The history behind this film is just as quirky as the movie, itself.

Bette Davis was ill, both physically and emotionally, throughout Deception's production. On one historic day, Miss Davis shut down the picture to hold an impromptu meeting for cast and crew. Davis wanted everyone involved in Deception, to understand her troubles, and to empathize. She burst into tears: 'a picture like this needs a lot of rehearsing!' insisted Davis. 'And you Jack Trilling have a lot of nerve, coming down to the set, upsetting me, when you KNOW that I'm about to go into a scene five pages long, with long, difficult lines!' Some of the production crew, had started to laugh. They were tired of Davis's tantrums, and wanted to go home. 'Bring me a soda!' Davis demanded, as more laughter erupted from the set.

Deception's story is absurd . . . lies pile on top of more lies, until nobody can keep their stories, straight . . . but Miss Davis is mesmerizing to watch . . . and Claude Rains is positively scene stealing, as the eccentric composer of classical music. The movie's climax, is one of the best you'll ever witness: Davis is unbeatable in staircase scenes. Especially when she's toting a gun!

Thank you TCM, for airing these incredible old films . . .

Just give her a staircase and a gun! Miss Bette is something else.

But, get this- my TV is on the fritz! You have to give it credit though, as the Sony Trinitron (white) took a nosedive during the Northridge Quake, but has continued to work perfectly, until now.

Joules, this movie is soooooooo much fun! I'm re-reading Charles Higham's biography of Miss Davis: BETTE

Excellent read. Deals mostly with the stories behind Davis's movies. Rarely did BD make a film, minus stormy seas as a backdrop. Interesting too, to read about her stint doing a British film: THE ANNIVERSARY. Bette's British cohorts found her effrontery, to be . . . weird and redundant.

I think I may have read that bio, years ago. Good one!

Joules . . . DECEPTION is available, at amazon.com . . .

I have no doubt, but without a functional TV screen, at least here on Miracle Hill...oh well, Santa may provide.

I left work early and happened to catch a bit of it. I'd love to see it start to finish. I think of her as the actress in "Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?" It's a fascinating difference to see her in her younger days.

Hi Fulltilt . . . oh, I wish you'd seen Deception from the get-go! You can order it online, at amazon.com. I hope you caught the murder, on the staircase!

Oh, this is a doozy in Ms. Davis' pantheon. I've seen it quite a few times on Turner Classic Movies and also taped it. I so much prefer Bette Davis' earlier movies, it was really sad she had to work in her later years in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and others, just to keep working. Deception is really so silly when you think about it, what is with that dimwitted yet suspicious Paul Henreid, anyway? Get a clue, man! Claude Rains' dinner scene is hilarious. Now, I realize nowadays no one is shocked when a 40-ish woman has an affair, but really, back at the time this was made, in real life, this sort of thing happened. Lucky Bette, with her jewels, furs, spacious apartment, and taking taxis in the rain, good for her! Where did the husband think she got all that swag? Teaching piano? Well, the censors must be catered to, I guess.

'mind, DECEPTION is indeed, a doozy. Yes, the story is absurd, but watching the actors work so hard to turn it into something believable, is what's fun. Poor Bette. She was REALLY in a bad way, during this film. Even her devoted makeup artist Perc Westmore, couldn't help. The dinner scene is excruciating. Claude Rains is brilliant, throughout. The way he pounds at that piano . . . his exchanges with Davis. Bristling! How about HIS digs, in downtown New York? I don't think Grand Central Station, in any larger . . .