Feud – Bette and Joan

Executive Director of PhillyGayCalendar


Living in the ever thriving city of Philadelphia has it's perks, one of them is early access to some really cool stuff, like FX's new mini-series "Feud." When Philly local Dane Farrell invited me to the early showing at Tavern on Camac, I was hesitant to say yes because I had NO idea what the show was about, thanks to wikipedia, I was quickly filled in:

The first season, entitled Bette and Joan, will center around the backstage battle between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the production of their 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Great, so I was invited to watch a show about a movie I've never seen starring two actresses I only knew by name, but then I saw the cast list and director… The series, developed by Ryan Murphy, was picked up to series by FX, Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon were attached to star as Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. Alfred Molina, Stanley Tucci, Judy Davis, and Dominic Burgess were also a part of the cast, in the roles of Robert Aldrich, Jack L. Warner, Hedda Hopper, and Victor Buono.

The names Jessica Lange and Stanley Tucci (and the promise of free cocktails and crudite) were enough for me walk the 2 blocks over to Tavern for the viewing of the first episode set to air. Fortunately (and intelligently) the shows opening credits filled me in on the "feud" between Bette and Joan, labeled as "Hollywood's Most Notorious Feud." From what I gather Bette and Joan (we're on a first name basis now) were fighting over what else but a man, which sounds like just another day in the gayborhood. If you're interested in reading about their feud, I found this article helpful.

Let's talk about the show shall we? I had a little trouble following along because I did not know who the hell anyone was, but It didn't stop me from enjoying myself or the show. Apparently all people did in the 1960's was drink, and wear fur. There were quite a few awesome one-liners, mostly delivered by Lange, and some great old Hollywood film production shots. Will I watch the show? Probably, because it's only 5 episodes, but I hope the next iteration of Feud focuses on celebrities I recognize, or maybe local Philebrities, is Mimi Imfurst available?


Blogger Chris Balbi and boyfriend Frankie at the premier

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