Warner Brothers Pictures |
For this reason, the executives at Warner Brothers knew that a pairing between Hopkins and Davis would make for explosive drama. And, so, they presented the pair with the script for The Old Maid. Davis was against it. At the peak of her career, she didn’t wish to share starring credit with another actress—particularly Miriam Hopkins. Davis’ solution was simple—she would play both female leads. Warner Brothers declined her offer.
Warner Brothers Pictures |
By the end of filming, the feud between the two stars had reached an apex. Each feigned illness to avoid coming to the set. Production was stalled for eleven days because of their antics. In the end, however, the result was a perfectly lovely picture which used their animosity to its advantage.
The Old Maid is set in the United States during the Civil War and concerns two cousins—Davis playing Charlotte (why were her characters so frequently named Charlotte?) and Hopkins playing Delia. Delia and Charlotte both loved the same man—Clem Spender—played by George Brent who replaced Humphrey Bogart after only shooting for two days. Bogart was considered not manly enough for the part. Clem returns to interrupt Delia’s wedding to another man. Delia, however, proceeds to marry the moneyed gentleman. Broken-hearted, Clem is comforted by Charlotte and seduces the girl.
Warner Brothers Pictures |
Many years later, when Delia’s husband dies, she invites Charlotte to reconcile and move into her mansion with Clementina. Tina, who is unaware that Charlotte is her mother, begins to look to Delia as a mother-figure. Charlotte takes on the role of “The Old Maid” Aunt and her resentment toward Delia reaches a startling climax.
Despite all the off-set feuding, the two manage to deliver fine performances. With a musical backdrop by Max Steiner and the usual sumptuous Warner Brothers sets (Seriously, look at the staircase. It’s the same staircase that’s in every Bette Davis film, just with different railings), this picture is a lot of fun and offers some beautiful tension and drama.
By the way, Warner Brothers tried once again to capitalize on the much-publicized feud between the two stars with 1943 film, Old Acquaintance. That’s a real gem, too! After that film, Hopkins took a decade-long break from Hollywood.
Enjoy this trailer for The Old Maid.
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