Product description Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins--a pair of actresses who hated each other--re-mix their chemistry from The Old Maid in Old Acquaintance, an entertaining adaptation of John Van Druten's play. The action begins with Davis, a semi-famous author, .com Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins--a pair of actresses who hated each other--re-mix their chemistry from The Old Maid in Old Acquaintance, an entertaining adaptation of John Van Druten's play. The action begins with Davis, a semi-famous author, returning to her small town and the home of old friend Hopkins. The later has opted for the settled life of husband and pregnancy, and she doesn't much hide her envy of Davis's success. Then the tables turn, as Hopkins pens a series of potboilers that sell much better than her friend-rival's. The movie keeps checking up on these two as the years pass, each wanting what the other has. It kicks around such staples as career vs. family, but what comes across most memorably in Old Acquaintance is the friendship between the two characters despite their rivalry; in that sense, the best scene in the film is the last scene. Hopkins has the flashy role, a silly ninny who seemingly never stops screeching, and Davis takes the more centered, self-effacing part. (By the way, Davis said that a scene in which she wears men's pajama tops caused a bit of a vogue at the time.) The men are in the background, although John Loder does a nice job of layering a gentle humor to Hopkins' long-suffering husband. Gig Young, in one of his earliest roles, is almost unrecognizable as a Davis paramour. Vincent Sherman (Mr. Skeffington) directed this example of the "women's picture," the kind of movie that kept Bette Davis the queen of the Warner Bros. lot. It was nicely remade by director George Cukor in 1981 as Rich and Famous, with Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen. --Robert Horton
B**A
What's not to love?
This is such a delightful movie - with great acting and a wonderful script.I am going to paraphrase something said by one of the female leads: the husband of one says of his wife (who is a prima donna prone to dramatics) to her best friend from childhood 'Why do you like her?'The best friend, a mature, wonderful, level-headed woman he has loved for years, says, 'Because she remembers when I was called _____' I don't remember the exact pejorative nickname that other kids called her. He says, 'Really?' She replies, 'Yes, you wouldn't think that was an important thing but strangely, it is...'I loved that exchange because friends who stay best friends from childhood into middle age and beyond are just not that common. It does mean something. It does sound trivial to mention a childhood nickname, but it is not.There are so many insightful exchanges and revealing remarks in this film that elevate it far above the modern remake 'Rich and Famous' that starred Candace Bergen and Jacqueline Bisset. Those two sexy actresses gave it a valiant try but really, in a comparison, they are up against giants. And the modern screenwriters just couldn't match the tone and wit of the original film.I've watched this several times. It reminds me of an absorbing radio drama but at the same time, it's wonderful to look at. To think that Bette Davis played a '42 year old' and was treated as if she was on the brink of old age. To think that Gig Young, who always looked terrific in the 60s movies, was a young an handsome romantic lead! It's a pleasure to see these people move gracefully and even smoke cigarettes (in many scenes) with a touch of elegance.'
J**C
THE STORY OF TWO FRIENDS AND THEIR CONFLICTS
Kit Marlowe is an acclaimed but not financially successful author who lives her life through her best friend Millie. Much to everyone's surprise, Millie becomes the darling of the trashy romance novel set by churning out novel after novel. No literary acclaim comes to Millie but the dollars pour in. Kit has the heart and soul while Millie loves the drama. Kit yearns for the happy life that Millie appears to have with a loving and handsome husband and an adorable daughter. Unfortunately, Millie does not appreciate the good things in her life and her husband falls for Kit. Years of yearning and missteps on her part makes Kit a lonely middle-aged woman who totally defers to Millie. Millie's husband falls for the intelligent, good-natured and caring Kit, but Kit's high moral standing would never allow her to express her true feelings.OLD ACQUAINTANCE has a fairly slow start. Millie is a silly and unappealing character and she doesn't seem worthy of a character in a move, but as the story progresses and we see how Millie and Kit's lives are so tangled, we have an interesting story develop.Kit and Millie's world's collide and relationships are formed and destroyed. Will their frienship survive?
M**E
CLASSIC - BETTE DAVIS
Old Acquaintance is an old friend. In the interest of fairness-for me- Bette Davis can do no wrong. Even her bad pictures show me things I can't find anywhere else. She never disappoints, no matter what the role. In this part Bette has said that the character she played was more like herself than in any other movie she made.The consummate actor, she lights up the screen with co-star Miriam Hopkins, who fans may already know is said to have had a real life feud with Bette. No matter, their chemistry is cohesive, and the film is very satisfying on every level.The story is about 2 childhood friends, raised together that take different paths. Davis becomes a novelist & Hopkins stays home to have a family. But there is a rivalry (on & off screen), & Hopkin's character begins writing books. They're not of the same caliber as Bette's but they are successful, too. Bette's character is likable in this one & the film one of my 3 Davis favorites.It is said that more actors in Hollywood learned to act simply by watching Bette Davis. It is no exaggeration-George C. Scott & Meryl Streep, both extolled her unrivaled talent. James Woods said:"There is only one actor, male or female, in the last 120 years: "there is Bette Davis, and there is everyone else." Truer words were never spoken. sloanranger/Wattpad
R**W
Bette's Fun To Watch In This Durable Women's Picture
In her biography, Bette told Whitney Stine that she thought that Kit, which she plays in this film, was one of her favorites and most like her own personality. While that may not be strictly true, Davis does lend a certain calm authority to the role which gives the story a more natural progression than it might have had, particularly toward the end. The point is that with Bette's characterization, it was easy to care what happened to her as she deals with various men, her emotional friend played by Miriam Hopkins, her career, and the challenge of aging gracefully. This is a fun movie to watch, with brisk plot development and the professional touch that made these so called "women's pictures" of the 1940's so good.
D**N
Nostalgia Heaven; and with English subtitles
This is one of the very best of the old-fashioned Hollywood melodramas. Yes, it is melodramatic; yes, some of the plot devices are a little too neat. But there are currents of genuine emotion and good humour running through it, and two or three emotional highlights that will bring tears to your eyes or a sudden lump to your throat. The final scene is perfect. Bette Davis is superb throughout - what a great actress she was! The movie is brilliantly directed with sets, camera angles and lighting just right. Franz Waxman's music intensifies the drama without drawing attention to itself. The gleaming black and white photography is a joy. Altogether, this is one of the most enjoyable movies you could wish to see; a perfect example of the best of Hollywood's golden age.English speaking viewers with hearing difficulties should be reassured: despite the labelling on the slipcase, this movie does have English subtitles.
G**E
Excellent movie
I’m a Bette Davis fan and she never disappoints!
P**L
Awesome picture
One of Bette Davis' best! She was sassy, classy, and very patient with her insecure Best friend! It's a popcorner movie for sure!
C**T
Sheer magic
I have loved Bette Davis from the age of 4 and 50 years later she is still one of the best actresses ever. What would be perfect now is for all of her films to be available in DVD, I have some on VHS mainly taped off the TV when her films were more frequently shown but as the age of VHS is well and truly dead and VHS recorders are virtually gone I would love these to become available in DVD. Among my favourites are Little Foxes, Jezebel and Now Voyager. Bette Davis always will be in my opinion one of the greats.
T**R
Wonderful Film
Wonderful second film of two old adversaries. Miriam is her usual over the top self balanced by Bette’s poise and polish.
C**D
Superb
One of her best films, she and Miriam Hopkins are great even though Bette is by far the very best actress of the two.
W**N
Five Stars
Ok
T**M
Great story
One of the best movies Bette Davis ever did.
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