Page "Bette Davis" Paragraph 18

Convinced that her career was being damaged by a succession of mediocre films, Davis accepted an offer in 1936 to appear in two films in Britain.

Knowing that she was breaching her contract with Warner Bros., she fled to Canada to avoid legal papers being served upon her.

Eventually, Davis brought her case to court in Britain, hoping to get out of her contract with Warner Bros. She later recalled the opening statement of the barrister, Sir Patrick Hastings, who represented Warner Bros. Hastings urged the court to " come to the conclusion that this is rather a naughty young lady and that what she wants is more money ".

He mocked Davis's description of her contract as " slavery " by stating, incorrectly, that she was being paid $ 1, 350 per week.

He remarked, " if anybody wants to put me into perpetual servitude on the basis of that remuneration, I shall prepare to consider it.

" The British press offered little support to Davis, and portrayed her as overpaid and ungrateful.