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A Note to Actress Shelley Long: (Jerome
A. Holst © 2005)
 One
of my favorite actresses in the TV universe is
Shelley Long who played barmaid Diane Chambers
on the NBC sitcom CHEERS. The romantic chemistry
between Long and her costar on the series, Ted
Danson is legendary to TV aficionados. After
leaving CHEERS, Shelley Long continued her comic
timing as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie
(1995) and, as of late, in the comedy TV movie
Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door (2005).
However, as talented as Long is in the comedy
genre, there is something that I'd love Shelley
Long to do. Namely, switch gears from comedy for
a while and give herself over to a meaty
dramatic role.
Well, the other day it occurred to me that I
could use my website as a forum to profess such
an idea to Ms. Long. So what's my idea?
My idea is for Shelley Long to star in a movie
about
 the life of Bette Davis. I thought that
maybe if I planted the seed of such a notion on
the Internet, that it might trickle down to
Hollywood producers and possibly to Shelley
Long, herself. Now, some might think I'm crazy,
but I see Bette Davis every time I see Shelley
Long and it's time they teamed up and did a film
together. Let's face it, Shelley Long possesses
both the "Bette Davis eyes" as proclaimed in the
Kim Carnes 1980s song, as well as the
intelligence, wit and mannerisms that are
plainly seen in Bette Davis.
A potential idea for a film script would have
Shelley Long as Bette Davis in her later years.
In a scenario out of Sunset Boulevard (1950), an
aspiring female reporter visits a reluctant
Davis at her home and over time learns the real
story behind this enchanting and strong-willed
women. Of course, unlike Gloria Swanson, Ms.
Davis won't be bonkers, just sassy and
opinionated.
First and foremost, I just want to see Shelley
Long do the part. The vehicle would showcase her
dramatic acting ability, as well as create an
long-overdue homage to actress Bette Davis. Did
I hear someone say "Movie of the Week?"
Nowadays, Bette Davis may not be the first name
on the lips of moviegoers who frequent films
with the likes of Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock
and Lindsay Lohan, but the Davis name is a
legendary one and needs to be praised. It's time
that Bette Davis expanded her presence beyond
the Turner Classic Movie channel.
So, there you have it. Anyone listening? If you
know Shelley Long, let her know that she is
needed for a great project - a project that
would acquaint a new generation of filmgoers to
the magic that Davis generated on the screen.
And, if you're a fan of Bette Davis, then you
might want to start spreading the news that a
film about her life is overdue.
I won't be presumptuous to think that I have the
right script for Shelley Long - for there are
many more talented writers out there than I.
What I want to do is stimulate interest in the
idea, so that some inventive writer might be
inspired to tackle such a project.
So, scriptwriters, start your computer engines.
Let those keyboards begin to create that Shelley
Long/Bette Davis spectacular which I know the
world would appreciate.
I can only hope my words are heeded. Shelley,
can you hear me?
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