Bette Davis Collection - Volume 1 (DVD, 2005, 5-Disc Set)

"Now, Voyager," (1942) "Dark Victory," (1939) "The Letter," (1940) "The Star," (1952) & "Mr. Skeffington" (1944) are included in this 5 DVD Box set of late '30's thru early '50's movies that star Bette Davis during her acting prime.

"Now, Voyager," stars Bette Davis transforming from a mother-smothered high-brow matron into a raving beauty. Davis wasn't known to use her natural beauty to make of herself a 'star'. Instead, she was determined to become the greatest 'actor' of all time, using skill & talent, experience & absolute professionalism. When Charlotte Vale (Davis) first steps forth transformed into a gorgeous lady on a cruise ship, it is, perhaps, the first time an audience has the opportunity to see her playing a role as drop-dead gorgeous. Davis earned her 6th Oscar nomination & Max Steiner won an Oscar for Best Original Music Score. (See my review of "Now, Voyager," for more plot & cast detail).

"Dark Victory" is 1 of several films with Bette Davis & Humphrey Bogart playing leading role lovers. Davis & Bogart are well matched in this show. The Warner box office hit about a woman going blind earned 1939 Oscar nominations for Best Actress, Best Picture & Best Original Score (by Max Steiner). Classic drama!

In "The Letter," Bette Davis & director William Wyler are collaborating again (they did the Oscar-winning "Jezebel" together in 1938). This received 7 Oscar nominations! Best Actress in a Leading Role, Bette Davis; Best Actor in a Supporting Role, James Stephenson; Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Tony Gaudio; Best Director, William Wyler; Best Film Editing, Warren Low; Best Music, Original Score, Max Steiner; Best Picture. The plot is about an adulterous woman who murders her lover, then lies about it. But, there is a letter that could prove the truth. Wyler & Davis obviously could bring out the best artistry in the film cast & crew! That's what made them the greatest filmmaking collaborators.

During "The Star," Bette Davis takes the lead as a Hollywood has been, Margaret Elliott. The show is about Jim Johannson (Sterling Hayden), a boat mechanic & fan of Elliott's, teaching her that there's more to life. An adolescent Natalie Wood plays Gretchen, Elliot's daughter. During a classic scene, Davis uses one of her own Oscars, propped on the dashboard of Elliot's car & heads for the homes of the stars in Beverly Hills saying, "Come on, Oscar, let's you & me go get drunk!" Interestingly, this film earned 43yo Davis her 9th Oscar nomination.

. . . And for her 8th Oscar nomination, starring as Fanny Trellis, Bette Davis marries into a loveless marriage--to Job Skeffington (Claude Rains) an older, well-off, Jewish banker-- in order to rescue her little brother, Trippy (Richard Waring), from an embezzlement trial. While she's married the flamboyant & beautiful seducer of many men suitors is proposed to over & over again. Mr. Skeffington shows each of them in & out of his (& her) own home's front door! In many ways this movie is a comedy. But, towards the end, you'll learn why it's also a choice romance between Davis & Rains that is a tear-jerker. Rains was 1 of the few actors from whom Davis couldn't steal the show. As Mr. Skeffington, Claude Rains holds his own lead quite admirably well & was nominated for the 1945 Oscar as Best Supporting Actor.

It's a challenge to guess whether this Volume 1 Bette Davis collection is better than Volume 2. Because of that conflict, I had to own both (and more).~

I bought this collection as a gift for my daughter. She said the movies were beautiful and loved every one of them. The collection was delivered timely and packed very securely and in mint condition. This was a great purchase at a great price.