Why I Can’t Get Enough of FX’s Drama; FEUD: BETTY AND JOAN

FEUD: BETTY & JOAN

It was only yesterday when I was glued to my seat, watching, THE PEOPLE V OJ SIMPSON, on FX. It was one of those shows where you had to watch it when it aired, so as not to come across a spoiler online. Though I knew the outcome (and lived in Los Angeles during the trial), I was still enthralled.

Then FEUD: Betty and JOAN came along. The story is right up my alley as I write fiction from the 1930s based on true stories and real events (The Abduction of Nelly Don). What’s not to love? Two divas of the golden age screen clawing their way back as “over-the-hill” actresses. They gave their blood, sweat, and tears to Warner and others, only to be sent out to pasture. But these two ladies refused to go quietly into the night. (Enough metaphors for you?)

Joan Crawford (can’t get Mommy Dearest out of my head) came across a novel and wanted to make it into a film. She enlisted Betty Davis; a rival she loathed, but knows Betty will bring “it,” “heat” to the project.

The two titans agree to work together and play nice… but that doesn’t last for very long. Bickering is followed jealousy, trying to one-up each other, coming-on to the director in order to get what they want; the list goes on.

Did I mention the movie they worked on together was, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” A horror movie which depended on atmosphere, the creep factor of an unstable woman, as well as sudden violent actions. It all came together beautifully and was a sensation in its day.

Yesterday’s episode was all about the golden man, the Oscar. Betty ended up being nominated, while Joan was left out. Joan told the press that she was, “Very happy for Betty.” Yet, her actions told another story.

To hear Betty tell it, “That’s so much bull,” according to Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud by Shaun Considine. “When Miss Crawford wasn’t nominated, she immediately got herself booked on the Oscar show to present the best director award. Then she flew to New York and deliberately campaigned against me. She told people not to vote for me. She also called up the other nominees and told them she would accept their statue if they couldn’t show up at the ceremonies.”

Joan Crawford was one first-class witch. But she had balls; mandatory in the world she occupied.

Oscar night ended up being all about Joan as she manipulated her way into presenting the Oscar for best director, then accepting Anne Bancroft’s Oscar for best actress. Joan schemed, lied, intimidated her way back onto that Oscar stage. She relished every opportunity to stick it to Betty.

But anyone who has watched a Betty Davis flick knows she’s not one to take it without dishing it out. I can’t wait for the next episode where I’m assuming Betty gets her revenge. We know she didn’t make history with a third Oscar win after Baby Jane, but her success is not dependent or measured by how many golden statues she possessed.

Feud: Betty and Joan is on FX, Sunday nights at 10:00p PST.