How Bette Davis Stirred Up Hollywood: The Icon’s Secret Love Affair with the Kitchen

Let me tell you a tale, dear reader, that you may find surprising, and perhaps even a little bit delightful. It concerns none other than the legendary Bette Davis, who, contrary to popular belief, was not a stranger to the humble kitchen. In fact, our beloved Ms. Davis was quite the culinary enthusiast. Picture it now: an icon in an apron, whisk in hand, whipping up a storm between takes.

It seems that our dear Bette had a penchant for petitioning Jack Warner himself, the veritable kingpin of Hollywood’s Golden Age, to grant her an early vacation. You see, she had a charming little retreat in Vermont that she simply adored, and she couldn’t wait to get there come January. And what did this venerated actress do with her precious time off? She would don her domestic goddess garb and indulge her passion for cooking in her cozy home, a veritable haven from the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown.

Now, you might think that Bette’s last husband, Gary Merrill, would be positively over the moon to have such a multi-talented wife. Alas, he was known to have exclaimed, “You’re Bette Davis for Crissake, you’re a movie star – get out of the kitchen!” But our dear Bette, ever the nonconformist, found solace in her roles as wife, mother, and homemaker. To her, an apron was as essential as a red carpet gown.

But wait, there’s more! Ms. Davis didn’t confine her culinary prowess to the privacy of her own home. Oh, no. She was also a founding force behind The Hollywood Canteen, which swung open its doors on October 3, 1942, at 1451 Cahuenga Blvd. This enchanting establishment, decorated in a western theme, brought to life by Bette Davis and John Garfield, played host to a glittering array of stars who served sandwiches, bused tables, and entertained servicemen throughout the duration of WW2.

So there you have it, dear reader: the lesser-known, but no less charming, side of Bette Davis, a woman who defied expectations both on and off the silver screen.

More on Bette Davis and The Hollywood Canteen in future posts.