http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=493&ncid=762&e=1&u=/ap/20040908/ap_en_mo/britain_bacall_kidman

I like Ms. Bacall's attitude. Reminds me of my mother. Both assertive people and when my mother reached an advanced age she got really tired of of everyones hype and "pretend perception" and called 'em on it. Most people liked and respected her for it. I wish I had the ability to call peoples BS they way Ms. Bacall does and my mother did.

She's perfectly right. However, the lack of tact with which she said it is a trait I wish fewer people found admirable - one can be honest without being an ass.

Reading it and not being there, I believe if she was without tact or was being an ass Ms. Bacall would have started her statement with something like "how stupid could you be you little snot?". I too would have been offended.

I do appreciate people with tact and I appreciate honest people but I hate people who use tact to BS you. I wish there were more of just honest people.

I like Miss Bacall just fine but she would be just a footnote in cinematic history if she hadn't married Bogey.

I do appreciate people with tact and I appreciate honest people but I hate people who use tact to BS you. I wish there were more of just honest people.Agreed. I see a lack of tact in stating what she did, as she did, apparently right in front of Kidman and creating a very awkward situation for all involved - unless I read it incorrectly. OTOH, I enjoyed her response to the re-incarnation question.

I don't think she intended it as a slight to Nicole Kidman. Nicole is still a youthful actress with a looooooooong way to go before she'll ever qualify to be labelled as a 'legend'.
Rather, I think Betty's remark was directed toward correcting the interviewer's casual use of the term 'legend'.
Whether you regard Bacall herself as a legend or merely a footnote in film history, you can't deny that she actually knew and worked with bonafide film legends ( and Nicole Kidman ain't one of 'em )!

- GJS

Zorro, you're most likely right.

Dreamer, having known "old broads" like Ms. Bacall, I can only speculate (and believe) that her comments were directed at and to benefit Ms. Kidman.

We pour so much adulation and money on celebrities they often lose touch with reality. We see it on the news every day. Exrtreme case in point, Michael Jackson.