Anyone that knows anything about Bette Davis' huge Hollywood career is well aware that the actress did not take too keenly to her time in the middle of the spotlight to be dimmed. While the majority of the roles Davis is best known for are her leading lady portrayals, Davis also has a smattering of supporting roles in films where she was able to shine without overshadowing the main players. These supporting actress performances reveal the real talent behind Davis.
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Aunt Elizabeth "Burnt Offerings" (1976)
A chilling mystery horror flick that was based on Robert Marasco's 1973 novel with the same title, this film paired Davis in a supporting role alongside Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Lee H. Montgomery, Eileen Heckart, and Burgess Meredith. Directed by Dan Curtis, the plot revolves around a family that relocates to an old home with many eerie issues, resulting in the gruesome demise of many of the characters. Filmed at Dunsmuir House, Oakland, California, the movie – although receiving mixed reviews from critics – won several awards, and Davis's depiction of her character was considered superb.
Minnie Kennedy "The Disappearance of Aimee" (1976)
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An intriguing TV movie based loosely in history, portrays the mystery plot surrounding famous evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson's disappearance for six weeks back in 1926. McPherson eventually resurfaced, saying that she had been kidnapped and detained in Mexico during that time, although others doubted the truth of this, and rather believed she had run off to have an explicit affair. The film itself is a fictional dramatization of the court hearing held to determine just exactly what the truth behind the mysterious disappearance was.
Davis' role as a supporting actress alongside star Faye Dunaway was acclaimed by the critics, yet it is well known that the actresses themselves had much drama on the set due to personality and professional conflicts. It was said that Davis disagreed with how Dunaway conducted herself, and Dunaway did not care for the criticisms. Either way, there was no love lost between the two screen sirens during the filming of "The Disappearance of Aimee."
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