Legendary Hollywood Feud: Unraveling the Drama Between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford

In 1930, Bette Davis stepped into the glitz of Hollywood when Joan Crawford was already a well-established star for five years.

Originating from a chorus line in New York, Crawford landed a deal with MGM in 1924.

Vulture highlights her acumen as a businesswoman who adeptly adapted her appearance to mirror the modern woman, overshadowing her acting prowess.

Davis faced a pivotal moment in her career in 1933 with the release of her first major film, Ex-Lady.

Warner Bros. intended a grand publicity campaign heralding Davis's stardom shift, but it never materialized.

On that very day, Crawford announced her divorce from Douglas Fairbanks Jr., captivating the public's attention.

The New York Times relegated Davis's film to a small paragraph while dedicating extensive coverage to Crawford's news, marking the genesis of their rivalry.

The feud intensified when Davis won her first Academy Award in 1936 for Dangerous, not just for the accolade but also for her affection for leading man Franchot Tone, who was engaged to Crawford.

Tone eventually married Crawford, which ended in a tumultuous divorce, characterized by claims of mental cruelty.

Despite her own divorce in 1938, Davis's animosity towards Crawford grew as she believed Crawford had thwarted her chance with Tone.

In 1936, Davis was nominated for Best Actress after starring in Dangerous alongside Franchot Tone.

She attended the ceremony wearing a deliberately understated gown designed as a protest against Warner Bros. Crawford's reaction to Davis's win was cold, exemplifying the deep-seated rivalry between the two stars.

Davis's discontent with Warner Bros. led her to breach her contract by working in England in 1937, resulting in a legal dispute upon her return