Episode Transcript
[00:00:07] Speaker A: All right, here we are again, another episode of Late to the Party, and I'm, like, literally a minute late. I hope you guys are doing very well.
And I'm flying solo again.
Georgia is still Mia, and I'm alone today, which is fine. It's time for another episode. How Betty Davis Saved my life.
Late to the party. Still rolling with those life lessons. But for those of you don't know, Late to the Party is like a spin off, if you will, of How Betty Davis Saved My Life, something I do. And for some movies, they're not necessarily in classic Hollywood, but maybe from the just stuff that I haven't seen. And I see them recently, and now I want to talk about them. But for this one, I am going back and you can see it's. Tarnished lady, 1931, starring none other than Miss Tallulah Bankhead herself. I just saw this recently for free on YouTube. And by the way, I'm moya. You can see my name on the screen. And for those of you hello out there in audio land, always a pleasure to be with you guys as well.
But yeah, so this one is actually an oldie, super oldie, but good at classic from the pre Code era era, 1931. Tarnished lady Tallulah Bankhead. And for those of you who are not familiar with Ms. Talula, she is actually a Southern bell. But when you hear her talk, darling, she really worked hard to get rid of that Southern accent.
[00:01:54] Speaker B: Out.
[00:01:54] Speaker A: Is she from Georgia or Alabama? Y'all let me know in the comments. And don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and always hit us up on Facebook with any questions you have. And you can always recommend movies as well. We would absolutely love that. But, yeah, she's from the south, but you would never know it. And she is more famous for her stage work. She didn't do a whole bunch of movies for Hollywood, but this is one of them. And there's nothing groundbreaking breaking or anything like that, but she was the first Scarlett O'Hara, okay? And we all know that. Went on to be like one of the best movies ever. So iconic. She was the first Regina from Little Foxes, and we know our namesake Betty Davis went on to do that, but which is so funny. Back to Going with the Wind, that it was a flop, I believe, on Broadway on a stage. But like I said, we all know the movie changed all of that. But yeah, so she has done so many iconic roles on stage, and she was a queen. A toast of New York. Several YouTube channels have a lot of great information about her because she was known for a sexual prowess. Let's just say that while living just tallulah knew how to have a good time, honey. And she didn't mind letting y'all know she was ready for a good time, if you will. But she was immensely talented. I think her Hollywood movie career didn't really take off was because she wasn't the traditional Hollywood beauty and she didn't film that.
You know, I think from what I've learned, that was one of the reasons she did Lifeboat. That Alfred Hitchcock. I love that movie.
So she did movies, but I think the material that she was given wasn't that great because I've seen some of the movies and she's fine in it. But the movie was like, this is so dumb. But let's talk about today's movie, tarnish lady. And she stars in this.
Again, pre Code, like we say. And we love pre code, don't we?
And I tell you what, it's not bad. But like I said, there's nothing to write home about. But why I chose this movie was because I kind of want to continue that theme that Georgia and I were on when we did a name only about these master manipulators. Because you will see that her mother, who is played by Elizabeth Patterson, who's been in everything, you know her when you see her on here. And I'm going to actually play some movie clips in a moment.
Her mother was, again, like the Kay Francis character. Butter would melt in their mouth, all right. But they knew how to play with people's emotions. And especially her daughter Nancy, played by Tallulah, how she know? Emotionally blackmail this young lady. And so last time when Georgia and I were together, we were talking about how to handle these emotional manipulators, these emotional blackmailers, these emotional bullies. And Georgia was saying she used to work for one of them, and she was the avoid this person at all costs. And me, with my probably somewhat derained self, I lean into it because I find these manipulators absolutely fascinating.
It's a thing to watch, man.
I don't agree with what they do at all, but it is a certain skill. So let's get into it. Without further ado. So again, let me just set up the story. Tallulah Bankhead and her mother, they probably either came from wealth or her mom was a social climber, always wanted to be in a high society, whatever. But nevertheless, they are broke. Now Clive Brooke, who plays Norman Cravath. He is in love with Tallulah's character. Nancy, wants to marry her. Tallulah's in love with someone else, the Witt Taylor, played by Alexander Kirkland. And so there's not really a love triangle because Clive Brooke, I don't think he knows about the guy, whatever. But it doesn't, you know, clive Brooke has been helping Tallulah and her mother, Nancy, and her mother.
And so Nancy's mother's like, well, this is the gravy train. And I don't know what you're trying to do, but we're going to get on this gravy. We're going to keep riding this gravy train, if you know what you know. But Tallulah wants to be with the guy she loves, the writer DeWitt. So I just want to give you a taste of what we're talking about. These master manipulators. So I have a clip here, and again, we saw this for free on YouTube, and you are more than welcome. And shout out to let's see, who's this? Christian Schuster. Yeah, check out I only saw the movie on here. I don't know what kind of content that she has, but she had this on here. So shout out to her for putting that on there and we really appreciate her doing that. So without further ado, we're going to get to this clip because again, I want you to see how her mom does this to her. And it's just crazy.
[00:07:34] Speaker B: Not till then.
[00:07:35] Speaker C: Usually it takes about five months.
[00:07:39] Speaker B: Well, will I have to wait until January for the oh, no, you'll get.
[00:07:43] Speaker C: That in two or three days.
[00:07:45] Speaker B: And listen, for heaven's sake, when you write in Buddhism, don't put in all that sickening stuff about society. Oh, New York family social register and all that. Ross, couldn't you just say, Miss Nancy Courtney of New York City? Wouldn't that be enough?
[00:07:58] Speaker C: Well, we'll try. Your mother seemed to think that we ought to put in something about your family. Your grandfather, your great grandmother.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: Yes, she would. Is it all over, dear? Yes, Mother.
[00:08:10] Speaker C: Good afternoon, Miss Courtney, and thank you again.
[00:08:12] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:08:13] Speaker C: Come on, boys.
[00:08:15] Speaker B: Good afternoon. Thanks so much.
[00:08:17] Speaker C: Ms. Courtney.
[00:08:20] Speaker B: Did you get the check?
They're sending it.
Where are you going? I'm going to look.
[00:08:30] Speaker A: Now. Did you catch that switch up?
Lots of doll now. When it's time for the money did.
[00:08:37] Speaker B: You get the check?
[00:08:41] Speaker A: You have to watch these people, how they switch up on you because they live in duality, okay? So definitely watch that. Let's go ahead on and continue with our movie clip. Darling.
[00:08:56] Speaker B: Good for an evening coach.
Oh, yes.
Oh, yes. What?
That? DeWitt friend of yours telephoned. He'd meet you there. Any objections?
No.
I suppose you've forgotten that Norman cravass is coming here for tea.
No, I haven't forgotten.
Anything else?
No.
Oh, Mother, darling, for heaven's sake. Don't worry.
I'll do what you want me to do. What I want you to do?
[00:09:35] Speaker A: Notice another tactic. These people always know how to crocodile tear or someone managed to squeeze some tears out. But notice how they, again, emotionally blackmail you, emotionally manipulate. I just had someone recently in my family try to do this to me yesterday and they didn't know I was doing this movie or anything like that.
And it did not work.
Because, again, there's a lot of YouTube doctors and psychologists on this topic or whatever, but again, this is my opinion.
You have to be honest with yourself.
And if this person really cared about you, why would they be pressuring you to do something you don't want to do?
Does this person really care about you?
How you need to be cared about? And the main thing, it's okay to say no because it's what is your life.
They may be 100% correct and you all the way wrong or they're 90 and you're ten or whatever, but it's your life.
It's you. And the only reason why this old broad she'd get Norman if she could. Was she too old.
Now put that in your pipe and smoke.
Oh, gosh. Let's continue, dear.
[00:11:08] Speaker B: How can you say such things?
I said don't worry.
Good afternoon. Good afternoon.
[00:11:20] Speaker A: And I'm a poser right there. And so let me just set up this next scene. So the guy she's walking with that is Mr. DeWitt. The guy she's in love with, of course he's poor. He's a poor starving artist. He's a writer.
And they're about to go into this boutique and she's going to see her frenemy and played by Phoebe what is this lady's name? Phoebe Foster. She's going to see her frenemy. Jermaine, princess, who is playa Hayton. She wants Norman Cravat, the rich man.
But like I said, he's in love with Tulip Bankhead. And let's go into that scene. So I'm going to just speed up a little bit to that part where they meet each other in the boutique and it's delicioso.
[00:12:12] Speaker B: Hello? Jermaine, what are you doing in town in August? Just a little shopping tour.
Nancy, you're not going to buy that thing, are you? Why not?
It doesn't become you.
I think I'll take this one. Suit yourself, dear. I wish I could afford one. No, it's too bad about you. Give the poor starving lady a quarter.
Oh, Miss Printed. Miss Taylor.
Oh, yes.
See you at the Cummings tonight? I doubt it, but Norman said I thought I'd give an army rest tonight. It's very kind of you, I'm sure. See you later.
Why don't you telephone him?
Shall I say, this is Courtney? Could I get it this evening?
[00:13:05] Speaker A: The cattiness of it all? Absolutely.
Wonderful. So she's surrounded she's surrounded by criminals now she's surrounded by wait, let me put this like how I want it. No. She's surrounded by people who don't have her best interest. And it's really unfortunate that she has this going on in her life that she doesn't have again, people who really support and care about her but they still want to be in her orbit.
So I'm going to just fast forward a little bit in a movie. And again, go look at this movie. It is a soap opera is delicious.
We always talk about whatever your favorite soap opera is from the past. Some of these pre codes, they kind of set the standard the templates for that because we know a lot of some of this stuff was the you know, a lot of soaps were on a radio first, and then they went to television. But anyway, so fast forward, not giving away too much. She and Norman gets married. Know, mom puts the pressure on her and then let me stop sharing for a minute. And so then marries Norman and Norman.
Let me just say this. There's some unexpected surprises in this movie. The dynamics of the people that we've just seen and we haven't seen Norman yet.
There's a big surprise. Let me just say you're like what?
[00:14:45] Speaker B: Well.
[00:14:48] Speaker A: So be on the lookout for but. So she and Norman get married. So I'm going to fast forward to that. And mom busy body. Busy body. Here she comes doing what she does and being in their business.
You hate the mother in law trope, but like we say, some stereotypes are there for a reason, okay? It is what it is. So there's this party going on and Tallulah and her husband have been invited. And so let's just pick it up from there and check out the Fashion germain the Frenemy. Look at this little sleek, almost neglige type situation she got going on. I really like that one thing in the first act.
[00:15:39] Speaker C: Who's coming tonight?
[00:15:42] Speaker B: I've got a surprise for you.
Who?
You'll find out.
Yubo, you. Are you busy, darling? I'll do another mother.
[00:16:08] Speaker A: Take out the furs, the coats. I love it.
Look at all that people business, man. That's not your mail, ma'am. No.
[00:16:24] Speaker B: Darling.
[00:16:26] Speaker A: Look at that.
[00:16:27] Speaker B: I'm just on my way to our Julius.
No. What's the matter with her?
[00:16:33] Speaker A: Very nice.
[00:16:34] Speaker B: And I don't think Jim deemed serious. You never can tell.
Well, that's a hopeful way to look at it. Anyway.
You sometimes say such things. Especially if we don't need our Julius money. No, we never needed it more.
What do you mean?
Is Norman in any trouble? No. But I am.
Oh, if I just have money of my own, what's on earth for? Norman gives you everything. That just is. Norman gives me everything. And there hasn't been a day in six months that I've been married to him. But he hasn't made me feel conscious of what he's done for me and what he's done for you?
Has he said anything about me?
[00:17:17] Speaker A: About you, but he's got us both.
[00:17:20] Speaker B: So indebted to him that I can't fight anymore guilt number myself for what I used to be.
An anti Courtney. There isn't an anti Courtney anymore. There's Mrs. Norman Trebeth and I'm sick of her.
You're not thinking of believing him?
Oh, you couldn't be. I don't know.
[00:17:45] Speaker A: How selfish is that? This woman is watching her child in anguish and she's a total narcissist.
Try to recognize these people. No matter what you talk about, they're going to bring it back to them. This has nothing to do with the mother. But yes, she's bringing it back to her. What about me? Am I cold? Am I going to be blow screw you all? What about me? Watch these type of people.
[00:18:14] Speaker B: Have you been seeing that writer lately? I haven't seen him since we were about nobody at just talking.
[00:18:27] Speaker C: Aren't we going to be a little late, Jeremy? Today's 30, Dino.
[00:18:31] Speaker B: I don't think I'll go.
[00:18:33] Speaker C: I'd like to leave in five minutes.
[00:18:35] Speaker B: I'm afraid I've made Nancy late. I'll be running right along. Goodbye darling.
I'll telephone you about aunt Julia.
Goodbye.
[00:18:53] Speaker A: So unfortunately, Norman is he's a victim here, victim of the root of this. The master manipulator mother who again, doesn't yell, scream, cry well, she makes crocodile tears at the drop of a hat but doesn't curse or anything like that. But she has taken over her daughter's life and made her feel guilty enough to make her daughter give herself her life away to a man that she does not love. And then she's all in her business. So I know several stories of in laws from hell but it's up to that child to check that parent and it's not up to your spouse to do that because it means nothing coming from them. You have to do know.
But that's difficult. I understand. Hey man, it's difficult. But in the movie you'll see the results of this failed marriage, doomed marriage again, there's a lot of surprises, I think. Did I mention Norman goes broke due to Wall Street crash that started the Great Depression and that has those issues. But he was the high value man, Norman. You can see he was a great guy when you look at it. He really loved Tallulah Bankhead and she made some decisions that were detrimental to herself and not only to herself. I'll just say it like that but take a look at it. Tarnish lady on YouTube for free. And you saw some of the fashions guys, let me know what you think. So don't forget to have our banner scrolling catch us on those platforms. Thank you for all the support from all the channels. Shout out to ultimate fashion history and silver screen Oasis pre code Hollywood film fatales. All these and I always leave my real black one. I mean there's just so many vintage Hollywood, myrna Lloyd and William Powell and all these different look, we out there the TCM Turn, the classic movies and other movie channels that keep all these great stories going. Shout out to all you guys and especially to our subscribers and our followers. We do this because of you. Thank you so much and we look forward to seeing you next time. Georgia will be back. Our next movie live movie will be on the 11 November and it will be Night of the Hunter. Yes, starring none other than Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters and Alien Gish who is a superhero in this movie and directed by none other than Charles Lawton. So you guys make sure you check it out for how Betty Davis saved my life late to the party. I'm moya can't wait to see you guys next time. Take care.
