“There was never a rivalry like this. For a half a century they hated each other, and we loved them for it”.
Feud: Bette And Joan is the new TV show centred around the well-publicized rivalry between the two iconic stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Joan Crawford (Jessica Lange) and Bette Davis (Susan Sarandon), during the 1962 filming of the horror film, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
“Care to comment on the fact that Miss Crawford says you look old enough to be her mother?”
We may be tempted to think that while working on all his acclaimed horror anthologies (Nip/Tuck, American Horror Story, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story), Ryan Murphy came up with the idea of feuding ladies as THE next horror hit, but Murphy is actually a long time admirer of Bette Davis.
He admitted sending her a fan letter, years ago, to which the legendary actress granted the not so sentimental answer, “Thanks for the letter. You’re sweet. Bette Davis”, but much welcomed answer nonetheless! The exchange eventually led to a meeting which led to a four hour discussion which led to the main inspiration behind Feud: Bette And Joan.
If the colorful 1960s costumes, the diverting plot and Hollywood magic look tempting enough, it’s nothing Mad Men has not done before. It is these women which seem to fascinate Murphy. Apart from a sensual actress or glossy model, there wasn’t much else a women could do to shine in the 1960s.
But these women did it with such passion and persistency, they seem to make everything else around them seem dull. And nothing, not even a feud orchestrated by the studio got in their way.
The gender gap is still a major issue in Hollywood, and although set in the 1960s, Feud seem more relevant than ever. What made those women so legendary? Was it their beauty? Their talent? Or was it perhaps their constant determination, leading the way for more equality and responsibility for women today?
It certainly inspired Murphy, who told Variety that he was setting himself a goal to have 50% of directing assignments and 50% of crew jobs go to women. Maybe working in proximity and in the shadow of such fierce women, stroke a chord!
It is a more than brilliant female cast that Murphy has assembled that includes Kiernan Shipka as Bette’s daughter, Judy Davis as bloodthirsty journalist, Hedda Hopper; Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates and Alison Wright. Feud, which also stars Alfred Molina as director, Robert Aldrich, and Stanley Tucci as studio head, Jack Warner, will premiere in the US on March 5.
“Feuds are never about hate. Feuds are about pain”.
#Peace.Love.Feud:BetteAndJoan
