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Hollywood’s Most Iconic Rivals Are Getting A New TV Show

Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange play Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s Hollywood rivalry is one for the ages.

The stars, who rose to fame in the 1930s, were gradually known as staunch enemies, with their rivalry coming to a head when they were both cast in What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? in 1962.

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Now, their rivalry has been immortalised in a new FX drama series called Feud: Bette and Joan. Susan Sarandon will star as Bette Davis and Jessica Lange will play Joan Crawford. The eight episode series will explore their relationship before, during and after the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane.

The rivalry initially began in 1935 when Bette Davis fell in love with Franchot Tone while co-starring with him in Dangerous. However Tone only had eyes for Joan Crawford, who reportedly invited him over to her house and greeted him completely naked. Crawford and Tone married later in 1935.

Bette Davis And Franchot Tone In ‘Dangerous’

In 1945, while Bette Davis had already won two oscars, Joan Crawford won an Oscar for a role that Davis turned down.

Later, in the 60s, roles were starting to dry up for the two Hollywood legends, and Bette Davis was approached by Crawford to play Jane in What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? on the condition that the director, Robert Aldrich, confirm that he had never had sexual relations with Crawford.

The feuding escalated on set with reports that Davis kicked Crawford in the head, and that Crawford put rocks in her pockets for a scene where Davis had to drag her body.

At the Academy Awards in 1963, Davis was nominated and Crawford was not for her role in the film. Crawford made a deal with the other nominees in the category that she would accept the award on their behalf if they weren’t able to attend. This happened when Anne Bancroft won the Oscar and she was not able to attend.

It is rumoured that Bette Davis commented when Crawford passed away in 1977, “You should never say bad things about the dead, only good … Joan Crawford is dead… good.”

Bette Davis And Joan Crawford In ‘What Ever Happened To Baby Jane’

Watch the preview of Feud that was aired during the Super Bowl here:

Feud: Bette and Joan premieres March 5 on FX.

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