I believe the person on the left is German author Thomas Mann, who was gay. I read he was in love with the man on the right, a close friend, but he was not interested in Thomas and instead later courted Thomas’ sister. Ouch.

Although it is common currency that Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had a big Hollywood rivalry going on that was, in fact not true. They were not close friends (and I bet they both said some sharp things about each other behind their backs) but they were not enemies in the slightest. Joan’s biggest hate was reserved for Norma Shearer. Bette’s biggest hate was for Miriam Hopkins due to how Miriam treated the young upstart Bette when she was starting in Hollywood. Oh how much Bette must’ve loved the chance to throttle Miriam on screen! And rub a couple of Oscars in her face.

Bette was nominated for an Oscar for her work in this movie but did not win. I just saw this film yesterday. Pretty good. Based on one of my favourite books by one of my favourite authors, Somerset Maughm.