Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had a decades-long rivalry.They started feuding after Bette became involved in a love triangle with Joan’s then-fiancé, Franchot Tone.
While filming Dangerous, co-stars Bette and Franchot became romantically interested in one another.
When production on Dangerous wrapped, the two went their separate ways. Franchot eventually married Joan on October 11, 1935.
More than 50 years later, Davis said, “”She took him from me. I have never forgiven her for that, and never will.”
While filming a scene where Davis’s character attacks Crawford’s, Davis hit her rival in the head with a little too much force. Originally Joan requested a body double for an elder abuse scene where Baby Jane brutalizes Blanche because she didn’t trust Bette not to hit her with extra force. She was right. She supposedly required stitches
In another scene, when Davis had to drag Crawford’s limp body around, Crawford purposely botched takes and filled her pockets with rocks and attached other heavy objects to make it harder on Davis.
Bette suffered minor pains as a result of repeatedly having to re-shoot scenes where she had to drag Joan.
When Bette was nominated for Best Actress at the 1963 Oscars, Joan’s work in the movie was snubbed.
Due to the Academy not acknowledging her work in the project, Joan campaigned against her co-star Bette. She contacted the other actresses nominated for Best Actress and offered to accept the award on their behalf.
On May 10, 1977, Joan Crawford died from a heart attack at her New York City apartment.
At the time, outlets reported Bette’s response to her colleague’s death as they quoted her: “You should never say bad things about the dead, only good… Joan Crawford is dead? Good.”
On October 6, 1989, Bette Davis succumbed to health complications from a battle with breast cancer.
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