BETTE AND JOAN The Divine Feud: 25th Anniversary Edition

by Shaun Considine

In 1936 Joan told the press that she and Franchot were building a small theater in the east wing of her mansion. This would be used to showcase the couple, in serious plays by Ibsen and Shaw, for the after-dinner entertainment of their friends. "How wonderful," said Bette Davis, when told of Crawford's plans to play Shakespeare. "We are all so thrilled that Joan has learned how to read."