There are few stars whoselegends reign quite supremely as that ofBette Davis. Known for herimmense talent, staunch perfectionism, and brash personality, the actress’ careerspanned decades and genres. And while it’s almost impossible to talk about Davis without reflecting on her alleged feud withJoan Crawford, the superstar had a generous side, and an eye for new talent. Her friendship withOlivia de Havillandis well documented, butthere was one star the perfectionist proclaimed as the greatest actress she’d ever seen,and one who remainscriminally underrated: the incomparable star ofThe Rose Tattoo,Anna Magnani.
Anna Magnani Was a Departure from the Typical Hollywood Star
When one thinks aboutthe great actresses of Hollywood’s heyday, Magnani may not be the first who comes to mind, and, frankly, for a good reason. The actress didn’t come up in theHollywood studio systemà la Davis or de Havilland. In fact, she came over as part of a growing interest inItalian Neorealism. According toHollywood Walk of Fame, she made a massive impression on moviegoers thanks to her appearances in films by directorRoberto Rossellini. Multiple publications expressed their admiration for her as a newcomer, and it’s easy to see why. Even today, watching Magnani act is outstanding. She doesn’t bother with many of the sentimentalities or vanities of the day, opting instead to approach her work with relatability and realism. Despite her striking beauty,Magnani’s appearances throughout her films reflect the needs of her roles, rather than the typical Hollywood glamour of the day. Married with her relatable and biting performances, Magnani truly feels like a force of nature on screen, and even captured the attention of Hollywood royalty, Bette Davis.
Bette Davis’ Worst Feud Wasn’t With Joan Crawford
Bette Davis' bad side was not where you wanted to be.
Davis was famously (or infamously, depending on who you ask) stingy with compliments and had a reputation as a perfectionist. In the days before the practice was common, she often transformed herself for whichever role she was playing, crafting her own makeup to look as though she was sick and dying in movies likeOf Human Bondage,glamming up forJezebel, and even doing both forNow, Voyager. Combined with herimmaculate talent, Davis was one of the first true character actresses in Hollywood movies, and took notice of Magnani’s equal skills. Per an article fromMoMA,Davis was fascinated by Magnani when she transitioned from Italian pictures to American films. In fact, upon her US arrival in 1953, the two had tea together and Davis publicly proclaimed Magnani “the greatest actress I have ever seen.” One cannot overstate what a compliment this was coming from the woman who was once the biggest star at Warner Bros. and one of the most successful in the world. Sadly, however, Magnani’s career has seemingly been overshadowed by time and trends. But one need look no further than her Oscar-winning performance inThe Rose Tattooto understand Davis’ sentiment.
Anna Magnani Gives an Unforgettable Performance in ‘The Rose Tattoo’
The Rose Tattoois quite a unique film, especially for its time. Based on theTennessee Williamsplay of the same name, the play had actually been written with Magnani in mind. According to the documentarianIsabel Custodio, Williams had been fascinated by Magnani’s work, but she initially turned the role down, opting instead to work on her skill, before agreeing to star in the 1956 film adaptation. When she did finally take on the piece, it wasnothing short of extraordinary.Playing the role of a woman who becomes a recluse following the unexpected passing of her husband, Magnani far exceeds acting expectations of the time, approaching the role with her signature authenticity, while also subverting the theatricality and vanity of her contemporaries. There is a real earthy quality to the way she portrays her character’s tragedy, using her entire body to express despair, while also keeping her motions jarringly subtle, as if she’s not in complete control of her grief. Indeed, Magnani is nothing short of extraordinary throughout her character’s journey from grief-stricken to a woman who is able to find love again.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciencesagreed with Davis’ earlier declaration. Magnani was awarded the Best Actress Oscar for her work in the film, a beautiful ending to her long saga with the story. Though Magnani had been reluctant to take the role duringThe Rose Tattoo’s Broadway run, she walked away with the highest honor a movie star could receive. It’s so gratifying to know that Magnani’s work was ultimately appreciated, and we hope that our coverage of her work inspires our readers to seek out the films in which she stunned.Magnani may not have the same booming number of credits that Davis did, but Davis’ praise of her work speaks brilliantly on how effective Magnani’s work was.
The Rose Tattoo
