Review of Dark Victory (1939) by John H — 23 Jan 2013

Unapologetically soapy and stagebound, what keeps it from being another weak weepie is Bette Davis. Her facing down mortality could have been trite, but her unique screen presence illuminates and fleshes out her dying heiress, giving her both a feisty fight for life and a growing calm in the face of death - and in return, the film gets a surprisingly potent intelligence and depth.

They really don't make 'em like they used to. (Oh, and keep your eyes peeled for Bogie!).