There are few accomplishments in my life that I am sincerely proud of. The Hollywood Canteen is one of them.
--Bette Davis
She was called many things over the years, but one thing that no one could deny about Bette Davis, “the benevolent volcano,” was that she was a humanitarian. Even if you haven’t seen her films, you know who Bette Davis is. She’s one of the greats (if not the greatest)! Her film career spanned over fifty years, she won two Academy Awards and turned in some of the finest performances ever recorded on film. She’s immortal, a legend about whose eyes people have throatily crooned.
But, she was much more than that. Bette Davis was an American, a “Yankee” and proud of it. During the second World War, Davis and John Garfield (assisted by Cary Grant, Jack Warner and Jules Stein) transformed an abandoned nightclub into “The Hollywood Canteen” which offered food, entertainment, drinks, and dancing to servicemen who were about to be deployed overseas. With Hollywood stars mingling with the soldiers and live music, Davis and Garfield offered a night that these men would always remember. But, it wasn’t all glamour. Davis and the other stars also toiled behind the scenes: cooking, washing dishes, cleaning the club. It was a true labor of love. In 1980, Davis was recognized for her work with The Hollywood Canteen when she the recieved Distinguished Civilian Service Medal—the United States Department of Defense's highest civilian award
Davis also had a soft spot for our four-footed friends. She regularly volunteered for the “Tail Waggers’ Club” which was dedicated to finding good homes for dogs. Davis worked to raise money for the organization, using her celebrity to sell raffle tickets and host dances that would provide funds for the cause.
Even today, almost twenty years after her death, Davis continues to contribute to the causes most dear to her. The Bette Davis Foundation raises money each year to grant scholarships to aspiring talented actors and actresses looking to study their passion.
Bette Davis never aspired to be a “star.” Her fondest wish, truly, was to take care of her family and nation. In many ways her talent was both a burden and a blessing. Talented people always have large personalities. Miss Bette Davis used hers to make a difference. For this reason, Bette Davis is our “Humanitarian of the Week.”
Enjoy this clip which personifies Davis' patriotic spirit from Thank Your Lucky Stars--her famous rendition of "They're Either Too Young or Too Old."
2 comments:
Darcy
said...
Bette Davis is still my favorite actress. I can watch her films over and over again.It's nice to know that her foundation is still active in granting scholarships to today's acting students. Thanks for the clip from "Thank Your Lucky Stars". It was fun watching Miss Davis sing and jitterbug again.
I've always liked that clip. It's one of her rare on-screen singing performances. She was terribly nervous about doing it, too. I believe she was actually hurt while jitterbugging, but kept going with the scene. That's a trooper!
Bette Davis never aspired to be a “star.” Her fondest wish, truly, was to take care of her family and nation. In many ways her talent was both a burden and a blessing. Talented people always have large personalities. Miss Bette Davis used hers to make a difference. For this reason, Bette Davis is our “Humanitarian of the Week.”
2 comments:
Bette Davis is still my favorite actress.
I can watch her films over and over again.It's nice to know that her foundation is still active in granting scholarships to today's acting students.
Thanks for the clip from "Thank Your Lucky Stars". It was fun watching Miss Davis sing and jitterbug again.
I've always liked that clip. It's one of her rare on-screen singing performances. She was terribly nervous about doing it, too. I believe she was actually hurt while jitterbugging, but kept going with the scene. That's a trooper!
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