“Miss Bankhead isn't well enough known nationally to warrant my imitating her.”

—  Bette Davis

In response to accusations she imitated Bankhead in the role of Margo Channing in All about Eve. Bankhead resented Davis for the perceived imitation, which she considered mocking, and for portraying her Broadway Roles on film [Dark Victory, Jezebel, The Little Foxes]. http://cree.newsvine.com/_news/2011/04/01/6390804-bette-davis-v-tallulah-bankhead-by-harvard-hollenberg This comment is unusual in that Davis usually tried to deflate the myth [started by Tallulah for amusement and publicity] of any sort of conflict between them, instead expressing her admiration for Bankhead. https://books.google.com/books?id=xUFplyZZAZsC&pg=PA221&dq#v=onepage&q&f=false Similarly, when Bankhead was asked to do an imitation of Davis, she said "Why should I dahling, she's been imitating me long enough". Before candidly remarking "But really, it's been sheer coincidence that Bette's been playing the leading roles in films like Dark Victory. I really admire her very much."
Attributed

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Miss Bankhead isn't well enough known nationally to warrant my imitating her." by Bette Davis?
Bette Davis photo
Bette Davis 36
film and television actress from the United States 1908–1989

Related quotes

Jimi Hendrix photo

“I've been imitated so well I've heard people copy my mistakes.”

Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) American musician, singer and songwriter
Ayn Rand photo

“It's a jagged thing in my throat, how much I miss her.”

Sara Zarr (1970) American children's writer

Source: How to Save a Life

Phil Ochs photo

“God isn't dead — he's just missing in action.”

Phil Ochs (1940–1976) American protest singer and songwriter

Source: The Broadside Tapes 1 (made in the 1960s; published c. 1980), Liner notes

John Scalzi photo
Walter Bagehot photo

“But the Queen has no such veto; She must sign her own death-warrant if the two Houses unanimously send it up to her.”

No. III, "The Monarchy (continued)", p. 58
The English Constitution (1867)

Emma Donoghue photo
P.G. Wodehouse photo

“Hell, it is well known, has no fury like a woman who wants her tea and can't get it.”

P.G. Wodehouse (1881–1975) English author

Source: Very Good, Jeeves!

Related topics