This is one of Bette Davis' greatest performances. It completely runs the gamut of all emotions. I also mention this movie to people who tell me that Bette Davis was the ugliest woman in Hollywood (!) With this move and Now, Voyager (1942) I make the claim that she was one of the most attractive women in Hollywood. Judith Traherne (Davis), a 23 yr old orphan socialite (Davis was 30 at the time!) lives a life of horses, parties and the social whirl of the New England horsey set. Sge has been suffering from severe headaches, so her friend and secretary, Anne (a marvelous performance by Geraldine Fitzgerald) works behind her back to get her to be seen by a eminent brain surgeon, Dr. Steele (George Brent). Doctor Steele determines that she has a brain tumor and operates to remove it. Afterwards, he discovers that the tumor will return and take her life. Meanwhile, Judith's feelings for Dr Steele have turned to love and he returns those feelings. However, Judith happens to come upon her chart in Dr Steele's office and discovers her prognosis is negative, which leads to a wonderfully written scene in a restaurant where Judith acts up and tells Dr Steele what she thinks of him and walks out. Gradually Dr Steele makes her realize that her death is just another stage in her life and that she can have a happy life with Steele and meet her death "beautifully and finally". The death scene is well acted, but the wonderful Max Steiner score does intrude somewhat. A beautifully acted and well written movie.
Review of Dark Victory
