Listen to that ovation. Feel the emotion in that room! The explosion when she mentions “my late husband …”
She is one of a kind and every single person – even big stars and A-list actresses – know it.
The Bette Davis story makes me laugh so hard. I had heard it before, but never actually told BY Gena Rowlands. It’s even better, with her gestures!
I am also moved by her son coming forward near the end of her speech, protectively and supportively. And then Gena clearly deciding she was not done, and she wanted to stay on that stage a little bit longer.
I wish she would never leave.
Other speeches now up on Youtube from the whole night, which I haven’t watched yet. I want to revel in this one a little bit more. (And no, the tribute reel isn’t up yet.)
As much as I totally disapprove of moving the Lifetime Achievement people to a different night from the main broadcast (because God forbid Hollywood publicly remember its history, and God forbid that the ignoramuses watching – who think Quentin Tarantino invented movies, or Robert De Niro invented good acting – would learn a little bit about the history of the industry they profess to love so much) – in a way, this separate ceremony is awesome because these honorees are given TIME. Time for their speeches. Time for multiple tribute speeches. Time to RAMBLE. I hate how rushed the nominees are on the main night. I love long speeches filled with emotion, anecdotes, and not a list of “I’d like to thank the receptionist at Warner Brothers.” Jeez Louise, send a Thank You card. While you’re at that podium, show me your HEART.
So there is something very satisfying about all of this. It would have been painful to see Gena Rowlands forced to make a 45-second speech.
Give this woman TIME. More and more and more time.
“…for that, we have to thank the writers.” That must have been a wonderful thing to hear.
Congratulations again.
And I love that she clearly took joy in the evening and the award. Bette Davis… what a great story.
Well, she was married to a great screenwriter, so it was quite an appropriate and moving tribute.
I also loved that – not to take anything away from him – I just loved that she talked about herself mostly – not about her many years working with him. The whole thing was basically that Bette Davis anecdote. And that Bette Davis movie had nothing to do with Cassavetes.
It pleases me when she is allowed to shine outSIDE of her (very very worthy) collaboration with her late husband.
And Nick moving forward to help his Mum! Can’t even really take it. And then how he just stood back to give her the space when she wanted to keep talking. His speech is on Youtube too.
Sheila I was watching this with a big smile and laughing out loud and crying at the end. So hilarious hearing her describe BD and the camera man talking without hearing them. Imagine acting with Bette Davis? Imagine being confronted by Bette Davis?! I’ll be all over youtube and especially waiting to hear Jolie’s speech! And thanks for the tip that their movie is on youtube too!
Regina – Yes, I watched the whole movie (Strangers) as I was preparing my Gena piece. I remember it being this major TV EVENT (member when TV movies were EVENTS??) and some kind obsessive soul uploaded the whole thing to Youtube. The quality is crappy but it doesn’t matter. Bette is as awesome as you would imagine her to be.
and yes, I love that Gena couldn’t hear what they were saying – and how about Bette saying to Gena, in re: the cameraman: “I think we should get rid of him.”
hahahahahahahaha
Oh, I loved this! I had never heard that Bette Davis story, absolutely priceless.
I absolutely agree with you about the Oscars, I dislike how rushed they are. I wish they would cut out some of the other things, and give the winners more time to talk-like you said, to tell a story, or talk about why acting is so important to them. Instead sometimes it does feel like a laundry list of thank you’s…
My husband and I became friends with Gena and her husband Robert about eight years ago. I was thrilled to have had a chance to see her acceptance speech. So richly deserved for sure. But I can tell you she is one amazing lady. She even loves to watch football. One Easter the four of us shared dinner together. Her Bette Davis story reminded me of that dinner, as she mesmerized us with her stories of entertaining on a cruise ship. I laughed then as I did watching this clip!
when will the tribute reel be on you tube?? love to hear what angelina jolie said to gena rowlands.
Well, what Jolie SAID in the reel was what I WROTE. :) But as far as I can tell, it’s not up on Youtube yet. I sent a note to the Oscar producer asking for a status update – will share when it’s available!