Review: Winter Meeting (1948)

Both Mr. Davis and Mrs. Davis (no relation) were superb in this forgotten classic. Jim Davis (later of "Dallas" fame) gave a stellar performance as a veteran with religious ambitions. 

He certainly deserves top billing (other online reviews beg to differ, calling the role of the male love interest miscast.)

But obviously, this is strictly Bette's vehicle. This was her last movie for Warner Brothers. Thankfully she moved on to bigger and better projects afterward. Such as "All About Eve", which many (including me) consider to be her best performance, bar none. 

The remarkable thing about Bette was her astounding ability to tackle even the most mediocre of material and make it memorable. Always the scene stealer, she could take focus off everything without even saying a word. Her trademark big eyes expressed it all. Boring sets (see also "Another Man's Poison", 1951) and low budget pictures became worthwhile viewing. To be honest, this movie would be an overlength, dull, intolerable soap opera bore without her. Bette makes it bearable, though I still grew tiresome watching it sometimes. -SPOILER ALERT- He ends up leaving her to finally chase a career he had been planning on since childhood. But he successfully encourages her to rekindle a relationship with her mother. 

I give this title 3 out of 5 stars. ***

Worth watching? If you don't have high expectations and are willing to meet this movie on its own terms, which includes enduring the occasional bore.

Or if you're stuck indoors on a snow day with nothing else to do besides have your own little winter meeting (pun intended!)

Definitely a must see if you're a big Bette Davis fan on a mission to complete her entire filmography!