I just love it when Bette Davis was out of control. Richard Dodds, a journalist here turned me on to this video. See, Bette recorded an album. In this clip, she complains that the record label is not promoting it -- then she proceeds to lip sync.
Hey! I happen to have a very fond memory of the day I bought that record when I was 15 (and already a Bette queen). I was in a record store in Atlantic City when I saw it on the rack in the soundtracks section. I couldn't figure out what it was. It didn't seem to be a soundtrack or a music score from her films. The guy running the store didn't know what it was either, but he was curious too and offered to play some of it for me. - A moment later, Bette's voice pierced the air, singing "I Wish You Love". Literally, everyone in the store stopped in their tracks and looked up with expressions of dumbstruck shock on their faces. The wide-eyed clerk picked the needle up off the record almost immediately... and I said, "I'll take it!" I still have it. It's an absolute treasure.
Bette had stipulated that she wanted "I Wish You Love" to be played at her memorial, so she'd be sure everyone would cry their eyes out. In 1989, her memorial was held on a sound stage at Warner Bros. They did play her song. It was - in a word - memorable.
So that there should be no misunderstanding, please note that when I die I do not want you to play Bette Davis singing "I Wish You Love" at my memorial.
7 comments:
So...I'm guessing you're not about to become a Bette queen, eh?
Dahling, Bette IS the queen.
Hey! I happen to have a very fond memory of the day I bought that record when I was 15 (and already a Bette queen). I was in a record store in Atlantic City when I saw it on the rack in the soundtracks section. I couldn't figure out what it was. It didn't seem to be a soundtrack or a music score from her films. The guy running the store didn't know what it was either, but he was curious too and offered to play some of it for me. - A moment later, Bette's voice pierced the air, singing "I Wish You Love". Literally, everyone in the store stopped in their tracks and looked up with expressions of dumbstruck shock on their faces. The wide-eyed clerk picked the needle up off the record almost immediately... and I said, "I'll take it!" I still have it. It's an absolute treasure.
Michael, this makes you the gayest person on the planet.
Thanks for throwing open a window in a dusty corner of my brain, gawd I forgot how much I admired her. She aged so bravely.
And while we're on the subject...
Bette had stipulated that she wanted "I Wish You Love" to be played at her memorial, so she'd be sure everyone would cry their eyes out. In 1989, her memorial was held on a sound stage at Warner Bros. They did play her song. It was - in a word - memorable.
So that there should be no misunderstanding, please note that when I die I do not want you to play Bette Davis singing "I Wish You Love" at my memorial.
Darling, we're going to put this whole video on your tombstone on an endless loop.
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