The Silver Screen

The main image is Charlotte on Copacabana Beach with Paul Henreid in Now Voyager  - all rights thereto are reserved to Warner Bros and to the Photographer
 

Audrey, how good to see you, dear.
I like the gloves, most becoming of you
for sure.

Thank you, Miss Davis.

Oh come now Audrey, it's Bette!
I know I have this fearsome reputation,
but as one Queen to another Queen
we understand each other.

Well, yes we do for sure...Bette (a genuine smile)
I never thought I'd follow in your footsteps
and here's my chance to say on record
how much I have learned from you.

Miss Audrey Hepburn - Breakfast at Tiffany’s and to whom all rights thereto are reserved and to the Photographer

Oh you're too kind Audrey dear
but I accept your compliment nevertheless

...a warm smile, 
perfect crimson lips
as sharp as the three-inch heels 
of Now Voyager fame.

You know, ladies, if I may be so bold...

Yes, you may Leonardo...
Bette winks...
or do you prefer Leo?

Oh I don't mind, either suits me.

Yes, indeed young man...
the famous Davis edge to the line,
the gravelly voice
hinting at a more serious tone...

Anyway, you were saying?

Well, I was just thinking that here I am
seated at your table
the first and later Queens of Hollywood
something I'd never have imagined
in a million years

Careful Audrey
I think he's going to give us
the Gatsby line

(another wink)

Ah yes. Though to be sure
Bette, he has given us our finest
yet...

Stubbing her cigarette gracefully
blowing the smoke away from the table...

Oh, you think so dear?
Better than Alan Ladd and Redford?

...but ladies...

... ... ... 

Oh yes, Bette. 
So perhaps we must
agree to differ...

Differ? Why of course not Audrey!
I totally agree.
But young man...

 (leaning forward)

Stay humble 
Don't get ideas above your station
as in my day, and Audrey's day,
it would be deemed ... ... 

Another wink ... another intake of smokey breath
Bette eyes him carefully...

Here you sit, young
and with your career before you
Here we are with our careers behind
and yet all of us outside time
and thus able to look back and forth
at our successes and our failures

You thrilled us all,
may I say, Leonardo
with your performance at, what, fifteen?
... of a son physically abused by a stepfather
and defending your mother too...

I remarked at the time
'There is an oscar in the making for sure...'

'I'm honoured, Miss Da...'

Don't interrupt me boy

 
(again the infamous wink)

 
the desultory almost lustful, petulant
beguiling look on audiences and theatres
for sixty years or more

...and indeed I was proved right 
for both Audrey and I said the same
Did we not, Audry dear?

We did indeed Bette...

So enjoy the fruits of your labours Leo
and know the delight you have brought
to millions

I will Miss Davis.

A slight nod of the head in graceful reply.

He proffers the lighter...
She is young and vibrant again
a beautiful delicate hat shielding
the Copacabana Sun

"Ah, there's music in a word!"

You've seen that scene then Leo?

Why yes Miss…

Oh come now, less of the formality
You are not the Great Gatsby here!
I am Bette, please! We are equals.

He smiles

Audrey runs her gloved fingers
across his knuckles
He turns and proffers the lighter...
waits...

... he thrills at the holder on beautiful lips
the intake of breath
the seduction of the eyes
the radiant smile
hiding the horrors of wartime occupation

Image Courtesy of Robert Kraigher of Vienna, Austria from his Private Collection and to whom all rights thereto are reserved and to the Photographer

Miss Hepburn. It is...

No. Audrey please.

Very well.

Robert leans back
of De Niro fame
exhaling,
awesome and beautiful,
of Taxi Driver fame ...

The infamous Davis sigh ...

Leo, don't mind Robert
A man of few words off script
but a powerhouse,
gargantuan,
learn from him my dear 

(that seductive deep and penetrating smile with the eyes again)

The waiter brings a whispered message...
The young man stands up...
hair in veils of smoke that
appear to give him a mystical appearance,
the deep dark set eyes looking into the distance,
ringed fore and wedding fingers,
the fresh stubble of youth 
the seduction complete.

Would you excuse me ermmm Bette, Audrey...

Why of course, dear. 
You have work to do,
scenes to play out.
Stand your ground against errant directors
insisting on unreality.

Make your stamp as we have done.
And as we have also done, 
each in our way,
you, too, teach all those thirsting 
for the stage
the footlights
the digital screen...

Thank you. 

Gatsby-like
he says farewell to each in turn with 
a short bow

Miss Davis...

Miss Hepburn...

It has been my delight and pleasure...

All ours Leo, all ours...

each Queen beaming
in the way they know delights their fanbase

Image Courtesy of Robert Kraigher of Vienna, Austria from his Private Collection and to whom all rights thereto are reserved and to the Photographer

Beautifully said Girls!

Oh get away with you Robert!
And why do you always wear that leather jacket
and jeans?!!!

I just do Bette, I just do! 

He's a rebel Bette, you know that!

I surely do...

Come...I fancy a light again

And did I really say 'digital screen' Audrey?
I must be slipping!

Oh yes. 
Digital, Silver, Technicolor, whatever...
For us it will always be
The Silver Screen!

Afterword

Originally written on 19 January 2014, it is sometimes fun to just imagine conversations that have taken place or that might take place in some ethereal setting.

It is pure indulgence. Writers do this all the time.

In this piece, we have two respective "Queens of Hollywood" chatting away and then being joined by two Hollywood actors from decades ahead of them, the older one eavesdropping!  Davis - Hepburn - DeCaprio - DeNiro      

They say that the face of Helen of Troy launched a thousand ships ... this Face launched a new and uncharted phase in life ... hence this poem. 

Image Courtesy of the author and with gracious permission of the Bette Davis Foundation to whom all rights are reserved

17 December 2022
All Rights Reserved

© 2023 Kenneth Thomas Webb