Sunday, April 5, 2020

Sunday Reflection: Tracy and Davis



"Acting is not the noblest profession in the world, but there are things lower than acting. Not many, mind you - but politicians give you something to look down on from time to time." -- Spencer Tracy.

"I don't take the movies seriously, and anyone who does is in for a headache." -- Bette Davis

By some amazing coincidence, two of America's greatest actors (who downplayed their craft) were born on April 5: Spencer Tracy in Milwaukee in 1900, and Bette Davis in Lowell, MA in 1908. Each won Academy Awards (Tracy won 2, out of 9 nominations, Davis won 2, out of 10 nominations) and had multi-decade careers. Sadly, they only appeared together once, in 1932's "20,000 Years To Sing-Sing" (pictured above). They were giants in a golden age of film, an accolade they'd probably chuckle at.