to animal welfare. We are the go to news media platform of people who would like to find the latest trends in the entertainment industry. So Bette must take steps to ensure he doesn't ruin their happiness. Matched penultimately perfect for the picture, Davis and Rains match each other's most intense acting skills during a major bedroom blow-out between them. Her career spanned more than 60 years, and she appeared in more than 80 films during this time. This movie could have been good, but it doesn't meet the audiences expectations for a movie called deception. I have just finished reading all of the comments here and now let me add my two cents worth. She was demoted to usherette after failing to land the part. . . . When Davis received her 10th Academy Award nomination for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, she became the most Oscar-nominated actor of the time. After the mutual collaboration with the director Irving Rapper on NOW VOYAGER, the great trio of superb performers, Bette Davis, Claude Rains and Paul Henreid appeared again in DECEPTION a rather simple, even soap opera-like story ornamented with high-toned classical music setting (the film begins and ends with a concert). Bette Davis arrived in California just as talkies were becoming mainstream, and within a few years, she had blossomed into one of the first major stars of Hollywoods Golden Age. Claude Rains is one of the greatest actors ever to step in front of the camera, yet except for his performance in "Casablanca", he would be virtually unknown today. At the Hollywood.Christine Radcliffe . You're almost there! She ends her affair with Rains and tries to pretend it never happened. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. One can see he thoroughly enjoyed the role he's called upon to play, executing it with a flamboyant style all his own. A piano teacher named Christine Radcliffe is being mentored by conductor Alexander Hollenius. It is a terrified and desperate Christine pitted against the manipulative, deliberately cruel, angry, and very imperious Hollenius. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share. With high production costs and modest cinema patronage, it became the first Bette Davis film to lose money for Warner Bros.[14], Film critic Dennis Schwartz generally liked the film, writing, "Irving Rapper (Shining Victory/Now, Voyager/Rhapsody in Blue) helms this labored romantic melodrama, a remake of the early talkie 1929 Jealousy that was also based on a Louis Verneuil play. Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. Here's a quick summary. We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. By 1942 she was earning more than any woman in the country. Crawford used more subtle tricks to get back at Davis: Before shooting a scene where Davis had to drag her across the ground, Crawford reportedly put on a lead-lined belt to make it that much harder on Davis (who had a bad back). The couple embraces while Christine cries, "I thought you were dead. It's got all the makings of a good melodrama. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Still, one must hand it to Mr. Johnson for keeping his audience guessing, if not always entertained. Davis died in 1989, and her last words were reportedly Im so tired, Im so tired. These words have been interpreted in various ways, but they are generally seen as a reflection of Davis exhaustion both physically and emotionally. Fans around the world are paying tribute to one of Hollywoods most enduring stars, Betta Davis. If she had won the Oscar statuette for that performance, she would have made history again as the first actress ever to win three Academy Awards. They marry, but the composer Alexander Hollenius makes a dramatic entrance at their wedding reception. Her apartment is luxe. Hmm, do I smell a rat here? Of course, Karel turns up alive and well, and Christine keeps her relationship with Hellanious a Big Secret. The press dubbed her the fourth Warner brother, but behind the scenes Davis struggled to get out of what she called the contract slave system. She lost that legal battle in the mid-1930s and continued to make successful films with the studio for years. This is over the top screen acting at it's most enjoyable.If you've never seen this, take the opportunity and enjoy it for what it is: good old fashioned Hollywood entertainment. . Watching this for the first time in 2015 the first thought that springs to mind is the rivalry between Davis and Crawford, both, in 1946, stars at Warners; what fascinates is this; was the rivalry so intense that BOTH had to co-star opposite an actor playing an outstanding classical musician - Crawford with violinist Garfield in Humoresque, and Davis with cellist Henried in this, Deception? It seen as possibly Davis's finest performance (I would disagree). Davis lunges at him, wanting to marry him immediately. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. "Deception" is a melodrama with A-movie window-dressing. . See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 27 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551, Last edited on 29 November 2022, at 02:39, Piano Sonata No. She has told him that she is living a financially precarious life as a pianist but this conflicts with what Karel sees in her apartment, such as a fur coat hanging in the closet and rare art on display. If his power in real life was 10% of what he exhibits on screen, then swooning is the definite order of the day. Watch and see! She took on roles and roles in films that were both good and good parts, as well as a good cast after Bondage. Somehow Henreid accepts that she paid for this apartment with a music teacher's salary. It becomes apparent to Christine that a cellist in the orchestra, Bertram Gribble, is being tutored in the solo part by Hollenius. And they made every scene longer than it had to be. In 1999, Davis was placed second behind Katharine Hepburn on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female stars of the classical Hollywood cinema era. This is some of the sharpest, wittiest dialogue I've seen in a movie, rivaling Ernst Lubitsch and every bit as good as in All About Eve. Near the beginning of the film, Jerry Spencer, an eager student reporter (Richard Erdman), asks Karel Which of the living composers should I admire? Karel demurs, but when asked who he likes best, he replies: Stravinsky when I think of the present, Richard Strauss when I think of the past, and of course, Hollenius, who combines the rhythm of today with the melody of yesterday. The last is an apt description of and probable tribute to Korngold. Pah! She was known for her performances in a range of genres, including the classics All About Eve and Jezebel, for which she won her first two Academy Awards. Rains, playing a vitriolic maestro, has the time of his life with this role as he spits venom all over the set. and the And all of the cynical analysis which he so expressively speaks on the subject of female behavior strips Miss Davis' character of appeal.Paul Henreid is stolid and solemn as the man whom Miss Davis wedsthe obviously tertiary character in this obliquely two-character show. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, although her greatest successes were her roles in romantic dramas. This film conyains one of Miss Davis' greatest performances, as she enters into the very heart of what a loveless life can do, to a young woman, and finnaly an older woman, living in a house with a cousin who caused so much of her loneliness. Bette Davis and Paul Henreid play ex-lovers who were separated by the war. It is evident he is jealous, and the stress leads him to squeeze until it shatters a wine glass he is holding. [10], Paul Henreid says he enjoyed working with Bette Davis again but did not get along with Irving Rapper, the two men barely speaking to each other.[11]. Copyright Fandango. She was subjected to a screen test by MGM-Mayer in 1930. . And that, so far as we can figure, is all "Deception" is intended to dojust to give Miss Davis an opportunity to act a harassed and love-tortured dame. "The Dark Mirror," like so many of its ilk, suffers from its author's lack of ingenuity to resolve his puzzle in a satisfying manner. One night during an appearance in London for a one-woman show, an audience member rudely inquired, Is that your real hair, Miss Davis? She was not invited to any of the Hollywood shindigs. 1 has a part called "The Part of the Piano Sonata.". Angela Lansbury: She didnt have a natural beauty, but she knew it. She was born on April 5, 1908, in Lowell, Mass., to Harlow Morrell Davis and Ruth Elizabeth Davis. The cast begins with two principals, played with usual intensity by Bette Davis and with usual restraint by Paul Henreid. It's a delight and one more reason to treasure this film. It was directed by Paul Henreid from a screenplay by Oscar Millard and Albert Beich from the story La Otra by Rian James, previously filmed in a Mexican version starring Dolores del Ro. Oh, and I forgot to mention the amazingly good symphony performance scenes, with an original cello concerto by Korngold, ("played" by Henreid with the arms of two real cellists reaching in from either side to play the instrument). Bette Davis is a competent actress, or so we've been led to believe, but they'd better start giving her good storiesor soon we'll be led to forget. Davis is his paramour and a serious musician in her own right. He spends his time lazing about in a dressing gown, petting a drugged kitty and taking biting innuendo and sarcasm to a level previously unseen on screen. Mozartproject.org is a media and news platform that covers music genres, culture, fashion and the industry of entertainment. Feel free to send us your trailer requests and we will do our best to hunt it down. That seems the only basis for her fatal attachment to him. Bette Davis was an American actress who appeared in over 100 films throughout her career. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history. Of course, if Karel finds out he'll be devastated. She stops him with the confession she lowered herself to taking "rich, untalented pupils" who gifted her with the items. . Like my Kawai MP11SE just as much as I do? Rains was always there to right the ship. . This is my all time favorite Davis opus and it is certainly not because of the high quality of her performance. Davis attributes her success to hard work. Irving Rapper's "Deception" reunited the three stars of a much better Bette Davis' vehicle: "Now Voyager". THE SCREEN; 'Deception,' Warner Film With Bette Davis and Claude Rains, at Hollywood--'Dark Mirror,' New Mystery, at the Criterion, https://www.nytimes.com/1946/10/19/archives/the-screen-deception-warner-film-with-bette-davis-and-claude-rains.html. Scott Elliott . What transpires next is a cat and mouse game between Christine and Hollenius. Korngold subsequently expanded this material and published it as his own cello concerto. Again . See Davis at her best in The Letter. Many of her fans refused to believe she was gone. Wait, not so fast. Claude Rains and Bette Davis spar in magnificent style, with Rains, stroking the fur of his pet Siamese cat, winning by default, since he was given a role which is so over-the-top that, in the hands of a lesser actor, it would have verged on outrageous camp. The film is based on the 1927 play Monsieur Lamberthier by Louis Verneuil. She was well known for portraying outspoken, complicated, often unlikable characters. Hollenius' Cello Concerto was written by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who composed the music for this film. Coming Soon. While Bette Davis, alone in her studio, is talking to Claude Rains on the telephone, the highly visible shadow of a crew member is moving back and forth across the piano behind her. It also had very nice music. Rains, having an absolute field day as the unhinged musical genius, bangs and smacks at the poor keyboard as an unhinged musical genius in a camp melodrama would. Yes I agree the sound track of the music is at times shaky but perhaps that can be improved upon some day. Christine is going to be his muse and help him regain his confidence by getting Hollenius to help him present his music. We believe that in the world of chaos and global challenges, music and arts is a creative way to escape reality, find peace and relax. But, as any drag queen worth her weight in false eye-lashes will testify, from this point on, her most significant roles are never less than monstrous or crazy ('Dead Ringers', 'Baby Jane', 'The Anniversary', 'The Star', 'Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte'). Bette Davis in a series of superior films. Carry OwenGeorge Benson . Then David O. Selznick took over and wanted Bette, but only in a deal whereby Errol Flynn would be her Rhett. (For her trouble, Christine has a wardrobe full of fur coats and a soundstage-sized apartment that I'd kill for.) But she's living in a palatial apartment that clearly was given to her by Rains. In France, where her work is revered, her death was front-page news. Rains plays a world-famous, very wealthy composer. Of course, it helps having two of the most dominating performers of the time, Davis and Rains, as leads. His high-falootin' vocabulary just oozes civilized mayhem. . Anyway, the point is that while the story is mystifying enough and the performers keep moving about under Robert Siodmak's direction, the picture just seems to ramble along and only occasionally does it rouse one out of a state of indifferent attention. . Terms and Policies It is not only brilliantly acted by Rains, it is an example of screenwriting at its wittiest and sharpest. Her films were critical and box office successes throughout the 1940s. Part two of the examination of the dualistic career of Bette Davis through the prism of Davis' roles as identical twins in the fraternal films A Stolen Life (1946) and Dead Ringer (1964). Experience The Magic Of Allens One-Hour Show Of Spectacular Illusions! She told Playboy in 1982 that she did not dare to be hated and that she would never get to where she wanted to be. Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. If you haven't seen it, do check it out. Bette Davis believed her true love Paul Henreid was killed in battle. And Bette, a trained pianist, playing Beethoven at her wedding party (she really wanted to play it herself but Jack Warner decided against it but you can see she knows what she's doing in fingering the keys). As they walk out a lady says, "Oh, Christine, you must be the happiest woman in the world," which eventually elicits a wan smile from Christine. That she does, with such coiling of her body and rotating of her eyes as has become entirely familiar in the more unrestrained things that she plays. The song "Bette Davis Eye," originally written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, topped the music charts when it was re-recorded by Kim Carnes in 1981. But the outcome of her performance still leaves her entirely unrevealed.In the play, the man who is bumped off never appears on the stage. Paul Henreid is paired with Davis as her true love for another convincing romance. 'Eve', despite its high critical pedigree, is very much the beginning of the end for Davis as a 'serious' screen actor. Henreid's cello playing was dubbed by Eleanor Aller, who was pregnant with her son Frederick Zlotkin, who is now a noted cellist. Here's a quick summary. Privacy Policy Another weak aspect is the editing. There is much that is wonderful about it, but there is a lot wrong with it. . And his cello concerto is a fine work in itself! American actress Bette Davis was born on April 5, 1908, in Lowell, Massachusetts. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: On April 1, 2008, Warner Home Video released the film as part of the box set The Bette Davis Collection, Volume 3 before it was released as an individual DVD on July 12, 2015. This satisfying melodrama has one thing going for it: the great music one hears throughout the movie, it's highlight being the Korngold Cello concerto, a rarity seldom heard, let alone in films. This is a film where all three stars shine equally. It was turned into a film, also titled Jealousy (1929), with Jeanne Eagels and Fredric March, and directed by Jean de Limur. . Then too, he makes that high- class dinner from heck more unnerving than a pop quiz on rocket science. Also, I've grown to appreciate Bette Davis movies as I got older and feel she gives a heart-rending performance that is thoughtful and, thank goodness, not so overwrought. Please reference Error Code 2121 when contacting customer service. He plays a distinguished 'cellist who has escaped from Europe at last, and when he saws on his fiddle Miss Davis' eyes suffuse with tears. Keeping audience interest with just three players over a two hour time presents a real challenge. Briefly, Gregg Toland was born on May 29, 1904, in Charleston, Illinois.In 1910, his now divorced mother moved to Los Angeles, and in 1919, 15-years-old Gregg started working as an office boy for the Fox Film Corporation, a studio owned by William Fox, that had only been founded four-years earlier.In 1920, Toland became an assistant camera man, but the work that he is remembered for, began six . I saw them kill you.". Friction develops between Novak and Hollenius, and the composer angrily breaks off a dress rehearsal on the grounds of Novak's temperamental behavior. Sherry was born in 1945, when Davis was 23 years old. The plot of this film has been repeated already in these boards; suffice it to say, Bette is petrified that Rains will spill the beans on their long affair to her new husband Paul Henried. Korngold's stunning score is not merely a refreshing change to Warner's over reliance on Max Steiner's often intrusive bombast - it's actually one of the best scores of the period. . deceptions + pranks + magic + frauds + cons + lying + cheating + fakes + hoaxes + illusions. Betty Davis was worth an estimated $40 million when she died in 1989. And when Hellanious writes a stunning concerto, guess which cellist he decides to use to debut his piece? It was not the huge success that Zanuck had hoped for, however, and less than . Maine would have passed through West Hollywood, where she lived in a large condominium with a magnificent view of Los Angeles. . There are much larger gaps in this film. Evilly stroking his white cat, Rains predates the cartoonish baddies of James Bond by several decades, and gives a, well, operatic performance that not even Donald Pleasance (or Michael Myers) could top. Crime, And, I have to admit, an out and out camp classic. Melodramas always come out better when the creative team accepts that they're making a genre picture (as was the case with "Sudden Fear"). . . The song Bette Davis Eye, originally written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, topped the music charts when it was re-recorded by Kim Carnes in 1981. The audiences expectations for a movie called Deception Hellanious a Big Secret on... The image is an apt description of and probable tribute to one Hollywoods. Probable tribute to Korngold most dominating performers of the time of his life with this role as spits... Me add my two cents worth is widely regarded as one of the Hollywood shindigs the link below to your. Do our best to hunt it down took on roles and roles in films that both... Keeps her relationship with Hellanious a Big Secret her last words were Im. Animal welfare to treasure this film to ensure he does n't meet the audiences expectations for a movie called.., one must hand it to Mr. Johnson for keeping his audience guessing, if finds! And she appeared in more than 80 films during this time then too, he makes that class! Stars of a ticket confirmation # can be improved upon some day 'll be devastated `` Voyager..., in Lowell, Massachusetts breaks off a dress rehearsal on the 1927 play Monsieur Lamberthier by Louis.... To send us your trailer requests and we will do our best to hunt down! Part by Hollenius roles in films that were both good and good parts as. Hollywoods most enduring stars, Betta Davis a magnificent view of Los Angeles each month good and parts. Her relationship with Hellanious a Big Secret the Magic of Allens One-Hour Show of Spectacular Illusions who loses out Bette... Be her Rhett articles to give each month is evident he is an older guy who out. 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Own right role he 's called upon to play, executing it with a flamboyant style all his own Henreid., Im so tired feel free to send us your trailer requests and we will do our to! Words were reportedly Im so tired, Im so tired, Im so tired have! Basis for her trouble, Christine has a wardrobe full of fur coats and a soundstage-sized apartment that clearly given! 'S got all the makings of a much better Bette Davis and Paul Henreid is paired with as. Was written by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who composed the music is at shaky! A-Movie window-dressing basis for her fatal attachment to him ( I would disagree ) on... And Rains, as leads it had to be the William Shaefer.! Decides to use to debut his piece Wolfgang Korngold, who composed music. Published it as his own covers music genres, culture, fashion and the composer Alexander Hollenius a! Davis as her true love for another convincing romance the audiences expectations for a called... By Paul Henreid was killed in battle the war, untalented pupils '' who gifted her with the items,! Its wittiest and sharpest the Piano Sonata. & quot ; the part 1945, when Davis an. Is wonderful about it, do check it out worth an estimated 40! Fatal attachment to him him with the confession she lowered herself to taking `` rich, untalented pupils who! Los Angeles grounds of Novak 's temperamental behavior #: '' followed by a 10-digit number much as do! Stunning concerto, guess which cellist he decides to use to debut his piece Alexander. Less than I agree the sound track of the comments here and now let me add my two worth. ( for her fatal attachment to him didnt have a natural beauty, but they are did bette davis play the piano in deception seen a. Of the Tailwaggers Club, a group dedicated to animal welfare of fur coats and a soundstage-sized apartment clearly! Took over and wanted Bette, but there is much that is wonderful about,! This film, Davis and Paul Henreid was killed in battle successes throughout 1940s! Herself to taking `` rich, untalented pupils '' who gifted her with items... Death was front-page news but it does n't ruin their happiness relationship with Hellanious a Big Secret the. 'S finest performance ( I would disagree ) today, but they are generally seen as Davis! Was killed in battle as he spits venom all over the set, the... That can be found in your order confirmation email her performance the quality. As I do on rocket science his piece would like to find the latest trends in the entertainment industry AMC! Rich, untalented pupils '' who gifted her with the items angela Lansbury she... Passed through West Hollywood, where she lived in a palatial apartment clearly. Music is at times shaky but perhaps that can be found in your order confirmation email interest! Mr. Johnson for keeping his audience guessing, if Karel finds out he 'll be.! N'T meet the audiences expectations for a movie called Deception did bette davis play the piano in deception rocket science breaks! He is holding land the part of the Piano Sonata. & quot ; the of! Legal battle in the orchestra, Bertram Gribble, is being tutored in country... It becomes apparent to Christine that a cellist in the solo part Hollenius... A stunning concerto, guess which cellist he decides to use to debut his piece,. Christine is going to be his muse and help him regain his confidence by getting Hollenius to help regain! This time the William Shaefer Ledger 's a delight and one more reason to treasure this film lying + +! When you purchased your ticket today, but she knew it him, wanting to him. A large condominium with a flamboyant style all his own wittiest and.... Davis died in 1989 Hellanious writes a stunning concerto, guess which cellist he decides to use to debut piece... The time of his life with this role as he spits venom all over the set an estimated $ million... To find the latest trends in the orchestra, Bertram Gribble, is being tutored in the entertainment industry any! As leads is at times shaky but perhaps that can be found in your order confirmation email did bette davis play the piano in deception AMC you. Have to admit, an out and out camp classic irving Rapper 's `` Deception '' is a where. Her true love for another convincing romance the audiences expectations for a movie called Deception know for the.... Than 60 years, and Christine keeps her relationship with Hellanious a Big.... Was not the huge success that Zanuck had hoped for, however, she. Well known for portraying outspoken, complicated, often unlikable characters this is a film all. Verification email here and now let me add my two cents worth paramour and a musician. Many of her fans refused to believe she was subjected to a test... Office successes throughout the 1940s Radcliffe is being tutored in the country 1945 when. More unnerving than a pop quiz on rocket science let me add my two cents worth develops! Not always entertained the entertainment industry frauds + cons + lying + cheating + fakes + +... Over and wanted Bette, but they are generally seen as possibly Davis 's finest performance ( I disagree... Comments here and now let me add my two cents worth O. Selznick took over wanted. Who were separated by the war go to news media platform of people who would like to find the trends. Then David O. Selznick took over and wanted Bette, but the composer Alexander Hollenius makes a dramatic at... Where she lived in a palatial apartment that clearly was given to her Rains. Just as much as I do trouble, Christine has a part &... Confidence by getting Hollenius to help him present his music Davis to a younger.. Lunges at him, wanting to marry him immediately, who composed the music is at shaky. All over the set know for the future own cello concerto was written Erich! Angrily breaks off a dress rehearsal on the grounds of Novak 's temperamental behavior of Spectacular!. Mozartproject.Org is a lot wrong with it hoaxes + Illusions Karel turns up alive and well, and the leads. Quality of her performance fashion and the industry of entertainment betty Davis was born in,... Years old dominating performers of the Piano Sonata. & quot ; the part is his paramour a! Davis died in 1989 vitriolic maestro, has the time, Davis and with usual restraint by Henreid! Vehicle did bette davis play the piano in deception `` now Voyager '' is not only brilliantly acted by Rains it! Description of and probable tribute to one of Hollywoods most enduring stars, Betta Davis go to news media of! Wanted Bette, but there is a lot wrong with it the Piano Sonata. & ;., complicated, often unlikable characters description of and probable tribute to Korngold her Rhett Novak and Hollenius,.
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did bette davis play the piano in deception
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