Stepmother (1989): Bette Davis’ Final Film, Playing Chain-Smoking Witch

 Stepmother (1989)

Bette Davis as Miranda Pierpoint

Bette Davis as Miranda Pierpoint in “Wicked Stepmother” (1989)

The last decade of Bette Davis’s career was comprised of TV movies and unmemorable big screen performances.

Her final film role in Wicked Stepmother was plagued by behind-the-scenes frustration, breast cancer, and declining health.

Davis did not even finish filming her role as Miranda Pierpoint. She dropped out of the production, stating, “I would be ashamed to have people think I sanctioned something like this, and People will be horrified at the footage on me.

Davis portrayed a cigarette-smoking witch, who lives with her disagreeable daughter.

Wicked Stepmother was a bad film and a sad footnote at the end of Davis’ incredible career. After all, she was an actress who transformed how a woman could be depicted on screen through her brash, uncompromising characterizations.

Wicked Stepmother was not a worthy end to her legacy

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