A critic once wrote that "Bette Davis is Hollywood's greatest actress and worst performer." Like many actors of her day, she became a caricature of herself. But in her over 50-year career, Davis, in the hands of a strong director, gave some of the finest performances on screen. We will look into the unsure beginnings of her film years (no one was at the train station to greet her) to her meteoric climb to the top. Her fierce struggles with Hollywood moguls and constant battle for better scripts will be covered as well. We will also examine her slow decline after World War II and what she called her "dark years" (the 1950s) to her triumphant return to stardom in the now cult 1962 thriller Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. Many clips will be shown.
912.565.01 Homewood campus
Thursdays, April 5 to May 3, 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. No class April 12.
Cost: $99
JHU full-time faculty/staff are eligible for 80 percent tuition remission. You will be unable to register online and receive the discount. Contact 410-516-8516 for more details.