Hollywood legend Bette Davis realized that her iconic era of filmmaking had officially ended after spotting a massive promotional display for Tim Burton’s Batman. This poignant moment occurred in September 1989 while the 81-year-old actress was in Spain for the 37th San Sebastián International Film Festival.
Passing the Torch in Spain
Davis traveled to San Sebastián, held from September 15 to 23, 1989, to accept the festival’s honorary Donostia Award. Amid her celebrations, which included screenings of her classic cinematic masterpieces like All About Eve, The Little Foxes, and Dark Victory, a stark symbol of modern Hollywood caught her eye.
According to her longtime assistant Kathryn Sermak in her memoir Miss D and Me: Life With the Invincible Bette Davis, the actress walked to a hotel window after noticing a commotion outside. She saw a colossal advertisement for Batman-starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson-that covered most of a neighboring building’s front ahead of its Spanish theatrical release.
“She chuckled to herself as she regarded this cartoon figure with his face obscured and his body swallowed by a floor-length black cape,” Sermak wrote. “Would you look at that, Kath? My era of Hollywood is over. I’ve come here to pass the torch.”
Sermak noted in later interviews that the world of high-concept comic book blockbusters belonged to a different era than the one Davis defined. “That’s not her world. She doesn’t know that world of Batman,” Sermak explained to Entertainment Weekly.
Defiant Spirit Until the End
Despite battling severe health complications from returning breast cancer, Davis displayed her trademark mental acuity and razor-sharp wit during her festival press junket. In a rarely seen 2014 documentary chronicling her trip, El Último Adiós de Bette Davis, the actress fielded reporters’ questions with characteristic vigor.
Asked whether she was naughtier in cinema or in real life, Davis quipped, “Fifty-fifty.” When questioned about her four marriages and three divorces, she freely admitted, “Well, I have to admit, that was not my most successful area.”
Reflecting on her earlier observation regarding the blockbuster superhero banner, Davis offered a definitive clarification during her final press appearances. “I have no era,” she stated. “I was acting back then, and I am still acting. My era will end the day they put me in my grave.”
A Lasting Legacy
Following the conclusion of the San Sebastián International Film Festival, Davis’ health rapidly deteriorated. She was transferred to an American hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, where she passed away on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81.
Her profound reaction to the Batman display remains a poignant historical footnote. It captures the exact moment a Golden Age titan knowingly witnessed the dawn of the modern blockbuster era and acknowledged the changing tides of cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bette Davis
When did Bette Davis make her final public appearance?
Bette Davis made her final public appearance in September 1989 at the 37th San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain, where she received the honorary Donostia Award.
What did Bette Davis say when she saw the Batman poster?
Upon seeing a massive promotional banner for the 1989 film Batman starring Michael Keaton, Davis remarked to her assistant, “My era of Hollywood is over. I’ve come here to pass the torch.”
How many Academy Awards did Bette Davis win?
Bette Davis won two Academy Awards for Best Actress: the first for Dangerous (1935) and the second for Jezebel (1938). She earned a total of 10 competitive Oscar nominations throughout her career.
What caused the distinctive look of Bette Davis’ eyes?
Her prominent, piercing eyes were largely a result of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that caused exophthalmos, or bulging eyes, which ultimately became one of her most famous physical trademarks.
When did Bette Davis pass away?
Bette Davis passed away on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81 in an American hospital in France, shortly after completing her final visit to the San Sebastián Film Festival.
