Posted on 04/19/2017 5:16:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The two-time Oscar winner, who is 100 and resides in Paris, is the only living person portrayed as a major character on the FX limited series. Olivia de Havilland, the only movie star portrayed on the acclaimed FX limited series Feud who is still alive, tells The Hollywood Reporter that she hasn't seen the series, but that "in principle, I am opposed to any representation of personages who are no longer alive."
One of the most critically hailed and highly rated shows of the season, Feud was created by Emmy winner Ryan Murphy and stars two-time Oscar winner Jessica Lange and one-time Oscar winner Susan Sarandon as one-time Oscar winner Joan Crawford and two-time Oscar winner Bette Davis, respectively. The show revolves around the premise that Crawford and Davis were long-bickering rivals who reluctantly teamed up to make the 1962 horror film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which proved a hit but only further complicated their relationship. One episode dramatizes the 1963 Oscars at which Davis was nominated for Baby Jane but Crawford, who was not, still managed to upstage her.
Feud also is filled with other portrayals of people who were a part of Hollywood's Golden Age, virtually all of whom are dead — Crawford died in 1977, Davis in 1989 and the list goes on. The major exception is two-time Oscar winner de Havilland, who is now 100 and residing in Paris. De Havilland is played on the series by fellow Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones as a regal friend and supporter of Davis, but she was not consulted by the show's creators — Murphy recently told THR that he "didn't want to intrude on Ms. de Havilland" — so THR emailed her (yes, she uses email) to ask for her thoughts about the show and the women at the center of it.
"I have received your email with its two questions," De Havilland replied. "I would like to reply first to the second of these, which inquires of me the accuracy of a current television series entitled Feud, which concerns Bette Davis and Joan Crawford and their supposed animosity toward each other. Having not seen the show, I cannot make a valid comment about it. However, in principle, I am opposed to any representation of personages who are no longer alive to judge the accuracy of any incident depicted as involving themselves."
Added De Havilland, "As to the 1963 Oscar ceremony, which took place over half a century ago, I regret to say that I have no memory of it whatsoever and therefore cannot vouch for its accuracy."
She should know all about feuds, having had one most of her life with her own sister, Joan Fontaine.
“I am opposed to any representation of personages who are no longer alive to judge the accuracy of any incident depicted as involving themselves.”
I guess she felt differently when she played Dowager Empress Maria and Charlotte Bronte.
Fued is a great miniseries imho.
Stupid show anyways and bad actresses.
Recently watched GWTW. Good movie.
I've been watching it. In fact I'm finally getting around to watching the latest episode from Sunday. I'm not a Sarandon fan, but she's doing a hell of a job playing Bette Davis.
I've heard that the second season is supposed to be about Prince Charles and Diana, and that idea leaves me flat. Haven't there been more than enough movies about that relationship? Surely they could have found better subject matter.
Hadn’t heard that. Sounds really lame.
“I am opposed to any representation of personages who are no longer alive.”
Kinda rules out one helluva lotta stories then.
“...having had one most of her life with her own sister, Joan Fontaine.”
Yes, good point.
Feud will return for at least two more seasons, but with different feuds each year.
“Sarandon [is] doing a hell of a job playing Bette Davis.”
She’s got Bette Davis eyes.
We’re not watching this but I hope we are recording it. It does seem good.
"I know you, your Charles Laughton"
The Buono character says nothing and they go off to do the obvious.
What struck me as odd was why did they choose to expose both Buono and Laughton as being gay?
Yes, it is well known, but why bring that into it?
Well...were they both known to be such at the time? Perhaps at some point Buono was happy to stay mum and let Laughton take the heat?
I remember that scene, though I didn’t have the same reaction as you. Looking at Buono’s filmography he had twenty credits before Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, but they were all one time guest spots on TV shows. Laughton would have been a much bigger name in 1962. I guess if the confusion helped Buono get some, it was all good.
Course the age difference was like was almost 40 years, between the two.
I wanted to watch it, but all the F bombs in it made me turn it off. I’m sure they probably talked that way, but I’m just sick of hearing profanity...
In a world of girls who wanted to be Scarlett, I always wanted to be Melanie, although I didn’t want to die.
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