Last night I watched Dark Victory on the MOVIES! cable channel. This is the quintessential "Bette Davis Eyes" movie. Her amazingly expressive eyes are so enchanting, so thrilling when she is happy, so devastating when she is sad. The plot involves a brain tumor and deals with the issue of whether and when a terminally ill patient should be informed of her diagnosis--an issue that was more recently explored in The Farewell (2019). George Brent is unremarkable as Bette's doctor/love interest, but I appreciated the sensitive, nuanced supporting performances of Geraldine Fitzgerald (best friend) and Humphrey Bogart (horse trainer and verbal sparring partner). A young Ronald Reagan also pops up as one of Bette's many admirers. The final scene in Bette's bedroom is intensely sad and beautiful. Highly recommended!
