TV and Movies

[Oznell]

8:00 p.m. Eastern-- "The Great LIe"--   Oh, gosh, how could I have missed this string of juicy movies tonight?  Sorry for the short notice.

Fun, soapy film in which Bette Davis and spoiled, neurotic concert pianist Mary Astor vie for the love and attention of dashing flyer George Brent.  One night, after a bender, he sort of "accidentally" marries Mary Astor (even though Bette has his heart).

This soon gets remedied, and happily, he's able to marry Bette, but not before discarded wife Mary has a little souvenir of their union coming....    Bette gets a genius plan to hide the pregnancy in Arizona while she cares for Astor.  George Brent meanshile is oblivious and gets to continue his aviation excapades somewhere in wildest South America....

Improbable, sentimental, silly and fun!

[cimeranrose]

I'm looking forward to this movie tonight - I have it on DVD but I like to watch it when it's on TCM. 

Betty Davis is good in this movie, but Mary Astor shows she can be as nasty a character in a movie as Betty Davis could be in movies, lol. She's one actress who could hold her own with Davis on the screen.

Thanks for posting @Oznell - it's a movie worth watching.

[Oznell]

Yes, wow, she's so "tough" in this one, she almost makes Bette look like a shrinking violet, ha.

But then, remember her role in "Meet Me in Saint Louis" as Judy Garland's calm. lovely mother presiding over a large family of strong personalities.  She and Leon Ames seem like the quintessential decent, Midwestern, turn-of-the-century parents with sterling values in that....

Excellent actress.

[Catiele]

After a busy day cleaning this is just what I need. When I was younger I didn’t appreciate Bette Davis. I now know what a great actress she was. Older -wiser most of the time.

[cimeranrose]

Yes, she was good in "Meet Me in St. Louis." Also, in "Dodworth" she was the sympathetic, kind, understanding woman for Dodsworth.

Unfortunately, just the little I have read about Mary Astor, it doesn't sound like she had a very happy life. 

[cimeranrose]

The TCM host just said Mary Astor won her only Oscar for this movie (Best Supporting Actress) - I didn't realize that before. He also said critics said that Mary Astor outshines Betty Davis in this movie.

[drizzellla]

The last time I saw this movie, had to be at least 25 years ago. I was so impressed with the boy that was singing after the wedding of Bette Davis and George Brent. I remember doing research to find out his name and anything about him.

I forgot all that I read. Will have to start all over again.

Yes, indeed Mary Astor and Bette Davis are two dueling ladies in this movie.

[Lucky Charm]

Ah!  One of my favorites!  Missed it, though.  

Love Tchaikovsky's Piano concerto.  Hauntingly beautiful!

@Oznell--please tell me you like (love!) the movie 'Stage Door'.  That has to be one of my favorites!

[Oznell]

@Lucky Charm, what a fun film that is!  Love all the banter and repartee of the girls living there.  I'm a big Ginger Rogers fan and for me, she always brings that down-to-earth realism and authenticity, even in her smallest, earliest roles...

[sunshine 919]

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@Oznellwrote:

8:00 p.m. Eastern-- "The Great LIe"--   Oh, gosh, how could I have missed this string of juicy movies tonight?  Sorry for the short notice.

Fun, soapy film in which Bette Davis and spoiled, neurotic concert pianist Mary Astor vie for the love and attention of dashing flyer George Brent.  One night, after a bender, he sort of "accidentally" marries Mary Astor (even though Bette has his heart).

This soon gets remedied, and happily, he's able to marry Bette, but not before discarded wife Mary has a little souvenir of their union coming....    Bette gets a genius plan to hide the pregnancy in Arizona while she cares for Astor.  George Brent meanshile is oblivious and gets to continue his aviation excapades somewhere in wildest South America....

Improbable, sentimental, silly and fun!

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I like this movie.  I watched the last 20 minutes.  Bette is so cute in this one.