New ‘Hotel’ rivals ‘Dallas’ and ‘Dynasty’

Press, 10 January 1984, Page 13

New ‘Hotel’ rivals ‘Dallas’ and ‘Dynasty’

American television’s latest soap opera, “Hotel,” is already rivalling “Dynasty” and “Dallas” in popularity, although the real star of the show has appeared only once... The 75-year-old superstar, Bette Davis, who plays hotel owner, Laura Trent, in “Hotel,” is recovering from a serious operation and a slight stroke.

But she has, she says, every intention of being back in the series — based on Arthur Hailey’s bestseller — this month.

“I’m a tough old broad,” she joked from her hospital bed. “And I’ll be back in the series as soon as the doctors let me out of here. That’s a promise.” As the series will run until at least Easter, television bosses say there is plenty of time for Bette Davis to resume her role. In the meantime, Anne Baxter has taken over the running of the St Gregory, San Francisco’s most elegant hotel, as Laura’s sister-in-law, Mrs Cabot. The new series which, in America, has already soared higher than “Dynasty” in the ratings, revolves around life at the hotel, whose guests range from royalty to honeymooners, and from film stars to crooks. Guest stars will include Shirley Jones, as a woman looking for romance, and the glamorous Morgan Fairchild as a very high-class hooker. But Bette Davis, star of more than 100 hit films, is still regarded by viewers as “Hotel’s” main attraction. Setbacks of one sort or another are all part of the 50-year-old Bette Davis legend.

Her rows and skirmishes with directors, producers and actors over the years did not damage her career — or impede her record of 10 Oscar nominations.

She explains: “I never set out to become a glamorous Hollywood actress — and

From

JOHN FRANKLIN

in Hollywood

I’ve never become one. “But I think I was one of the first to succeed because I looked like a real person! “In fact, looking back over my career, I’m sure it was some kind of miracle that persuaded the studios to give me such wonderful roles in their films.

“I was a complete puzzle as a motion-picture star. I was the sort of young actress who made a lot of people wonder: ‘Why on earth do they want her in a movie?’ “I’ve always disliked the way I look, too. Whenever I’ve watched my movie rushes — which was never very often — I’d get depressed about my looks for days!

“I’ve been very lucky that I’ve been able to work successfully at something I love doing.”

Today, Bette Davis is the grande dame of Hollywood. Yet she fought for years to get to the top — and she has had to fight just as hard to remain there.

Her larger-than-life screen roles were surpassed only by her larger-than-life private life.

Bette Davis has always insisted that her name appears above the titles of any feature film, or television programmes in which she appears — no matter how brief her appearance. It was not something that gained her friends in the Hollywood rat-race, but she says: “If, you don’t care to be hated, then you’re never going to get anywhere.” Perhaps the same philosophy extended to her private life, too, for she has been widowed once and divorced three times.

Now she has accepted a solitary life, but she loves the company of her children and her grandchildren.

It has been almost 21 years since her last marriage, but she sums up her lifestyle quite simply. “Strong women always seem to marry weak men. I should have married somebody strong like J. Paul Getty, or a John F. Kennedy. “But men like these are rare. And they aren’t the kind who would ever think of marrying a Hollywood actress!” Features International