Supplemental Post 2 - Lauren Sullivan

I enjoyed seeing another film starring Bette Davis and being able to compare the two roles. All About Eve and Now, Voyager are the only films I have seen her in, so it is interesting to look at how these two roles work in constructing her star persona. Bette Davis does not have an idealized persona, and is instead someone not afraid to be portrayed in unflattering ways. Her roles are not glamorous. Yes, in both films her characters appear to be glamorous at times, which is most of the film for Margo and after her transformation for Charlotte, but Bette Davis is also comfortable removing this glamor. You would never see a star like Marilyn Monroe on screen removing her makeup and rubbing cold cream over her face, or wearing matronly clothes, thick glasses, and bushy, drawn-on eyebrows. A specific, perfected appearance is not apart of Bette Davis’ persona. 

Both films, too, deal with the topic of aging. This was very apparent in All About Eve, as she watches her stardom become eclipsed by younger, fresher faces. In Now Voyager, she also grapples with the expectations of women as they age, as she is seen as an unattractive spinster who wasted her youth obeying her mother. While many stars may try to evade aging and discussion surrounding their age, Bette Davis creates a dialogue about this double standard women deal with through her roles. 

Aside from her appearance, she embraces unflattering roles in other ways, as well. Both Margo and Charlotte convey a great deal of emotional vulnerability on screen. Even when her character puts on a front of strength and confidence before other characters, as seen in Margo, her insecurities are on display for the audience. Her characters are flawed, vulnerable, struggling, and sometimes despicable, as seen in moments for Margo in All About Eve. Her persona is not one that is refined or idealized. Instead she is someone that can be related to and moved by.