did bette davis play the piano in deception

Claude Rains and Bette Davis spar in magnificent style, with Rains, stroking the fur of his pet Siamese cat, winning by default, since he was given a role which is so over-the-top that, in the hands of a lesser actor, it would have verged on outrageous camp. The scene where the great composer unexpectedly arrives at Bette's and Paul's festive wedding party at her great loft apartment overlooking the river in New York (modeled on Leonard Bernstein's apartment) and trades poisonous banter with Bette and Paul makes the movie worth it by itself. . She founded and was president of the Tailwaggers Club, a group dedicated to animal welfare. Bette Davis in a series of superior films. It's written by John Collier and Joseph Than With classical music filling the background, cheesy soap opera dialogue in the forefront, histrionics taking over the concert hall, none of the characters being likable and Bette Davis as hammy as ever, this preposterous opera-like tale is amazingly enjoyable as straight theatrical drama that is nevertheless campy and could easily have been treated as comedy. Oh, and I forgot to mention the amazingly good symphony performance scenes, with an original cello concerto by Korngold, ("played" by Henreid with the arms of two real cellists reaching in from either side to play the instrument). She rejected the glamour image that Hollywoods stars were usually expected to convey. . Her reputation was solidified by her role as one of the "true greats" of the film industry, according to her former boss, President Ronald Reagan. But, more than this, the camp of 'Deception' is positively elevated to high art. From now on, I'm sticking to tuna on rye. She was well known for portraying outspoken, complicated, often unlikable characters. Of course, if Karel finds out he'll be devastated. "It's like grand opera, only the people are thinner" said one reviewer Absorbing acting and filming, top of their games in an aging musical genre, Top Warner Brothers cast in one of Davis' last great films, This Movie, Seen On TV 30 Years After Its Release, Gave Me An Education In Music, Superb Trio in Classic of Classical Music Score, "You can't choke the truth out of a person!". And, I have to admit, an out and out camp classic. Henreid and Davis play lovers, Karel Novak and Christine Radcliffe, who lost touch during the war, with Christine believing that Karel was dead. Get two weeks for FREE at the Friend Level today on http://www.webpianoteacher.com, where you can download my sheets, watch the rest of the parts for this series, and view thousands more of my lessons! Coming Soon. 23, Opus 57 in F Minor (Appassionata), "AFI's 100 Years of Film Scores Nominees", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deception_(1946_film)&oldid=1124511490, Einar Neilsen as Neilsen, orchestra conductor (uncredited), This page was last edited on 29 November 2022, at 02:39. In this film, several times I felt the plot sinking under the weight of its overwrought script and a number of laughable implausibilities. is a 1964 American horror film made by Warner Bros. 1946 clarity means everything while your watching. See production, box office & company info, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA. Davis's performance (and her unique looks) finally got her noticed. She brought the Henry Farrell novel to Davis in person and Davis insisted that she play the titular role of the older sister (Considine, 294-5). Then David O. Selznick took over and wanted Bette, but only in a deal whereby Errol Flynn would be her Rhett. And that, so far as we can figure, is all "Deception" is intended to dojust to give Miss Davis an opportunity to act a harassed and love-tortured dame. For the film makes it so apparent that monkey-business had been going on, that the husband appears an awful dodo for not eventually catching on, while the wife's execution of her old flame seems entirely unjustified. She was demoted to usherette after failing to land the part. In 1955, Davis starred as Queen Elizabeth I in The Virgin Queen, and Joan Crawford starred as Baby Jane in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Despite four marriages, she struggled with loneliness in later years. Deception (1946) starring Claude Rains, Bette Davis, and Paul Henreid 49,434 views Mar 13, 2021 352 Dislike Share Save Nancy Johnson 321 subscribers "It's like grand opera, only the people are. DECEPTION; screen play by John Collier . Her two Academy Awards for best actress were the first for a woman in film history. This film conyains one of Miss Davis' greatest performances, as she enters into the very heart of what a loveless life can do, to a young woman, and finnaly an older woman, living in a house with a cousin who caused so much of her loneliness. Sometimes even Dr. Ayres appears a bit puzzled, but he stoutly claims at the proper climactic moment to have known the girls individually all along. Needless to say, hell hath no fury like a Hellanious scored, and the remainder of the film has Christine telling lie upon lie to keep the truth from Karel (who is prone to fits of jealous rage), while the vindictive Hellanious watches on in malicious amusement. What happened to Bette Davis after her death is unknown. His character is all arrogance, insufferably backed up with prodigious talent, a powerful intellect, and a razor sharp wit which he uses without qualm to taunt or torture those around him. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. (Check out the rococo New York brownstone mansion in which he's ensconced, more magnificent than anything a lesser studio could provide for a monarch in a story involving royalty!). It was turned into a film, also titled Jealousy (1929), with Jeanne Eagels and Fredric March, and directed by Jean de Limur. 6 was filmed as part of the film. The team behind "Deception" couldn't accept that. Dont worry, it wont take long. When did we learn to stop letting go of grim reality?? Davis worked for Universal Studios after moving to Hollywood in 1930, but she wouldnt achieve fame until signing with Warner Bros. two years later. But this was still a time when people cared and cynicism hadn't taken over so much that now anything not total po-faced realism (outside of a comedy proper) is sneered at knowingly or declared "so bad it's good" by a seemingly more 'sophisticated' audience. . This labor is titled "Deception," and it came to the Hollywood yesterday.The Warners may hate us for snitching, but "Deception" is based upon the same Verneuil play as is "Obsession," a current revival on Broadway. Although few actresses have ever achieved distinction in this hazardous undertaking, the dual personality temptation likely will persist until some mischievous author comes along and writes about identical triplets. The rivalry between Davis and Joan Crawford made for one of the most famous feuds in Hollywood history (and was the subject of the 2017 FX series, Feud). 23, Opus 57 in F Minor (Appassionata), but the fact is that Davis rehearsed so thoroughly that she was able to synchronize with the recorded playback perfectly on the first take. Claude's not very happy losing her to Henreid. . With high production costs and modest cinema patronage, it became the first Bette Davis film to lose money for Warner Bros.[14], Film critic Dennis Schwartz generally liked the film, writing, "Irving Rapper (Shining Victory/Now, Voyager/Rhapsody in Blue) helms this labored romantic melodrama, a remake of the early talkie 1929 Jealousy that was also based on a Louis Verneuil play. Forget Henried's Karel who is merely window dressing. Hollenius doesn't see it that way since Christine is his mistress and that is where all the goodies that Christine enjoys are coming from. . Friction develops between Novak and Hollenius, and the composer angrily breaks off a dress rehearsal on the grounds of Novak's temperamental behavior. Terms and Policies Of course, Karel turns up alive and well, and Christine keeps her relationship with Hellanious a Big Secret. Shawn and Shawna . . Do see this one, it's excellent entertainment! Her apartment is luxe. Like many Hollywood starlets, Bette Davis changed her name. This is a complete filmography of Bette Davis.Davis began acting in films in 1931, initially as a contract player with Universal Studios, where she made her film debut in Bad Sister.She was initially seen as unappealing by studio executives, and was assigned to a string of B-movies early in her career.. Davis made a transition to Warner Bros. in 1932, and made her breakthrough performance in . Rains is always great when playing intense, articulate men imposing their will on others and his Hollenius is quite a creation. 1 has a part called "The Part of the Piano Sonata.". When "Deception" was first released, one gushy fan mag declared that it was "just like opera, only the people are thinner!" Benson FongNunnally Johnson has written and produced a rather complex, if not always arresting, melodrama in "The Dark Mirror." No wonder Bette Davis was infatuated with this man. . and The Silence of the Lambs. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. He does, however, make it clear that he intends to have Novak play the concerto. It stars Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains, who had also appeared together in the highly successful Now, Voyager (1942). . When he returns alive, they marry, but are menaced and threatened by a wealthy, egotistical composer she started dating on the rebound.Welcome to the Fandango MOVIECLIPS Trailer Vault Channel. {Semi-Spoiler} In the final confrontation with Davis' character, you can almost (but not quite) believe she would resort to using the means she does in a futile attempt to level the playing field, so much more powerful is Rains' personality. This is a true Bette Davis special, so much to watch for Bette plays Beethoven's Apassionata sonata! On Friday, Davis died at the American Hospital in Neuilly, France, a suburb of Paris. Also, I've grown to appreciate Bette Davis movies as I got older and feel she gives a heart-rending performance that is thoughtful and, thank goodness, not so overwrought. She was not a long-haired blonde bombshell, despite her height of 5 feet, 3 inches and 112 pounds. How did I never come across Deception (1946) before? Margo Hyman is the author of the book The B.D. . When Davis received her 10th Academy Award nomination for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, she became the most Oscar-nominated actor of the time. Like my Kawai MP11SE just as much as I do? The young man confesses, and the play ends with the expectation that he will get off easily. . This time Mr. Johnson's dialogue, which is usually distinctively flavorsome as screen writing goes, is surprisingly pallid.Like many another actressBette Davis, for instancewho has been tempted by the lure of playing against herself, Miss de Havilland does nothing in "The Dark Mirror" that will add to her stature as an actress. This broods a bit and suggests trouble, and then comes the third player, who outdoes them both, in the form of Claude Rains. We are also treated to the beginning of Beethoven's Apassionata sonata as well. The song Bette Davis Eye, originally written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974, topped the music charts when it was re-recorded by Kim Carnes in 1981. A plot summary gives a hint of the sheer silliness that unfolds in "Deception" (POSSIBLE SPOILERS): Christine (nicknamed "Schatzy"!) Deception (1946) Official Trailer - Bette Davis, Claude Rains Movie HD A piano teacher believes that her fianc, a cellist, was killed on the battlefield. Paul Henreid provides a creditable rendering of his role as the love interest and suspicious husband but in my opinion he cannot keep up with the other two dynamic actors. Marta Mitrovich, See the article in its original context from. Wonderful stuff here as the two characters spar and Rains does a great job terrifying Davis and making Henreid feel inadequate. Deception is a 1946 American film noir drama released by Warner Brothers and directed by Irving Rapper. But this time they had less success. She was subjected to a screen test by MGM-Mayer in 1930. is the kept woman of brilliant composer Hellanious (Rains). Bloating a film does not turn it from B to A. Our site has more than 2 million unique monthly visitors and 1 million subscribers. Fortunately, Mr. Her friends at work were her closest of friends. [4][5], According to TCM, Davis wanted Deception to be a two-character film, like the play. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. Ruth Elizabeth Davis was born on April 5, 1908, inLowell, Mass., to Harlow Morrel Davis and Ruth Favor Davis. Presumably Christine and Karel will then head off in the sunset and a life of artistic success. The screen crackles with vitriol. Wait, not so fast. No matter--it cannot be stated too often. . Her work throughout World War II contributed to the sale of millions of war bonds. Davis net worth was estimated to be $2 million after adjusting for inflation and taxes at the time of her death. Scott Elliott . Deception (1946) A marvelous chamber piece, in a way, involving orchestral music. Where trailers from the past, from recent to long ago, from a time before YouTube, can be enjoyed by all. Bette Davis passed away on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81. [3], Christine Radcliffe is seen running in the rain up the stairs of a large symphony hall in which a concert is already underway with a performance of the Haydn cello concerto in D. Her eyes fill with tears as she recognizes the cellist on stage: Karel Novak who spent the war trapped in neutral Sweden. Korngold's stunning score is not merely a refreshing change to Warner's over reliance on Max Steiner's often intrusive bombast - it's actually one of the best scores of the period. A piano teacher named Christine Radcliffe is being mentored by conductor Alexander Hollenius. According to Alicia Malone's introduction on Turner Classic Movies, stories persist that pianist Shura Cherkasskys hands are seen on-screen during Davis's solo piano performance of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. Cinemark Her condition deteriorated while she was returning from a film festival in Spain. The couple embraces while Christine cries, "I thought you were dead. the plot was interesting and it had me guessing for a while. Coming at the tail end of the glory days of "women's pictures", "Deception" is a harbinger of the camp artifacts the genre would harden into (see any Ross Hunter production). When he returns alive, they marry, but are menaced and threatened by a wealthy, egotistical composer she started dating on the rebound. Who can top that 'tour de force'? Director Irving Rapper Writers John Collier Joseph Than Louis Verneuil (play "Monsieur Lamberthier") Stars Bette Davis Paul Henreid Claude Rains See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video Is Buffalo Chicken And Mozart The Same Thing. Evilly stroking his white cat, Rains predates the cartoonish baddies of James Bond by several decades, and gives a, well, operatic performance that not even Donald Pleasance (or Michael Myers) could top. Named the second-greatest female film legend of all time by the American Film Institute, David had a long career as a movie star. At the start of the film, Henreid resurfaces in New York, after having disappeared during the last phases of the war. . Gary Merrill, whom Miss Davis married in 1950, starred alongside her in All About Eve. Combined with the noirish lighting and deep focus of Davis's favourite cinematographer Ernie Haller, all goes to making 'Deception' a visual feast for any jaded cinephile. By 1942 she was earning more than any woman in the country. And his cello concerto is a fine work in itself! Davis's performance of "23 Appassionata" at the wedding reception was dubbed by the composer Erich Korngold, who had been a child prodigy when he was a teenager. Opera-noir anyone?? . And forget about uncompromising unkind critics; after all, Jan Sibelius once said, "Who ever built a monument to a critic?" . Here is a list of the films on this set and the special features, as listed at Turner Classic Movies: Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2012. As . Davis was known for her outspokenness and her ability to command attention, and her last words are often seen as a reflection of her personality. As they walk out a lady says, "Oh, Christine, you must be the happiest woman in the world," which eventually elicits a wan smile from Christine. Copyright Fandango. Enjoy! Another conductor, Neilsen, takes the place of the absent Hollenius, and the performance is a great success. The 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Crawford of course got the better deal, better writer, Cliff Odets, better director, Jean Negulesco, and better leading man, John Garfield, on the other hand Davis doesn't actually need class in other departments, after all, journeyman Irving Rapper had already steered her through Now, Voyager, if the stuff isn't there on the page and/or behind the camera she simply puts that much more oomph into her acting, so this isn't a total loss. And all of the cynical analysis which he so expressively speaks on the subject of female behavior strips Miss Davis' character of appeal.Paul Henreid is stolid and solemn as the man whom Miss Davis wedsthe obviously tertiary character in this obliquely two-character show. Part two of the examination of the dualistic career of Bette Davis through the prism of Davis' roles as identical twins in the fraternal films A Stolen Life (1946) and Dead Ringer (1964). As in his earlier and superior mystery, "The Woman in the Window," Mr. Johnson solves the problem with a bit of trickery which is no credit to his craftsmanship. Bette Davis and Paul Henreid play ex-lovers who were separated by the war. In particular the occasion of ordering dinner where he becomes so absorbed in the endless delicate details, he undoubtedly steals the scene with finesse. DECEPTION; screen play by John Collier and Joseph Than, based on a play by Louis Verneuil; directed by Irving Rapper; produced by Henry Blanke for Warner Brothers. Will Hellanious spill the beans about his "protegee"? In 1999, Davis was placed second behind Katharine Hepburn on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female stars of the classical Hollywood cinema era. Watching them play off one another is a real histrionic treat. . Kiernan Shipka portrays B.D. But, as ever, a performance is what it is (Davis the original show-off). . That remark isn't too far off the mark; the swoony music, florid dialogue and ridiculous situations Bette Davis, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains find themselves saddled with make for terrifically overblown entertainment. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022. Both men are wickedly jealous of each other. Her mothers relationship with Joan Crawford was constantly in the news, and she was on set with her at the time. The press dubbed her the fourth Warner brother, but behind the scenes Davis struggled to get out of what she called the contract slave system. She lost that legal battle in the mid-1930s and continued to make successful films with the studio for years. When she was older, she changed her first name to Bette as an homage to Honor de Balzac's novel La Cousine Bette. She was demoted to usherette after failing to land the part of the Tailwaggers,. On set with her at the time of her death is unknown, the camp of '! Made by Warner Bros. 1946 clarity means everything while your watching everything while your watching you verified #... [ 4 ] [ 5 ], According to TCM, Davis wanted Deception to $! Was subjected to a screen test by MGM-Mayer in 1930. is the kept woman of brilliant composer Hellanious ( )... 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