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This 'N That
The author recounts how she recovered from a mastectomy and a stroke, shares her feelings about her daughter's book about her, and discusses the latter part of her long successful film career.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
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About the author
Bette Davis
34 books98 followersRuth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was a two-time Academy Award-winning American actress of film, television and theatre. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres; from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, though her greatest successes were romantic dramas.
After appearing in Broadway plays, Davis moved to Hollywood in 1930, but her early films for Universal Studios were unsuccessful. She joined Warner Bros. in 1932 and established her career with several critically acclaimed performances. In 1937, she attempted to free herself from her contract and although she lost a well-publicized legal case, it marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career. Until the late 1940s, she was one of American cinema's most celebrated leading actresses, known for her forceful and intense style. Davis gained a reputation as a perfectionist who could be highly combative, and her confrontations with studio executives, film directors and costars were often reported. Her forthright manner, clipped vocal style and ubiquitous cigarette contributed to a public persona which has often been imitated and satirized.
Davis was the co-founder of the Hollywood Canteen, and was the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She was the first actor to receive 10 Academy Award nominations and the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. Her career went through several periods of decline, and she admitted that her success had often been at the expense of her personal relationships. Married four times, she was once widowed and thrice divorced, and raised her children as a single parent. Her final years were marred by a long period of ill health, but she continued acting until shortly before her death from breast cancer, with more than 100 film, television and theater roles to her credit.
In 1999, Davis was placed second, behind Katharine Hepburn, on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female stars of all time.
After appearing in Broadway plays, Davis moved to Hollywood in 1930, but her early films for Universal Studios were unsuccessful. She joined Warner Bros. in 1932 and established her career with several critically acclaimed performances. In 1937, she attempted to free herself from her contract and although she lost a well-publicized legal case, it marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career. Until the late 1940s, she was one of American cinema's most celebrated leading actresses, known for her forceful and intense style. Davis gained a reputation as a perfectionist who could be highly combative, and her confrontations with studio executives, film directors and costars were often reported. Her forthright manner, clipped vocal style and ubiquitous cigarette contributed to a public persona which has often been imitated and satirized.
Davis was the co-founder of the Hollywood Canteen, and was the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She was the first actor to receive 10 Academy Award nominations and the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. Her career went through several periods of decline, and she admitted that her success had often been at the expense of her personal relationships. Married four times, she was once widowed and thrice divorced, and raised her children as a single parent. Her final years were marred by a long period of ill health, but she continued acting until shortly before her death from breast cancer, with more than 100 film, television and theater roles to her credit.
In 1999, Davis was placed second, behind Katharine Hepburn, on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female stars of all time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
August 19, 2019
'This 'n That' is an insightful account of the life and career of one of Hollywood's most legendary actresses: Bette Davis. It begins with Davis, aged seventy-five, documenting her recovery from a stroke and a mastectomy. The abundance of spare time that often comes with physical rehabilitation, leaves Davis to reflect on the many years that have passed.
Without excluding the sensationalized details of feuds with co-stars, and the glitz and glamour that accompanies success in Hollywood, Davis writes about what it's really like to work in showbiz, and trying to balance a personal life with success. Filled with funny, interesting and touching anecdotes of her time in and out of the spotlight, the book also contains some below-the-surface information such as her experience of attempting suicide, an abusive relationship with one of her husbands, and growing apart from her estranged daughter.
'This 'n That' succeeds in being a candid autobiography.
Without excluding the sensationalized details of feuds with co-stars, and the glitz and glamour that accompanies success in Hollywood, Davis writes about what it's really like to work in showbiz, and trying to balance a personal life with success. Filled with funny, interesting and touching anecdotes of her time in and out of the spotlight, the book also contains some below-the-surface information such as her experience of attempting suicide, an abusive relationship with one of her husbands, and growing apart from her estranged daughter.
'This 'n That' succeeds in being a candid autobiography.
October 31, 2024
There was such a sense of sadness and grief throughout this book. The betrayal that Bette felt at the end of her life at the vicious book that her daughter wrote about her absolutely broke her heart, as evidenced in letter she wrote her daughter in reply, which features at the end of this book. She was such an icon of stage and screen and I loved reading her raw and blunt assessments of many of her co-stars, especially Joan Crawford. Their alleged feud has been heavily documented and I was intrigued to hear Miss Davis’ side of the story and the way she set the record straight. Like many Old Hollywood actresses, she had a tumultuous romantic life, suffered greatly with domestic violence and just wanted to find her person. Thankfully she had the love and loyalty of her beloved assistant Kathryn, and Bette’s book has compelled me to order Kathryn’s book to read next.
April 9, 2016
What can I say about Bette Davis? I've only really come to appreciate her films as of this past year. My grandma introduced me to her films. I found myself captivated by this actress and definitely look forward to watching more films of hers and hopefully listening to those songs. This book was really a medley of everything that happened after her stroke, as well as talking about her children and their marriages. Very raw and profound, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to all film fans :)
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March 29, 20173.5 stars.
I'm not certain I can articulate my feelings on this book that well....
Interesting and inherently readable. But given the mythology that has sprung up around one of the grand-dames of cinema, I was expecting something... more?
Certainly the expected level of bitchiness is there, but it didn't make Me FEEL anything in particular beyond a mild distaste. I was hoping this book would galvanize me in some way, and it failed to do that the way some other biographies have.
I'm not certain I can articulate my feelings on this book that well....
Interesting and inherently readable. But given the mythology that has sprung up around one of the grand-dames of cinema, I was expecting something... more?
Certainly the expected level of bitchiness is there, but it didn't make Me FEEL anything in particular beyond a mild distaste. I was hoping this book would galvanize me in some way, and it failed to do that the way some other biographies have.
November 22, 2011
In the late eighties, I was sad to think that people who knew Bette Davis would think of her only as she was then. Having suffered a mastectomy and a stroke in tandem, she recovered, but spent the last few years of her life, when she wasn't taking the occasional t.v. movie role, as a skeletal, chain-smoking, braying old bat on "Donahue" and "The Tonight Show" and the like. Some twenty years have passed since then, but this book brought that version of Bette Davis screaming right back.
Much like her first autobiography, The Lonely Life, although choppier and less informative, this book shows Davis for the prickly, difficult person she had to have been. She is unapologetically demanding and particular. Here's my favorite example: she was in a t.v. movie called "Skyward," about a paraplegic teenager, and the main character was played by an actual paraplegic teenager, Suzy Gilstrap, in her first acting role. Here's Miss Davis' take: A real paraplegic, Suzy Gilstrap, played the part. I totally disapprove of this kind of realism. I thought the film would be better served by giving this opportunity, a super acting part, to an actress who could act as if she were paralyzed. I also felt it was cruel, if not exploitative, to expose Suzy to a new world which, from a talent standpoint, it was obvious she could never be a part of. My director and producer totally disagreed with me. They were enraptured at the idea of casting a person who was actually handicapped as the paraplegic. I mean, WOW. Listen to what she's saying there: Suzy can't act, I argued against her casting, a REAL actress would be better at playing a paraplegic THAN AN ACTUAL PARAPLEGIC. That is some unvarnished nastiness there.
That said, that's exactly what I wanted and expected from this book. You want Bette Davis to be a bossy diva, and she doesn't even try to hide it. She also covers her reaction to Kim Carnes' 1981 hit song "Bette Davis Eyes," and briefly flames her daughter B.D., who became a born-again Christian (she still preaches; look it up) with a controlling, older husband and who wrote My Mother's Keeper, a book condemning Davis as a horrible mother, which was sort of a Mommie Dearest-lite. Davis breezes through it all with her usual style.
Much like her first autobiography, The Lonely Life, although choppier and less informative, this book shows Davis for the prickly, difficult person she had to have been. She is unapologetically demanding and particular. Here's my favorite example: she was in a t.v. movie called "Skyward," about a paraplegic teenager, and the main character was played by an actual paraplegic teenager, Suzy Gilstrap, in her first acting role. Here's Miss Davis' take: A real paraplegic, Suzy Gilstrap, played the part. I totally disapprove of this kind of realism. I thought the film would be better served by giving this opportunity, a super acting part, to an actress who could act as if she were paralyzed. I also felt it was cruel, if not exploitative, to expose Suzy to a new world which, from a talent standpoint, it was obvious she could never be a part of. My director and producer totally disagreed with me. They were enraptured at the idea of casting a person who was actually handicapped as the paraplegic. I mean, WOW. Listen to what she's saying there: Suzy can't act, I argued against her casting, a REAL actress would be better at playing a paraplegic THAN AN ACTUAL PARAPLEGIC. That is some unvarnished nastiness there.
That said, that's exactly what I wanted and expected from this book. You want Bette Davis to be a bossy diva, and she doesn't even try to hide it. She also covers her reaction to Kim Carnes' 1981 hit song "Bette Davis Eyes," and briefly flames her daughter B.D., who became a born-again Christian (she still preaches; look it up) with a controlling, older husband and who wrote My Mother's Keeper, a book condemning Davis as a horrible mother, which was sort of a Mommie Dearest-lite. Davis breezes through it all with her usual style.
December 15, 2016
This book is one of the most boring autobiographies I have ever read. SPOILER ALERT. I learned only one thing really in it. While Ronald Reagan was head of the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) he signed away all residuals from movies for all actors and actresses to this very day - and for the future too. This infuriated Bette Davis - whom she called Reagan "Little Ronnie" - and she also was surprised Reagan reached the Presidency. Otherwise, no stories of her fabled life regarding her romances really - no details of costars she may have romanced - she was a product of her time it seems, when such stories would be improper to discuss at all - even by the 1980s when it would have been a lot more acceptable to let the stories be told in the book - and none were really, so the book was a letdown for me - quite boring - try some biographies - some are more candid a female acquaintance has told me. The copy I got was being given away free at the local library. It was donated by someone. It came complete with the cloying smell of cigarette ashes... which I found amusing, as Bette was a longtime smoker.
February 9, 2017
There is a sensational chapter dealing with the filming of the classic b/w horror film from the 1950s: "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane." (If you're a fan of creepy old movie classics, this movie is not to be missed.) Davis was nominated for an Oscar for her insane, over-the-top portrayal of a truly twisted sister. However, her co-star, Joan Crawford, campaigned against her and she does not win the award. Subsequently, to capitalize on "Baby Jane", Hollywood developed "Whatever Happened to Cousin Charlotte" (with both Davis and Crawford leaching off each other again) which was released as "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" (another creepy sensation, although not as good as its predecessor.) We even get to read about the Kim Carnes early 1980s song, "Bette Davis Eyes". Okay, so now I've told you the highlights. The rest of the book just can't measure up, but still it's an enjoyable autobiography.
February 26, 2017
I should have learned my lesson on actresses' memoirs after reading Katharine Hepburn's. This one is very similar - a bunch of unrelated thoughts that are mostly stories about receiving compliments, picking out thoughtful gifts, and getting awards. Notably, there are also parts where Bette Davis comes off the worse for her era: 1) a section on how wives shouldn't bore husbands about the kids and the wash, 2) a lament that Ron Howard gave the role of a handicapped girl to an actual handicapped girl, denying an actor such a good role, and 3) a picture and anecdote about how she attended her own 70th birthday in "blackface and an Afro wig."
September 26, 2013
Fabulously honest, catty and a potted history of Hollywood. Misunderstood, betrayed by her beloved daughter and recovering from strokes this is a stream of consciousness ride through an amazing life. Inspirational and revealing on every page this is a great read whether you were a fan or not.
August 24, 2013
Loved it! Sad that she got so old and spindly though. She had once been beautiful. It was very candid.
October 10, 2022
There is a reason I don't read "memoirs/autobiographies". Unless the person did something super spectacular and has a unique lead up and closing to the event, I find these books just one big, constant, pat on their back.
Yes, I adored Bette Davis in several films I watched, but her recounting who she worked with and was directed by doesn't really excite me. She describes how honored she was, each and every time she received an award. And yes, she received many. The only interesting part of this book was her recounting how she, and other Hollywood stars created the Hollywood Canteen to allow servicemen heading out to war, or returning, could see the Hollywood stars while passing thru California.
In addition, Ms. Davis strikes back at her daughter, B.D. at the end of this book in response to a "tell all" book her daughter wrote about her. It seems the daughter wrote some nasty stuff about Bette Davis and tried to bite off the "Mommy Dearest" apple to make some money with this type of book. Ms. Davis writes a letter to the daughter and prints it in the last chapter of this book. Just seems like this little memoir was written to get back at the daughter. Not a fan of her writing, only her movies.
Yes, I adored Bette Davis in several films I watched, but her recounting who she worked with and was directed by doesn't really excite me. She describes how honored she was, each and every time she received an award. And yes, she received many. The only interesting part of this book was her recounting how she, and other Hollywood stars created the Hollywood Canteen to allow servicemen heading out to war, or returning, could see the Hollywood stars while passing thru California.
In addition, Ms. Davis strikes back at her daughter, B.D. at the end of this book in response to a "tell all" book her daughter wrote about her. It seems the daughter wrote some nasty stuff about Bette Davis and tried to bite off the "Mommy Dearest" apple to make some money with this type of book. Ms. Davis writes a letter to the daughter and prints it in the last chapter of this book. Just seems like this little memoir was written to get back at the daughter. Not a fan of her writing, only her movies.
May 9, 2009
When this book hit the market, Bette Davis appeared at a Los Angeles book signing. I lived in Seattle with my mother, who called a friend in LA to messenger an employee off to the grueling task of standing in line for the coveted signature of Hollywood's most revered actress Alas, she would only sign copies bought from that store, a reality that was not to unfold as an available option that particular afternoon. But I always appreciated the thought that my mother put into the gift. I still received the book as a gift without the inscription.
My mother knew that even at age 13, I was a long time Bette Davis fan. The year before, I had been witness to the lies and backstabbing BD Hyman wrote in attempts to cash in on her own version of Mommie Dearest. The actions that she claimed to be abusive were described so completely over the top, readers felt sorry for the misguided media whore. I wasn't certain if the ungrateful bitch meant the project to be a joke, laughable as it was.
This n' That was Bette Davis' response to the hurtful public airing her beloved daughter made of their relationship. By the time of its publishing, Davis knew she had advanced into her final act. She had suffered a series of debilitating strokes that incapacitated one whole side of her mouth. She made several embarrassing appearances on late night talk shows that forced audiences to turn the channel out of respect for the doddering dowager. Carson was criticized for failing to cut to a commercial when Davis lost her train of thought. After an incident at the Academy Awards where Davis, a presenter forgot what she was there for, the public readied for her to kick the bucket.
Then, This n' That hit the shelves and sent Ms. Davis back into the public eye with a purpose and something to promote. She never appeared without her closest confidante Kathryn Sermak who served as a substitute for the absent daughter. The book was largely a testament to the ways in which to canonize the devoted Sermak. It was a contrast to her first autobiography, The Lonely Life, in that it wasn't a narrative record of her marriages and career highlights. She does repeat a few anecdotes, altered in revisionist style historical recall. (Is that what happens when one grows old?)This book alternates between a memoir of her recuperation from surgeries to spin the yarn style reminiscences about the golden years in Hollywood. Fans will appreciate her bitchy tone.
She waits until the last page to officially write off the lousy excuse for a daughter with good riddance. Addressing her response only to Hyman, she doesn't afford B.D the courtesy of a first name. That is a social courtesy reserved for those who deserve such. Bette's fans will find this an amusing, revealing, enjoyable quick read. I finished it over the weekend at age 13.
My mother knew that even at age 13, I was a long time Bette Davis fan. The year before, I had been witness to the lies and backstabbing BD Hyman wrote in attempts to cash in on her own version of Mommie Dearest. The actions that she claimed to be abusive were described so completely over the top, readers felt sorry for the misguided media whore. I wasn't certain if the ungrateful bitch meant the project to be a joke, laughable as it was.
This n' That was Bette Davis' response to the hurtful public airing her beloved daughter made of their relationship. By the time of its publishing, Davis knew she had advanced into her final act. She had suffered a series of debilitating strokes that incapacitated one whole side of her mouth. She made several embarrassing appearances on late night talk shows that forced audiences to turn the channel out of respect for the doddering dowager. Carson was criticized for failing to cut to a commercial when Davis lost her train of thought. After an incident at the Academy Awards where Davis, a presenter forgot what she was there for, the public readied for her to kick the bucket.
Then, This n' That hit the shelves and sent Ms. Davis back into the public eye with a purpose and something to promote. She never appeared without her closest confidante Kathryn Sermak who served as a substitute for the absent daughter. The book was largely a testament to the ways in which to canonize the devoted Sermak. It was a contrast to her first autobiography, The Lonely Life, in that it wasn't a narrative record of her marriages and career highlights. She does repeat a few anecdotes, altered in revisionist style historical recall. (Is that what happens when one grows old?)This book alternates between a memoir of her recuperation from surgeries to spin the yarn style reminiscences about the golden years in Hollywood. Fans will appreciate her bitchy tone.
She waits until the last page to officially write off the lousy excuse for a daughter with good riddance. Addressing her response only to Hyman, she doesn't afford B.D the courtesy of a first name. That is a social courtesy reserved for those who deserve such. Bette's fans will find this an amusing, revealing, enjoyable quick read. I finished it over the weekend at age 13.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
Classic Bette.
This book made me laugh and also roll my eyes. She’s an original, that’s for sure. Didn’t know that her ex became a Jehovah’s Witness, innnnteresting.
The way she describes “Kath” piqued my imagination.
Talented lady.
This book made me laugh and also roll my eyes. She’s an original, that’s for sure. Didn’t know that her ex became a Jehovah’s Witness, innnnteresting.
The way she describes “Kath” piqued my imagination.
Talented lady.
February 16, 2017
This is such a sweet, sad, traumatic, laughable book. This book looks at Bette Davis’ life through her own eyes. Bette talks about her relationships good and bad, illnesses, and an overwhelming love for her children. I picked up this book knowing nothing about her personal life, just that I loved some of her films. This book read so much like Davis it was like I could hear her reading the words aloud to me. She is such a strong willed character and is very inspirational. Through the book you could tell how much she adored her children and the final chapter was heartbreaking to me. Despite this the book is fantastic, it’s sad and real, with just a tad lacking in Hollywood gossip for me.
October 16, 2019
This book - while easy to read does not tell us much. Rumor was she was romanced by many men - but she was from a different time - when such things weren't discussed - not even in an autobiography. The only interesting thing I learned was when Reagan was the head of the Screen Actor's Guild he permanently got rid of money for any movie residuals for all actors and actresses. Bette Davis hated him for this. Her rude nickname for him was "Little Ronnie." She was also surprised he managed to become the President. Not much else here about her romances, etc.
August 17, 2008
I love Bette Davis and started reading this on the plane on the way home from vacation. Lots of interesting info about her life that I wasn't aware of but I found the book difficult to read. It was very choppy with a lot of going back and forth whenever something triggered a memory for her. In the foreward it states the book was published exactly as it had been written. I feel it would have been a better read with some editing so the information and time frames would have a better flow.
June 1, 2021
What a quick read. Very fun, sad, and heartbreaking. Davis is and has always been my favorite actress since I was 14 and bought a vhs of, Of Human Bondage. She dazzled me as she said, “I’d like to kiss you but I just washed my hair,” I was blown away.
This book is depressing because it’s on the tail end of her death. It was fun hearing all the stories. It made me upset to think of what a snake her daughter was to her. Some people will do anything for money.
I loved this book 🥰
This book is depressing because it’s on the tail end of her death. It was fun hearing all the stories. It made me upset to think of what a snake her daughter was to her. Some people will do anything for money.
I loved this book 🥰
May 29, 2015
This book would have benefited from a good editor. It reads as a random stream of consciousness from Miss. Davis. There are some interesting anecdotes & one does feel sad that Bette's beloved daughter stabbed her in the back with her own grubby little book. It's a quick & easy read for Bette fans but not an essential read.
August 27, 2009
I thought I would like this book I just didn't realize how much. If anyone enjoys old Hollywood then this is a must read.
August 2, 2011
Brilliant.
October 25, 2011
This book is an autobiography of Bette Davis. Reading this book makes me want to read My Mother's Keeper by B.D. Hyman. I did enjoy this autobiography a lot.
March 2, 2013
I'm a huge fan and this book made her more real to me. She was hilarious. Loved it!
July 19, 2013
What else is there to say...I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!
May 4, 2015
2nd time reading this Davis book. I love her candor and the end reminded me of the outrage I felt reading her daughters dirty tell all...my mother's keeper..
maybe a reread of that is needed as well
maybe a reread of that is needed as well
June 27, 2021
Quick read, interesting tidbits.
August 26, 2023
This is a interesting sort of continuation of The Lonely Life. I don't have either book physically so I don't know if the contents differs like with contextualizing the book or having an introduction, but while there was new information focusing on the years since her previous autobiography was published, I still think there was some repeated information- even full phrases- and there was skipping around in time. The first one also was not linear but here it bothered me more, especially as events from decades earlier were gone over. Though, given the title, maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. Bette described The Lonely Life as "happenings and highlights" of her life and This 'n That in title and in contents does seem like more of that.
Having a good amount of focus on her family life- her marriages and children- this definitely feels more reflective than recounting one's life. Pointing out mistakes and wondering where a different choice would have led. Giving love and parenting advice. But there's still information and insight on her work in Hollywood, on the stage, as well as turns of her health. The highlight in terms of her acting career for me was the section about What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which was not discussed in The Lonely Life and is one of her films I definitely need to rewatch! The history of the production of the film is so interesting and significant to Hollywood! And Bette totally dispels the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford "feud" rumors exacerbated by the media. Also, I would have loved to see Bette Davis and Dolly Parton having dinner together!
Once again Suzanne Toren puts on her Bette Davis voice and did a great job narrating the audiobook.
Maybe 3.5 or 3.75/5 if I was being more specific.
[Classic Film Reading Challenge 2023 (2/6)]
Having a good amount of focus on her family life- her marriages and children- this definitely feels more reflective than recounting one's life. Pointing out mistakes and wondering where a different choice would have led. Giving love and parenting advice. But there's still information and insight on her work in Hollywood, on the stage, as well as turns of her health. The highlight in terms of her acting career for me was the section about What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which was not discussed in The Lonely Life and is one of her films I definitely need to rewatch! The history of the production of the film is so interesting and significant to Hollywood! And Bette totally dispels the Bette Davis/Joan Crawford "feud" rumors exacerbated by the media. Also, I would have loved to see Bette Davis and Dolly Parton having dinner together!
Once again Suzanne Toren puts on her Bette Davis voice and did a great job narrating the audiobook.
Maybe 3.5 or 3.75/5 if I was being more specific.
[Classic Film Reading Challenge 2023 (2/6)]
June 13, 2019
This is a patchwork quilt of a book, a string - no, mere threads - of anecdotes and opinions. Much of it is shallow, but there is occasional insight into the worlds of Hollywood, family life and old age. It barely warrants the label memoir, though I'm left keen to read her earlier autobiographical writing or perhaps a decent biography. Yet this captures Bette Davis's unique voice in print, and that's worth an extra star.
June 26, 2023
I found it for a dollar in a thrift shop.
July 27, 2024
4.25
April 14, 2021
Bette is a badass, without question.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews