I know the plot says she'd had a baby 18 yrs ago (she could've been 20 though which would make her supposed current age 38). She looks every bit of 60 something in this film. Somehow, I get the feeling the character wasn't supposed to be a senior citizen though which means she was waaaaaaaaay to old to play this role.
shareShe was too old for the part, about 15 years. In one of the books on Davis Peter Lawford says as much calling her elderly. But they did that incredible white face make-up on her to give her a jaw line, then a corset and wig, and she sort of pulls it off by sheer force of personality, when she is Margaret. However she looks as you say 60,even 70 as Edith.
shareDavis was in her mid-50s when the film was made. The film isn't her finest hour by any means, but she was a great star and always interesting. If a bit overwrought, but that was the acting style when she was in her prime.
The 60s brought more natural acting, and today a film like this looks a bit silly. But gotta give respect to Bette Davis, she was a gutsy lady. Some of her earlier films are wonderful.
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