When Bette Met Mae

2015 • 63 minutes

About this movie

In the fall of 1973, a cocktail party was given by Charles Pollack, a West Hollywood designer, for his house guest Bette Davis and her guest Mae West.

Bette Davis and Mae West come alive to discuss their careers. Using an audio tape made that night and actors to portray them, you are a guest at a party that no one knew about until now. Watch and laugh. The documentary also adds backstory clarification to the topics under discussion, narrated by Sally Kellerman, illuminating the very real impact each woman had not only on film history, but on our culture today.

Ratings and reviews

If "Hollywood Queens" of today collide, a flurry of cat fur is the likely result. When Silver Screen Royalty, Bette Davis and Mae West finally met in 1973, these film goddesses formed an instant mutual admiration society. Reflecting upon their lives, loves and careers, their no holds barred conversation, amazingly captured on audio tape gives the viewer a truly unprecedented peek into the minds of these two legends letting their hair down. Director Wes Wheadon and his crew, along with the actresses portraying Davis and West and other participants of this magical evening, are brilliantly cast. Cleverly woven into the live action are vintage audio and film clips, comments from film historians, a personal secretary among others, which make for a very rich visual tapestry. This documentary is a absolute must see for those curious how these two film legends sidestepped the opposition thrown their way as they climbed the ladder of success rung by rung wearing those platform shoes. This feel good documentary will make you want to shout out "Hooray" to Wes Wheadon for having the foresight to slip that tape deck behind the bar!

Victoria Mills playing Mae West, is reason enough to watch this re-enactment of that dinner party given back in Hollywood, 1973!

Great film! Unique idea. I promise you've never seen anything like this before.