As an avid fan of classic movies, it is a difficult task to choose one or two, or even three best actresses of all time. The actors and actresses of Hollywood's Golden Era were altogether a different breed from today's stars. They were paid only a fraction of the money that today's actresses are paid, and they had little say over what movies they made. In those days, they were under contract to the movie studios instead of having the more independent arrangement enjoyed by today's actresses.
In order to choose my three favorites, I used the following criteria: They had to have been making (or made) movies long enough to have stood the test of time. They had to have had roles that are recognizable to more than just today's moviegoers. They had to possess the ability to play different types of roles and star in different genres.
I chose Bette Davis whose career lasted from 1931-1989 (the year she died), and she won two Academy Awards. She gave us the memorable quote, “Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night,” from the movie “All About Eve.” Ms. Davis could convince the viewer to despise her character as she did as Mildred Rogers, the self-centered, hateful, mean-spirited character she portrayed in “Of Human Bondage.” But she could also make the viewer like her and empathize with her as she proved in her role as aging stage star, Margo Channing, in “All About Eve,” She could to illicit sympathy from the viewer as well as she did in “Dark Victory,” where she portrayed Judith Traherne, a young socialite who is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Her versatility remains unparalleled. Ms. Davis is #2 on the American Film Institute's list of Top 25 Greatest American Female Screen Legends.
Katharine Hepburn has definitely earned a spot on my list. Ms. Hepburn made 45 feature films from 1932-1994 and won several Academy Awards. She showed her versatility as an actress by playing comedic and dramatic parts. Her performances in both were equally superb. Hepburn shines in all roles and genres. For example, she was as convincing in her portrayal of Tracy Lord (a rich, spoiled debutante) in the comedy “Philadelphia Story” with James Stewart and Cary Grant as she was in her role as Christine Drayton (an upper-class liberal) in “Guess Who's Coming to Dinner” alongside her long-time love Spencer Tracy. She occupies the #1 spot on the American Film Institute's list of Top 25 Greatest American Female Screen Legends.
To round out my three favorite actresses of all time, I chose Audrey Hepburn. Her career spanned from 1948-1993. Ms. Hepburn is probably best known for her role as the eccentric Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” and deservedly so. But she possessed the capability to play a variety of roles. She was remarkable in her role as Regina Lampert in the comedy/thriller “Charade” in which she starred with Cary Grant. She also proved herself in dramatic roles such as that of Suzy Hendrix, a blind woman who survives an attempt on her life because of her personal courage and intelligence, in “Wait Until Dark.” Ms. Hepburn, one of the most beloved actresses of all time, was a great humanitarian and worked tirelessly with UNICEF. She was named #3 on the American Film Institute's list of Top 25 Greatest American Female Screen Legends.
