When most people think about Hollywood rivalries from the golden era, they most likely picture Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The hatred these two actresses had for one another was legendary; but was it real? It sure was.
At first, Bette and Joan seemed to get along with each other. At least, they weren't at each other's throats. That changed somewhat after Crawford 'stole' Bette's boyfriend Franchot Tone, who Joan later married. While turning their relationship icy, they still weren't too upset with each other.
That changed in 1952 with The Star. The film was written by Katherine Albert, who had been Joan's close friend. After a huge falling out, Ms. Albert wrote The Star, which was a thinly veiled stab at Joan, depicting her as a downtrodden hasbeen. Bette eagerly took the starring role, angering Joan immensely.
However, it would be their first and only co-starring vehicle that would ruin any semblance of friendship the two had- Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? By this time, Joan's fortunes both professionally and economically were in decline. She had discovered that her husband, who had been the chairman of PepsiCo, had left a large amount of debt behind when he passed away. She needed a role fast and found one in Baby Jane- provided she could convince her rival to play opposite her. Joan swallowed her pride and personally convinced Bette Davis to take the role.
In an effort to eliminate any possible hostility between the two women, the studio paid them very little upfront, but gave them substantial stakes in the film itself. It was hoped that the women would behave themselves if they knew that delays and squabbling would lower their earnings. Other than an errant kick from Bette Davis that resulted in a cut on Joan, the shoot went off with nary a hitch. As a result, the film came in well under budget.
Audiences clamored for the final film; rumors abounded that these ladies hated each other and the crowds wanted to see if that hatred spilled over to the big screen. The film became hugely profitable and both ladies were handsomely paid for their work; much more than they could have earned from a straight salary. Things were great- until the Oscars were announced.
Bette Davis, playing the childish Baby Jane, chewed her way to a nomination. Joan Crawford, playing the crippled, reserved Blanche, received none. Thus began Joan's campaign against Bette, which culminated in Joan accepting the award on behalf of the eventual winner- Anne Bancroft- while Bette silently stewed in her seat. As Bette later noted, Joan's antics cost them both further profits; winning an Oscar would have generated more revenue for the both of them.
Two years later, 20th Century Fox sought to capitalize on the success of the film by green lighting Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte a film that was much like Baby Jane, except this time the roles would be reversed. It was not to be, however. The rift between the two would be too great and Joan kept leaving the set due to an undisclosed illness. The director fired her, replacing her with Olivia de Havilland. Joan blamed Bette for the dismissal and the two never spoke again. Joan retired from pictures while Bette continued to make films, mostly as a villainess for Disney.
