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Tallulah Bankhead: The Actress Too Outrageous for Hollywood

Well, I Never | Stars

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Tallulah Bankhead was a bold, charismatic American actress known for her stage, film, and radio work. Born in 1902 in Alabama, she rose to fame in the 1920s on London’s stage before conquering Broadway with hits like The Little Foxes. Bankhead became a Hollywood star in the 1940s, most notably in Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat. Renowned for her distinctive voice, wit, and flamboyant lifestyle, she was a major pop culture figure. Despite career ups and downs, she remained influential until her death in 1968, leaving a legacy as one of the most iconic actresses of classic theatre and film history.

00:00 - Intro
02:50 - Tallulah Bankhead's early life
05:49 - Tallulah's First Time on Stage
10:00 - Life in Hollywood
12:50 - Tallulah's Return to Stage
16:36 - Tallulah's Politics
19:25 - Her Later Life, Death and Legacy

20 Comments

@PawsAndGrowTV 5 months ago

Anyone named Tallulah is contractually obligated to be a force to be reckoned with. 😂😂

@cuervojones4889 5 months ago

From what I understand, Tallulah was also the inspiration for Cruella de Ville. Hence the "dah-link!" she says and the cigarette she's waving around (in the original cartoon, at least). Yeah, when you're just a little "too much" for the rest of the world, they don't know how to take you.

@cherimeri5143 5 months ago (edited)

She lived hard and fast and died hard and fast. She lived her life fully present.

@alabamacatherder5789 5 months ago

I live in Huntsville, Alabama. I was in high school when I found out she once lived in a building on the square downtown. Then realized that Bankhead Parkway that climbs Monte Sano mountain was named for her father.

I knew about her wild lifestyle, but not about the causes she supported.

Thanks for telling her story.

@geoffkeeys 5 months ago

I never realised what an amazing and complex person she actually was. So may different facets to a single person.

@patriciariley963 5 months ago

I watched well I never first then jumped over here to watch this one Thank you Mr.Paul for everything

@bestdisco1979 5 months ago

I have the greatest admiration for Tallulah. One of kind

@Pbav8tor 5 months ago

I just realized Rue McClanahan's Blanche Devereaux was modeled on Tallulah Bankhead! I think she nailed it.

@ness1237 5 months ago

Thank you for making this episode. I've been watching Tallulah's films lately & she is captivating to watch.

@JRandaII 5 months ago

“Without any doubt… um, no I don't suppose you've ever seen her, but Miss Bankhead. She had undoubtedly more style than anyone l've ever seen. As an example, she was once in England, in a thriller. And, when the curtain went up there was a corpse on the stage; but as it was Miss Bankhead’s first entrance, there was wild applause. And, she stepped over the corpse and came to the footlights, and said ‘Thank you darlings.’ And then, she stepped back over the corpse and said ‘Ah!’”
- Quentin Crisp
An Evening with
Quentin Crisp (1980)

@AntaresSelket 5 months ago

Celebrity gems like Tallulah are likeable for showing their humanity and fighting for humanity. Unfortunately, they can't hide how delicate they truly are and end up dealing with addiction problems.

@pocho689 5 months ago

Well done Paul. Always love your productions. 🇨🇦

@srvfan454 5 months ago

The old brick Bankhead Highway runs through my hometown.

@Nomisdit 5 months ago (edited)

You bring these people to life with your brilliant storytelling.
I hadn't heard of this fascinating woman. She lived life to the fullest and stood up for what she believed in and used her fame for good causes. Maybe bold and eccentric for the times, to her credit she is still an inspiration today.