MovieChat Forums > Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) Discussion > Kim Stanley does a Bette Davis?

Kim Stanley does a Bette Davis?

posted 17 years ago by trimmerb1234
13 replies | jump to latest

Watching Kim Stanley's performance triggered memories of late Bette Davis - that blinking and twitchiness while asking a question - the intent being to imply that someone else's taste, manners or judgement is severely deficient. Bette Davis made it her own and used it to full effect in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane". Having seen the great lady herself do it at some risk of her appearing overly theatrical even camp, it just does not suit the younger and far blander Kim Stanley. Bette Davis's version I think derives from notions of the (originally English) haughty and distainful Grand Lady when presented with something offensive be it person, fact or food. Grand Ladies in England - see "The Importance of being Earnest" with Dame Edith Evans - have been much more direct for a century or so. Kim Stanley's performance seemed to me understated in an overstated kind of way and rather mannered, as one other review has noted. But others clearly saw it differently.

[–] Harold_Robbins 17 years ago

Glad someone else noted Stanley's echoes of Bette Davis - I've only scene two of Stanley's handful of films (THE GODDESS being the other) and in both films she reminded me of Davis, but in the best way. (THE GODDESS, incidentally, was directed by John Cromwell, who directed Davis's seminal, star-making performance in the 1934 OF HUMAN BONDAGE). And Stanley was supposedly a great admirer of Davis.

"Stone-cold sober I find myself absolutely fascinating!"---Katharine Hepburn

[–] jltyler 17 years ago

I just finished reading Kim Stanley's detailed biography, "Female Brando," and there's no mention of her admiration for Bette Davis. While there's a passing facial resemblance, for stage actors, Kim Stanley is just as much of an icon as Bette Davis is for movies. Kim didn't copy anyone. Indeed, others copied her.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] jltyler 15 years ago

I totally agree, Ophiuchus811. What they did have in common though was the ability to go completely bananas in such a convincing manner that it scared the heck out of you. (Or me at least.) Especially Kim. I saw her on stage in "A Far Country" when I was a kid and I still haven't recovered from it. To be willing (and able) to get that raw in front of people...wow. I had the same experience watching Natasha Richardson on stage in "Cabaret." Both KS and NR were method actors and you had to wonder what horrific memories they were dredging up in order for KS to implode the way she did right before the second act curtain and for Natasha to sing the title song as if the world were coming to an end all around her and this was the last song that would ever be sung.

[–] jcb-nyc 14 years ago

Many actors, even method ones, also rely on their imagination and creativity to create a character. Memories, whenever they have any that are relevant, can help.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] jamesisthecat 16 years ago

Blah,Blah,Blah

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Xcalat3 13 years ago

I agree she was very similar to Bette Davis in this!.

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

[–] shutupandanz 13 years ago

I see Geraldine Page in Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice.....not really Bette Davis.

[–] matthewwave-1 13 years ago

I've seen Seance at least three times now, and I don't see the resemblance between Stanley's performance and the work of Bette Davis. Yeah, as one poster stated, the performance is mannered, and Davis was almost always a mannered actress, but, yes, as another poster stated, Stanley was far more nuanced than the vast bulk of Davis's work was.

As for facial resemblance, I again don't see any with Davis, but, yep, others have brought up Geraldine Page, and the resemblance -- those eyes and that forehead! -- really stunned me for a moment as I watched the movie again last night/early this morning. I don't see a bit of Page's *acting* in Seance, however.

And, yes, Stanley had Bel Geddes' hair in Seance. I wonder if Bel Geddes asked for it back after filming ended.

As wonderfully acted as the entire film is, as brilliant as Attenborough's work is, it's Stanley's performance in Seance that is the greatest. It's one of my top ten or so favorite performances in all of film.

(Oh, and I freakin' love Bette Davis -- no disrespect intended in my comments comparing contrasting Stanley and Davis.)

Matthew

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] markedjuan 10 years ago

One only has to watch Bette Davis display her skill at giving a nuanced performance in a film that was released just a year after Seance, The Nanny. She's brilliant in this and it's perhaps her finest work during the 1960s. I'm not going to say who's the better actress but it would certainly be a treat to watch Seance and The Nanny back-to-back!