12 Best Old School Hollywood Feuds

We’ve already mentioned Bette Davis’ bad blood with Tallulah Bankhead, but it’s her notorious feud with Joan Crawford that has to take the top spot.

Like many feuds it started over a man, Franchot Tone. He starred alongside Davis in the 1935 film Dangerous and she promptly fell in love with him and a rumoured tryst took place between the two on-set. There was just one problem though: Tone was already romantically involved with Crawford and before shooting wrapped they were engaged.

Their marriage didn’t last long, but the feud between Crawford and Davis was cemented and made even worse when Crawford joined Davis’ studio Warner Brothers and the two were in direct competition for roles.

They made no secret of their dislike for each other either, exchanging many bitchy barbs over the years like when Davis said of Crawford, "She has slept with every male star at MGM except Lassie." Yes, Lassie was a boy and yes, that was the biggest shade you’ve ever seen.

But by the 60s, both actresses’ careers were waning and they decided to unite in psychological horror Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? despite their feud. Rather than put an end to their decades-long vendetta, this only added fuel to the flame as the pair engaged in on-set fisticuffs and one-upmanship.

Their feuding didn’t harm the film though which was a huge success and secured Davis a Best Actress Oscar nomination in 1963. Crawford, pissed at not getting nominated herself, oh-so-graciously offered other nominees for her to accept the award on their behalf should they not be able to attend. Anne Bancroft ended up scooping Best Actress that year and Crawford sashayed on stage to accept it for her in a big f*ck you at Davis.

Even in death their feud didn’t really end and when Crawford died in 1977 Davis said, “You should never say bad things about the dead, only good. Joan Crawford is dead. Good.” Meow times a million.