Bette and Joan The Divine Feud (52 page)
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Without their personal input, regarding their work and the differences they shared, this book would not have been possible. Likewise the illustrious members of their individual royal "courts" -the spouses, family members, friends and those whose time and talents contributed vastly to this book. My respect and gratitude is extended to: Adelle Aldrich, William Aldrich, Hector Arce, Anne Bancroft, Ann Barton, Arthur Bell, Joan Blondell, Barbara Briggs, Larry Carr, Kathleen Carroll, Judith Crist, George Cukor, Mrs. Jon De' Besche, Sanford Dody, Joe Eula, Dale Eunson, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Dore Freeman, Bob Gary, Sheilah Graham, Vik Greenfield, Lukas Heller, B.D. and Jeremy Hyman, Carl Johnes, Stan Kamen, Norma Koch, Michael Luciano, Joe Mankiewicz, Gary Merrill, Harry Mines, Alanna Nash, Geraldine Page, Jerry Parker, Irving Rapper, Nicholas Ray, Adela Rogers St. Johns, Bob Schiffer, Flip Schulke, Peggy Shannon, Mary Richards Sherry, William Grant Sherry, Vincent Sherman, Phil Stern, Bob Taplinger, Philip Terry, Claire Trevor, Linn Unkefer, Jim Watters, and Monte Westmore.
Special thanks to Eileen Tuohy for her research in Los Angeles; to Kathy Judge for the same in Vermont; and to Jim Judge in Southampton, who read the first draft of the book and made suggestions how to improve it. I am also grateful to the staff of the Billy Rose Film Collection at Lincoln Center in New York; the Film Department at the Museum of Modern Art; the American Film Institute in Los Angeles; the Screen Actors Guild; the Directors Guild; the American Society of Cinematographers; the Hairdressers and Makeup Union, and the Publicists Guild. Extended appreciation to those who contributed and helped greatly with the photographs, especially Lou Valentino, William Chapman, Mary Corliss and the archivists at the other museums, agencies and movie studios.
Thanks to the staff at the Authors Guild, who were always there for counsel; and to the staff at E.P. Dutton, who published the first hardcover edition, primarily executive editor Meg Blackstone and her assistant, Jason Harootunian. In Great Britain, editor Paul Sidey of Century Hutchinson Ltd, and Rowena Webb were responsible for the first publication. The paperback edition, currently in its 21st year of consecutive release, is due largely to David Shelley, publisher at Little, Brown/Sphere, and to Hannah Torjussen Hargrave and Emma Stonex.
There is also the press, and the fervent and faithful fans, whose positive word-of-mouth, added largely to the continued success of the book. They include Theo Pouros of London; and Donna Marie Nowak, whose website, filmsofcrawford.com, recently spawned a quality book,
Just Joan
, replete with scholarly essays and sumptuous photographs of Miss Crawford. The latter transcended by the incredible collection of portraits and images gathered and put together by "Amanda Farrow" on joancrawfordbest.com.
For this e-book edition, many thanks to the original collectors of film stills and film posters, many named above. There are also the portraits by George Hurrell, available today in deluxe custom prints at Hurellphotos.com, from Michael Epstein and Scott E. Schwimer, who graciously gave permission for their usage here. Likewise, Blackglama and the Richard Avedon Foundation, for the inclusion of the ads from the super style series: "What Becomes a Legend Most?"
And then there is the tireless advice and keen talents of Michael Kelly, who, along with handling the rights and permission of the book, shepherded it through this digital conversion. His contributions and steady support are surpassed only by the always reliable patron cited in the original edition, Saint Jude.
Addendum. As is customary with epic tales and reconstructions of lives and careers, Rashomon-like accounts can be conveyed, and errors made. Thankfully none were major. There was also the title of the classic film both actresses starred in, referred over the years as
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
and
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
The first is the registered name, available today in digital enhancement from Warner Home Video. Along with the many other classic films of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, from MGM, Warner Brothers, Twentieth Century Fox and Columbia Pictures.
To all, gratitude for keeping the legend of Bette and Joan alive, especially in spirit.
