Lisa Kudrow on the Enduring Allure of Bette Davis
Lisa Kudrow, a household name thanks to her iconic role as Phoebe Buffay in the beloved sitcom Friends, has recently shared her profound admiration for one of Hollywood’s most legendary actresses: Bette Davis. Decades after her passing, Davis continues to captivate and inspire, and Kudrow has illuminated precisely why the two-time Academy Award winner remains such a towering figure in cinema history.
During a candid discussion as part of Criterion’s ‘Closet Picks’ segment, Kudrow delved into her favourite films, with Bette Davis’s 1942 classic, Now, Voyager, taking centre stage. This particular film holds a special place in Kudrow’s heart, not only because it was a favourite of her mother’s but more significantly, due to the indelible mark Bette Davis left on her.
Drawn to Davis’s Unwavering Strength and Intelligence
Kudrow spoke with palpable passion about Davis’s performance in Now, Voyager, a film that explores the transformative journey of a repressed woman. Kudrow articulated that what drew her so powerfully to Davis was her inherent “really strong” presence. “And just sort of knew who she was and put that in all of her characters,” Kudrow explained. This self-assuredness, Kudrow suggested, was a key factor that made Davis far more compelling and memorable than many of her contemporaries.
The narrative of Now, Voyager centres on Charlotte Vale, a neurotic heiress burdened by a domineering mother. Through psychiatric treatment, Charlotte embarks on a path to liberation, ultimately blossoming into a confident woman who discovers love and a renewed sense of purpose during a transformative ocean cruise. This arc of personal growth and resilience resonated deeply with Kudrow. “It was really important to see, I thought,” Kudrow remarked, highlighting how the character’s evolution mirrored the very qualities she admired in Davis herself.
A Legacy That Continues to Resonate
Kudrow’s connection to Now, Voyager deepened years later, during her time filming Friends. She revealed a poignant experience of visiting the very Warner Bros. soundstage where the classic film had been shot. “I was so excited to tell my mom,” she recalled, describing the visit as “thrilling.” This same soundstage would later feature in the third season of Kudrow’s acclaimed series, The Comeback.
In The Comeback, Kudrow’s character, Valerie Cherish, pays tribute to her late best friend, Mickey Deane, played by Robert Michael Morris. Given that Now, Voyager was Mickey’s favourite movie, Valerie incorporates quotes from the film throughout the episode titled “Valerie Faces Reality.” This personal connection, weaving together her own professional life with a cinematic touchstone, further cemented Kudrow’s appreciation for Davis’s lasting impact.
Ultimately, Kudrow believes Bette Davis’s enduring appeal lies in a fundamental combination of strength, self-awareness, and the remarkable ability to imbue every character with these powerful traits. This, for Kudrow, is what solidifies Bette Davis’s status as “one of the most interesting women” in the annals of Hollywood history, a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences and fellow actors alike.
